Public Law and Policy Workshop

Hosted by Berkeley Law Professors Elena Chachko and Jonathan Gould, this seminar will discuss papers on public law by leading scholars from Berkeley Law and other law schools. Public law is the umbrella term for the various areas of law that structure the government, determine how it is constituted, and describe its powers. Public law includes constitutional law (e.g., separation of powers, federalism, individual rights), administrative law, and the law of democracy, among other topics. During a time of polarization and tumult in American democracy, public law is critically important.

The theme for the semester will be the relationship of law and federal policymaking in the United States. We anticipate papers on that theme that touch on a range of substantive topics, including domestic policy, economic policy, and national security policy.

Each week, a guest speaker will join us to present and discuss scholarly work in progress. Students are expected to read the papers in advance and to participate in discussion with the author. Grades will be based on short response papers and on class participation.

Email Jessie or Rachit to request the paper before each workshop.