From fake news about politics to misinformation about Covid-19, Tomer Kenneth has long been fascinated by one big question: How do people — individually and as a society — decide about facts? This curiosity drove Kenneth to gain his LLM and JSD at New York University. During his studies, he explored the intersections of legal and political theory to unpack decision-making about facts.
Starting in Fall 2024, Kenneth brings his expertise to USC Gould School of Law as a Visiting Assistant Professor. He will teach courses in evidence law and judicial decision-making, subjects he views as uniquely suited to tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges.
“I’m thrilled to join the USC Gould community,” Kenneth says. “This is such an exciting time to study law. As a society, we’re facing tough questions, and law offers a framework for finding answers. I’m eager to explore these ideas alongside students.”
Kenneth’s scholarship sits at the crossroads of evidence law, political theory, and law and technology. While evidence law can seem daunting, Kenneth sees it as a goldmine of thought-provoking puzzles. His research looks beyond the technicalities of the rules of evidence, asking bigger-picture questions about how institutions determine facts.
In a recent article, Kenneth explored the surprising parallels between legal and political theory, emphasizing the role of political legitimacy in legal fact-finding. He argued that legitimacy often takes precedence over pure accuracy in judicial decision-making, a perspective that sheds light on how courts address — and should address — complex evidentiary issues.
Looking forward, Kenneth says he plans to dive deeper into the interplay between evidence law and other disciplines. One upcoming project will examine how different courts address similar factual questions. Other works will explore evidence through the lens of cutting-edge technologies, drawing on his prior work on regulation of smart-devices and content moderation.
Outside the university halls, Kenneth is eager to embrace life on the West Coast. He’s on the hunt for great restaurants, scenic hiking spots and running routes. A self-professed coffee enthusiast, he adds with a laugh, “I’ll never say no to coffee. If you want to get my attention, just hand me a cup.”
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