Joseph Margulies (lawyer)

Joseph Margulies is an American civil rights attorney and legal scholar. He is primarily known for his work representing Guantanamo Bay detainees and advocating for their constitutional rights.

Margulies gained prominence as the lead counsel in Rasul v. Bush (2004), a landmark Supreme Court case that established the right of Guantanamo detainees to challenge their detention in U.S. courts. His work focused on the habeas corpus rights of individuals held at Guantanamo, arguing that the U.S. Constitution and federal laws applied to them, despite their detention outside of U.S. sovereign territory.

Beyond his Guantanamo-related legal work, Margulies has written extensively on issues related to national security law, civil liberties, and criminal justice. He is the author of "Guantanamo and the Abuse of Presidential Power," published by Simon & Schuster in 2006, which details the legal and ethical issues surrounding the detention policies implemented at Guantanamo Bay. He has also published articles and essays in various legal journals and publications.

Margulies has held academic positions at various universities. He has taught courses on constitutional law, criminal procedure, and national security law. His work has consistently challenged government policies regarding detention, interrogation, and due process, making him a significant voice in the debate over the balance between national security and individual rights. He is often called upon to provide legal commentary on current events related to these topics.