William R. Casto

William R. Casto is the Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor at Texas Tech University School of Law, a position he has held since joining the faculty in 1983. He is a member of the American Law Institute and has received the highest honor Texas Tech may bestow on a faculty member. His scholarship has been frequently cited or relied upon by the United States Supreme Court.

Professor Casto received his legal education from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (B.A. 1970, J.D. 1973) and Columbia University (J.S.D. 1983), following a period of legal practice in Tennessee. His academic career has focused on constitutional law, federal courts, and early American legal history.

Professor Casto's research interests span several key areas of legal scholarship. His work centers on international tort law, federal courts, and constitutional interpretation during the Founding Era. He has made significant contributions to understanding the relationship between religion and public life in early America, the development of federal admiralty jurisdiction, and the history of the Supreme Court in the early republic. His current research focuses on the process of providing legal advice in government.

Professor Casto's scholarly work demonstrates a consistent historical approach to understanding constitutional principles. His publications reveal a pattern of examining foundational legal concepts through the lens of early American history, particularly focusing on how constitutional provisions were understood at the time of ratification. This historical methodology has proven influential in constitutional interpretation.

• Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professorship (highest honor at Texas Tech)
• Member of the American Law Institute

Professor Casto teaches courses in Federal Courts, Contracts, and Business Entities. His scholarship has been influential in both academic and judicial circles, with the United States Supreme Court frequently citing or relying upon his published work. His expertise spans constitutional law, federal jurisdiction, and legal history, making him a valuable resource for students and colleagues alike.

Professor Casto's academic home is the Texas Tech University School of Law, where he has been a faculty member since 1983. His scholarly output includes three well-received books on early American constitutional history and numerous law review articles that have shaped understanding of federal courts and constitutional interpretation.