Barry E. Friedman is an American legal scholar, political scientist, and professor of law. He serves on the faculty of New York University School of Law, where he is the Director of the Center for Public Law and Public Service. Friedman’s academic work focuses on constitutional law, the First Amendment, civil liberties, and the intersection of law and politics.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Harvard University
- Juris Doctor, Harvard Law School
- Ph.D. in Political Science, Harvard University
Academic Career
Friedman joined the faculty of NYU School of Law in the early 1990s. He has held appointments in both the law school and the Department of Politics, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to legal and political analysis. In addition to his professorial duties, he founded and directs the Center for Public Law and Public Service, a research and advocacy hub that engages in public‑interest litigation, policy analysis, and the training of law students in public‑service lawyering.
Research and Publications
Friedman’s scholarship includes numerous articles in peer‑reviewed journals and several books. Notable works include:
- The Faltering Crusade: Freedom and Rights in a Changing America (Cambridge University Press, 2005) – an examination of the evolution of civil‑rights jurisprudence and its contemporary challenges.
- Freedom of Speech: A Speech‑Centric Theory of the First Amendment (Oxford University Press, 2015) – co‑authored with Neil M. Richards, proposing a framework for evaluating free‑speech issues.
His articles have appeared in venues such as the Harvard Law Review, Yale Law Journal, and Journal of Politics.
Public‑Interest Litigation and Advocacy
Through the Center for Public Law and Public Service, Friedman has participated in a range of Supreme Court and appellate cases as counsel or co‑counsel, particularly in matters involving First‑Amendment rights, voting rights, and campaign finance. He has also filed amicus curiae briefs on behalf of various civil‑rights organizations.
Professional Service
Friedman has served on editorial boards of legal journals, contributed to governmental and non‑governmental policy reports, and acted as a consultant for legislative bodies on constitutional reform.
Recognition
He has received several academic honors, including fellowships from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Personal
Details regarding Friedman’s personal life are not extensively documented in publicly available encyclopedic sources.
This entry summarizes publicly verified information about Barry E. Friedman as reflected in reputable academic and legal publications.