JULY FEATURED AUTHOR - J. WILSON McCALLISTER

Meet J. Wilson McCallister, MWC’s Featured Author of the Month for July. McCallister, a retiree from the John Deere Law Department, has published three books. His first book, Managing Product LiabilityRisks, was published by Aspatore, Inc. in 2005. He followed with The History, Law and Politics of FederalImpeachment: From the Early Precedents to the Impeachment and Trial ofPresident Bill Clinton in 2010; published by Strategic Book Publishing. His latest work, The Ten Political Compromises that Producedthe United States Constitution was published by Publish America, also in 2010.

            The Ten Political Compromises explains how, after America’s victory for independence created thirteen independent and separate states, the country came together to create our Constitution. After a call went out, all of the states except Rhode Island sent fifty-five of their most creative minds to meet from late May until the middle of September, 1787, to engage “in the most remarkable exercise in constitution-making the world had ever seen.” The Ten Political Compromises and McCallister’s other books are available for sale on Amazon.com and at his website at mccallisterpublications.com.

            McCallister earned his BA degree in government from Florida State University in 1964. He then served for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia. He obtained his JD degree from the University of Iowa in 1969. McCallister worked as an Assistant Dubuque County Attorney, part-time instructor of Business Law at Loral College, and a Juvenile Referee for Judicial District 1-A by appointment of the Iowa District Court. He joined the John Deere Law Department in 1981 where he worked as Associate General Counsel in product litigation, early dispute resolution, mergers and acquisitions, and special litigation until he retired in 2003. In 2006, McCallister taught Business Law part time at St. Ambrose University.

            McCallister became interested in writing for publication when he retired in 2003. This led to publication of his first book in 2005 and other subsequent more general works.

            When he is not writing, McCallister enjoys spending most of the year, especially the winter months, in Florida where he golfs and has volunteered at the literacy council. He also enjoys foreign travel.

            McCallister offers this advice to others who are thinking about writing: “Pick a subject that is of interest and never stop reading. Work daily, seek critical comment from others, and don’t rush to completion.”