William Glendon

William R. Glendon (c. 1920 – December 25, 2008) was an American attorney who specialized in issues relating to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and represented The Washington Post in the Pentagon Papers case.

Early life and education Glendon was born in Medford, Massachusetts, and grew up in Stoneham, Massachusetts. He attended the College of the Holy Cross and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941 following graduation. He served on a troop transport ship as a communications officer and earned five battle stars for his participation in the amphibious invasions of North Africa, Italy and the Normandy Landings. He left the Navy with the rank of lieutenant.

Career After ending his military service, he attended the Georgetown Law School, graduating in 1947. He served as an assistant district attorney in Washington, D.C., and joined the firm of Rogers & Wells (now part of Clifford Chance), and relocated to the firm's Manhattan office in 1956. The court, by a 6-to-3 majority, agreed.

Personal life A resident of Scarsdale and Fishers Island, Glendon died at age 89 on December 25, 2008, in White Plains, New York.