Sophia Goodman

Sophia Goodman serves as the Director of the Legal Research and Writing Program and Senior Lecturer in Law at Indiana University Maurer School of Law. With over 25 years of experience since joining the faculty in 1995, Professor Goodman brings extensive practical legal experience to her teaching, having clerked for federal district court judges and worked at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Professor Goodman's educational background includes an A.B. in Classical Archeology from Bryn Mawr College, where she graduated summa cum laude, and a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University, where she also graduated summa cum laude, was elected to the Order of the Coif, and served as executive articles editor of the Case Western Reserve Law Review.

Her research interests focus primarily on legal writing and legal method, with special emphasis on evidence law, constitutional law, and appellate litigation. Professor Goodman has developed expertise in how technology impacts legal writing and argumentation, exploring how digital tools can enhance the comparison of briefs, oral arguments, and judicial opinions. Her work bridges practical legal skills with theoretical understanding of legal processes.

Throughout her career, Professor Goodman has received multiple Teaching Excellence Recognition Awards (1997 and 1999), demonstrating her commitment to pedagogical excellence. Her scholarly work spans topics from evidence law to sexual harassment litigation, reflecting her diverse legal expertise and practical experience in appellate advocacy.

• Teaching Excellence Recognition Award (1997)
• Teaching Excellence Recognition Award (1999)
• summa cum laude (Bryn Mawr College)
• summa cum laude (Case Western Reserve University)
• Order of the Coif
• Executive Articles Editor, Case Western Reserve Law Review

Professor Goodman has served as Associate Editor for the Journal of the Association of Legal Writing Directors (2004-06) and sits on the Boards of Directors for the Bloomington Developmental Learning Center (BDLC) and Bloomington Area Birth Services (BABS), demonstrating her commitment to community engagement beyond the law school. She teaches courses including Advanced Legal Writing, Legal Research and Writing I & II, Public Interest Externship, and Introduction to Law, shaping the next generation of legal professionals through rigorous skills training.