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William J. Watkins, Jr. is a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute and author of the book Crossroads for Liberty: Recovering the Anti-Federalist Values of America's First Constitution. 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. Mr. Watkins is a former law clerk to Judge William B. Traxler, Jr., of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and he is President of the Greenville, SC, Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society. He has served as a prosecutor and defense lawyer, and has practiced in various state and federal courts.

His books include Judicial Monarchs: The Case for Restoring Popular Sovereignty in the United States and the Independent Institute books, Reclaiming the American Revolution: The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions and Their Legacy and Patent Trolls: Predatory Litigation and the Smothering of Innovation. 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.

Mr. Watkins has been a Humane Studies Fellow at the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University. He is the recipient of the R. Glen Ayers Award for Historical Writing from Clemson University. 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, Newport Daily News, San Francisco Examiner, Human Events, Chronicles, and Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.