Rodney A. Smolla, is an award-winning author and respected first amendment scholar.^{[1] [2]} He is currently the Dean of the Washington and Lee School of Law.

Smolla went to Yale University as an undergraduate and to Duke University Law School, where he finished first in his class. After his graduation, Smolla served as clerk for Charles Clark, a judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, in 1978–1979.

Smolla began his academic career at DePaul University College of Law in 1980. After jobs at University of Illinois College of Law, University of Arkansas School of Law, and University of Denver College of Law, he served as a professor at Marshall-Wythe School of Law, where he was also director of the Institute of Bill of Rights Law. In 2003, he was named dean of the University of Richmond School of Law.

In 2002, Smolla argued Virginia v. Black before the Supreme Court of the United States. The case revolved around the constitutionality of Virginia's cross burning statute.^{[3] [4]}

Smolla serves on the board of directors of Media General corporation.^[5] He has also testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the topic of reporter's privilege.^[6]

In addition to his scholarly work, Smolla is a regular contributor to Slate Magazine. He has written eleven books, including Jerry Falwell v. Larry Flynt: The First Amendment on Trial and Deliberate Intent: A Lawyer Tells the True Story of Murder by the Book. His Free Speech in an Open Society won the William O. Douglas Award.^[7] He edited A Year in the Life of the Supreme Court, which won the ABA Silver Gavel Award.^[8]

References

1. ^ The Scorned Law Professor
2. ^ Mad Max
3. ^ Virginia v. Black
4. ^ Virginia burning
5. ^ Media General Board of Directors
6. ^ Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee
7. ^ Adjusting the Volume
8. ^ Rod Smolla faculty page

External links

• Rodney A. Smolla Named Dean of the Washington and Lee School of Law
• Smolla at Slate Magazine

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