Walter Wyatt
Walter Wyatt was a prominent legal figure known for his extensive expertise in banking law and his influential roles within the U.S. legal system. He received his legal training at the University of Virginia, where he also held an editorial position at the law school's journal. After beginning his career as a law clerk at the Federal Reserve in 1917, Wyatt steadily advanced over nearly thirty years to become the general counsel of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve. His contributions to the field include the publication of several books focused on banking law, reflecting his deep knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Wyatt also played a significant role in the editorial work of the United States Reports, notably editing volumes 322 through 376, which included the retroactive completion of earlier volumes that had been without a reporter for over two years. His work in this capacity involved writing syllabi for legal opinions, a practice that has since become a standard feature in case law referencing systems. Wyatt's legacy is marked by his contributions to legal scholarship and the practical application of banking law within the federal framework.
Subject Terms
Walter Wyatt
Significance: The summaries that reporter Wyatt wrote for all the Supreme Court opinions became a standard feature of some case law referencing systems.
Wyatt received his legal training, which included an editorial position at the law school’s journal, at the University of Virginia. He then began as a law clerk at the federal reserve in 1917. Rising steadily over a career lasting nearly thirty years, he reached the position of general counsel of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve. An expert on banking law, he published several books on the subject.
Wyatt edited or coedited volumes 322 through 376 of the United States Reports. Volumes 322 to 325 were edited retroactively; the reporter’s position had been vacant for more than two years. As part of his editorial duties, Wyatt wrote syllabi for all the opinions, noting the important points of each case. This annotation has now become a standard feature of some case law referencing systems.