Samuel R. Bagenstos
Frank G. Millard Professor of Law
Samuel Bagenstos is a nationally prominent civil rights scholar who has argued four cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Young v. UPS and United States v. Georgia. He has held senior government positions including General Counsel of HHS and General Counsel of OMB, and served as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights under President Obama. He led the promulgation of the 2010 ADA regulations, the first comprehensive update since their original enactment. He holds the Fay Diploma from Harvard Law School.
Teaching Style
Professor Bagenstos brings extensive government and Supreme Court litigation experience to the classroom, creating a dynamic environment where theory meets practice. He uses the Socratic method with a focus on developing students' ability to construct and deconstruct legal arguments. He is known for his deep knowledge across multiple areas of civil rights law and his ability to connect doctrinal analysis to larger questions about equality and justice.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Prepare to discuss the practical mechanics of civil rights enforcement, not just theoretical frameworks
- 2Be ready to analyze how the ADA and other civil rights statutes interact with constitutional principles
- 3Study the procedural and remedial aspects of civil rights cases carefully
- 4Think about how government institutional design affects civil rights outcomes
Areas of Expertise
Education
- J.D., Harvard Law School, magna cum laude
- B.A., University of North Carolina, highest honors
Notable Publications
- Law and the Contradictions of the Disability Rights Movement (Yale University Press)
- Disability Rights Law: Cases and Materials (Foundation Press)
Research Interests
More Professors at University of Michigan Law School
Constitutional Law, Constitutional History, Legal Theory
Election Law, Property, Civil Rights, Voting Rights
Public International Law, U.S. Foreign Relations Law, International Human Rights
Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Habeas Corpus
Constitutional Law, National Security Law, Transnational Law
Constitutional Law, European Union Law, Comparative Constitutional Law, Global Governance