Spencer Overton Biography

Professor Overton is the Director of the Political Law Studies Initiative and specializes on voting rights and campaign finance. His election law scholarly writings have published in a number of prestigious legal journals, including the Texas Law Review, the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and the Michigan Law Review. Professor Overton's book Stealing Democracy: The New Politics of Voter Suppression was published and distributed by W.W. Norton. Professor Overton was a major leader on the Administration's groundbreaking initiatives to restrain special interests, improve transparency, and boost public involvement during his tenure in the Obama campaign, transition, and administration (2007-2010). He served as the Obama presidential campaign's Chair of Government Reform Policy from 2007 to 2008. He worked in the Obama Transition Team's Office of General Counsel and helped establish the Administration's ethical rules. He also served as a member of the Federal Election Commission Agency Review Team and headed the Election Assistance Commission Agency Review Team. Professor Overton left GW Law School to become the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Policy at the start of the Obama Administration. He worked with White House officials to lead the Administration's policy efforts on democratic concerns in that capacity. He was a key figure in developing and implementing policies related to the Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Voting Rights Act, and the Administration's response to the United States Supreme Court's decision to allow unlimited corporate spending in federal elections. Prior to joining the Law School faculty, he taught at the University of California, Davis, and was the Charles Hamilton Houston Fellow at Harvard. Before entering school, he practiced law at Debevoise Plimpton in Washington, DC, where he worked on many high-profile matters, including congressional and Justice Department investigations into Democratic National Committee fundraising tactics. Professor Overton also clerked for Judge Damon J. Keith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Professor Overton served on the Jimmy Carter-James Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform and the Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling. In addition, he has served on the boards of various organizations, including Common Cause, Demos, The Center for Responsive Politics, and the American Constitution Society. His columns have appeared in the Washington Post, Roll Call, the Boston Globe, and the Los Angeles Times, among other publications, and he has spoken on national and local radio and television stations to address election law concerns.

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Spencer Overton's expertise is in high demand. To book Spencer Overton for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Spencer Overton's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Spencer Overton's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Spencer Overton for your next speaking engagement.