Briefly
Professors/UC Berkeley School of Law

Erwin Chemerinsky

Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law and Dean

Constitutional LawFederal CourtsCivil RightsFirst Amendment

Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of UC Berkeley School of Law and the Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law. Named repeatedly the most influential person in legal education by National Jurist magazine, he is the author of 19 books and over 200 law review articles. Before becoming dean of Berkeley Law in 2017, he was the founding dean of UC Irvine School of Law. He is one of the most widely cited legal scholars in the nation and a frequent commentator on constitutional law issues in national media.

Teaching Style

Dean Chemerinsky is renowned for his clear, accessible teaching style that makes complex constitutional doctrine understandable without sacrificing rigor. He uses the Socratic method actively, cold-calling students to work through constitutional analysis in a structured, step-by-step manner. He is known for being able to explain all sides of a constitutional debate fairly before offering his own perspective, and his classes are highly organized with clear learning objectives for each session.

Cold Call Tips

  1. 1Master the major constitutional frameworks including levels of scrutiny, standing doctrine, and state action
  2. 2Be prepared to discuss how the Supreme Court's approach to constitutional interpretation has evolved over time
  3. 3Read the assigned cases and come prepared to state the holding, reasoning, and significance of each case
  4. 4Follow current Supreme Court decisions closely, as he frequently incorporates them into classroom discussion

Areas of Expertise

Constitutional lawFirst Amendment lawFederal courts and civil procedureCriminal procedureSupreme Court advocacy

Education

  • J.D., Harvard Law School (cum laude)
  • B.S., Northwestern University (summa cum laude)

Notable Publications

  • Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies (treatise)
  • The Case Against the Supreme Court
  • Worse Than Nothing: The Dangerous Fallacy of Originalism

Research Interests

Supreme Court decision-making and judicial reviewFirst Amendment free speech and religion clausesCriminal justice reform and constitutional criminal procedureFederal courts and civil rights litigationConstitutional history and interpretation

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