Ilya Somin Prevails at the U.S. Supreme Court

Professor Ilya Somin played a pivotal role in litigation that led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, holding that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) of 1977 does not authorize the president to unilaterally impose tariffs. In an article written shortly after the Court announced its decision, Professor Somin called the outcome “a major victory for the constitutional separation of powers, for the rule of law, for free trade, and for the millions of American consumers and businesses enduring higher taxes and higher prices as a result of these tariffs.”

Professor Somin partnered with the Liberty Justice Center to serve as co-counsel representing five U.S. small businesses in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump. After successfully arguing the case in both the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, Professor Somin’s team was joined by prominent litigators Michael McConnell and Neal Katyal for the Supreme Court phase, where the case was expedited and consolidated with a parallel lawsuit. On February 20, 2026, the Court issued its ruling, upholding the lower court’s decision in V.O.S. Selections, Inc. v. Trump.

Professor Somin teaches a range of popular courses at the law school, including Constitutional Law and a seminar on Federalism. His work has appeared in numerous well-regarded journals, including the Yale Law Journal and Stanford Law Review. He is also the author of several books and has published pieces in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and many other news outlets.