Erwin Chemerinsky
Erwin Chemerinsky was the Sidney M. Irmas Professor of Public Interest Law. Professor Chemerinsky taught courses in constitutional law and court procedure both in the Law School and for undergraduates. A graduate of Northwestern University and Harvard Law School, he joined the USC faculty in 1983 and left in 2004. He has received many honors for his teaching including the "best teaching awards" from DePaul University in 1983 and from USC Law School in 1984 and 1991. He has also been given awards by the Asian Pacific Law Students at USC in 1996 and the Black Law Students Association in 1997. In 2000, Professor Chemerinsky was named by California Law and Business as one of the 10 most influential lawyers in California.
Professor Chemerinsky also regularly teaches in programs for state and federal judges throughout the country. He is the author of four books, over 100 law review articles, and hundreds of essays in newspapers and magazines. He writes a regular column on the Supreme Court for Trial Magazine, California Lawyer, and the Daily Journal. Additionally, he regularly serves as a commentator for the media on legal issues, including serving as a legal consultant to CBS News, and other media, during the O.J. Simpson case. During the 1996-97 school year, Professor Chemerinsky served as the President of the Faculty of the University of Southern California.
"Teaching, in the classroom and outside of it, remains my greatest professional joy," notes Chemerinsky. "I can honestly say that I am as excited about teaching, and as challenged by it, as when I started in the fall of 1980. Teaching is a skill and it can be improved like any other skill. My hope is that the Center for Excellence in Teaching will provide a place where people can come to work on their teaching and participate in workshops and symposia on various aspects of teaching. I hope, too, that we will plan useful programs for teaching assistants and new faculty members."
In the News:
"Legal Scholar's Role in Charter Reform Wins Praise"