Martha A. Field

Martha A. Field is the Langdell Professor of Law at Harvard Law School. She holds a B.A. from Radcliffe College and a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was valedictorian. Her career includes clerkships for Justice Abe Fortas of the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge John Minor Wisdom. Prior to Harvard, she taught at the University of Pennsylvania Law School for nine years. Her research focuses on constitutional law, civil procedure, disability rights, reproductive rights, family law, and First Amendment issues. She has engaged in international legal projects, including a five-year study of Central American judicial systems.

Field’s work bridges legal theory and practice, addressing topics like surrogacy, federal jurisdiction, and disability rights. Her publications include influential books on surrogate motherhood and mental retardation rights. She has argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appellate courts. Her teaching spans criminal law, evidence, and federal courts.