Anaya Nolan
Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, law professor, and author known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law. He has been called one of the most prominent and consistent defenders of civil liberties in America and the nation's most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer. Dershowitz has taught at Harvard Law School, where he was appointed the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law in 1993, and has written numerous books and articles on constitutional law. He has also been a frequent commentator on legal issues and court proceedings and has argued several high-profile cases. Given his extensive knowledge and experience in the field of constitutional law, Dershowitz is considered by many to be a leading expert in this area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st September 1938 |
| Profession | Lawyer, Law Professor |
| Area of Expertise | Constitutional Law, Criminal Law |
| Work | Taught at Harvard Law School from 1964 to 2013 |
| Appointed as the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law in 1993 | |
| Regular media contributor, political commentator, and legal analyst | |
| Represented celebrity clients like Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, and Julian Assange | |
| Author of numerous books and articles on law, history, philosophy, and more | |
| Criticized by liberals and praised by conservatives for his comments and defense of civil liberties | |
| Called "one of the most prominent and consistent defenders of civil liberties in America" by Politico | |
| Awarded the William O. Douglas First Amendment Award for his advocacy for civil and human rights |
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What You'll Learn
Alan Dershowitz's career
Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, law professor, and author known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law. He has been called "the nation's most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer" and one of its "most distinguished defenders of individual rights". He has also been described as "the best-known criminal lawyer in the world", "the top lawyer of last resort", and "America's most public Jewish defender".
Dershowitz was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on September 1, 1938, to an Orthodox Jewish couple. He attended Yeshiva University High School and later graduated from Brooklyn College in 1959. He then attended Yale Law School, where he was editor of the Yale Law Journal. After graduating in 1962, he served as a law clerk for Judge David Bazelon and Justice Arthur Goldberg. In 1964, at the age of 25, he joined the Harvard Law School faculty and taught there until 2013. During his time at Harvard, he was appointed the Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law in 1993.
Dershowitz has taken on numerous high-profile and often controversial cases throughout his career. In the late 1960s, he began representing students threatened with expulsion for protesting the Vietnam War, and he joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He successfully represented a Boston theatre owner in 1969 when state authorities tried to prevent the showing of the sexually explicit film "I Am Curious (Yellow)". He also won a new trial for Claus von Bülow, who had been convicted of the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny, in 1982. Dershowitz successfully appealed the conviction, arguing the inadmissibility of evidence.
Dershowitz has represented several celebrity clients, including Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, Leona Helmsley, Julian Assange, and Jim Bakker. He was part of the legal ""Dream Team"" that successfully defended O.J. Simpson in his 1995 murder trial. He has also been involved in several defamation lawsuits and countersuits over allegations of sexual misconduct.
In addition to his legal work, Dershowitz is a regular media contributor, political commentator, and legal analyst. He has published more than 1000 articles in various publications and is the author of numerous books, including "The Best Defense", "Reversal of Fortune: Inside the von Bülow Case", "Chutzpah", and "Reasonable Doubts: The Criminal Justice System and the O.J. Simpson Case". He has also written about history, philosophy, psychology, literature, mathematics, and other diverse topics.
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Notable cases
Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, law professor, and author known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law. He has been called "one of the most prominent and consistent defenders of civil liberties in America" and "the nation's most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer". He has also been described as "the best-known criminal lawyer in the world".
Dershowitz has been involved in numerous notable cases throughout his career. Here are some of the most significant ones:
Harry Reems (1976)
Dershowitz successfully appealed the conviction of actor Harry Reems, who was charged with conspiracy to distribute pornography across state lines for his performance in the adult film "Deep Throat". Dershowitz argued against censorship of pornography on First Amendment grounds, claiming that its consumption was not harmful.
Claus von Bülow (1984)
Dershowitz represented Claus von Bülow, a wealthy Danish-British socialite, in his appeal for the attempted murder of his wife, Sunny. Dershowitz won a new trial for von Bülow, arguing that the evidence used against him was inadmissible. The conviction was overturned, and von Bülow was acquitted in a retrial. This case brought Dershowitz significant fame and was later adapted into a Hollywood film.
O.J. Simpson (1995)
Dershowitz was part of the "dream team" of lawyers who successfully defended former NFL star O.J. Simpson against charges of brutally murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. The case, dubbed the "Trial of the Century", was one of the most publicized criminal trials in American history. Dershowitz later wrote a book about his experience, titled "Reasonable Doubts: The Criminal Justice System and the O. J. Simpson Case".
Jeffrey Epstein (2019)
Dershowitz was a member of the legal defence team for Jeffrey Epstein, who was investigated for soliciting sex from minors. Epstein pled guilty to two counts of soliciting prostitution, one involving an underage girl. Dershowitz helped Epstein receive a lenient sentence, which later sparked outrage and led to renewed investigations into Epstein's crimes. Dershowitz himself was also accused of abuse by two of Epstein's victims, but he strongly denied the allegations.
Donald Trump (2020)
In 2020, Dershowitz joined President Donald Trump's legal team during his impeachment trial in the Senate. This move was notable as Dershowitz had been a Hillary Clinton supporter and had made controversial defences of Trump on television. He stated that he was ""nonpartisan when it comes to the Constitution" and that he would defend the integrity of the Constitution. Dershowitz's role was limited to presenting oral arguments opposing impeachment.
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Views on civil liberties
Alan Dershowitz is a lawyer and law professor known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law. He has been called "one of the most prominent and consistent defenders of civil liberties in America" by Politico and "the nation's most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer" by Newsweek. Dershowitz has also been described as "a neutral civil libertarian when it comes to the Constitution".
Dershowitz has criticised the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), arguing that it has become a hyper-partisan organisation, moving from the "neutral protector of civil liberties to a partisan advocate of hard-left politics". He has also criticised the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, stating that it has "no place in modern society".
In terms of specific cases, Dershowitz has defended Donald Trump on several occasions, including arguing that Trump's rally preceding the 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol was "constitutionally protected" speech. He also joined Trump's legal team when the former president was being tried on impeachment charges in the Senate, stating that he was "nonpartisan when it comes to the Constitution".
Dershowitz has also been an advocate for Israel, arguing that the country should not be condemned for civilian deaths as it has a "self-interest in minimising civilian casualties". He has written about what he calls the "absurdity and counterproductive nature of international law" in this context.
In addition, Dershowitz has taken on high-profile cases involving celebrity clients, such as Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, and Julian Assange. He has also been described as a proponent of civil liberties and has made a speciality of "defending people who do outrageous things". For example, in the 1980s and 1990s, he advocated for civil liberties in cases centred on celebrity, wealth, and greed.
Dershowitz has also written extensively on civil liberties, including his book "Shouting Fire: Civil Liberties in a Turbulent Age", which presents his "revolutionary and controversial philosophy of rights". In this book, he explores where rights come from and the connections between rights and wrongs, arguing that individual rights should trump state power.
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Criticism
Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, law professor, and legal analyst known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law. He has received praise and criticism for his work and political stances. Here are some instances where Dershowitz has faced criticism:
Dershowitz has faced criticism from liberals for defending Donald Trump during his impeachment hearings and for his controversial defences of Trump on television prior to joining his legal team. He also received backlash for joining Harvey Weinstein's legal team as a consultant.
He has been criticised for his strong support of Israel and his proposals regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In an article for The Jerusalem Post, he suggested that Israel should announce a unilateral cessation in retaliation and publicly list targets that would be destroyed in response to any future acts of terrorism. This proposal attracted criticism, with some arguing that it would violate international law.
Dershowitz has also been criticised for defending Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh against accusations by Julie Swetnick. He called on Swetnick's lawyer to withdraw the affidavit due to inconsistencies.
In addition, Dershowitz faced ridicule and criticism after an incident at a farmer's market in Martha's Vineyard, where he was denied service by a vendor who disagreed with his political views and the clients he had represented. He responded by posting a 30-minute video about the incident and stating his intention to take legal action, which sparked further criticism.
Dershowitz has also been criticised by some for his work with controversial clients, including Jeffrey Epstein, and for his stance on certain issues, such as his criticism of the Second Amendment.
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Published works
Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, law professor, and legal analyst known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law. He has published over 1000 articles in magazines, newspapers, journals, and blogs, such as The New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The Harvard Law Review. He has also authored 55 books, including "The Genesis of Justice: 10 Stories of Biblical Injustice That Led to the 10 Commandments and Modern Morality and Law" and "America on Trial: Inside the Legal Battles That Transformed Our Nation--From the Salem Witches to the Guantanamo Detainees".
Dershowitz's writing has been praised by notable figures such as Truman Capote, Saul Bellow, and Elie Wiesel. In 1983, he received the William O. Douglas First Amendment Award from the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith for his advocacy for civil and human rights.
In addition to his written works, Dershowitz has taught at Harvard Law School for 50 years, offering courses on criminal, constitutional, family, and Jewish laws, as well as other topics such as neurobiology, literature, and philosophy. He has also represented and advised presidents, prime ministers, and business leaders, including Donald Trump during his impeachment trial.
Dershowitz has been criticised for his defence of Trump, with some arguing that he has applied his civil liberties principles inconsistently. However, he has also received praise from conservatives for his comments and has defended his representation of Trump, stating that he is "nonpartisan when it comes to the Constitution."
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Frequently asked questions
Alan Dershowitz is an American lawyer, law professor, and author. He has taught at Harvard Law School and is known for his work in U.S. constitutional and criminal law.
Alan Dershowitz has been a frequent commentator on legal and political issues, often involving the U.S. Constitution. He has defended civil liberties, including freedom of speech, and criticised the Second Amendment, arguing that it has "no place in modern society". He has also written books such as "Sexual McCarthyism: Clinton, Starr, and the Emerging Constitutional Crisis" and "Trumped Up: How Criminalization of Political Differences Endangers Democracy".
Yes, Alan Dershowitz has been involved in several notable cases related to constitutional law. He has represented clients such as Mike Tyson, Patty Hearst, and Julian Assange. He also successfully appealed the 1976 conviction of actor Harry Reems, who was charged with distributing pornography across state lines. Additionally, he has argued before the U.S. Senate during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, defending the Constitution and the principle of free speech.
Alan Dershowitz has received both praise and criticism for his work in constitutional law. Newsweek has called him "one of the most prominent and consistent defenders of civil liberties in America". He has also been described as "the nation's most peripatetic civil liberties lawyer" and "one of its most distinguished defenders of individual rights". On the other hand, he has faced criticism from liberals for his defence of Trump and his comments on other controversial issues.
Yes, Alan Dershowitz has received recognition for his work in constitutional law. In 1983, he received the William O. Douglas First Amendment Award from the Anti-Defamation League for his "persistent advocacy in the struggle for civil and human rights". He has also received praise from notable figures such as Truman Capote, Elie Wiesel, and Henry Louis Gate, Jr. for his writing and contributions to law and civil liberties.
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