His research focuses on constitutional law, property law, and the study of popular political participation and its implications for constitutional democracy. He has published numerous articles and other works on political ignorance, federalism, and property rights. He has authored amicus briefs in several major eminent domain cases, including one in Kelo v. City of New London (2005) that was cited by the U.S. Supreme Court. Professor Somin previously served as the John M. Olin Fellow in Law at Northwestern University Law School in 2002–2003. In 2001–2002, he clerked for the Hon. Judge Jerry E. Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Professor Somin earned his B.A., summa cum laude, at Amherst College, his M.A. in political science from Harvard University, and his J.D. from Yale Law School.