معرفی
Ralph Richard Banks is the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and a Professor by courtesy at the Graduate School of Education. He is also a Hoover Senior Fellow by courtesy at the Hoover Institution. A graduate of Stanford University (BA and MA, 1987) and Harvard Law School (JD, 1994), he joined Stanford’s faculty in 1998 after practicing law, serving as a judicial clerk, and holding a fellowship at Harvard.
Education:
- BA, MA, Stanford University (1987)
- JD, Harvard Law School (1994)
Research Interests: Professor Banks focuses on family law, race and the law, and employment discrimination. His work explores topics such as African American marriage trends (as detailed in his book Is Marriage for White People?), racial justice, and the intersection of law with inequality and identity. He is affiliated with the Michelle R. Clayman Institute for Gender Research, the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, and the Stanford Center for Racial Justice.
Teaching & Scholarship: He teaches courses including Constitutional Law: The Fourteenth Amendment, Critical Race Theory, and Family Law. Recent community engagement includes the Roses Talk policy practicum, elevating student voices in San Jose Unified School District. His forthcoming book, The Big Sort, addresses college access and the American Dream.
Advising & Grants: Advised at least one student, Julian Davis. His work with the Stanford Center for Racial Justice and community projects, such as the 2025 Community Engagement Grant for Roses Talk, reflects his commitment to applied legal scholarship.
