Dr. David Cole

Professor

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Biography

David Cole is the Honorable George J. Mitchell Professor of Law and Public Policy at Georgetown Law and the National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). He writes and teaches constitutional law, freedom of speech, and constitutional criminal procedure. Cole is a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books and serves as a legal affairs correspondent for The Nation. He has published widely in law journals and popular press outlets, including the Yale Law Journal and the New York Times. Cole is the author and editor of ten books, including "Safe, Free: America Losing the War on Terror," which won the Palmer Civil Liberties Prize, and "Enemy Aliens: Double Standards and Constitutional Freedoms in the War on Terrorism," which received the American Book Award in 2004. He has litigated significant constitutional cases before the Supreme Court and has received numerous awards for his work, including the inaugural Norman Dorsen Presidential Prize from the ACLU for his lifetime commitment to civil liberties.

Research Interests

Criminal Justice Constitutional Law National Security Civil Liberties

Experience

Samuel Rubin Visiting Professor

2025-09-01 — 2026-06-30

Columbia Law School • New York

Visiting Faculty at Columbia Law School.

National Legal Director

2017-01-01 — 2024-12-31

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) • New York

Overseeing legal strategies and cases related to civil liberties.

Faculty Member

2017-01-01 — Present

Georgetown Law • Washington, D.C.

Teaching and researching in the field of law.

Staff Attorney

1985-01-01 — 1990-12-31

Center for Constitutional Rights • New York

Litigated cases concerning constitutional rights.

Courses

Constitutional Law

Requirements for Columbia Law School

Bachelor Program
Requirements
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • LSAC CAS Registration
  • Application Form
  • Application Fee ($85)
  • Academic Transcripts
  • LSAT or GRE Scores
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • Résumé
  • Personal Statement
  • Dean's Appraisal/Certification
Specialization Notes

Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. While 'Department of Law' is not a formal administrative division for admissions, this entry covers the primary J.D. program.

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:2.67
TOEFL
Total
Required:105
IELTS
Overall
Required:8
Prerequisites
First degree in law (LL.B. or equivalent) from a accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Columbia's Application Portal submission
  • LSAC CAS registration
  • Personal Statement
  • Résumé or CV
  • Application Fee ($85)
  • All post-secondary transcripts and diplomas
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • TOEFL or IELTS scores
Specialization Notes

General LL.M. program. Columbia Law School does not have a separate 'Department of Tax Law' for admissions; tax law is a specialization within the LL.M. or J.D. curriculum.

Master Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:105
IELTS
Overall
Required:8
Prerequisites
First degree in law (LL.B. or equivalent)
Application Checklist
  • Application through Columbia Application Portal
  • LSAC Credential Assembly Service
  • Personal Statement
  • Résumé
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores
Specialization Notes

Public International Law is a major field of study within the general LL.M. program rather than a separate 'Department of Public International Law' for admissions.

Doctorate Program
Requirements
TOEFL
Total
Required:105
IELTS
Overall
Required:8
Prerequisites
First degree in law Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from a U.S. law school
Application Checklist
  • Application Portal submission
  • Personal Statement (max 2 pages)
  • Résumé or CV
  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Writing Sample
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Transcripts via LSAC
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores
Specialization Notes

Doctor of the Science of Law (J.S.D.) program, the highest degree in law offered by Columbia University.