Contact Information

External Website-Huhn

Biography

Wilson R. Huhn teaches Contracts, Sales, and Secured Transactions at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. Before coming to Duquesne Kline, Huhn taught at The University of Akron School of Law for over 30 years where he achieved the rank of Distinguished Professor. He retired from Akron Law in 2015. At Akron Law, Huhn taught Constitutional Law, Advanced Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Commercial Paper, Secured Transactions, Evidence, Administrative Law, Health Law, Sexual Orientation and the Law, Law and Genetics, and other courses. Prior to joining the Akron law faculty in 1984, Huhn served as law clerk for the late Judge Leo A. Jackson in the 8th District Court of Appeals and as an associate in litigation at the firm of Squire, Sanders and Dempsey.

Huhn has been a leader in utilizing "hybrid" or "flipped classroom" techniques for teaching law. He has taught law courses online since 2012.

Huhn's book The Five Types of Legal Argument (Carolina Academic Press, 2002, 2008, 2014) is required reading at a number of law schools nationally. His book ObamaCare: Is It Necessary, What Will It Accomplish, Is It Constitutional (Carolina Academic Press 2012) is available in electronic format for Kindle. During 2011-2012 Huhn coordinated the writing of and submitted appellate briefs to the Sixth Circuit, the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court in defense of affirmative action and the Affordable Care Act. Other publications include A Higher Law: Abraham Lincoln's Use of Religious Imagery, 13 Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion 1-62 (2011); Abraham Lincoln's Influence on the Modern Supreme Court, 36 Oklahoma City University Law Review 555-605 (2011); The Constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Under the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause, 32 Journal of Legal Medicine 139-165 (2011), The Constitutionality of "Socialized Medicine" 15 Michigan State University Journal of Medicine and Law 299-336 (2011), Constantly Approximating Popular Sovereignty: Seven Fundamental Principles of Constitutional Law,19 William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal 291 (2010); The Legacy of Slaughterhouse, Bradwell, and Cruikshank in Constitutional Interpretation, 42 Akron Law Review 1051 (2009); Cross Burning as Hate Speech Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, 2 Amsterdam Law Forum vol. 1 19 (2009) (online journal); Ten Questions on Gay Rights and Freedom of Religion, Akron Journal of Constitutional Law and Policy (online journal) (July 31, 2009); Abraham Lincoln Was a Framer of the Constitution,86:3 Washington University Law Review (Slip Opinions, online journal) (March 12, 2009); Waterboarding Is Illegal, Washington University Law Review (Slip Opinions, online journal) (May 10, 2008); Congress Has the Power to Enforce the Bill of Rights Against the Federal Government: Therefore FISA is Constitutional and the President's Terrorist Surveillance Program Is Illegal, 16 William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal 537 (2007); In Defense of the Roosevelt Court, 2 Florida A & M University Law Review 1 (2007); The State Action Doctrine and the Principle of Democratic Choice, 34 Hofstra Law Review (2006); and The Constitutional Jurisprudence of Sandra Day O'Connor: A Refusal to "Foreclose the Unanticipated", 39 Akron Law Review 373-415 (2006).

Huhn was awarded the "Excellence in Teaching" award at Duquesne Kline School of Law as a full-time member of the faculty in 2018 and as an adjunct in 2016. The graduating class at Akron Law selected Huhn Outstanding Professor of the Year in 2015, 2008, 2005, 2003, 1999, 1997, and 1987.

The Akron law alumni awarded him the Outstanding Publication prize in 2006 and 2004, and the law faculty named him the Most Valuable Player for his contributions to legal scholarship, 2001-03.

Huhn is active in presenting programs to professional, academic, and community audiences and makes frequent media appearances on questions of Constitutional Law.

Huhn volunteers his time on community boards and is active organizing and coaching adaptive recreation programs for youths and adults with special needs.

Huhn received his B.A. at Yale University and J.D., cum laude, at Cornell University, where he was a member of the Cornell Law Review.

Education

  • J.D., Cornell University
  • B.A., Yale University

Areas of Expertise

  • Constitutional Law
  • Contracts
  • Commercial Law

School

FALL
Contracts I
Sales
Secured Transactions

SPRING
Contracts II
Sales

The Five Types of Legal Argument, Fourth Edition
Wilson Huhn. The Five Types of Legal Argument (4th, Carolina Academic Press, 2022)

The Five Types of Legal Argument, Third Edition
Wilson Huhn. The Five Types of Legal Argument (3rd, Carolina Academic Press, 2014)

ObamaCare: Is It Necessary? What Will It Accomplish? Is it Constitutional?
Wilson Huhn, ObamaCare: Is It Necessary? What Will It Accomplish? Is It Constitutional? (Carolina Academic Press, 2012)

Telling Right From Wrong Without the Help of God
Wilson Huhn, Tellilng Right from Wrong Without the Help of God. (Carolina Academic Press, 2008)

Book Review: Compelling Lessons in the First Amendment: Free Speech - 'the People's Darling Privilege,' Struggles for Freedom of Expression in American History, by Michael Kent Curtis
Wilson R. Huhn, Book Review: Compelling Lessons in the First Amendment: Free Speech - 'the People's Darling Privilege,' Struggles for Freedom of Expression in American History, by Michael Kent Curtis, 17 Const. Comment. 795-812 (2002). SSRN

Analysis of Carson v. Makin
Wilson Huhn, Analysis of Carson v. Makin, 61 Duq. L. Rev. 50 (2023).

Foreword: New Supreme Court Cases: Duquesne Law Faculty Explains
Wilson Huhn, New Supreme Court Cases: Duquesne Law Faculty Explains (Foreword), 61 Duq. L. Rev. 38 (2023).

Foreword: Shall These Bones Live? Resurrecting Truth in American Law and Discourse
Wilson Huhn, Foreword: Shall These Bones Live? Resurrecting Truth in American Law and Discourse, 56 Duq. L.R. 1-6 (Summer 2018). SSRN

The Trump-Clifford Nondisclosure Agreement: Violation of Public Policy and the First Amendment
Wilson Huhn, The Trump-Clifford Nondisclosure Agreement: Violation of Public Policy and the First Amendment, Juris Magazine (May 2018).

Fundamental Choices Facing the Supreme Court
Wilson Huhn, Fundamental Choices Facing the Supreme Court, Juris Magazine (January 2018).SSRN

Formative Assessment in Legal Education: Using Objective-Type Questions to Teach Law
Wilson R. Huhn, Formative Assessment in Legal Education: Using Objective-Type Questions to Teach Law (2017). SSRN

The Impact of Justice Scalia's Replacement on Gender Equality Issues
Wilson Huhn, The Impact of Justice Scalia's Replacement on Gender Equality Issues, 8 ConLawNOW 47-69 (2016). SSRN

Realism Over Formalism and the Presumption of Constitutionality: Chief Justice Roberts' Opinion Upholding the Individual Mandate
Wilson R. Huhn, Realism Over Formalism and the Presumption of Constitutionality: Chief Justice Roberts' Opinion Upholding the Individual Mandate, 46 Akron L. Rev. 117 (2013). SSRN

Slaves to Contradictions: 13 Myths that Sustained Slavery
Wilson R. Huhn, Slaves to Contradictions: 13 Myths that Sustained Slavery, U. Akron Legal Stud. Research Paper No. 13-21, 2013. SSRN

The Future Interpretation of the Constitution as a Result of the Reelection of President Barack Obama
Wilson R. Huhn, The Future Interpretation of the Constitution as a Result of the Reelection of President Barack Obama, U. Akron Legal Stud. Research Paper No. 12-20, 2013. SSRN

The Growing Acceptance and Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in America Constitutes a Victory for Reality-Based Thinking
Wilson R. Huhn, The Growing Acceptance and Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in America Constitutes a Victory for Reality-Based Thinking, U. Akron Legal Stud. Res. Paper 12-10. SSRN

Abraham Lincoln's Influence on the Modern Supreme Court Understanding of Liberty and Equality
Wilson R. Huhn, Abraham Lincoln's Influence on the Modern Supreme Court Understanding of Liberty and Equality, Okla. City L. Rev. (2011). SSRN

A Higher Law: Abraham Lincoln's Use of Biblical Imagery
Wilson R. Huhn, A Higher Law: Abraham Lincoln's Use of Biblical Imagery, 13 Rutgers J.L. Religion (Fall 2011). SSRN

Constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Under the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause
Wilson R. Huhn, Constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Under the Commerce Clause and the Necessary and Proper Clause, 32 (139) J. Legal Med. (2011). SSRN

Constantly Approximating Popular Sovereignty: Seven Fundamental Principles of Constitutional Law
Wilson R. Huhn, Constantly Approximating Popular Sovereignty: Seven Fundamental Principles of Constitutional Law, 19 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. (2010). SSRN

The Fourteenth Amendment Protects the Right to Same-Sex Marriage
Wilson R. Huhn, The Fourteenth Amendment Protects the Right to Same-Sex Marriage, U. Akron Legal Stud. Res. Paper 10-16. SSRN

Three Giant Steps Backward for the First Amendment
Wilson R. Huhn, Three Giant Steps Backward for the First Amendment, U. Akron Legal Stud. Res. Paper 10-17. SSRN

Abraham Lincoln and the Transcendental Constitution: Excerpts from Lincoln's Letters, Speeches, and Remarks (Annotated)
Wilson R. Huhn, Abraham Lincoln and the Transcendental Constitution: Excerpts from Lincoln's Letters, Speeches, and Remarks (Annotated), U. Akron Legal Stud. Res. Paper. SSRN

Cross Burning as Hate Speech Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution
Wilson R. Huhn, Cross Burning as Hate Speech Under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, 2 (1) Amsterdam L.F. (2009). SSRN

Ten Questions on Gay Rights and Freedom of Religion
Wilson R. Huhn, Ten Questions on Gay Rights and Freedom of Religion, 1 Akron J. Const. L Pol'y (2009-2010). SSRN

Legacy of Slaughterhouse, Bradwell and Cruikshank in Constitutional Interpretation
Wilson R. Huhn, Legacy of Slaughterhouse, Bradwell and Cruikshank in Constitutional Interpretation, 42 (4) Akron L. Rev. (2009). SSRN

In Defense of the Roosevelt Court
Wilson R. Huhn, In Defense of the Roosevelt Court, U. Akron Legal Stud. Res. Paper 07-05. SSRN

Congress Has the Power to Enforce the Bill of Rights Against the Federal Government; Therefore FISA is Constitutional and the President's Terrorist Surveillance Program is Illegal
Wilson R. Huhn, Congress Has the Power to Enforce the Bill of Rights Against the Federal Government; Therefore FISA is Constitutional and the President's Terrorist Surveillance Program is Illegal, 16 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. (2007). SSRN

The Constitutional Jurisprudence of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: A Refusal to 'Foreclose the Unanticipated'
Wilson R. Huhn, The Constitutional Jurisprudence of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor: A Refusal to 'Foreclose the Unanticipated', 39 Akron L. Rev. 373-415 (2006). SSRN

The State Action Doctrine and the Principle of Democratic Choice
Wilson R. Huhn, The State Action Doctrine and the Principle of Democratic Choice, 34 Hofstra L. Rev. 1379-1460 (2006). SSRN

Ohio Issue 1 is Unconstitutional
Wilson R. Huhn, Ohio Issue 1 is Unconstitutional, 26 (1) UNC Central L. Rev. (2005). SSRN

Scienter, Causation, and Harm in Freedom of Expression Analysis: The Right Hand Side of the Constitutional Calculus
Wilson R. Huhn, Scienter, Causation, and Harm in Freedom of Expression Analysis: The Right Hand Side of the Constitutional Calculus, 13 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 125-203 (2004). SSRN

The Jurisprudential Revolution, Unlocking Human Potential in Grutter and Lawrence
Wilson R. Huhn, The Jurisprudential Revolution, Unlocking Human Potential in Grutter and Lawrence, 12 Wm. & Mary Bill Rts. J. 65-115 (2004). SSRN

Assessing the Constitutionality of Laws that are Both Content Based and Content Neutral: The Emerging Constitutional Calculus
Wilson R. Huhn, Assessing the Constitutionality of Laws that are Both Content Based and Content Neutral: The Emerging Constitutional Calculus, 79 Ind. L.J. 801 (2004). SSRN

Three Legal Frameworks for Regulating Genetic Technology
Wilson R. Huhn, Three Legal Frameworks for Regulating Genetic Technology, 19 J. Contemp. Health Pol'y 1-36 (2003). SSRN

The Stages of Legal Reasoning: Formalism, Analogy, and Realism
Wilson R. Huhn, The Stages of Legal Reasoning: Formalism, Analogy, and Realism, 48 Vill. L. Rev. 305 (2003). SSRN

The Use and Limits of Deductive Logic in Legal Reasoning
Wilson R. Huhn, The Use and Limits of Deductive Logic in Legal Reasoning, Santa Clara L. Rev. 813-862 (2002). SSRN

Teaching Legal Analysis Using a Pluralistic Model of Law
Wilson R. Huhn, Teaching Legal Analysis Using a Pluralistic Model of Law, 36 Gonzaga L. Rev. 433 (2001). SSRN

Force Majeure and Professional Sports
Member of a panel presentation sponsored by the Duquesne University Sports and Entertainment Law Society (April 7, 2020).

The Role of Law and the Role of the Lawyer
Presentation to Duquesne University Pre-Law Society (February 20, 2020).

Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Expression After Obergefell
Debate sponsored by the Federalist Society of The University of Akron School of Law (February 12, 2020).

The Framers' Views on Impeachment
Continuing Legal Education program, Duquesne University School of Law (January 21, 2020).

Understanding Impeachment
Member of panel presentation at Duquesne University School of Law (December 5, 2019).

An Afternoon with Abraham Lincoln
Presentation to students at Duquesne University School of Law (October 23, 2019).

The 13 Myths That Supported Slavery
Television interview on NightTalk, WPXI, Pittsburgh (September 5, 2019).

The Framers' Views on Pardons, Emoluments, and Impeachment
University of Akron School of Law (April 18, 2019).

State Action and the NFL
Wilson Huhn, State Action and the NFL, presentation at Protest in the Workplace: The Kaepernick Effect, Pro Football Hall of Fame (Oct. 18, 2018).

Beyond Multiple Choice: Using Objective-Type Online Formative Assessment Tools in Teaching Law; and a Self-Guided Program for Teaching Students How to Answer Essay Questions
Wilson Huhn and Dorothy Evensen, Beyond Multiple Choice: Using Objective-Type Online Formative Assessment Tools in Teaching Law; and a Self-Guided Program for Teaching Students How to Answer Essay Questions, presentation at 2018 SALT Teaching conference (October 5, 2018).

Presidential Powers
Wilson Huhn, Presidential Powers, presentation at Orange Community Education and Recreation (Oct. 4, 2018).

Readings on the Pardon Power, the Emoluments Clause, and Impeachment
Wilson Huhn, Ian Chaves, David Betras, Andrea Burton, Nils Peter Johnson, and Jeff Hendrickson, Readings on the Pardon Power, the Emoluments Clause, and Impeachment, presentation at Constitutional Issues in the Current White House: Pardons and Emoluments (Sep. 20, 2018).

  • Outstanding Professor of the Year, University of Akron School of Law, 1987, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2015
  • Outstanding Publication Prize, University of Akron School of Law, Named by Law Alumni, 2004 and 2006
  • Most Valuable Player, University of Akron School of Law, Named by Law Faculty for Contributions to Legal Scholarship, 2001-03.