Jason C. DeSanto

Jason C. DeSanto is a Senior Lecturer at Northwestern University’s School of Communication, specializing in law and public persuasion. He teaches courses at the intersection of legal advocacy and communication, including First Amendment Law, Advocacy & Public Persuasion, and Public Persuasion Skills and Strategies. His work focuses on training lawyers as effective public persuaders in policymaking and entrepreneurial contexts.

• Dean's Teaching Award recipient
• Voted to deliver the Law School's annual Last Lecture three times
• Former partner at Chicago's Freeborn & Peters LLP (constitutional and corporate litigation)
• 15+ years as a political speechwriter and debate strategist for U.S. presidential campaigns
• Co-producer of the Newt & Jo Minow Debate Series (Oxford-style debates at Northwestern Pritzker Law)

His research interests include First Amendment Law, Public Advocacy, and Political Communication. He has advised Fortune 500 executives on public speaking and media strategy, collaborated with the Hugh Knowles Center for research, and contributed commentary to major media outlets like the New York Times and Chicago Tonight (PBS).

Scientific recognition includes:

• Dean's Teaching Award (Northwestern University Law School)
• Selected by three consecutive graduating classes to deliver the Last Lecture