“The doorkeeper recognizes that the man has reached his end, and, to let his failing senses catch the words, roars in his ear: “No one else could ever be admitted here, since this gate was made only for you. I am now going to shut it.”

Repealing anti-gerrymandering laws is shameful. But my research shows it also can't prevent state constitutional challenges to map manipulation. I discuss this and other findings in my new paper, "Mapping Malfeasance"—now available for download on SSRN and looking for a home. t.co/NHOr0Y5hWH

Now up on SSRN: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... Just in time to think about Section 2 VRA compliance minority-majority districting and the 14th/15th amendments. 👀

Thank you!

I've posted my new paper, "Mapping Malfeasance," on SSRN. I survey all fifty state constitutions to develop a general standard for distinguishing legal from illegal maps. Comments and criticisms are very welcome. papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

My forthcoming article, "Contesting State Capture" (Cardozo L. Rev.), was reviewed in JOTWELL. My sincerest thanks to Rebecca Zietlow for her insightful and generous commentary!

Jotwell Conlaw: Rebecca Zietlow, State Constitutions As A Bulwark Against Oligarchy, JOTWELL (April 30, 2025) (reviewing Lucien Ferguson, Contesting State Capture, 46 Cardozo L. Rev. __ (forthcoming, 2025), available at SSRN (Feb, 6, 2025)), conlaw.jotwell.com/state-consti....

In more good @chicagokentlaw.bsky.social hiring news, I see that @lucienferguson.bsky.social has made it Bluesky-bio official, too. So delighted you'll be joining us!

Excited to announce that I'll be joining the faculty at the University of Oklahoma College of Law starting in the fall! I'm looking forward to joining a great group of faculty and students, though I will certainly miss my students and colleagues at St. Mary's!

This "immediate cancellation" violates the law. If the Admin thinks Columbia has violated Title VI by being deliberately indifferent to antisemitic harassment, it has to give Columbia a chance for a hearing first, make findings on the record, & wait 30 days. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/03...

SSRN, you flatter me! Apparently, The Sound of the Beast is a "Recent Top Paper" in Law & Literature and Legal Anthropology: Criminal Law. Grateful for the interest—44 downloads and counting. Wow!! Check it out here: ssrn.com/abstract=509....

**Zoom in TODAY @ 1:00 PM EST** Third webinar in @barrettpitner.bsky.social's crucially important Reconstructionism Project. Featuring inimitable Profs. @sheryllcashin.bsky.social and @etiennetoussaint.bsky.social, and also me, on teaching Reconstruction and the law. Register below 🔽🔽🔽

Join us on Wednesday, March 5, at 1 PM EST for a critical discussion on "The Importance of Teaching Reconstruction and the Law Today" with myself, Lucien Ferguson, and Sheryll Cashin. Don’t miss this conversation. Register here: www.americanbar.org/events-cle/m...

With our Fall 2025 schedule posted, I’m very happy that I’ll be teaching State Constitutional Law—which I *think* is the first time in the Michigan State University College of Law’s 134-year history that such a course will be offered.