Mark C. Alexander, JD
Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law | Charles Widger School of Law | Villanova University
Villanova, PA, UNITED STATES
Mark Alexander, JD, is an expert on constitutional law, election law and the First Amendment.
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Areas of Expertise (7)
Constitutional Law
Campaign Reform
First Amendment Law
Election Law
Legal Education
Law
Presidential Debate Prep
Biography
Mark C. Alexander, JD is the Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law at the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Alexander’s areas of expertise include constitutional law, election law and the First Amendment. His research interests focus on the constitutional dimensions of election law and campaign reform. Alexander previously served as advisor for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and later served on the transition team following the election. Dean Alexander also served as general counsel on Cory Booker's 2006 campaign for mayor of Newark, N.J.
Education (2)
Yale University Law School: JD
Yale University: BA
Select Accomplishments (3)
AALS President (professional)
Began tenure in January 2023
Fulbright Scholarship
Teaching American law in Spain
U.S.-Japan Leadership
Fellow,
Affiliations (1)
- J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (2010-14)
Select Media Appearances (15)
Legal Ramifications for the Election Voting Process
Bloomberg tv
2020-11-04
Villanova Law Dean Mark Alexander discussed the 2020 Presidential Election, the vote counting process and the potential legal ramifications.
Will the US presidential debates change the course of the election?
BBC World Service radio
2020-09-25
On Sept. 29, the two US presidential candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden will take part in the first of three 90-minute live televised debates ahead of the presidential election in November. Tanya Beckett asks can the debates affect the outcome of the election? Mark Alexander is Dean of the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Dean Alexander’s segment begins at the 13:15 mark.
Varied Perspectives, Better Solutions: The Case for Diversity in Law School Leadership
National Law Journal online
2020-03-01
Law schools are not just places where future attorneys learn the ins and outs of the law. They are proven training grounds for future leaders in politics, government and corporations, producing about 40% of Members of Congress, 26 of our 45 presidents, and 10% of CEOs at top companies. Diversity in law schools can help ensure diversity at the top levels of society, and diversity in law leadership will help us get there.
Recapping The Democratic Presidential Debate In Iowa
National Public Radio "Morning Edition" radio
2020-01-15
NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Mark Alexander, dean of Villanova University's law school, about the latest Democratic debate. He has prepped candidates, such as Barack Obama, for previous debates.
Trump cites ‘obligation to end corruption,’ but ex-ethics official says he’s digging deeper hole
Roll Call online
2019-10-04
“Speaker Pelosi has expertly rallied her far-flung caucus around this narrow focus ensuring a clear message and as minimal political risk as possible. She has been clear that this is a matter of national security,” said Mark Alexander, dean of the Villanova University School of Law. “Keeping the impeachment proceedings focused on national security will be compelling to the American people — a more scatter-shot approach would be seen as partisan and likely ineffective in persuading voters,” Alexander added.
CNN Newsroom With Brooke Baldwin (Sept. 12)
CNN tv
2019-09-12
We are hours from the most streamlined Democratic primary debate so far for the 2020 race for president. … Mark Alexander was on the team who prepared then-Senator Obama for the 2008 presidential debate. He is now Dean at Villanova University law school.
CNN Newsroom With Brooke Baldwin (July 31)
CNN tv
2019-07-31
Villanova School of Law Dean Mark Alexander had a one-on-one discussion with CNN host Brooke Baldwin about the democratic debate. … “How the candidates conduct themselves in the longer conversations and how they defend their positions, that's what's impressive to me,” Dean Alexander said.
Booker chases breakout moment by going after Biden
The Hill online
2019-07-27
“I think that’s going to be his key to success, being that genuine Cory Booker who believes in unity,” said Mark Alexander, the Arthur J. Kania Dean and Professor of Law at Villanova’s Charles Widger School of Law, and former adviser to Booker during his Newark mayoral run.
Ahead of the Curve: Election Law Is Hot
National Law Journal online
2018-09-18
Let’s keep it real: Election law hasn’t always been the sexiest of legal topics. In fact, relatively few scholars focused on election law until 2000’s Bush v. Gore thrust it into national headlines. That’s according to election law expert Mark Alexander, who also happens to be dean of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
Op-ed: Our nation thrives on respect of the justice system, not impeachment
The Hill
2018-06-01
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon rule on cases involving gerrymandering—the age-old practice of drawing district lines to help one’s political fortunes. They may ultimately set the standards, but still the question is what follows. Here in Pennsylvania, we saw one reaction that we must avoid.
Trump pardon: Can the president pardon himself?
MSNBC
2017-07-24
So, Mark Alexander, dean as you are of Villanova Law School, that has been the consensus view of a lot of legal scholars: that the President can’t pardon himself. On the other side of that is Jonathan Turley, who’s a libertarian attorney, who says that he can. Who’s right? Well, I think that if the president were to try to pardon himself that he’d be placing himself above the law.
Trump AG firing recalls Nixon's 'Saturday Night Massacre'
MSNBC
2017-02-04
Donald Trump fired acting attorney general Sally Yates on Monday after she refused to enforce that executive order barring immigrants from seven majority Muslim countries and refugees from around the world from coming to the United States. Joining me now is Mark Alexander, Dean of Villanova Law School.
Trump transition team's squabble over secretary of state pick
CBS This Morning
2016-11-28
For more on the Trump transition, we are joined by Mark Alexander, Dean of the Villanova School of Law who was part of the senior leadership of the Obama-Biden transition effort.
Dean Mark Alexander Talks Debate Prep on MSNBC
MSNBC
2016-10-10
Mark Alexander, he’s the Dean of Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and he was a senior advisor to President Obama’s 2008 campaign. Also kind of a debate guru, right, you’ve helped a lot of people prepare for debates.
Op-ed: First Year Will Shape You For Decades to Come
The National Law Journal
2016-09-26
Take a chance and connect with classmates of different cultures. Your future clients will thank you.
Select Academic Articles (5)
Citizens United and Equally Forgotten
New York University Review of Law & Social ChangeMark Alexander
2011
Let Them Do Their Jobs: The Compelling Government Interest in Protecting the Time of Candidates and Elected Officials
Loyola University-Chicago Law JournalMark Alexander
2006
Money is Political Campaigns and Modern Vote Dilution
University of Minnesota Journal of Law & InequalityMark Alexander
2005
Campaign Finance Reform: Central Meaning and a New Approach
Washington & Lee Law ReviewMark Alexander
2003
Don't Blame the Butterfly Ballot: Voter Confusion in Presidential Politics
Stanford Law ReviewMark Alexander
2002
Social