Kenji Yoshino
Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law
Kenji Yoshino is the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at NYU School of Law and Director of the Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging. A graduate of Harvard, Oxford (as a Rhodes Scholar), and Yale Law School, he previously taught at Yale where he served as Deputy Dean and inaugural Guido Calabresi Professor of Law. He is the author of several acclaimed books including Covering, which explores how civil rights law addresses demands that minorities downplay their identities. He writes regularly for major publications including the New York Times and the Washington Post.
Teaching Style
Professor Yoshino is an eloquent and deeply engaging teacher who brings literary sensibility to constitutional law. He uses the Socratic method thoughtfully, cold-calling students but creating a classroom atmosphere that emphasizes intellectual curiosity over intimidation. He often draws on literature, narrative, and storytelling to illuminate constitutional principles, making abstract doctrines vivid and memorable. His classes are known for their intellectual warmth and rigor in equal measure.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Be prepared to connect constitutional doctrines to broader themes about identity, dignity, and equality
- 2Read the assigned cases carefully for their narrative dimensions — Yoshino often asks about the human stories behind the legal disputes
- 3Understand the evolution of equal protection doctrine and be ready to critique the tiers of scrutiny framework
- 4Think about the intersection of law and culture — he values students who can articulate how legal rules shape social meaning
Areas of Expertise
Education
- J.D., Yale Law School
- M.Sc., University of Oxford (Rhodes Scholar)
- A.B., Harvard University (summa cum laude)
Notable Publications
- Covering: The Hidden Assault on Our Civil Rights (2006)
- A Thousand Times More Fair: What Shakespeare's Plays Teach Us About Justice (2011)
- Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice (2023, with David Glasgow)
Research Interests
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