Overlawyered began in July 1999 and is regularly described as the oldest law blog; at least, no one seems to be able to name one that’s older. Its founder and predominant writer is Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of several books about the U.S. litigation system, with (since 2003) frequent contributions by Ted Frank, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who directs its AEI Legal Center (and who was formerly a practicing lawyer with the large law firm O’Melveny and Myers). New Jersey lawyer David Nieporent, also contributed for a time, and the site has had dozens of visiting guestbloggers.
Walter Olson: editor – at – [this domain name]
Ted Frank: tedfrank – at – gmail – dot – com
The site is not published by, and should not be seen as reflecting the views of, any wider organization, such as the Manhattan Institute or AEI. Its modest hosting and operating expenses come out of my own pocket. The site took advertising for a while but at the moment does not.
For a sampling of the many nice things said about us, check our accolades page.
– Walter Olson, editor
The site’s original self-description:
Overlawyered.com explores an American legal system that too often turns litigation into a weapon against guilty and innocent alike, erodes individual responsibility, rewards sharp practice, enriches its participants at the public’s expense, and resists even modest efforts at reform and accountability.
