David Simson
@dsimson-law.bsky.social
160 followers 370 following 11 posts
Associate Professor of Law, New York Law School - views are my own. Repost ≠ Endorsement Constitutional Law, Racial Justice https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=1686892
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dsimson-law.bsky.social
I just posted the current version of my most recent Article, "Conceptual Gerrymandering and the Weaponization of SFFA" to @ssrn.bsky.social. Abstract and TOC are attached below. Comments and (good faith) critiques very much welcome and appreciated. 🧵 1/
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
dsimson-law.bsky.social
Many people whose work, thoughts, or comments were really helpful in informing me re one or more of the many issues addressed in this piece are not (I think) on Bsky but i can note at least (in the hope that this is appropriate): @jpygold.bsky.social @adamwinkler.bsky.social @jerchin.bsky.social
dsimson-law.bsky.social
I just posted the current version of my most recent Article, "Conceptual Gerrymandering and the Weaponization of SFFA" to @ssrn.bsky.social. Abstract and TOC are attached below. Comments and (good faith) critiques very much welcome and appreciated. 🧵 1/
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
dsimson-law.bsky.social
As a junior scholar, I'm admittedly a bit uneasy re posting before acceptance for publication. But revisions pushed me past journals' August cycle & yet I think the piece can help inform thinking about SFFA's mobilization in many problematic actions such as this news.bloomberglaw.com/litigation/f...
dsimson-law.bsky.social
For context, and if of interest, this Article follows up on my prior Article "Methodological Gerrymandering" (papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....) in which I analyze how SCOTUS Justices might alter their constitutional interpretation methodology in pursuit of ideological preferences.
dsimson-law.bsky.social
Re weaponization of SFFA, I provide examples (esp. by current admin) and discuss SFFA's role in them, incl. SFFA's conceptual gerrymandering re race specifically. I discuss how, taking my analysis seriously, one might think about this weaponization & how we engage on issues of race more broadly. end
dsimson-law.bsky.social
Re SFFA, I analyze how the majority conceptualizes "race" inconsistently in different places and suggest that the underlying pattern is not random but indicates pursuit of ideological preferences re maintaining status quo racial hierarchy (briefer analysis of Gorsuch concurrence re same too) 4/
dsimson-law.bsky.social
I explain in some depth how this might work re "race" in particular, which requires some detailed understanding of contestations around what race "is" (eg biological vs social construction, versions of each, etc) and how race and law interact with each other. I then apply insights gained to SFFA. 3/
dsimson-law.bsky.social
Re "conceptual gerrymandering," I explain how one way in which SCOTUS Justices may pursue ideological preferences via jurisprudential choices (ie engage in what i call "jurisprudential gerrymandering") is by altering definitions of legally relevant social concepts (eg race, religion, sex) 2/
dsimson-law.bsky.social
I just posted the current version of my most recent Article, "Conceptual Gerrymandering and the Weaponization of SFFA" to @ssrn.bsky.social. Abstract and TOC are attached below. Comments and (good faith) critiques very much welcome and appreciated. 🧵 1/
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
dsimson-law.bsky.social
@yuvrajjoshi.bsky.social has an uncanny ability to identify crucial issues at the intersection of law and racial equality and to provide deep analysis & helpful frameworks to understand complexity and stakes. Racial resentment (re which i've also written some) is another example. Important to engage
yuvrajjoshi.bsky.social
In “The Law of Racial Resentment,” I critique how SCOTUS validated racial resentment in SFFA v. Harvard and argue we need stronger legal/structural responses to counter resentment—not appease it.

Now in @uclalawreview.bsky.social

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
dsimson-law.bsky.social
I feel privileged to get to participate in a small role in this amazing event celebrating @mgraber1.bsky.social's very important book. If you are in NYC on October 10, please RSVP and come join! www.nyls.edu/events/book-...