Julian Davis Mortenson
James G. Phillipp Professor of Law
Julian Davis Mortenson is a leading constitutional scholar and legal historian who joined Michigan Law in 2009. He was salutatorian of his class at Stanford Law School and graduated summa cum laude from Harvard College. He clerked for Justice David Souter on the U.S. Supreme Court and practiced at WilmerHale. His constitutional law textbook has been widely adopted across American law schools, and his scholarship on executive power has been central to contemporary debates about presidential authority.
Teaching Style
Professor Mortenson is a gifted teacher who combines deep historical knowledge with energetic classroom engagement. He uses the Socratic method to walk students through constitutional arguments step by step, often drawing on founding-era sources to illuminate modern debates. He is known for making complex separation of powers concepts accessible and is willing to play devil's advocate to sharpen students' thinking.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Come prepared with a strong understanding of the constitutional text and its historical context
- 2Be ready to engage with originalist and non-originalist arguments about executive power
- 3For National Security Law, understand the statutory framework including the AUMF and War Powers Resolution
- 4Practice constructing arguments from primary historical sources like founding-era debates
Areas of Expertise
Education
- J.D., Stanford Law School, Order of the Coif
- A.B., Harvard University, summa cum laude
Notable Publications
- Constitutional Law (casebook)
- The Executive Power Clause (Michigan Law Review)
Research Interests
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