Adam Winkler
Connell Professor of Law
Adam Winkler is the Connell Professor of Law at UCLA School of Law, where he has been on the faculty since 2002. He is one of the twenty most cited law professors in judicial opinions and his scholarship has been cited in landmark Supreme Court cases on the First and Second Amendments. He is the author of We the Corporations, which was a finalist for the National Book Award, and Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America. Before joining UCLA, he clerked for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court and Judge Alex Kozinski on the Ninth Circuit.
Teaching Style
Professor Winkler is an engaging and dynamic lecturer who uses the Socratic method to lead students through the history and doctrine of constitutional rights. He cold-calls regularly and expects students to defend their positions on contested constitutional questions with precision and historical awareness. His classes are known for their accessibility and intellectual rigor, and he frequently uses historical narratives to illuminate how constitutional doctrines developed over time.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Know the major Second Amendment and First Amendment cases thoroughly, including the historical arguments on both sides
- 2Be prepared to discuss the history behind constitutional doctrines, as he emphasizes how rights evolved over time
- 3Read his books for the narrative approach he takes to constitutional history
- 4Practice defending both sides of contested constitutional questions, as he will challenge whatever position you take
Areas of Expertise
Education
- J.D., New York University School of Law
- M.A., UCLA (Political Science)
- B.S.F.S., Georgetown University School of Foreign Service
Notable Publications
- We the Corporations: How American Businesses Won Their Civil Rights (National Book Award finalist)
- Gunfight: The Battle over the Right to Bear Arms in America
Research Interests
More Professors at UCLA School of Law
Constitutional Law, Civil Rights, Critical Race Theory, Employment Discrimination
Civil Procedure, Police Accountability, Civil Rights Litigation, Public Interest Lawyering
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International Human Rights Law, International Refugee Law, International Migration, Critical Race Theory
Immigration Law, Immigrants' Rights, Constitutional Law, Immigrants' Rights Policy Clinic