Risa Goluboff

Risa Goluboff is the David and Mary Harrison Distinguished Professor of Law and Dean of the School of Law at the University of Virginia. She holds a joint appointment as Professor of History, reflecting her interdisciplinary expertise in legal and historical studies.

Her research focuses on the intersection of civil rights, labor law, and constitutional history in 20th-century America. Key themes include vagrancy laws, judicial politics, and the historical roots of contemporary legal challenges related to racial and economic justice.

Her recent publications analyze the evolution of police power, constitutional changes post-Grants Pass, and the trauma of systemic injustice in modern civil rights contexts. Articles span topics like the 13th Amendment, labor litigation, and the NAACP’s legal strategies.

As Dean, she leads the University of Virginia School of Law, contributing to its academic vision while maintaining an active research agenda. She can be reached at goluboff@law.virginia.edu.