H. Jefferson Powell

H. Jefferson Powell is a Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law, where he has been a faculty member since 1989. He holds visiting positions at Columbia, Yale, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and previously taught at the University of Iowa and George Washington University Law School (2010-12). His scholarly work focuses on constitutional law, executive powers, and the moral dimensions of judicial decisions.

• Education: JD and Master’s of Divinity from Yale; PhD and Master’s from Duke University; Bachelor’s from St. David’s University College (University of Wales).
• Research Interests: Constitutional history, executive authority, First Amendment, theological aspects of law, and Byzantine studies.
• Publications: Recent works include The Practice of American Constitutional Law (2022) and Targeting Americans: The Constitutionality of the U.S. Drone War (2016).
• Government Roles: Served in the U.S. Department of Justice (1993-2000, 2011-12), including as Principal Deputy Solicitor General (1996).
• Awards:
  • Duke University Scholar/Teacher Award (2002)
  • Series Editor, Carolina Academic Press Legal History Series
• Teaching: Courses include Constitutional Law, First Amendment Clinic, and Philosophy for Constitutional Lawyers.