About Mary-Rose
Mary-Rose Papandrea is a distinguished constitutional law professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law in Chapel Hill. She joined the faculty in 2015 and quickly became an integral part of the academic community. From 2016 to 2021, she served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, overseeing curriculum development and faculty matters. Her leadership during this time contributed to the law school’s reputation for excellence in legal education. Before her tenure at UNC, Papandrea taught at several prestigious institutions. She held faculty positions at Boston College Law School, University of Connecticut School of Law, Fordham Law School, and Wake Forest Law School. Additionally, she gained international experience as a lecturer at the University of Paris (Nanterre). This diverse teaching background has enriched her perspective on constitutional law and influenced her approach to legal education.
Papandrea's academic credentials are impressive. She earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1995, where she developed a strong foundation in legal principles. Prior to that, she received her B.A. from Yale College in 1992. Her rigorous academic training set the stage for a successful career in both practice and academia. Before entering the classroom, she clerked for notable judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice David H.
Souter and Judge Douglas Ginsburg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit — Her clerkship with Judge John G. Koeltl of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York further developed her legal skills. In addition to her teaching and clerkship experience, Papandrea practiced law at Williams & Connolly, LLP in Washington, D.C. There, she handled complex cases involving privacy, defamation, and employment claims. This practical experience informs her teaching and scholarship.
This lets the attorney bridge the gap between theory and practice. She is also a co-author of "Media and the Law, Second Edition," a comprehensive resource on legal issues related to the media. Her scholarship has been published in prestigious law reviews, including those at Stanford University, Duke University, and the University of Chicago. Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Papandrea has actively contributed to various legal organizations. She has served on the board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and is currently the Chair of the American Association of Law Schools' Mass Media Law and National Security Law sections. Additionally, she is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of National Security Law & Policy. In recognition of her service, she received the Charles E — Daye Award for Excellence in Service from the University of North Carolina in 2020. Fluent in both English and French, Papandrea continues to impact the field of constitutional law through her teaching, writing, and advocacy.
