Michael Rappaport is the Hugh Hazel Darling Foundation Professor of Law and the Director of the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism at the University of San Diego School of Law. He holds a JD from Yale Law School and a Doctor of Civil Law in Political Philosophy from the same institution. Rappaport has a rich background in legal practice, having worked in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice and practiced appellate law with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Washington, D.C. He has clerked for Judge Dolores Sloviter on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. An active scholar, Rappaport's research interests include Constitutional Law, Constitutional Interpretation, and Originalism, contributing significantly to these fields through various publications in esteemed law journals. He has taught internationally at the Sorbonne in Paris and Bar-Ilan University in Israel. Furthermore, Rappaport plays a vital role in the Federalist Society, serving on the Executive Committee for Administrative Law & Regulation, and has been recognized with the prestigious title of University Professor for the academic year 2025-2026.
University of San Diego School of Law • San Diego, CA
John O. McGinnis and Rappaport's work examines what Original Public Meaning is and its implications in constitutional law.
Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism • San Diego, CA
Leading the Center's initiatives in research and teaching on originalism.