Jay Sekulow | |
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Jay Sekulow speaking in 2012
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Born |
Jay Alan Sekulow June 10, 1956 Brooklyn, New York |
Education |
Mercer University (B.A.) Mercer University (J.D.) Regent University (Ph.D.) |
Occupation | Civil Attorney (ACLJ) |
Years active | 1978–present |
Spouse(s) | Pamela McPherson (m. 1978) |
Children | Logan and Jordan Sekulow |
Jay Alan Sekulow /ˈsɛkjəˌloʊ/ (born June 10, 1956) is an American attorney and Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ). He also hosts a talk show, which airs on radio and television. Sekulow is a frequent guest commentator on the Christian Broadcasting Network and the Fox News Channel. A self-described Messianic Jew, Sekulow built a legal and media empire over a thirty year period by representing conservative, religious and antiabortion groups.
Sekulow is on President Donald Trump's personal legal team that is charged with advising the President while there is an investigation into possible collusion with members of his 2016 campaign and the Russian government.
Jay Alan Sekulow was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Natalie (née Wortman) and Stanley Sekulow. Sekulow graduated from Lakeside High School in Atlanta (DeKalb), Georgia, and earned a J.D. degree from Mercer University School of Law. While attending Atlanta Baptist College, Sekulow became interested in Christianity and converted after encountering Jews for Jesus. Sekulow earned a Ph.D. from Regent University in 2005, writing his dissertation on religious influence on Supreme Court Justices and their opinions.
As a young lawyer, Sekulow worked in the Office of Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a tax trial attorney, defending lawsuits in the United States Tax Court on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury. He formed a private practice with Stuart J. Roth that was initially successful, but fell apart after IRS regulations changed in the 1980s. Sekulow filed for bankruptcy in 1987 asserting $13,071,748 in debts and $638,000 in assets. In 1992, Sekulow became the director of the ACLJ, where he serves as Chief Counsel.