Richard Thompson Ford

Richard Thompson Ford is the George E. Osborne Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, specializing in civil rights, critical theory, jurisprudence, law and geography, and local and state government. He teaches Constitutional Law: The Fourteenth Amendment, Employment Discrimination, Local Government Law, Modern American Legal Thought, and Youth and Education Law Project.

His academic credentials include:

• BA from Stanford University (1988)
• JD from Harvard Law School (1991)

Professor Ford's research critically examines how law intersects with cultural expression and social inequality, challenging conventional approaches to civil rights through works like The Race Card and Rights Gone Wrong. His groundbreaking book Dress Codes: How the Laws of Fashion Made History explores fashion's legal and historical significance, earning global acclaim and inspiring a TED Talk.

His distinguished honors include:

• New York Times Notable Book selections (2008, 2011)
• New York Times Editor's Choice recognition (2021)
• OBABL Power 100: 100 Most Influential Black Lawyers (2012)
• Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Fellowship (2022-2024)

Professor Ford actively shapes public discourse through policy consulting for municipal governments, co-hosting the 'Stanford Legal' radio program (2020-2022), and appearances on national media including The Colbert Report and All Things Considered. His institutional leadership spans the American Law Institute, Academic Freedom Alliance, and Author's Guild Foundation.

He maintains cross-disciplinary affiliations with Stanford's Modern Thought and Literature Program, Urban Studies Faculty, and France-Stanford Center advisory board.