John Rubin is the Albert Coates Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government at the School of Government. He is an expert in criminal law and public defender education. Rubin joined the School (then the Institute of Government) in 1991.
Rubin has written several books, articles, and other resources on criminal law, including a book on The Law of Self-Defense in North Carolina and a guide to Relief from a Criminal Conviction, among other publications. He also created a seven-volume practice manual series on indigent defense. He regularly teaches and consults with judges, magistrates, prosecutors, public defenders, and other criminal justice officials.
In 2004, Rubin created the Public Defense Education program at the School, supported by contract revenue, grants, registration fees and sales, and fundraising. As director of the program, he oversaw the work of several lawyers and professional employees who develop and deliver a curriculum of annual training programs, a library of reference materials, online educational offerings, and consultation services. Rubin helped establish and continues as a consultant to the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services, the statewide agency responsible for overseeing and enhancing legal representation for indigent defendants and others entitled to counsel under North Carolina law.
In 2008, John was awarded a two-year distinguished professorship for faculty excellence. In 2012, he was named Albert Coates Distinguished Professor of Public Law and Government. He has served as the faculty director for UNC’s honors study abroad program in London, teaches an honors undergraduate seminar on criminal law and justice at UNC-Chapel Hill, and co-teaches a Burch Field Research Seminar on criminal justice and health policy during the summer in London. Before joining the School's faculty, Rubin practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, CA.
He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from UNC-Chapel Hill.