Judith Resnik Yale Professor

Judith Resnik is a renowned American legal scholar and the Arthur Liman Professor of Law at Yale Law School. With a career spanning over four decades, Professor Resnik has made significant contributions to the fields of federalism, procedure, courts, and gender. Her work has been widely published and cited, and she has received numerous awards for her scholarship and teaching.

Early Life and Education

Judith Resnik was born in 1950 in Chicago, Illinois. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago, where she graduated magna cum laude in 1972. She then attended Yale Law School, earning her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in 1975. During her time at Yale, Resnik was an editor of the Yale Law Journal, showcasing her exceptional academic abilities and dedication to the field of law.

Academic Career

After graduating from law school, Resnik clerked for Judge J. Edward Lumbard on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. She then worked as a staff attorney at the ACLU National Prison Project from 1976 to 1978. In 1978, Resnik joined the faculty at the University of Southern California (USC) Law School, where she taught until 1982. She then moved to Yale Law School, where she has remained since 1982, becoming the Arthur Liman Professor of Law in 1997. Throughout her academic career, Resnik has taught a wide range of courses, including Federal Courts, Procedure, and Women’s Rights.

Resnik's research focuses on the interplay between federalism, procedure, and courts. Her work has explored the impact of federal courts on state and local governments, as well as the role of procedure in shaping access to justice. She has also written extensively on gender and law, examining the ways in which the legal system affects women's lives and opportunities.

Professional Affiliations and Service

Resnik has been an active member of various professional organizations, including the American Law Institute (ALI) and the American Bar Association (ABA). She has also served on the Board of Directors for the National Center for State Courts and the ACLU National Prison Project. In 2011, Resnik was appointed as a Member of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts’ (AOUSC) Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.

Impact and Legacy

Judith Resnik’s work has had a significant impact on the fields of federalism, procedure, and gender. Her scholarship has shaped the way we think about access to justice and the role of federal courts in shaping state and local policies. As a pioneer in the field of feminist legal theory, Resnik has also helped to advance our understanding of the ways in which the legal system affects women’s lives.

Resnik's commitment to teaching and mentoring has also had a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. She has supervised numerous student research projects and has mentored many young scholars in the field of law. Her dedication to the advancement of women in law has also inspired a new generation of female lawyers and scholars.