Winston Salem Times

Professor Jonathan Cardi has been named the Judge Donald L. Smith Professor of Law. His career in the legal field has been diverse, with roles ranging from clerking for a federal judge to working as a litigator in Washington, DC, before moving into academia.

Initially, Professor Cardi aimed to be a copyright expert, especially in music copyright, which was also the focus of his work at the firm Arnold & Porter. However, his academic journey took an unexpected turn when he attended an American Law Institute meeting on torts, which shifted his scholarly focus. “When I got into teaching, I planned to be a copyright scholar,” he notes, admitting that the meeting marked a pivotal moment in his career. “That was a transformative experience,” Cardi recalls. “That was it, I was hooked. I knew torts was where I wanted to devote my time and energy.”

Professor Cardi has since explored various complex questions within tort law, including societal issues such as sexual consent and strict liability. "The cases touch on interesting societal questions—like sexual consent and strict liability," he says.

One of his notable achievements is serving as an Associate Reporter for the Restatement Third of Torts, a role he calls “the most amazing scholarly experience of my life.” This position required him to synthesize extensive case law into concise legal rules. “Writing a restatement for approval by a body of 4,000 incredibly accomplished, intelligent people with different backgrounds, experience, and political leanings is very challenging,” Professor Cardi explains, emphasizing the need to balance diverse perspectives.

Professor Cardi's scholarship has also extended to the intersection of race, social science, and tort law, an area he describes as underexplored. His collaborative research with Professor Valerie Hans and Professor Gregory Parks on racial bias in jury decision-making resulted in the paper titled “Do Black Injuries Matter?: Implicit Bias and Jury Decision Making in Tort Cases.” Cardi's findings highlighted the nuanced interplay of racial elements within tort law. He concludes, “Unsurprisingly, it’s complicated,” noting the subtle influence of racial stereotypes on legal outcomes.

At Wake Forest Law, Professor Cardi embodies what he calls the “teacher-scholar” ideal, dedicating significant time to nurturing student growth. He finds joy in guiding students to achieve breakthroughs in their understanding of legal concepts. “Helping students realize that the struggle to understand a concept is the goal—that’s where real learning happens—is what law school is all about,” he states.

Professor Cardi appreciates the community at Wake Forest, where he sees a strong emphasis on nurturing relationships between students and faculty. “We bill ourselves as a place with a strong sense of community that prioritizes the student/professor relationship and the student/staff relationship,” he says. Professor Cardi values the Law School's dedication to its members' personal and professional development.

As he looks to the future, Professor Cardi is determined to shape the next chapter of his career deliberately. “I’m continually thinking about what is going to fulfill me in the next stage of my career,” he shares.

Professor Cardi acknowledges that his work holds a significant purpose. "When you have a blank page, it’s up to you to fill that page in meaningful ways," he expresses. "To be in a position where I can do that is an honor and a privilege."