Attorney & Author

David F. Walbert

One of the nation's preeminent constitutional and voting rights litigators.

David F. Walbert

A Career of Conviction

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

Advocacy in Print

Stealing Elections, American Style

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
Whose Choice Is It? Abortion, Medicine, and the Law
2021 ABA Amazon

Whose Choice Is It? Abortion, Medicine, and the Law

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

Areas of Practice

Voting Rights

Decades of landmark litigation concerning discriminatory electoral systems, multiple U.S. Supreme Court victories, and testimony before Congress.

Constitutional Law

High-stakes constitutional challenges including redistricting, equal protection, and due process cases at the highest levels of the judiciary.

White-Collar Defense

Successful defense in high-profile criminal cases, including government corruption and selective prosecution challenges.

Complex Litigation

Class actions, professional negligence, environmental protection, employment discrimination, commercial litigation, and arbitrary government abuse of power.

Defining Legal Victories

Federal Court

Paige v. Gray

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.

Georgia Supreme Court

Kesterson v. Jarrett

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.

Federal Court

Arthur Langford 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.

Full Acquittal

Five Decades of Impact

1967

Stanford University

Graduates from Stanford University with a Bachelor's degree in physics.

1968

University of Michigan

Completes a Master's degree in physics before pivoting to law.

1972

Case Western Reserve University

Graduates top of class from law school. Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review.

1972–73

Federal Clerkship

Clerks for the Honorable Gus J. Solomon, U.S. District Court for Oregon.

1973

Moves to Georgia

Joins Georgia Indigent Legal Services (GILS) as a poverty lawyer specializing in housing and civil rights.

1974

Paige v. Gray

Files first landmark voting rights case, challenging the at-large election system in Albany, Georgia.

1975

Albany Victory

Triumphs in the Albany trial, securing ward-based voting.

1976

Private Practice

Leaves GILS to enter private practice. Co-founds boutique firm in Atlanta. Tries the Thomas County at-large voting case.

1978

Burke County Trial

Represents Herman Lodge and others in the historic Burke County trial, challenging systemic minimization of Black voting strength.

1979–80

Arthur Langford Defense

Successfully defends with co-counsel Atlanta City Council member in federal bribery and perjury trial. Total acquittal on all counts.

1982

Rogers v. Lodge — Supreme Court

Wins landmark 6–3 victory under the Fourteenth Amendment.

1981–82

Congressional Testimony

Testifies before U.S. House and Senate Judiciary Committees, advocating for the "results test" amendment to the Voting Rights Act.

1982

Busbee v. Smith

Successfully challenges Georgia's congressional redistricting plan, uncovering direct evidence of racial animus in the legislature. Supreme Court affirms.

1988–95

The Judicial Cases

Serves as special counsel for the State of Georgia, successfully defending the method of electing superior court judges. Supreme Court affirms.

1995

Miller v. Johnson — Supreme Court

Argues before the Supreme Court in defense of race-conscious redistricting for Georgia's 11th Congressional District.

2003

Georgia v. Ashcroft — Supreme Court

Argues before the Supreme Court, establishing the constitutional validity of "influence districts" under the Voting Rights Act.

2012

Kesterson v. Jarrett

Wins landmark 6–1 Georgia Supreme Court decision on the rights of disabled plaintiffs in the courtroom.

2021

Whose Choice Is It?

Comprehensive analysis of reproductive rights, abortion practices, and comparative law published by the ABA.

2021

Georgia Legislative Testimony

Testifies before the Georgia Legislative Special Committee on Elections regarding new voting restrictions.

2026

Stealing Elections, American Style

Publishes comprehensive account of election manipulation throughout American history.

Academic Papers

Contact

For inquiries, media requests, or speaking engagements, please email Leah Paulos at Press Shop PR:

Stealing Elections, American Style — Available Sept 2026 Pre-Order