معرفی
David Fontana is the Samuel Tyler Research Professor at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. He is a prominent scholar whose work on constitutional and comparative constitutional law has been published in leading scholarly journals including the Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, Columbia Law Review, and others. Professor Fontana also contributes to public discourse through writings in the New Yorker, Washington Post, and New Republic, and regularly consults with Congress, presidential campaigns, and foreign constitution-drafters on constitutional matters.
Professor Fontana earned his BA from the University of Virginia and JD from Yale University. He previously served as the Daniel P.S. Paul Visiting Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School in spring 2023, demonstrating his national recognition in the field.
His research focuses on constitutional law, comparative constitutional design, and the critical intersection of geography and politics. Professor Fontana has developed influential proposals to address geographical inequalities in political representation, which have directly impacted legislation in multiple states and regulations in several administrative agencies. His forthcoming book in 2026 addresses problems caused by politics being controlled by a few neighborhoods in metropolitan areas, extending his longstanding scholarly interest in this area.
Analysis of Professor Fontana's scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory examining constitutional structures, judicial behavior, and political representation. His recent work increasingly focuses on how geographic factors shape political power, with several articles addressing how capital cities and metropolitan areas influence national governance. His scholarship uniquely bridges legal analysis with political science methodology, often employing empirical approaches to constitutional questions.
Professor Fontana has received numerous teaching awards at the law school, graduate, and undergraduate levels, reflecting his commitment to excellence in education across disciplines. His May 19, 2025 article for the New York Times titled 'Washington Needs This Medicine. Trump's Formula Is Poison' demonstrates his ongoing engagement with contemporary political issues.
Professor Fontana actively engages with policymakers beyond academia, regularly consulting with Congress, presidential campaigns, and foreign constitution-drafters on constitutional matters. His work has practical impact, with his proposals influencing state statutes and administrative regulations. His September 30, 2024 New Yorker article 'Tim Walz, J.D. Vance, and the Politics of Place' exemplifies his ability to translate complex constitutional concepts for broader audiences.
While specific laboratory information is not provided, Professor Fontana's collaborative works, including publications with David Schleicher and Donald Braman, indicate an interdisciplinary approach that bridges law and political science. His position at George Washington University Law School, located in the nation's capital, provides a unique platform for research connecting constitutional theory with practical governance challenges.
