When: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Where: In-person in our Archives and Research building or online via ZOOM.

This is a free event, though donations are greatly appreciated to support our mission and to continue to bring you educational programming.

Presidential Power and the Supreme Court: Woodrow Wilson’s Legacy.

During his presidency, Woodrow Wilson made three consequential appointments to the United States Supreme Court—James Clark McReynolds, Louis Brandeis, and John H. Clarke. Each nomination reflected different political pressures, personal judgments, and historical circumstances, and each left a distinct mark on the Court and the nation.

Join us as Professor Timothy Keefer explores what shaped these appointments, why some were more controversial than others, and how Wilson’s choices continue to influence presidential decision-making on Supreme Court nominations today. This timely talk offers insight into the intersection of law, politics, and presidential leadership, issues that remain deeply relevant in our own era.

About the Speaker

Timothy Keefer is an attorney and former professor of National Security Law at the Washington & Lee University School of Law. A graduate of Washington & Lee University School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude), he also holds a B.A. magna cum laude in Russian Area Studies with a minor in Public Law from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Professor Keefer was a key attorney in Bush v. Gore and has provided legal and policy advice to three Cabinet Secretaries, more than 20 federal judges, and numerous senior government officials on major constitutional, statutory, and ethical issues. His career includes service in the intelligence community, interactions with sitting U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and service as a U.S. Navy veteran. He has written extensively on U.S. constitutional issues.