Attorney & Author
One of the nation's preeminent constitutional and voting rights litigators.
Over a five-decade career, David F. Walbert evolved from a student of theoretical physics into a nationally recognized constitutional lawyer.
Often pitted against systemic injustice, Walbert helped fundamentally reshape the political landscape of Georgia and the American South through high-stakes litigation, repeat appearances before the United States Supreme Court, and testimony before Congress.
Read Full Biography“When this David battles a Goliath, better not bet on the big guy.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bloomsbury
As Americans wrestle with questions of election integrity and democracy's future, Stealing Elections, American Style reveals how today's challenges are deeply rooted in history. Drawing on decades of litigating election cases and arguing before the Supreme Court, David Walbert combines gripping stories of stolen elections with a clear explanation of how elections are routinely rigged before a single vote is cast.
Readers will come away with a deep understanding of gerrymandering, voter suppression, voter ID laws, and voter purges—and a clearer picture of how we got here and where we go from here.
“The right to vote is the hallmark of our democracy—and it is under attack. David Walbert describes in detail the schemes to deprive us of that basic right. Stealing Elections, American Style is a valuable warning to all of us that we must be diligent in protecting the franchise, or we will have no democracy at all.” — Governor Roy Barnes
American Bar Association
This anthology addresses every aspect of reproductive health and abortion in the United States and worldwide, including the central question—should a woman be allowed to choose whether to continue her pregnancy or should a legislature be empowered to make that choice for her? Some of the world's foremost experts authored chapters that address past, present, and future abortion practices from legal, medical, political, and moral perspectives. No other source provides the comprehensive medical, ethical and legal analyses that this book does.
“If everyone in the legislature read this book, our discussion would change for the better … facts would replace falsehoods.” — Jen Jordan, State Senator
Decades of landmark litigation concerning discriminatory electoral systems, multiple U.S. Supreme Court victories, and testimony before Congress.
High-stakes constitutional challenges including redistricting, equal protection, and due process cases at the highest levels of the judiciary.
Successful defense in high-profile criminal cases, including government corruption and selective prosecution challenges.
Class actions, professional negligence, environmental protection, employment discrimination, commercial litigation, and arbitrary government abuse of power.
Voting Rights · 1982
Successfully challenged the discriminatory at-large voting system, securing a historic 6–3 ruling that allowed courts to infer discriminatory intent from circumstantial evidence.
Redistricting · 2003
Returned to the Supreme Court to defend Georgia's redistricting plan, establishing the importance of "influence districts" in protecting minority political power.
Redistricting · 1995
Argued before the Supreme Court in defense of race-conscious redistricting for Georgia's 11th Congressional District in one of the most significant redistricting cases in U.S. history.
Voting Rights · 1975
First Fifth Circuit case to rule that at-large elections could be challenged under the Constitution where they diminished minority voting strength.
Civil Rights · 2012
Won a landmark 6–1 decision establishing the constitutional right of disabled plaintiffs to be present in the courtroom during the liability phase of their trial.
Criminal Defense · 1979–1980
Successfully defended Atlanta City Council member against federal charges of bribery and perjury, ending in a total acquittal on all counts.
Graduates from Stanford University with a Bachelor's degree in physics.
Completes a Master's degree in physics before pivoting to law.
Graduates top of class from law school. Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.
Clerks for the Honorable Gus J. Solomon, U.S. District Court for Oregon.
Joins Georgia Indigent Legal Services (GILS) as a poverty lawyer specializing in housing and civil rights.
Files first landmark voting rights case, challenging the at-large election system in Albany, Georgia.
Triumphs in the Albany trial, securing ward-based voting.
Leaves GILS to enter private practice. Co-founds boutique firm in Atlanta. Tries the Thomas County at-large voting case.
Represents Herman Lodge and others in the historic Burke County trial, challenging systemic minimization of Black voting strength.
Successfully defends with co-counsel Atlanta City Council member in federal bribery and perjury trial. Total acquittal on all counts.
Wins landmark 6–3 victory under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Testifies before U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees, advocating for the "results test" amendment to the Voting Rights Act.
Successfully challenges Georgia's congressional redistricting plan, uncovering direct evidence of racial animus in the legislature. Supreme Court affirms.
Serves as special counsel for the State of Georgia, successfully defending the method of electing superior court judges. Supreme Court affirms.
Argues before the Supreme Court in defense of race-conscious redistricting for Georgia's 11th Congressional District.
Argues before the Supreme Court, establishing the constitutional validity of "influence districts" under the Voting Rights Act.
Wins landmark 6–1 Georgia Supreme Court decision on the rights of disabled plaintiffs in the courtroom.
Comprehensive analysis of reproductive rights, abortion practices, and comparative law published by the ABA.
Testifies before the Georgia Legislative Special Committee on Elections regarding new voting restrictions.
Publishes comprehensive account of election manipulation throughout American history.
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