Lawrence B. Solum is an internationally recognized legal theorist who works in constitutional theory, procedure and the philosophy of law. Solum contributes to debates in constitutional theory and normative legal theory. He is especially interested in the intersection of law with the philosophy of language and with moral and political philosophy. His series of articles on constitutional originalism have shaped contemporary thinking about the great debate between originalism and constitutional theory. Solum’s original theory of the fundamental nature and purpose of law, “Virtue Jurisprudence,” has been debated and discussed in Asia, Europe and North America. He also works on problems of law and technology, including Internet governance, copyright policy and patent law. His pathbreaking article, “Legal Personhood for Artificial Intelligences,” published in the early 1990s, is widely acknowledged as far ahead of its time.
Solum received his J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School and received his B.A. with highest departmental honors in philosophy from the University of California at Los Angeles. While at Harvard, he served as an editor of the Harvard Law Review. After graduation, he worked for the law firm of Cravath, Swaine, and Moore in New York, and then clerked for Judge William A. Norris of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Prior to joining the UVA Law faculty in 2020, he was a member of the faculty at Georgetown University Law Center, the University of Illinois, the University of San Diego and Loyola Marymount University, and visited at Boston University and the University of Southern California. He regularly teaches Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law. His other teaching includes seminars in constitutional theory and the philosophy of law as well as courses in conflict of laws, federal courts, intellectual property and internet law and governance.
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Rupe Debate: Resolved: Originalism Should Embrace the General Law
6th Annual UVA Originalism Symposium
Caplin Pavilion1826 University Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Was the 2023 Supreme Court Term Originalist?
Northwestern Student Chapter
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law375 E Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
Originalism 101
Virginia Student Chapter
Purcell Reading Room580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
History and Tradition: Activism or Restraint?
SMU Student Chapter
Karcher Auditorium3315 Daniel Ave.
Dallas, TX 75205
Short Circuit Podcast
Virginia Student Chapter
University of Virginia School of Law580 Massie Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Rupe Debate: Resolved: Originalism Should Embrace the General Law
6th Annual UVA Originalism Symposium
How should textualists search for the original meaning of laws when the text alone does...
Original Meaning or Framers' Intent? A New Book and an Age-Old Debate
Federalism & Separation of Powers Practice Group Teleforum
In his new book, The Hollow Core of Constitutional Theory: Why We Need the Framers, historian Donald...
Original Meaning or Framers' Intent? A New Book and an Age-Old Debate
Federalism & Separation of Powers Practice Group Teleforum
In his new book, The Hollow Core of Constitutional Theory: Why We Need the Framers, historian Donald...
Young Legal Scholars Paper Presentations
22nd Annual Federalist Society Faculty Conference
On January 3-4, 2020, the Federalist Society hosted its 22nd annual Faculty Conference at the...
Young Legal Scholars Paper Presentations
22nd Annual Federalist Society Faculty Conference
On January 3-4, 2020, the Federalist Society hosted its 22nd annual Faculty Conference at the...