Vikram D. Amar

Vikram D. Amar is a Distinguished Professor of Law at the UC Davis School of Law, returning in 2023 after serving as Dean at the University of Illinois College of Law (2015–2023) and Senior Associate Dean at UC Davis King Hall (2008–2015). He has taught at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Hastings College of Law. His expertise spans constitutional law, civil procedure, criminal procedure, and appellate advocacy. He has authored over 60 articles and co-authored seminal works like Constitutional Law: Cases and Materials and volumes of the Federal Practice and Procedure Treatise. He has been an advisor to the DOJ, ACLU, and other institutions. His honors include being an elected member of the American Law Institute and the 1997 ACLU of Southern California Distinguished Professor Award. His research critiques structural constitutional issues, electoral systems, and judicial decision-making. He writes regularly for Justia.com and has appeared in media nationwide.

Education:

• J.D., Yale Law School, 1988 (Yale Law Journal editor)
• B.A. in History, UC Berkeley, 1985

Research Interests: Constitutional Law (including electoral college reform, federalism, and separation of powers), Civil/Criminal Procedure, Appellate Advocacy, and the intersection of law and governance. His work emphasizes historical interpretation and practical legal reform.

Recent Contributions: Analyzes the 2020 election legal challenges, critiques the Electoral College, and explores judicial appointment processes. His op-eds on Proposition 8, affirmative action, and vice presidential selection mechanisms demonstrate his engagement with contemporary legal debates.

Awards & Recognition:

• American Law Institute Membership (elected)
• ACLU of Southern California Distinguished Professor Award (1997)
• First South Asian Supreme Court Clerk (1988–1989)

Professional Engagements: Co-authored biweekly columns on constitutional issues since 2001, frequent media commentator, and consultant to national legal organizations. His career reflects a commitment to public legal education and institutional reform.