Yesterday morning, Barack Obama announced several high-level appointments to the new Justice Department, including Dawn Johnsen to head the Office of Legal Counsel, the little-known branch of the DoJ considered “the president’s law firm.” Johnsen teaches law at Indiana University but has also been a prolific blogger for Slate’s legal blog “Convictions,” and a Slate contributor. (Read Johnsen’s self-introduction on “Convictions” here.) Recycled below are her articles and some highlights from her “Convictions” postings, including her thoughts on how that office should be reformed.
Slate articles
“The Outer Shell: The hollowing out of Roe v. Wade.” Posted Jan. 25, 2006.
“Law and Orders: How should the president’s lawyers advise a reluctant White House?” Posted June 8, 2007.
Highlights from “Convictions”:
“Restoring Our Nation’s Honor.” Posted March 18, 2008.
“Yet More on Cheney and Unitary Executive.” Posted March 19, 2008.
“Reducing Abortions.” Posted March 22, 2008.
“NYT? What’s Bush’s Excuse for Keeping Law Violations Secret?” Posted March 27, 2008.
“Outrage at the Latest OLC Torture Memo.” Posted April 3, 2008.
“Devastating Racial Disparities in Incarceration.” Posted April 24, 2008.
Read all of Johnsen’s “Convictions” posts here.
