LAW 493 - State Constitutionalism

State supreme courts may interpret state constitutions to provide expansive rights protections. Same-sex and inter-racial marriage, search and seizure protections, and much more originated in state supreme courts. Following the Dobbs abortion decision, reproductive rights advocates have turned to state courts to fill the gap. This short course will examine both the critical role played by state supreme courts and the political constraints on state court interpretation. Class meetings will often feature current/former state officials (state Supreme Court Justices, state Solicitors General) and academics who study state constitutionalism (political scientists and law professors). Students will write two graded papers (1200-1500 words; no independent research).