Pro Se Lawyer Gets the Right to Depose Ex-Pres. George W. Bush

Texas lawyer and Southern Methodist University law school graduate Gary Vodicka has obtained a court order requiring former President George W. Bush to appear for a deposition.

Vodicka is representing himself in a property dispute against SMU over the George W. Bush presidential library. Vodicka owns four condominium units in a 40-year-old, 350-unit complex – SMU began buying out owners in the complex more than 10 years ago, eventually owning enough units to have control of the condo association board. In 2006, the board decided to demolish the building; it later announced that the site would be part of the presidential library grounds. Vodicka claims that SMU has wrongfully obtained control of his units (SMU has escrowed a six-figure sum to purchase the units pending the lawsuit).

Lawyers for Bush say they expect the court order to be reversed on appeal, as it would mark the first time a sitting or former president has been required to testify in a state court matter. SMU accuses Vodicka of filing the suit only to get more money out of the school for the units – Vodicka has reportedly already turned down a $1 million offer. Vodicka denies that this is ploy, predicting that he will “own my land by the time this is all over. I’m going to pitch a tent, play golf, and set up an Obama lemonade stand.”