Walter Olson
Washington Examiner
New Market, MD, United States
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Past articles by Walter:
It was a boring Election Day, and that’s good
How much went right with last Tuesday's midterm election? A lot. → Read More
The Left’s Decriminalization Push Stops Short of Labor Law
One law professor says violations by employers should carry ‘the real threat of imprisonment.’ → Read More
Florida Bans Private Businesses From Requiring Vaccine Credentials for Service
In a setback for principles of liberty, Florida forbids private businesses from requiring COVID vaccine credentials as a condition of service. → Read More
After the Derek Chauvin Verdict
To address police misconduct, much more is needed than a willingness to press criminal prosecution in the worst cases. → Read More
Is H.R. 1 a "Voting Rights Bill"?
H.R. 1 is a sprawling omnibus bill asserting new federal government authority in dozens of areas. Calling it a “voting rights bill” is misleading at best. → Read More
Here Come the Covid Liability Lawsuits
Trial lawyers are eager to sue businesses for scanning foreheads and letting older employees work from home. → Read More
Trump Cannot Stay In Power By Declaring Martial Law
The president of the United States has no lawful authority to reverse or suspend the outcome of an election by sending in the military or invoking martial law or the Insurrection Act. → Read More
No, State Legislatures Aren't Going To Override The Popular Vote on Presidential Electors
Could a state legislature intervene to prescribe its own slate of presidential electors rather than letting voters make the choice? In theory, yes — but not in the circumstances that follow Election Day 2020. → Read More
Are Foster Care Agencies Entitled To Religious Accommodation?
The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether a religious agency has a right to participate in the city of Philadelphia’s foster care program while declining to carry out home studies for same‐sex fostering couples. → Read More
Are Foster Care Agencies Entitled To Religious Accommodation?
The Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether a religious agency has a right to participate in the city of Philadelphia’s foster care program while declining to carry out home studies for same‐sex fostering couples. → Read More
Judge: Seattle's Aid To Protest Zone Might Have Been a Taking
The city of Seattle actively assisted protesters to occupy a commercial and residential neighborhood for weeks. A taking for which fair compensation is due? → Read More
Packing the Supreme Court Would Lead to a Slippery Slope
Whatever you think of the politics, packing the Supreme Court would be bad for the law itself — bad for the efficiency and quality of the court’s work, bad for its credibility and public legitimacy. → Read More
No, Amy Coney Barrett Is Not ‘Anti-Worker’
Her employment‐law jurisprudence hews closely to precedent handed down by the Supreme Court. → Read More
Minneapolis Won't Let Riot-Battered Stores Install Security Shutters
Minneapolis won’t let riot‐torn businesses install protective security shutters. Philadelphia won’t let corner sandwich shops use acrylic partitions to protect themselves against robbery. It doesn’t take a libertarian to spot the pattern here. → Read More
Never Trump, Now More Than Ever
Mr. Trump erodes public trust and embarrasses his office. Join me in not voting for him. → Read More
Understanding Federal Police Surges in American Cities
Featuring Patrick G. Eddington, Walter Olson, and Caleb O. Brown → Read More
SCOTUS: States May Punish "Faithless" Electors
The Supreme Court vigorously agrees that states may fine or otherwise punish Electoral College electors who “go rogue.” The court added that there are limits to the restrictions. Walter Olson comments on the context and history of the decision. → Read More
Why Redistricting Reform Goes off the Rails
“Buddymandering” is the widespread map‐related misconduct that’s wrecking our elections. → Read More
A good run: Overlawyered, 1999-2020
I published the first Overlawyered post on July 1, 1999, and I expect this post on May 31, 2020 will be the last. As someone in the entertainment world once put it, “Leave before they want yo… → Read More
Searching the Overlawyered archives
Overlawyered always prided itself on having usable archives, and I would often hear from writers, attorneys, and others who had been alerted to cases or issues by our old posts or had found them us… → Read More