Ted Olson in the Limelight

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As the United States Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday on the historic question of whether gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry, NAFUSA member Theodore Olson was front and center. Olson argued for revising the law’s definition of marriage to accomodate gay and lesbian couples.

Olson and David Boies filed the case, Hollingsworth v. Perry, in 2009, challenging California Proposition 8, which overturned a State Supreme Court decision allowing same-sex marriage. Despite his strong conservative reputation, Olson surprised many by teaming up with Boies, whom he had opposed in Bush v. Gore in 2000.

Olson served as the solicitor general of the United States, 2001-2004. He also served as the assistant attorney general in charge of the Office of Legal Counsel, 1981-1984. He is currently a partner in the Washington office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. On Monday, Olson was named one of “The Most Influential Lawyers in America” by the National Law Journal.