Prof. Richard A. Epstein

Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law and Director, Classical Liberal Institute, New York University School of Law

Richard A. Epstein is the Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law, at New York University, the Peter and Kirstin Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution , and the James Parker Hall Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus and Senior Lecturer, the University of Chicago. He received an LL.D., h.c . from the University of Ghent, 2003 , and an LLD h.c . from the University of Siegen in 2018 and the Bradley Prize in 2011. He has been a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 1985. He has edited both the Journal of Legal Studies (1981-1991) and the Journal of Law and Economics (1991-2001). He is also a founder and director of the Classical Liberal Institute at NYU Law School. His most recent book is The Classical Liberal Constitution: The Uncertain Quest for Limited Government (2014). His other books include Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain ( 1985); Bargaining with the State (1993); Simple Rules for a Complex World (1995); Principles for a Free Society: Reconciling Individual Liberty and the Common Good (1998); Skepticism and Freedom: A Modern Theory of Classical Liberalism (2003); Design for Liberty: Private Property, Public Administration and the Rule of Law (2011). He has taught courses in , administrative law, antitrust, constitutional, contracts, environmental law, land use planning; real property, torts and water law. He has written and spoken extensively on a wide range of topics, and is writes a regular column for Defining Ideas.

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Introduction to Common Law

Can simple rules solve social coordination problems better than regulations?  Professor Richard Epstein of NYU School of Law provides an alternative to the conventional view...

The Roman Law of Persons

What laws and norms governed Roman society and do they have any bearing on our modern understanding of personal rights? Professor Richard Epstein explains Roman...

The Roman Law of Contracts

What types of contracts did the Romans utilize? Professor Richard Epstein explains basic Roman contracts, and specific types such as those governing partnerships and wills....

The Roman Law of Tort

How did the Romans think about torts like theft, nuisance, and assault? Professor Richard Epstein posits that understanding Roman concepts about causation can help us...