About
Youngjae Lee is a Professor of Law at Fordham Law School (Fordham University) since 2005, specializing in criminal law theory, criminal procedure, and punishment philosophy. He holds visiting appointments at Harvard, Columbia, Chicago, and UCLA law schools. His research critically examines criminalization frameworks, proportionality principles, and legal concepts like reasonable doubt. Lee graduated from Swarthmore College (1995) and Harvard Law School (1999), where he served as Primary Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Before academia, he practiced law at Jenner & Block and the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division.
His current research focuses on mala prohibita offenses and overcriminalization, with a forthcoming book Criminalizing Disobedience (Oxford UP). Notable works include analyses of proxy crimes, recidivism as omission, and the constitutional limits of punishment. Lee has been recognized as an Alexander Fellow at NYU Law School.
Teaching interests span criminal law, international white collar crime, and torts. Ongoing projects address the intersection of legal duties and citizenship, blending normative theory with doctrinal critique.
