William J. Watkins, Jr.

William J. Watkins, Jr. is a Research Fellow at The Independent Institute. He received his B.A. in history and German summa cum laude from Clemson University and his J.D. cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a former law clerk to Judge William B. Traxler, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and he has served as Assistant U.S. Attorney, Associate at Womble Carlyle Sandridge &amp; Rice, and Associate with Leatherwood Walker Todd &amp; Mann.<br /> <br /> His books include Judicial Monarchs: The Case for Restoring Popular Sovereignty in the United States and the Independent Institute book, Reclaiming the American Revolution: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy (Palgrave/Macmillan), and his scholarly articles have appeared in the South Carolina Law Review, The Independent Review, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy, Exploring American History Encyclopedia, and America in World History Encyclopedia.<br /> <br /> Mr. Watkins is the recipient of the R. Glen Ayers Award for Historical Writing and the CALI Award for Contracts I, Civil Procedure, Problems in Professional Responsibility. His popular articles have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Forbes, Daily Caller, USA Today, Washington Times, Austin American- Statesman, Providence Journal, San Jose Mercury News, Washington Examiner, Denver Post, Fort Worth Star- Telegram, Bellingham Herald, Lexington Herald-Leader, Sacramento Bee, Duluth News Tribune, Janesville Gazette, Walworth County Today, Wapakoneta Daily News, Dispatch, La Crosse Tribune, Lewiston Sun Journal, and Newport Daily News, San Francisco Examiner, Human Events, Chronicles, and Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.