Roman J. Hoyos

Roman J. Hoyos is a Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. He holds an A.B. in History from UC Berkeley (1993), a J.D. from Northwestern University (2001), an M.A. in History (2003), and a Ph.D. in American History (2010) from the University of Chicago. His research focuses on the intersections of law, democracy, and state formation in 19th-century America, particularly constitutional conventions and popular sovereignty. He is completing a book titled In Convention Assembled: Law and Democracy in Nineteenth-Century America, examining how constitutional conventions shaped modern American governance. Previously, he taught at Duke University Law School as a Visiting Assistant Professor (2008-2010).

His academic roles include serving as Book Reviews Editor for the American Journal of Legal History, Contributing Editor for JOTWeLL's Legal History section, and board member of the California State Supreme Court Historical Society. He teaches courses in property law, constitutional law, and government law. Hoyos emphasizes understanding law as an instrument of power requiring careful application, fostering students' analytical "Aha! Moments."

Education History:

• A.B., History, 1993, University of California, Berkeley
• J.D., 2001, Northwestern University
• M.A., History, 2003, University of Chicago
• Ph.D., American History, 2010, University of Chicago

Research Interests:
Explores how legal frameworks interact with democratic processes, focusing on constitutional conventions as mechanisms balancing law and popular sovereignty. Current projects trace the intellectual and institutional evolution of conventions in shaping state formation, particularly during Reconstruction and the 19th century's legal-political transformations. Analyzes themes like the role of constituent correspondence in political representation and the legal underpinnings of secession debates.

Professional Contributions:

• Published extensively on Reconstruction-era legal dynamics, southern legal history, and constitutional theory
• Edited multiple volumes and book chapters on American legal history
• Engages in public legal history through editorial roles and institutional board service

Labs/Teams:
Affiliated with Southwestern's legal history initiatives and collaborates with institutions like the California State Supreme Court Historical Society on archival and interpretive projects.