Ted Olson

Ted Olson – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Ted Olson (Theodore B. Olson) was a towering figure in American law and politics. This detailed biography explores his early life, legal career, landmark cases, evolving philosophy, and enduring legacy—including his role in marriage equality and major Supreme Court history.

Introduction

Who was Ted Olson? Born September 11, 1940, he became one of the most prominent lawyers in America, serving in top Justice Department roles and arguing pivotal Supreme Court cases. Though not a conventional “politician” in the electoral sense, Olson’s legal influence deeply shaped U.S. politics and constitutional law. His career spanned conservative causes, partisan battles, and surprising shifts—such as his late advocacy for same-sex marriage. His life story is as rich with triumphs as it is with tragedy, offering lessons about principle, ambition, and transformation.

Early Life and Family

Theodore Bevry “Ted” Olson was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 11, 1940. His parents were Yvonne Lucy (née Bevry) and Lester W. Olson. Though born in Chicago, Olson grew up in Mountain View, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated from Los Altos High School in 1958.

In his youth, Olson displayed strong intellectual curiosity and a gift for debate and writing. He went on to attend the University of the Pacific (Stockton, California), where he studied communications and history. He graduated cum laude with a B.A. in 1962. During his undergraduate years, he was active in journalism and forensics, winning awards in both fields.

From there, he proceeded to the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (Boalt Hall). He served on the California Law Review, earned Order of the Coif, and graduated in 1965.

Olson’s first marriage was also during his early adult life—to Karen Beatie, whom he met while in college. Over his life he was married four times; his third wife, Barbara Olson, died tragically in the 9/11 attacks.

Youth and Education

Olson’s path through education was marked by both academic rigor and early political engagement. At Berkeley Law he campaigned for Republican Senator Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential contest—an early indication of his conservative leanings. His experience in debating, writing, and politics set the stage for a career that blended law, ideology, and public influence.

After law school, he joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles as an associate in 1965, quickly rising to partner by 1972. Over the next decade, he built a reputation as a skilled appellate attorney, arguing before courts and handling complex constitutional matters.

Career and Achievements

Early Legal and Government Work

One of Olson’s first major public service roles was as Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel under President Ronald Reagan (1981–1984). In that capacity, he advised the president on constitutional questions, executive power, and legal controversies of the day.

His time in government was not without controversy. During investigations such as the Iran-Contra affair, Olson had to defend executive privilege and navigate the tension between presidential confidentiality and congressional oversight.

After leaving government, he returned to private practice, deepening his profile in appellate litigation. Over the years, he argued numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court (some sources estimate around 65 cases) and became known as one of the most formidable Supreme Court advocates of his time.

The 2000 Election Dispute and Solicitor General

Olson gained national prominence during the Bush v. Gore legal battle in the 2000 presidential election. Serving as lead counsel for George W. Bush in the Florida recount dispute, Olson personally delivered arguments to the Supreme Court that ultimately contributed to Bush’s victory.

Shortly after, President Bush nominated him to be the Solicitor General of the United States. Olson was confirmed by the Senate and served in that role from June 11, 2001 until July 10, 2004. As Solicitor General, Olson represented the federal government before the Supreme Court, shaping the administration’s legal positions during a turbulent time.

During his tenure, he argued major cases involving executive authority, national security, and federal rights.

He stepped down in 2004 and returned to private practice with Gibson Dunn.

Later Work and Advocacy

After leaving public office, Olson continued to take on cases of national importance:

• He represented Apple Inc. in its high-profile fight with the FBI over unlocking an iPhone connected to a mass shooting, arguing privacy and encryption issues.

• He defended Tom Brady in the “Deflategate” scandal, though the case never proceeded to the Supreme Court.

• He played a critical role in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (later Hollingsworth v. Perry), a challenge to California’s Proposition 8 (a ban on same-sex marriage). He joined forces with his former adversary David Boies in what became one of the landmark legal battles for marriage equality.

• He argued Citizens United v. FEC, the 2010 case that struck down limits on corporate political spending.

• Later, he represented DACA recipients in Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California.

Through these roles, Olson remained influential in constitutional debates, particularly in areas where legal doctrine, politics, and civil rights intersected.

Historical Milestones & Context

To understand Olson’s impact, it helps to situate his career in the broader legal and political currents of late 20th and early 21st century America:

• Conservative legal movement: Olson was a founding member of the Federalist Society, a principal network for conservative and libertarian legal thought. Through that association he influenced legal appointments, judicial philosophy, and debates over originalism vs. living constitutionalism.

• Executive power and national security: Olson’s work in the OLC and later as Solicitor General took place amid debates over war powers, presidential immunity, and post-9/11 security measures.

• The magnification of the Supreme Court: Many of Olson’s signature victories (and defeats) involved the Supreme Court as a key battleground. His cases touched on election law, civil rights, corporate speech, and federal regulation.

• Shifting views on social issues: Perhaps most striking was Olson’s shift on same-sex marriage. As a mainstream conservative, he surprised many by joining a major litigation effort to overturn bans on gay marriage. That evolution reflected a broader transformation in American legal and cultural attitudes.

• Interplay of law and politics: Olson’s career epitomizes the blurred lines between legal advocacy and political influence, especially in constitutional litigation with national consequences.

Legacy and Influence

Olson’s legacy is multifaceted—he left enduring marks on law, politics, and public discourse:

• Legal excellence & mentorship: Many lawyers cite Olson as an inspiration and mentor. In 2024, his firm named a moot courtroom in his honor.

• Bridging ideological divides: His partnership with David Boies in the marriage equality fight is often held up as a symbol that legal alliance can transcend political enemy lines in pursuit of principle.

• Shaping precedent: His arguments in Citizens United, Bush v. Gore, and Hollingsworth v. Perry contributed to enduring constitutional law doctrines.

• Public character: Olson was widely respected, even by critics, for his intelligence, eloquence, and personal dignity.

• Tragedy and resilience: The death of his wife Barbara Olson in the 9/11 attacks cast a deeply personal shadow on his public life. Yet he continued his work with resolve.

• Evolving conservatism: His later willingness to challenge conservative orthodoxy on social issues underscores how legal thinkers sometimes evolve in response to societal change.

Ted Olson died on November 13, 2024, of a stroke at age 84 in Falls Church, Virginia. His passing prompted bipartisan tributes to a lawyer who bridged law and public life.

Personality and Talents

What made Olson stand out beyond his résumé?

• Eloquent orator: He had a commanding presence in court, with a clarity of argument and passion for constitutional principles.

• Intellectual rigor: His work was thoroughly researched, ambitious in scope, and — often — unafraid of complexity.

• Moral curiosity: His willingness later in life to reconsider positions (e.g. on marriage equality) suggests an intellectual openness rare in high public figures.

• Resilience in adversity: He endured personal tragedy, political pushback, and legal risk, yet remained committed to his calling.

• Bridge-builder: His collaborations across ideological lines (e.g. with Boies) indicate a belief that legal truth does not always align with party loyalty.

Famous Quotes of Ted Olson

Here are a few of Olson’s memorable statements that encapsulate his thinking and spirit:

1. “It is the right of individuals, not an indulgence to be dispensed by the state.”
   — In closing arguments for the same-sex marriage case Perry v. Schwarzenegger (California Prop 8)

2. “The right to marry, to choose to marry, has never been tied to procreation.”
   — Also in the Prop 8 litigation, emphasizing that marriage rights transcend gender and fertility arguments

3. “Many of [my Supreme Court] cases were big, blockbuster cases that helped shape our society.”
   — Reflecting on his career and the gravitas of his courtroom work

4. “I count myself among so many in Washington who knew Ted as a good and decent man.”
   — A remark by Senate leader Mitch McConnell in a tribute after Olson’s death

These statements capture both his legal mindset and his personal commitment to dignity, rights, and justice.

Lessons from Ted Olson

From Olson’s life and work, several lessons emerge:

• Intellectual courage matters: He did not shy from controversial cases, even when they challenged his political base.

• Principle over partisanship: His shift on marriage equality shows that deeply held beliefs may evolve, and integrity demands aligning actions accordingly.

• Law as a tool for social change: Olson’s belief in constitutional litigation as a lever for rights — not only for elites but for marginalized individuals — is a model for engaged lawyers.

• Personal fortitude counts: Public life is often tragic and difficult; Olson’s capacity to continue after loss is a reminder of endurance.

• Collaboration transcends conflict: Working with ideological adversaries doesn’t dilute principle; it can strengthen legitimacy.

Conclusion

Ted Olson’s journey from a California youth to one of America’s foremost constitutional lawyers is rich in ambition, achievement, and transformation. He shaped major legal doctrines, argued landmark cases, and stunned many by crossing ideological lines in defense of liberty. His life reminds us that the legal profession is not only about winning arguments — it is also about character, courage, and the long arc of justice.

Explore more of his famous quotes and legal legacy to grasp how one individual can help mold the constitutional framework of a nation.