Author, Legal Expert, and Speaker.
Rod Sullivan is a former Professor of Constitutional Law and a seasoned litigator who has tried over 100 cases, including a successful appearance before the U.S. Supreme Court. A recognized legal authority, his expertise has been featured on the CBS Evening News, CNN, NPR, and Nova, with commentary appearing in the New York Times and The Washington Times.
Beyond the courtroom, Sullivan is a lifelong enthusiast and scholar of Theodore Roosevelt. A Trustee for the Theodore Roosevelt Association and member of the 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (Tampa Rough Riders), he brings a researcher’s rigor to both his legal and historical work. His passion for TR was sparked as a child at Sagamore Hill, where his grandmother proudly shared that her father—a plumber from Queens—had helped build Roosevelt’s home.
Sullivan’s research is immersive and global. He has retraced TR’s footsteps from the Badlands of Dakota and the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio to the African trek of the 1909 expedition. He even joined the 120th Commemoration of the Battle of San Juan Hill, charging the heights in Santiago de Cuba.
The Intersection of Law & Legacy
In his latest work, [SPEECH], Sullivan bridges his legal acumen with his historical perspective to address a modern crisis: the global assault on free expression. From social media censorship and AI-driven “speech codes” to the shifting landscapes of libel and cancel culture, Sullivan examines how the erosion of free speech threatens the fabric of civil society. Drawing on decades of constitutional experience, he explores where legal protections have faltered and provides a roadmap for reclaiming a right that remains—as Roosevelt himself believed—essential to a free people.
This same commitment to meticulous research and historical truth defines Sullivan’s narrative fiction. Through his deep dives into primary sources and on-site explorations, he breathes life into the untold corners of the Roosevelt family saga:
• Teddy’s Troubled Brother: An intimate look at the complex life of Elliott Roosevelt and the family dynamics that shaped a presidency.
• Teddy’s Bastard Cousin: A gripping exploration of the secrets and loyalties hidden beneath the polished veneer of an American dynasty.
• Teddy, Edie & Alice: A narrative weaving the personal relationships and private tensions of TR’s inner circle.
