[9] Erwin Chemerinsky, a prominent figure in law and civic affairs, has made significant contributions to various legal and governmental initiatives.

He notably served on a panel within the Los Angeles Police Department, tasked with investigating the Rampart Scandal, and participated in a commission examining irregularities in city contracting processes.

[10] In 1995, Chemerinsky provided commentary on the O. J. Simpson trial for several media outlets, including KCBS-TV, KNX, and CBS News.

Beyond local matters, he also played a role in shaping international legal frameworks, having assisted in drafting the Constitution of Belarus.

[11] Chemerinsky's commitment to fostering open dialogue is evidenced by his role as the National Advisory Board Co-chair of the UC Free Speech Center.

His dedication to legal education and leadership is exemplified by his selection as the President of the Association of American Law Schools for the term spanning 2021-2022.

[15] In January 2017, Chemerinsky, along with other high-profile lawyers, sued President Donald Trump for refusing to "divest from his businesses".

[16] In an opinion piece following the 2020 presidential election, Chemerinsky wrote that "the Electoral College makes no sense as a way for a democracy to choose a president."

He writes that it was intentionally designed to be anti-democratic and came about as part of "compromises concerning slavery that were at the core of the Constitution's drafting and ratification.

Chemerinsky, referring to the heckler's veto, asserted that their protest was a form of punishable civil disobedience and not protected by the First Amendment.

[21] Chemerinsky also wrote a Los Angeles Times op-ed denouncing antisemitism on college campuses (including student protestors calling for the "total elimination of Israel"), describing antisemitic remarks directed at him personally, strongly opposing the policies of the Netanyahu government, supporting "full rights for Palestinians", and affirming free speech for students and school administrators alike.

After signing a contract on September 4, 2007, the hire was rescinded by UCI Chancellor Michael V. Drake, who felt the law professor's commentaries were "polarizing."

[25] Details emerged revealing that the university had received criticism on the hire from the California Supreme Court's Chief Justice Ronald M. George, who criticized Chemerinsky's grasp of death penalty appeals and a group of prominent local Republicans, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who wanted to stop the appointment.

Drake traveled over a weekend to meet with Chemerinsky in Durham, North Carolina, where he was a professor at the Duke University School of Law at the time, and the two reached an agreement late Sunday evening.

[32][33] After the student accused Fisk of discrimination and harassment, UC Berkeley opened a civil rights investigation into the incident.