George Conway: The Education and Career Path of a Prominent Lawyer

George Thomas Conway III, born on September 2, 1963, is a prominent American lawyer known for his work in law and his outspoken opinions on politics. His journey from a biochemistry student to a successful litigator is marked by academic excellence, significant legal achievements, and a willingness to challenge established norms. This article delves into Conway's educational background, early career, legal accomplishments, and his forays into the political arena.

Early Life and Education

George Conway's early life played a significant role in shaping his future career. His mother was an organic chemist from the Philippines, and his father worked for Raytheon Technologies as an engineer. Growing up near Boston, Conway attended Marlborough High School in Marlborough, Massachusetts. Despite being "camera shy" and not having a photo in the yearbook, he excelled academically.

Conway's academic pursuits led him to Harvard College, where he graduated with high honors in 1984 with a degree in biochemistry. This interdisciplinary foundation laid the groundwork for his future legal career, providing him with analytical and problem-solving skills applicable across various fields.

After Harvard, Conway pursued law at Yale Law School, where he further honed his intellectual abilities and legal acumen. While at Yale, he was an editor for the Yale Law Journal, a prestigious position that reflects his writing and analytical skills. He earned his law degree in 1987, marking the beginning of his formal legal career.

Early Career and Legal Training

After graduating from Yale Law School in 1987, George Conway began his legal career with a clerkship for Judge Ralph K. Winter Jr. at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. This experience provided him with invaluable insights into the judicial process and appellate advocacy.

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In 1988, Conway joined the law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, where he would spend the majority of his legal career. His work at the firm focused on different types of legal cases, including those involving stocks, company mergers, and business agreements. He became a partner in the Litigation Department in January 1994.

Legal Accomplishments

George Conway's legal career is marked by several significant accomplishments, particularly in the areas of securities litigation and corporate law. His litigation experience has included a variety of high-profile matters spanning many areas of law in federal and state courts throughout the country.

Landmark Cases

One of Conway's most notable achievements was his representation of the respondents in Morrison v. National Australia Bank. In this case, the Supreme Court of the United States held that Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 does not apply extraterritorially to claims of "foreign-cubed" plaintiffs. This victory, decided with an 8-0 vote, was significant in clarifying the scope of U.S. securities laws in international contexts.

Conway also successfully argued a precedent-setting motion to dismiss so-called "foreign-squared" claims against European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. These cases highlight his expertise in complex securities litigation and his ability to navigate intricate legal issues.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Conway's work in mergers and acquisitions litigation includes the representation of Rohm and Haas Co. Dow Chemical Co., and Valassis Communications v. ADVO, two Delaware Chancery Court cases involving claims to enforce merger agreements, as well as two historic cases in the development of Delaware corporate law governing mergers and acquisitions, QVC v. Paramount Communications and Paramount Communications v.

Other Notable Cases

In addition to his work in securities and M&A litigation, Conway has been involved in a variety of other high-profile cases. He successfully argued an important appeal under the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990 on behalf of the Swiss installation artist Christoph Büchel in a dispute with the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. He also represented the Chief Judge of the State of New York and the New York Unified Court System in constitutional litigation over judicial salaries.

Conway also played a substantial role in prosecuting one of the most prominent defamation cases in recent memory (Philip Morris v. American Broadcasting Cos.). He has extensive experience in merger-related private antitrust litigation and government antitrust investigations, including the defense of Cardinal Health in the preliminary injunction proceedings before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in FTC v. Cardinal Health. He also represented the National Football League in trademark and antitrust litigation against the Dallas Cowboys in NFL Properties v. Dallas Cowboys Football Club.

Political Involvement and Commentary

While George Conway is primarily known for his legal work, he has also become a prominent figure in the political arena. His political involvement has taken various forms, from behind-the-scenes assistance in legal cases to public commentary and activism.

Early Political Activities

Back in the 1990s, Conway assisted lawyers for Paula Jones, the former Arkansas state employee who sued President Bill Clinton for sexual harassment. Conway said, "If you told me in 1994 that this would lead to the impeachment of the president, I would have said you are a certifiable lunatic. It was just a civil case. It was popgun. The notion that it was some sort of long-term conspiracy to destroy Bill Clinton is ludicrous."

Criticism of Donald Trump

In more recent years, Conway has gained significant attention for his criticism of President Donald Trump. This was particularly notable because his wife, Kellyanne Conway, worked for Trump at the time. Despite his wife's role in the Trump administration, George Conway became an outspoken opponent of Trump's policies and behavior.

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In November 2018, George Conway and another lawyer, Neal Katyal, wrote an article in The New York Times questioning the legality of Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general. This article was one of many instances in which Conway publicly challenged the Trump administration's actions.

Conway also started a group called Checks and Balances in November 2018, which included many conservative lawyers who wanted to speak out about what they saw as problems in the Trump administration. In December 2019, he co-founded the Lincoln Project, a group whose main goal was to defeat President Trump in the 2020 election.

Post-Trump Activities

Since Trump's departure from office, Conway has remained active in political commentary and activism. In April 2024, he donated to the Biden Victory Fund, stating that he believed the election was very important for protecting democracy. In May 2024, he paid for a billboard near Trump's golf course in Florida.

Conway also appears on news shows to share his legal opinions, especially about Donald Trump's legal cases. Since 2024, he has worked with Sarah Longwell from The Bulwark to create a video series called "George Conway Explains," in which they discuss current legal issues.

Potential Government Roles

In 2017, George Conway was considered for some important jobs in the United States Department of Justice, including Solicitor General and head of the Civil Division of the Justice Department. However, he decided not to take these positions.

Personal Life

George Conway's personal life has also been a subject of public interest, particularly due to the contrasting political views within his family. He married Kellyanne Fitzpatrick in 2001, and they have four children together. The family used to live in New Jersey but moved to Washington, D.C.

In March 2023, George and Kellyanne announced that they were getting divorced.

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