K. Sabeel Rahman
Professor of Law
K. Sabeel Rahman is a Professor of Law at Cornell Law School, where he teaches administrative law, constitutional law, and law and political economy. He holds a J.D. and Ph.D. in political theory from Harvard University and two master's degrees from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He is the author of Democracy Against Domination, published by Oxford University Press. Before joining Cornell, he served as associate administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs from 2021 to 2023 and was previously on the faculty of Brooklyn Law School.
Teaching Style
Professor Rahman employs a Socratic method grounded in democratic theory, pushing students to consider how administrative and regulatory structures affect the distribution of power. He cold-calls regularly and asks probing questions about the legitimacy and accountability of administrative agencies. His teaching blends doctrinal analysis with political theory, encouraging students to think about law as a tool for addressing economic inequality and democratic participation.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Understand the major frameworks of administrative law including Chevron deference and its evolution
- 2Be prepared to discuss the democratic legitimacy of regulatory agencies and the administrative state
- 3Read assigned cases with attention to how they address power dynamics between agencies, courts, and Congress
- 4Think about how current political debates about regulation connect to the doctrines discussed in class
Areas of Expertise
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School
- Ph.D., Harvard University (Political Theory)
- A.B., Harvard University
- M.A., Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar)
- M.Sc., Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar)
Notable Publications
- Democracy Against Domination (Oxford University Press)
- Articles on administrative law and democratic governance in Harvard Law Review and Yale Law Journal
Research Interests
More Professors at Cornell Law School
Constitutional Law, Federal Courts, Constitutional Interpretation
Criminal Law, International Law, International Criminal Law, Laws of War
Constitutional Law, First Amendment, Law and Religion
International Economic Law, Law and Development, International Trade, Immigration Law
Law and Technology, Health Law, Information Privacy, Administrative Law