ACS Remembers Walter Dellinger

There will be a virtual memorial for Walter Dellinger on Saturday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Learn more »

ACS joins others within the legal community and beyond to mourn the monumental loss of the late Walter Dellinger, who was a friend, a colleague, and a mentor to so many in our network. Walter was a tireless champion for civil rights and the rule of law and inspired generations of lawyers to dedicate their careers to improving the lives of all Americans. Our country is a better place thanks to his selfless leadership and thoughtful legal counsel, including during his tenure as Assistant Attorney General and head of the Office of Legal Counsel and later as acting Solicitor General. ACS was honored to bestow Dellinger with our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, and we are grateful for the guidance and leadership he provided as a member of our Board of Advisors. His work and memory will continue to inspire us.

As a tribute to honor Walter's legacy and impact, we have compiled a timeline of memories below. We invite you to share your memories of Walter at the bottom of this page.

February 2022

The last of Walter's writings was an op-ed for The New York Times entitled, "Yes, the Supreme Court ‘Should Look Like the Country.’" In it, he writes:

This practice of considering prospective justices’ backgrounds and demographic characteristics — engaged in by presidents of both parties over the decades — is not some form of “quota” designed merely to appease political constituencies. Rather, it stems from bedrock principles of democratic governance. After all, the Supreme Court exercises immense power to issue decisions that affect and bind all Americans. For that power to be legitimate, and for Americans to continue placing faith in the court, its members must be representative of all of America. Mr. Biden recognized precisely this point when he explained during his campaign that the Supreme Court “should look like the country.”

Read the entire op-ed on The New York Times website.

Walter Dellinger Throughout the Years

Walter with Barney Frank and Joseph Onek at the 2006 National Convention

Walter (center) at the 2001 ACS National Kickoff Event with (from left, at podium) ACS Founder Peter Rubin, Elaine Jones, Janet Reno, Abner Mikva, and Lawrence Tribe

Geoffrey Stone and Walter at the 2012 Chicago ACS Chapter’s Annual Legal Legends Luncheon

Walter on a 2008 National Convention panel with Hon. Elena Kagan and Jamie Gorelick

Walter on a 2008 National Convention panel with Hon. Elena Kagan

Judge Guido Calabresi and Walter at the 2003 National Convention

Walter and Scott Lassar at the 2012 Chicago ACS Chapter’s Annual Legal Legends Luncheon

Walter Dellinger introducing then Senator Joe Biden to Teresa Wynn Roseborough at the 2005 ACS National Convention

Walter with Goodwin Liu and David Halperin at Georgetown Law School

Walter on a panel for the 2004 Supreme Court Preview

June 2020

ACS honored Walter Dellinger with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2020 National Convention.

June 2019

Walter moderated an ACS panel discussion at the 2019 National Convention entitled "Doing Theory, Doing Law" featuring three distinguished federal judges as they reflect on their experiences in the law and how one's role defines how they engage with the law. Featuring: Hon. Sri Srinivasan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit; Hon. David Barron, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; and Hon. Pamela Harris, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

September 2019

Walter joined a panel of fellow legal experts to discuss and offer insights on the then upcoming Supreme Court term at ACS's annual Supreme Court Preview event on September 25, 2019.

September 2011

Walter visited a local elementary school for Constitution in the Classroom, a nationwide volunteer event ACS assists in coordinating annually on Constitution Day.