Author of four books: Interpreting the Constitution (Praeger 1987); Federal Jurisdiction (Aspen Law & Business 3d ed. 1999) (a one volume treatise on federal courts); Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies (Aspen Law & Business 2d ed. 2002) (a one volume treatise on constitutional law); and Constitutional Law (Aspen Law & Business 2001) (a casebook). Also, author of over 100 law review articles that have appeared in journals such as the Harvard Law Review, Michigan Law Review, Northwestern Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Stanford Law Review and Yale Law Journal. Writes a regular column on the Supreme Court for California Lawyer, Los Angeles Daily Journal, and Trial Magazine, and is a frequent contributor to newspapers and other magazines. Regularly serves as a commentator on legal issues for national and local media.

Named by the Daily Journal in October 2000 as one of the 10 most influential lawyers in California (and in 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 to their list of the 100 most influential lawyers in the state). Awards include the 2001 Community Service Award from the Anti-Defamation League; 2001 Clarence Darrow Award from the People's College of Law; 2000 Alumni Achievement Award from Northwestern University; the 1999 Eason Monroe Courageous Advocate Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California; and the 1998 Judge John Brown Award for Contributions to Federal Judicial Education. Also received awards for work on the Los Angeles City Charter from the American Society of Public Administation, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and the Los Angeles Urban League.

Testified many times before committees of the United States Congress, the California Legislature, and the Los Angeles City Council. Has briefed and argued many cases in United States Courts of Appeals and served as co-counsel in several cases before the United States Supreme Court. For example, recently served as counsel in Andrade v. Attorney General (2001) and Brown v. Mayle (2002) in which the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit declared unconstitutional applications of California's three strikes law.

Elected by the voters in April 1997 to serve a two year term as a member of the Elected Los Angeles Charter Reform Commission. Served as Chair of the Commission which proposed a new Charter for the City which was adopted by the voters in June 1999. Also served as a member of the Governor's Task Force on Diversity in 1999-2000. In September 2000, released a report on the Los Angeles Police Department and the Rampart Scandal, which was prepared at the request of the Los Angeles Police Protective League.