About
Paul A. Gowder is a Professor of Law at Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law in Chicago, Illinois, where he has established himself as a prominent scholar in constitutional law, legal history, and critical race theory. His academic work bridges historical analysis with contemporary constitutional challenges, particularly focusing on issues of racial justice, citizenship, and democratic theory.
Professor Gowder's research interests encompass:
- Constitutional interpretation, especially regarding the Fourteenth Amendment and Reconstruction-era jurisprudence
- Critical race theory and the intersection of race, law, and social justice
- Rule of law principles and their application across historical and contemporary contexts
- First Amendment issues, particularly religious freedom and affirmative action
- Democratic theory and historical models of governance
His recent scholarship reveals a sophisticated engagement with constitutional interpretation through historical lenses, particularly examining how Reconstruction-era legal principles continue to shape modern jurisprudence. Gowder frequently employs interdisciplinary approaches, drawing from political theory, history, and social science to enrich legal analysis. His work on birthright citizenship, racial classification, and the constitutional dimensions of Black liberation demonstrates a consistent commitment to addressing systemic inequality through legal scholarship.
Professor Gowder has published extensively in leading law journals including the Cornell Law Review, Michigan State Law Review, Buffalo Law Review, and Iowa Law Review. His scholarship is characterized by rigorous historical analysis combined with contemporary relevance, often challenging conventional interpretations of constitutional principles while proposing alternative frameworks for understanding legal equality and justice.
