Nina A. Kohn

Nina A. Kohn is the David M. Levy L'48 Professor of Law at Syracuse University’s College of Law. She holds affiliations with the Department of Law and the Women's and Gender Studies program. Her research focuses on elder law, guardianship reform, healthcare decision-making, and nursing home regulation. She has authored multiple editions of Elder Law: Practice, Policy, & Problems and participates in national policy discussions on aging-related legal issues.

Education:

• J.D., Harvard University (2002)
• A.B., Princeton University (1999)

Research Interests: Professor Kohn’s work addresses systemic flaws in guardianship systems, legal protections for elderly populations, and healthcare decision-making frameworks. Her recent projects include advocating for supported decision-making alternatives to plenary guardianship and analyzing post-pandemic nursing home policies. She frequently testifies before legislative bodies on elder justice issues.

Key Contributions:

• Reporter for the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2021-2023)
• Recipient of the Distinguished Scholar in Elder Law award (2020–Present)
• Leadership roles in aging-focused organizations including the Aging Studies Institute and the American Association of Law Schools’ Aging and the Law Section

Teaching: Courses include Wills and Trusts, Torts, and Elder Law. She has pioneered online legal education strategies during the pandemic, authoring a guide for faculty transitioning to virtual instruction.

Media Engagement: Regular commentary on aging-related legal issues in outlets like the New York Times, Washington Post, and National Public Radio. Notable interviews address Britney Spears’ conservatorship case, nursing home voting rights, and pandemic-era healthcare challenges.