Heather Gerken

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law


Heather Gerken is the Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law and is in her second term as Dean of Yale Law School. Dean Gerken is one of the country’s leading experts on constitutional law and election law. A founder of the “nationalist school” of federalism, her work focuses on federalism, diversity, and dissent.

FULL BIOGRAPHY
photograph of Heather Gerken

Contact Information



Faculty Assistant


Carolyn Poole

Education & Curriculum Vitae


J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1994

A.B., Princeton University, 1991

Courses Taught


  • Advanced Topics in Election Law
  • San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project

Heather Gerken is the Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law and is in her second term as Dean of Yale Law School. Dean Gerken is one of the country’s leading experts on constitutional law and election law. A founder of the “nationalist school” of federalism, her work focuses on federalism, diversity, and dissent.

As Dean, she has strengthened the School’s tradition of academic excellence, fortified support for the student body, and launched innovative new programming. Under Gerken’s leadership, Yale Law School has admitted the seven most diverse classes in its history, bringing in talented students from around the world with a strong record of academic performance and exceptional accomplishments. She has also significantly bolstered the Law School’s enduring commitment to need-based financial aid by making Yale Law School the first law school in the country to offer tuition-free scholarships for students with the highest need, fortifying existing programs, and building a Safety Net Fund to assist students facing hardships. She is the first woman to serve in this role at Yale Law School.

Hailed as an “intellectual guru” in The New York Times, Gerken’s scholarship has been featured in The Atlantic, the Boston Globe, NPR, The New York Times, and Time. In 2017, Politico Magazine named Gerken one of The Politico 50, a list of idea makers in American politics. Her work on election reform has affected policy at a national level. 

In addition to her leadership of the School, Gerken founded and runs the country’s most innovative clinic in local government law, Yale’s San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP). She is one of the few Deans in the country to run a clinic. Gerken is also a renowned teacher who has won awards at both Yale and Harvard. She was named one of the nation’s “twenty-six best law teachers” in a book published by Harvard University Press. 

A native of Massachusetts, Gerken graduated from Princeton University, where she received her A.B. degree summa cum laude in 1991. A Darrow Scholar, she graduated from the University of Michigan Law School summa cum laude in 1994. Gerken currently serves as a trustee of Princeton University. 

After law school, Gerken clerked for Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and Justice David Souter of the United States Supreme Court. She then served as an appellate lawyer in Washington, D.C., before joining the Harvard Law School faculty in 2000. Gerken came to Yale in 2006 and became the inaugural J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law in 2008. She became Dean of Yale Law School on July 1, 2017. 

Gerken has published extensively. Her work has been featured in the Harvard Law Review, the Yale Law Journal, the Stanford Law Review, and numerous popular publications. Her work has been the subject of four symposia, and she has served as a commentator for a number of major media outlets, including The New York TimesThe New Yorker, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, and NBC News. Prior to her time as Dean, Gerken served as a senior advisor to the Obama campaign in 2008 and 2012. In 2013, her proposal for creating a “Democracy Index” — a national ranking of election systems — was adopted by the Pew Charitable Trusts, which created the nation’s first Election Performance Index. She has been featured in the National Law Journal for balancing teaching and research, won a Green Bag award for legal writing, and has testified before the U.S. Senate three times. Gerken is also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a trustee of the Mellon Foundation.

Wednesday, September 13, 2023


Launchpad Scholars Soar as Program Gets Off the Ground

The first cohort of 25 Launchpad Scholars gathered in August for a welcome summit, which kicked off a year-long program that provides intensive support as the scholars navigate the law school admissions process.

Thursday, August 24, 2023


Yale Law School Welcomes Exceptional New Class of Students

Dean Heather K. Gerken welcomed Yale Law School’s newest students to campus on Aug. 23, speaking at convocation about the set of traditions they are inheriting that have sustained the academic community for nearly two centuries.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023


Dean Gerken Named to ABA Task Force for American Democracy

Yale Law School Dean Heather K. Gerken has been appointed to the American Bar Association’s newly created Task Force for American Democracy.

Tuesday, July 25, 2023


Launching Careers in Service

Yale Law School-funded fellowships offer essential support for aspiring public interest lawyers serving communities around the world.

Monday, July 24, 2023


Learning to Lead

In its second year, The Tsai Leadership Program — designed to prepare students for leadership roles in any setting — launched new courses, fellowships, and immersive opportunities that offer enhanced engagement with alumni.

Thursday, April 13, 2023


Law Schools Should Abandon Merit-Based Scholarships — A Commentary by Heather K. Gerken and Tamara F. Lawson

Heather K. Gerken is Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law at Yale Law School. Tamara F. Lawson is the Toni Rembe Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Washington School of Law.

Monday, April 10, 2023


Colleges Are Leaving the U.S. News Rankings. Why?

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken discusses how important should rankings be for prospective students.

Tuesday, March 21, 2023


The Unraveling of the U.S. News College Rankings

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken is featured in a story about the aftermath of Yale Law School pulling out of the U.S. News & World Report law school rankings.

Thursday, March 2, 2023


Education Secretary Cardona and Expert Panelists Discuss a Future Beyond Rankings

Yale Law School and Harvard Law School convened law school deans and education experts from across the country on March 1 to discuss the types of data that law school applicants need to make an informed decision about their legal education and what a future beyond the U.S. News & World Report rankings should be.

Wednesday, March 1, 2023


U.S. News Rankings Come Under Fire at Yale, Harvard Conference

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken is quoted in a report on a conference organized by Yale and Harvard law schools on how to best make law school data available to prospective students.

Saturday, December 31, 2022


Why Yale Law School Left the U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken discusses the decision to withdraw from U.S. News & World Report’s law school rankings.

Saturday, December 31, 2022


Why Yale Law School Left the U.S. News & World Report Rankings

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken discusses the decision to withdraw from U.S. News & World Report’s law school rankings.

Thursday, December 8, 2022


Zelenskyy Quip, Trump Conspiracy Top 2022 Notable Quote List

Associate (Library) Director for Collections and Special Projects and Lecturer in Legal Research Fred R. Shapiro releases his annual list of most revealing quotations of the year. Including on the list is quote from Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken.

Monday, November 21, 2022


Legal Education Needs to be ‘Accessible to Everyone,’ Says Yale Law School Dean

Dean Heather K. Gerken and the Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program are mentioned in a piece about equity in legal education.

Thursday, November 17, 2022


Why Another Top-Ranked Law School Joins Yale, Harvard in Withdrawing from Rankings

Dean Heather K. Gerken speaks about the decison to withdraw from the annual law school rankings of U.S. News and World Report.

Thursday, November 17, 2022


Influencers with Andy Serwer: Heather Gerken

Dean Heather K. Gerken is interviewed about educating the next generation of lawyers and leaders.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Yale and Harvard Law Schools Withdraw From the U.S. News Rankings

The New York Times reported on Yale Law School’s decision to withdraw from the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of law schools.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Yale and Harvard’s Law Schools Are Ditching the ‘U.S. News’ Rankings. Will Others Follow?

Dean Heather K. Gerken spoke to The Chronicle of Higher Education about the decision to withdraw from the U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Yale and Harvard Law Schools to Shun Influential U.S. News Rankings

Dean Heather K. Gerken speaks about the decison to withdraw from the annual law school rankings of U.S. News & World Report.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Yale Law School Abandons U.S. News Rankings, Citing Flawed Methodology

The Wall Street Journal reports on Yale Law School’s decision to withdraw from the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022


Dean Gerken: Why Yale Law School Is Leaving the U.S. News & World Report Rankings

A statement from Yale Law School Dean Heather K. Gerken on U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Tuesday, November 1, 2022


Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ’73 Headlines Transformational Leadership Week

The Tsai Leadership Program hosted Transformational Leadership Week, a series of major events at the Law School that brought experts from both the public and private sectors to talk to students about their work as leaders.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022


SFALP, the Opioid Epidemic, and Public Impact

The San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Clinic run by Dean Heather K. Gerken has been at the forefront of one of the largest complex litigations in the nation.

Tuesday, September 6, 2022


Dean Gerken Launches New Podcast Series

A new podcast series launched by Dean Heather K. Gerken at the onset of her second term will feature an in-depth look at the scholars, thinkers, teachers, and gamechangers of Yale Law School.

Friday, August 19, 2022


Yale Students See Work On Opioid Case As Broadly Important

Layla Malamut ’23 and Laila Robbins ’24 discuss the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project’s win in a major opioid case against Walgreens.

Wednesday, August 17, 2022


YLS Welcomes a Remarkable New Class to New Haven

Dean Heather K. Gerken, speaking at convocation, encouraged students to get to know one another and take advantage of Yale Law School’s vast opportunities and rich academic community.

Friday, August 12, 2022


Yale Law Students Help San Francisco Secure Landmark Opioid Ruling Against Walgreens 

A federal court ruled that Walgreens can be held responsible for its role in San Francisco’s opioid crisis — a win for the city and the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project, which worked on the case with the City Attorney’s Office.

Friday, August 12, 2022


Yale Law School Extends Full-Tuition, Need-Based Scholarships to 53 Students

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken is interviewed about the Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program.

Monday, August 8, 2022


Leading the Law School

Dean Heather K. Gerken reflects on her first decanal term, a vision for legal education, and plans for the future.

Friday, July 29, 2022


Why Yale Law’s Dean Says Eliminating Tuition for Students in Need Benefits the Legal Profession

Dean Heather K. Gerken and Rakim H. D. Brooks ’16 discuss the impact of the Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program, which eliminates tuition for students with the greatest financial need.

Saturday, May 14, 2022


Yale Law School’s Classes of 2020 and 2021 Celebrate Resilience

Enjoying long-awaited festivities on Saturday, May 14, graduates from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 returned to Yale Law School to celebrate their achievements with classmates, friends, and family.

Friday, March 11, 2022


A Conversation on Leadership with Blackstone Group President Jonathan Gray

The Chae Initiative in Private Sector Leadership hosted its first speaker event,  “A Conversation on Leadership,” with Dean Heather K. Gerken and Jonathan Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Blackstone Group.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022


Yale Law Says it Will Cover Tuition for Low-Income Students

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken is quoted about the Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022


Yale Law School Goes Tuition-Free for Students with Greatest Need

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken is quoted in a story about the Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022


Yale Law Announces Full-Tuition, Need-Based Scholarships for Low-Income Students

Dean Heather K. Gerken is quoted on the launch of Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program at Yale Law School.

Monday, February 21, 2022


Yale Law School Announces Tuition-Free Scholarships for Highest Need Students

The Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program expands the Law School’s robust financial aid offerings to level the playing field for students with significant financial need.

Monday, February 21, 2022


Yale Law School to Cover Full Tuition and Fees for Lowest-Income Students

Dean Heather K. Gerken is quoted in The Wall Street Journal about the launch of the Hurst Horizon Scholarship Program, which will erase tuition for J.D. students with the greatest financial need. 

Wednesday, January 26, 2022


Heather Gerken Re-Appointed as Dean of Yale Law School

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted about her reappointment as Dean of Yale Law School.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022


Heather K. Gerken Reappointed Dean of Yale Law School

Dean Heather K. Gerken was reappointed to a second five-year term on Jan. 19, 2022. The renewal recognizes her tireless work strengthening the School's tradition of academic excellence, fortifying support for the student body, and launching new innovative programming, among many other contributions.

Thursday, November 11, 2021


‘A New Generation of Changemakers’: New Yale Law Program Aims to Give Grads a Broader Professional Skill Set

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken is quoted in a Law.com story announcing the launch of The Tsai Leadership Program at Yale Law School.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021


Yale Law School Modernizes Legal Curriculum with New Tsai Leadership Program

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken and Professor of Law John Morley ’06 comment on the launch of The Tsai Leadership Program.

Tuesday, August 10, 2021


Race and the Law Course Highlights Emerging Scholarship

A new class offered the chance for students to engage with emerging scholarship while addressing a broad range of issues related to race, racism, and inequality.

Monday, July 26, 2021


Home Is Here

Yale Law School faculty, alumni, and students look back at a tumultuous four years fighting for a more just immigration system.

Wednesday, April 14, 2021


Yale Law Faculty, Alumni Named to Presidential Commission on Supreme Court Reform

A new Presidential Commission on Supreme Court Reform will be co-chaired by Leighton Homer Surbeck Professor of Law Professor Cristina Rodríguez ’00 and includes a total of 14 Yale Law School faculty and alumni.

Monday, February 8, 2021


Yale Law School Announces Two Gifts Honoring Michael A. Varet ’65

Yale Law School has announced two gifts from the Middle Road Foundation: The Michael A. Varet ’65 YLS Safety Net Support Fund and The Michael A. Varet ’65 Summer Public Interest Fellowship Fund.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021


Lawyers Who Sought to Overturn Election ‘Betrayed the Values of Our Profession,’ Law Deans Say

Dean Heather K. Gerken is quoted in a Law.com article about a joint statement now signed by more than 160 law school deans in response to the events of January 6.

Tuesday, January 12, 2021


Dean Gerken Joins Law Deans in Public Statement on 2020 Election and Events at the Capitol

Dean Heather K. Gerken joined more than 170 law school deans in a statement on the 2020 election and events at the Capitol.

Friday, October 16, 2020


As SCOTUS Veers Further Right, Could a States’ Rights Shift Benefit the Left?

Dean Heather Gerken is cited in a Vanity Fair article about states’ rights.

Monday, August 24, 2020


Welcoming the Class of 2023

Dean Heather Gerken welcomed the newest class of students to Yale Law School during convocation remarks delivered online on August 21, 2020.

Thursday, July 9, 2020


U.S. Profs Offer 'Independent Study' Classes to Prevent Student Deportations

Dean Heather Gerken is quoted, and deputy dean Ian Ayres ’86 mentioned, in a Newsweek article that highlights Yale Law School’s statement of support for international students following a new federal policy that threatens to deport students who are not receiving in-person instruction this fall.

Thursday, July 9, 2020


‘A Terrible Choice’: Yale Law School Dean Condemns ICE International Student Ruling

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken speaks to WNPR about the Trump administration’s policy requiring international students to attend in-person classes in the fall or lose their visa status.

Monday, July 22, 2019


More on Liberals and Federalism

Dean Heather Gerken's writing on progressives' historical skeptical of federalism is cited in an exploration of the topic.

Thursday, July 18, 2019


Clinic Helps Obtain $305 Million Settlement in Lead Paint Litigation

After 20 years, Yale Law School clinic students helped San Francisco and nine other localities achieve a landmark victory in their litigation against lead paint companies with a $305 million settlement.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019


Ahead of the Curve: Theory or Practice? Why Not Both?

Law.com discusses an essay in the Harvard Law Review by Dean Heather K. Gerken that addresses the perceived gap between practice and theory in legal education.

Friday, March 22, 2019


San Francisco Cracks Down On E-Cigarette Sales with SFALP’s Help

Students in the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) are helping San Francisco respond to the rapid growth in e-cigarette use.

Friday, March 22, 2019


SFALP Helps San Francisco File Climate Change Appeal in Ninth Circuit

Students in the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) have helped the City of San Francisco file an appeal in a landmark climate change suit.

Wednesday, February 20, 2019


SFALP Clinic Helps Secure $3.65M Settlement in Hertz Consumer Protection Case

Yale Law clinic students scored a major victory this week when the San Francisco City Attorney announced a $3.65 million settlement with Hertz Corporation.

Sunday, January 27, 2019


David Udell Dishes On Growing Access To Justice Research

Scholarship by Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken is mentioned in a Law360 interview with David Udell, executive director of the National Center for Access to Justice.

Friday, October 26, 2018


SFALP Scores Another Victory In Sanctuary City Case

In early October, 2018, a federal judge handed the San Francisco City Attorney (SFALP) the latest victory in their efforts to prevent the Trump administration from unlawfully defunding sanctuary cities.

Friday, October 26, 2018


Supreme Court Turns Away Lead Paint Companies in Major Win for SFALP

In a decisive victory for Yale Law clinic students and the San Francisco City Attorney, the Supreme Court has rejected lead paint makers’ challenge to a historic judgment against them that held them liable for poisoning thousands of Americans.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018


Yale Law Opens Student Housing, Its First Campus Addition Since 1931

Dean Heather Gerken and Robert Baker ’59 are quoted on the opening of Baker Hall.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018


Heather Gerken Joins Mellon Foundation’s Board of Trustees

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced on June 5, 2018, that Heather Gerken, Dean of Yale Law School, has been elected to its Board of Trustees.

Wednesday, May 2, 2018


Yale Law Students Take Sessions to Court Over Flouted Guidance

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken, Christine Kwon ’17, and Alisa Tiwari ’20 are quoted in an article about a federal lawsuit initiated by the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project that challenges Attorney General Jeff Sessions’s decision to repeal a variety of  Department of Justice civil rights documents.

Friday, April 6, 2018


Former Attorney General Eric Holder talks gerrymandering, Trump lawsuit at Holder Initiative event

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in a report on a panel that discussed gerrymandering and the upcoming census.

Thursday, April 5, 2018


San Francisco Files Student-Generated Civil Rights Case

A lawsuit filed by the San Francisco City Attorney's Office was sparked by an idea from Yale Law student and SFALP member Alisa Tiwari ’20.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018


Yale's civil litigation clinic aims to train law students and make a difference

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken, Jeremy Pilaar ’18, and Emma Sokoloff-Rubin ’18 are quoted in an article on the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018


Why federalism is hard

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about federalism.

Wednesday, February 14, 2018


Yale Law School Clinics Secure Third Nationwide Injunction

Yale Law clinics have secured three nationwide injunctions in a little over one year, making headlines and shaping the national conversation.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017


SFALP Case on Sanctuary Cities Secures Permanent National Injunction

A federal judge in California has permanently blocked the Trump administration from denying funding to sanctuary cities, a major victory for Yale Law clinic students who worked closely with the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office in filing the case.

Friday, September 22, 2017


SFALP Case Sues Top Fossil Fuel Producers Over Climate Change Costs

The San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) at Yale Law School is taking the world’s largest oil and gas companies to court.

Monday, September 11, 2017


SFALP Case Reaches $400,000 Settlement with “Predatory” Immigration Consultants

Yale Law students from the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) helped secure a $400,000 settlement from fraudulent immigration consultants.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017


Yale Law School Stands Up for Dreamers After DACA Decision

As the country reacts to President Trump’s decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, Yale Law School students and faculty are already working to challenge the move and ensure “dreamers” are protected throughout the country.

Friday, September 1, 2017


Heather Gerken, Dean, Yale Law School: The case for progressive federalism

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken was named one of the top 50 idea makers for scholarship on progressive federalism.

Thursday, August 31, 2017


States’ Rights

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken was a guest and discussed states’ rights.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017


Dean Gerken Files Amicus Brief in Partisan Gerrymandering Case

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in Gill v. Whitford, a Wisconsin case that tests the constitutional boundaries of partisan gerrymandering.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017


Amicus Brief in Whitford—A Commentary by Heather Gerken

Heather Gerken is the Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Tuesday, August 29, 2017


SFALP Case Secures Court Victory Against Unlawful Diversion Program

After nearly two years, the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) recently won an important victory in court against the Corrective Education Company (CEC) over its diversion program to suspected shoplifters.

Thursday, August 24, 2017


A New Romance: Trump Has Made Progressives Fall in Love With Federalism

 Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about progressive federalism.

Monday, August 21, 2017


Dean Gerken Welcomes Most Diverse Class in YLS History

The most diverse class in Yale Law School history arrived at the Sterling Law Building in New Haven on Monday, August 21, 2017, with 205 newly minted law students taking the first step in their legal careers.

Wednesday, July 19, 2017


Federalism and the Future

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken discusses modern federalism.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017


There Is No Better Time to be a Lawyer Than Now

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken shares why there is no better time to be a lawyer than now.

Saturday, July 15, 2017


Heather Gerken on the future of progressive federalism

An article about a recent interview with Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken about progressive federalism.

Thursday, July 13, 2017


One Campus Arena Where Free Speech Is Not Up for Debate: Law Schools—A Commentary by Dean Heather Gerken

Heather Gerken is Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Tuesday, July 11, 2017


Progressive politics from the ground up

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken was interviewed about states’ rights and progressive federalism.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017


Professor Gerken Discusses Progressive Federalism at ACS Event

Professor Heather Gerken spoke about progressive federalism at the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy's National Convention in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2017.

Monday, June 19, 2017


How 2 academics got the Supreme Court to reexamine gerrymandering

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is cited in an article about gerrymandering.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017


For Voting Rights Advocates, Court Decision Is ‘Temporary Victory’

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about the Supreme Court’s decision not to reconsider an appellate decision on voting rights.

Monday, May 15, 2017


Heather Gerken named the Goldman Professor of Law

Heather K. Gerken has been named the Sol and Lillian Goldman Professor of Law. Her appointment will be effective July 1.

Monday, May 1, 2017


Meet the next Dean of Yale Law School

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken was interviewed about her upcoming deanship.

Wednesday, April 26, 2017


SFALP Case on Sanctuary Cities Wins Major Victory in Court

A federal judge in California temporarily blocked the Trump administration from denying funding to sanctuary cities, a victory for Yale Law clinic students who aided the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office in filing the case.

Friday, April 14, 2017


Trailblazer: U-M Law Aluma to become 1st female dean of Yale Law School

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is profiled on the occasion of her appointment as the next dean of the Law School.

Wednesday, April 12, 2017


Professors Gerken and Whitman Elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences

The American Academy of Arts & Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies, has elected J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather K. Gerken and Ford Foundation Professor of Comparative and Foreign Law James Q. Whitman ‘88 to its 2017 Class of Members.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017


Has Jeff Sessions Ushered In A New Kind Of Federalism?

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is cited in an article about federalism.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017


Heather Gerken ’91, a Leader in Constitutional Law, Prepares for New Role

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is interviewed on the occasion of her appointment as the next dean of the Law School.

Thursday, February 23, 2017


Meet Heather Gerken, Yale's First Woman Law Dean

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken was interviewed on the occasion of her appointment as the next dean of the Law School.

Thursday, February 23, 2017


New Yale Law dean stresses standing up for rule of law

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about her appointment as the next dean of the Law School.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017


An Interview with Yale Law School’s First Female Dean

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken was interviewed on the occasion of her appointment as next dean of the Law School.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017


Heather Gerken, known for federalism scholarship, is first woman to become Yale law dean

The journal reported on the appointment of J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken as the next dean of the Law School.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017


Yale Names Heather Gerken as First Woman Law Dean

Numerous faculty, students, and alumni are quoted in an article about the appointment of J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken as the next dean of the Law School.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017


Heather Gerken Selected as Next Dean of Yale Law School

Professor Heather Gerken, the J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law, has been selected as the next Dean of Yale Law School.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017


11 Top Constitutional Law Experts React to White House Stephen Miller’s Rejection of “Judicial Supremacy”

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken and Leighton Homer Surbeck Professor of Law Cristina Rodríguez ’00, David Golove ’93 LLM ’99 JSD, Roderick Hills ’91, Dawn Johnsen ’86, and Pamela S. Karlan ’84 were among a group of constitutional law experts who replied to a query about comments made by Stephen Miller, the President’s Senior Policy Advisor.

Monday, February 13, 2017


I asked 8 experts if we’re in a constitutional crisis. Here’s what they said.

Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment Jack Balkin and J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken are quoted in an article about whether the U.S. is in a constitutional crisis.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017


SFALP Clinic Contributes to Lawsuit on Sanctuary Cities

Students in Yale Law School’s San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) were instrumental in filing the first lawsuit against the Trump administration’s executive order on “sanctuary jurisdictions.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017


The Ideological Reasons Why Democrats Have Neglected Local Politics

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is cited in an article about a growing focus by Democrats on state and local politics.

Monday, December 12, 2016


We’re about to see states’ rights used defensively against Trump—A Commentary by Heather Gerken

Heather Gerken is the J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Tuesday, December 6, 2016


Q&A: Professor Heather Gerken Discusses Progressive Federalism

Professor Heather Gerken explains how federalism and localism can be useful sites of politicking for people of all political stripes.

Saturday, December 3, 2016


States’ Rights for the Left

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is cited in an article about states’ rights and progressive federalism. A similar article appeared in Time Magazine.

Thursday, December 1, 2016


A Wisconsin court case may be the last best hope to fix gerrymandering by 2020—A Commentary by Heather Gerken

Heather Gerken is the J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Tuesday, November 29, 2016


‘All Resistance Is Local’: A Plan of Progressive Action for the Trump Years

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken authored part of a roundtable debate about federalism.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016


Districts Favor G.O.P. Unfairly, Court Finds in a Key State Case

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about a recent court victory in a complaint over partisan redistricting in Wisconsin. Nicholas Stephanopoulos ’06, the lead lawyer for the plaintiffs, is mentioned.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016


Jefferson: The Musical

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about state’s rights.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016


Election Day Check In: Will Lawsuits Delay the Outcome?

William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law Stephen Carter ’79 and J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken are quoted in an article about the election.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016


Let’s Cheer This Badass Nevada Judge Who Understands Twitter Harassment

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about a Trump campaign legal challenge in Nevada.

Thursday, November 3, 2016


Philadelphia’s transit strike could affect who wins the election

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is interviewed about whether Pennsylvania can order striking transit workers back to work on election day.

Thursday, November 3, 2016


Nonprofits Work at Polls to Smooth Voting and Rebut ‘Rigged’ Claims

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about research on election processes.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016


The Supreme Court After Scalia

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in an article about the future of the Supreme Court.

Friday, September 16, 2016


“Hacking the Election” Conference to Be Held September 20

The Center for Global Legal Challenges and the Information Society Project will co-host a conference on “Hacking the Election”

Sunday, May 29, 2016


From Jail To Yale: Ex-Offender Graduates With Law Degree 10 Years After Release

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken and Lecturer in the Practice of Law and Legal Writing Noah Messing ’00 are quoted in a profile of Dwayne Betts ’16, who will be a fellow with the Arthur Liman Public Interest Program.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016


Donald Trump’s Campaign Backs Down From Threatened Lawsuit Over Delegates

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is quoted in a story about the rules around state primaries and caucuses.

Wednesday, February 3, 2016


New Hampshire Predicts 78% of GOP Nominees Despite Only 82% Resemblance with U.S.

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken was interviewed as part of a feature on the New Hampshire primary.

Thursday, December 17, 2015


Equality and American Democracy; Why Politics Trumps Economics

Research by J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken is cited in an article titled “Equality and American Democracy; Why Politics Trumps Economics.”

Tuesday, July 7, 2015


The Supreme Court Is a Partner in Transformation, Not the Sole Agent—A Commentary by Heather K. Gerken

Heather K. Gerken is the J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Monday, June 29, 2015


Did the Roberts Court Really Lurch Left?

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken and John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence William Eskridge ’78 contributed to a roundtable about the Roberts court.

Monday, November 3, 2014


On Voting Rights, Amendments Are Too Hard to Achieve and Enforce—A Commentary by Heather Gerken

Heather K. Gerken is the J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law at Yale Law School. 

Friday, March 22, 2013


Student Clinic Works to Prepare Historic Proposition 8 Case for High Court

Students from Yale Law School’s San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project (SFALP) describe their experiences working on landmark same-sex marriage case.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013


New Elections Performance Index Inspired by Prof. Heather Gerken’s Democracy Index

J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law Heather Gerken's book Democracy Index inspires new Elections Performance Index.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012


YLS Clinic Students Contribute to Noted Gas Pipeline Lawsuit

Two Yale Law students were acknowledged recently for their work with the San Francisco city attorney’s office on a noted gas pipeline lawsuit.

Thursday, September 29, 2011


Yale Law Students Hear from World’s Top Women Jurists: Follow Your Own Path

The 15th Global Constitutionalism Seminar took place at Yale Law School Sept. 21 through 24, 2011.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011


YLS Faculty Honored for Legal Writing by the Green Bag Journal

Yale Law School faculty members are among those honored for exemplary legal writing in 2010 by the Green Bag journal.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010


YLS Students Work on High Profile Cases in Partnership with San Francisco Attorney’s Office

Yale Law students are doing cutting-edge work as part of their participation in the San Francisco Affirmative Litigation Project.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010


Professor Heather Gerken to Present J. Skelly Wright Inaugural Lecture March 8

Professor Heather Gerken will deliver her inaugural lecture as the first J. Skelly Wright Professor of Law on March 8, 2010.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010


Professor Heather Gerken Testifies at Senate Committee Hearing on Corporate Campaign Spending

YLS Professor Heather Gerken testified before a U.S. Senate committee on February 2, 2010, about corporate campaign spending.

Friday, September 11, 2009


NYC Plan to Improve Voting System Includes Democracy Index

A “Democracy Index,” first proposed by YLS Professor Heather Gerken, is part of a plan Mayor Mike Bloomberg has introduced in New York City to improve the election process.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006


Heather Gerken to Join Yale Law School Faculty

Professor Gerken is one of the country's leading experts on voting rights and election law, the role of groups in the democratic process, and the relationship between diversity and democracy.

SCHOLARLY PUBLICATIONS:

BOOKS

The Democracy Index: Why Our Election System is Failing and How to Fix It (Princeton University Press 2009)

Editor, Race, Reform, and Regulation of the Electoral Process: Recurring Puzzles in American Democracy (with Guy-Uriel Charles and Michael Kang) (2010)

 

ARTICLES, ESSAYS, AND REVIEWS

The Myth of the Laboratories of Democracy,” Tyler, Charles and Gerken, Heather, GWU Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2021-46, August 9, 2021

The Discursive Benefits of Structure: Federalism and the First Amendment,” in The Free Speech Century (eds. Bollinger & Stone 2019)

Resisting the Theory/Practice Divide: Why the ‘Theory School’ is Ambitious About Practice,” 132 Harv. L. Rev. F. 134 (2019)

Presentation on Behalf of the Social Sciences, 52 Am. Acad. Arts & Sciences 8 (Winter 2018)

Second-Order Diversity:  Decentralization’s Egalitarian Possibilities (Danielle Allen, ed. 2017)

The Jorde Lecture:  A Research Agenda for Federalism in the 21st Century ( 2017)

Federalism: A User’s Guide, 45 Hofstra L. Rev. 1087 (2017)

Playing Cards in a Hurricane:  Party Reform in an Age of Polarization, 54 Hous. L. Rev. 911 ( 2017)

Progressive Federalism: A User’s Guide, 44 Democracy Journal (Spring 2017)

The Taft Lecture:  Living Under Someone Else’s Law, 84 U. Cincinnati L. Rev. 377 (2016)

Beyond Sovereignty, Beyond Autonomy:  A Nationalist’s View of Federalism’s Future, National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution Project (2016)

Article I, Section 8Federalism and the Overall Scope of Federal Power, National Constitution Center’s Interactive Constitution Project (with Randy Barnett) (2016)

“The Citizens United Trilogy: The Myth, the True Tale, and the Story Yet to Come,” in Election Law Stories 359 (2016) (with Erica Newland)

The Right to Vote:  A Conversation with the Co-Chairs of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, 159 Proceedings Am. Phil. Soc. 17 (March 2015)

The Real Problem with Citizens United:  Campaign Finance, Dark Money, and Shadow Parties, 159 Proceedings Am. Phil. Soc. 5 (March 2015)

The Childress Lecture, Federalism and Nationalism:  Time for a Détente?, 59 St. Louis. L. Rev. 997 (2015)

An Academic Elegy, 100 Iowa L. Rev. 109 (2015)

The Craft of Interpreting the Declaration of Independence, Crooked Timber (June 15, 2015)

The Party’s Over:  Shadow Parties, Campaign Finance, and the Legacy of McCutcheon, 2014 Sup. Ct. Rev. 175 (with Joseph Fishkin)

The Interlocking Gears of Rights and Structure:  Why the Critics Are Wrong about U.S. v. Windsor, 95  B.U. L. Rev. 487 (2015) (Boston University’s Annual Distinguished Lecture)

Living Under Someone Else’s Law, Democracy Journal 24 (Spring 2015) (with James Dawson)

Slipping the Bonds of Federalism, 128 Harv. L. Rev. 85 (2014)

The Political Safeguards of Horizontal Federalism, 113 Mich. L. Rev. 57 (2014) (with Ari Holtzblatt)

The Right to Vote:  Is the Amendment Game Worth the Candle?, 23 Wm. & Mary L. Rev. 11 (2014)

How to Teach the Socratic Method with a Heart, 21 The Law Teacher 24 (Fall 2014)

Polarization at the Local Level, Marquette Lawyer 13 (Fall 2014)

The Two Trends That Matter for Party Politics, 89 N.Y.U. L. Rev. Online 32 (2014) (with Joseph Fishkin)

The Real Problem with Citizens United: Campaign Finance, Dark Money, and Shadow Parties, 97 Marquette L. Rev. 904 (2014).

Federalism as the New Nationalism:  An Overview, 123 Yale L.J. 1889 (2014)

The Loyal Opposition, 123 Yale L.J. 1958 (2014)

A Public Finance Model for Lobbying: Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and the Privatization of Democracy, 13 Elec. L. J. 75 (2014) (with Alex Tausanovitch)

The Federalis(m) Society, 36 Harv. J. L. & Pub. Pol’y 943 (2013)

Abandoning Bad Ideas and Disregarding Good Ones for the Right Reasons: Reflections on a Festschrift, 48 Tulsa L. Rev. 535 (2013)

Exit, Voice, and Disloyalty, 62 Duke L.J. 1349 (2013)

Make It Easy:  The Case for Automatic Registration, 28 Dem. J. 17 (2013)

Déjà vu All Over Again:  Courts, Corporate Law, and Election Law, 126 Harv. L. Rev. 86 (2013) (with Michael Kang)

Federalism(s), 53 Wm. & Mary L. Rev. 1549 (2012)

A New Progressive Federalism, 24 Dem. J. 37 (Spring 2012)

Comment, The Constitution, the Practice of Democracy, and Unintended Consequences, Bulletin of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Winter 2012, at 26.

Keynote Address: Lobbying as the New Campaign Finance, 27 Georgia St. L. Rev. 1155 (2011)

The Foreword: Federalism All the Way Down, 124 Harv. L. Rev. 4 (2010)

Judge Stories: Clerking for Judge Reinhardt, 120 Yale L.J.529 (2010)

“The Institutional Turn in Election Law Scholarship” (with Michael Kang), in Race, Reform, and Regulation of the Electoral Process: Recurring Puzzles in American Democracy (Gerken, Charles, and Kang eds.) (2010)

Keynote Address, What Election Law Has to Say to Constitutional Law, 44 Ind. L. Rev. 7 (2010)

Getting From Here to There in Redistricting Reform, 5 Duke J. Const. L. & Pol’y 1 (2010)

Creating Better Heuristics in the Presidential Nominating Process: Why a Citizens Assembly Beats Out Iowa and New Hampshire, 125 Pol. Sci. Q. 233 (2010) (with Doug Rand)

Clerking for Justice Souter, 35 J. Sup. Ct. Hist. 4 (2010)

Mexico’s Election Reforms: A Comparative View, 2 Mexican L. Rev. 163 (July-December 2009)

In Praise of Rankings, John L. Gedid Lecture Series, 19 Widener L. Rev. 1 (2009)

Dean’s Lecture, The Invisible Election: Making Policy in World Without Data, 35 Ohio Northern L. Rev. 1013 (2009)

Making Democracy Work, Book Review (The Concept of Constituency: Political Representation, Democratic Legitimacy, and Institutional Design, by Andrew Rehfeld; Saving Democracy: A Plan for Real Representation in America, by Kevin O’Leary), 37 Pol. Theory 838 (2009).

Uncooperative Federalism, 118 Yale L.J. 1256 (2009) (with Jessica Bulman-Pozen)

“Provisional Ballots: The Miner’s Canary for Election Administration,” in Provisional Ballots: An Imperfect Solution (Report of the Pew Center on the States, 2009).

Getting from Here to There in Election Reform, 34 Okla. City. Univ. L. Rev. 33 (2009)

Shortcuts to Reform, 93 Minn. L. Rev. 1582 (2009)

Replacing Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act: An Opt-In Approach, White Paper, The Tobin Project

The (Winding) Road Ahead, “Data for Democracy: Improving Elections Through Metrics and Measurement,” 43 (Pew Center on the States 2008)

Larry and Lawrence, 42 Tulsa L. Rev. 843 (2007)

Justice Kennedy and the Domains of Equal Protection, 121 Harv. L. Rev. 104 (2007)

Rashomon and the Roberts Court, 68 Ohio St. L. J.1213 (2007)

The Hydraulics of Constitutional Reform: A Skeptical Response to Our Undemocratic Constitution, 55 Drake L. Rev. 925 (2007)

The Double-Edged Sword of Independence: Inoculating Electoral Reform Commissions Against Everyday Politics, 6 ELEC. L. J. 184 (April 2007)

Of Sovereigns and Servants, 115 YALE L. J. 2634 (2006)

A Third Way: Section 5 and the Opt-In Approach, in THE FUTURE OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT 277 (Epstein et al. 2006)

A Third Way for the Voting Rights Act: Section 5 and the Opt-In Approach, 106 COLUM. L. REV. 708 (2006)

Dissent, Diversity, and the Global Polity, in THE LEAST EXAMINED BRANCH: THE ROLE OF LEGISLATURES IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL STATE 547 (eds. Bauman & Kahana 2006)

Dissenting by Deciding, 57 STAN. L. REV.1745 (2005)

Second-Order Diversity, 118 HARV. L. REV. 1099 (2005)

Lost in the Political Thicket: The Supreme Court, Election Law, and The Doctrinal Interregnum153 U. PENN. L. REV. 503 (2004)

The Costs and Causes of Minimalism in Voting Cases: Baker v. Carr and Its Progeny, 80 N.C. L. REV. 1411 (2002)

Election Law Exceptionalism? A Bird’s Eye View of the Symposium, 82 B.U. L. REV. 737 (2002)

Understanding the Right to an Undiluted Vote, 114 HARV. L. REV. 1663 (2001)

Morgan Kousser’s Noble Dream, 99 MICH. L. REV. 1298 (2001)

New Wine in Old Bottles: A Comment on Richard Hasen’s and Richard Briffault’s Essays on Bush v. Gore, 29 FLA. ST. UNIV. L. REV. 407 (2001)

Note, Understanding Mixed-Motives Claims Under the Civil Rights Act of 1991, 91 MICH. L. Rev. 1824 (1993)

 

SELECT POPULAR PUBLICATIONS:

Semi-regular contributor to Balkinization, Election Law Blog, Room for Debate, and Politico.

Campus Free Speech is Not Up for Debate,” Time Magazine (July 13, 2017)

Federalism is Dead, Long Live Federalism,” The Atlantic (June 28, 2017)

We’re About to See States’ Rights Used Defensively Against Trump,” Vox (Dec. 12, 2016)

Wisconsin Court Case May Be Last Hope to Fix Gerrymandering Before 2020,” Vox (Dec. 1, 2016)

Uncooperative Federalism,” The Nation (Nov. 29, 2016)

On Voting Rights, Amendments Are Too Hard to Achieve and Enforce,” New York Times Online (November 4, 2014)

The ‘Bad News Bears’ of Elections, The Hill (June 4, 2014)

The Real Problem with Citizens United,” Marquette Lawyer (Summer 2014)

Rerouting the flow of ‘dark money’ into political campaigns,” Washington Post (April 3, 2014) (with Wade Gibson and Webb Lyons)

The Fox and the Hedgehog:  How Do We Achieve Political Accountability Given What Voters (Don’t) Know?, Cato Unbound (October 14, 2013)

Goodbye to the Crown Jewel of the Civil Rights Movement,Slate (June, 2013)

Real State Power Means Getting in the Obama Care Game,” Harvard Business Review Online, (April 2, 2013) (with Ted Ruger)

No Middle Ground,” New York Times Online (June 27, 2011)

Coloring Inside the Lines,” Slate (November 10, 2010)

The Real Problem With Citizens United,” American Prospect Online (January 22, 2010)

A Silver Lining,” New York Times Online (January 21, 2010)

Will History Repeat Itself?,” Huffington Post (October 29, 2009)

A False Depiction of Judging,” New York Times Online (July 15, 2009)

Four Lawyers Review Sotomayor’s Performance," Wall Street Journal (July 17, 2009).

An Uncertain Fate for the Voting Rights Act,” American Prospect Online (June 23, 2009)

Race, Voting Rights, and the Genius of Justice Souter," American Prospect Online (May 5, 2009)

A Common Law Judge,” New York Times Online (May 4, 2009)

“Our Elections Run Well, Don’t They?,” Minneapolis Star Tribune, March 30, 2009

We Have the Facts and We’re Voting Yes,” The American Prospect, March 27, 2009

The Case for Keeping Score, “Revitalizing Democracy: Special Report,” The American Prospect (January/February 2009)

The Invisible Election, Election Law Blog, November 16, 2008

Shadow districting commissions, Balkinization (series of posts dated May 5, 6, 31 & June 4, 2008)

Out of the Shadows: Private redistricting can help overcome lawmakers’ partisanship, LEGAL TIMES (Vol. XXXI, No. 18, May 5, 2008)

Fixing Democracy, Brennan Center for Democracy Blog (May, 2008)

Justice Kennedy’s Emerging Vision of Race, Balkinization (series of posts dated September 25-27, 2007)

A New Agenda for Election Law Scholarship, Balkinization (series of posts dated June 18-22, 2007)

New Style of Election Reform Begins to Emerge, ROLL CALL (Tues. March 27, 2007).

How Does Your State Rank on the Democracy Index? LEGAL TIMES (Vol. XXX, No. 1, January 1, 2007)

Six Ways to Reform Democracy, Seeds of Change Forum, BOSTON REVIEW (November/December 2006)

Let’s Shift Gears in Voting-Rights Enforcement, ROLL CALL (Dec. 12, 2005)

Next Time, Start with the People, Balkinization, Nov. 10, 2004 (with Chris Elmendorf)

Citizens Must Drive Electoral Reform, ROLL CALL (Nov. 15, 2005)

For Shame: How to Embarrass States into Election Reform, TNR-Online (Sept. 28, 2005)

Race (Optional), The New Republic (Sept. 15, 2005).

Lost in the Political Thicket, LEGAL AFFAIRS (November/December 2004) 22.

Bigger Issues, New Democracy Forum, 26 BOSTON REVIEW 18 (2001)

 

OTHER:

Work featured in the Politico’s Top 50 Ideas 2017 Issue, The Boston Globe’s Ideas Section, The Atlantic “Ideas of the Year” 2013 Issue, The New York Times, NPR, and Time Magazine.