Joseph A. Tomain

Joseph A. Tomain is a Senior Lecturer at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, serving as Director of the Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Law Program and Senior Fellow at the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research. He teaches core courses including Information Privacy Law I & II, Internet Law, and Contracts, with prior experience teaching First Amendment and Media Law to undergraduates.

Education:

• University of Notre Dame, B.A. (1998)
• University of Notre Dame, J.D. cum laude (2001)

Research Focus: Tomain's scholarship critically examines free speech and privacy law in digital environments, with emphasis on First Amendment challenges, media regulation, and emerging technologies. His work bridges constitutional theory with practical applications in online expression, neurorights, and journalism ethics, often incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives from cultural studies.

Publication Trends: Recent articles analyze evolving free speech culture in digital spaces (2026), constitutional tensions in anti-boycott legislation (2026), and Ninth Amendment implications for neurotechnology (2025). Earlier work established foundational frameworks for student speech protections (2010) and media database rights (2016), demonstrating consistent engagement with technology's impact on constitutional law.

Awards:

• Trevor R. Brown Award for contributions to student journalism
• Trustees Teaching Award

Professional Leadership: Tomain co-chairs the American Bar Association Forum on Communications Law’s Teach Media Law Committee and serves on its Annual Conference Planning Committee. He previously chaired the Ohio State Bar Association’s Media Law Committee and provided expert commentary to major outlets including Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and Wired.

Program Direction: As Director of the Cybersecurity and Information Privacy Law Program, he shapes curriculum and initiatives addressing real-world cyber policy challenges, while his Senior Fellowship at IU’s Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration on data protection frameworks.