About
Naomi R. Cahn is the Justice Anthony M. Kennedy Distinguished Professor of Law and Armistead M. Dobie Professor of Law at the University of Virginia School of Law. She serves as Co-Director of the Family Law Center and holds affiliations with the Center for the Study of Race and Law, Health Law Program, and Virginia Center for Tax Law. Her expertise spans family law, feminist jurisprudence, trusts and estates, reproductive technology, and aging and the law.
Education:
- J.D., Columbia University School of Law (1983)
- LL.M., Georgetown University Law Center (1988)
- A.B., Princeton University (1979)
Research Interests: Dr. Cahn’s work examines intersections of family law with gender, political economy, and technology. Notable themes include legal frameworks for modern family structures, elder care challenges, and reproductive rights. She critiques traditional legal norms through feminist and interdisciplinary lenses.
Publications: Her scholarship includes landmark books like Red Families v. Blue Families (2010) and Homeward Bound (2017), as well as articles on aging, digital assets, and gender equity. Recent work explores long-term care policies and the 100-year life expectancy’s impact on family law.
Awards:
- Harry Krause Lifetime Achievement in Family Law Award (2017)
- Elected Fellow, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
- Member, American Law Institute
Grants and Leadership: She chairs major law school sections (e.g., Women in Legal Education) and has served on the Uniform Law Commission. Her work includes research on gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2002–2004).
Teaching: Current courses include Family Law, Reproductive Rights, and Trusts and Estates. She emphasizes practical skills through experiential learning in estate planning and family policy.
