Institute for Law and Economics

The Institute for Law & Economics was established in 2006 as one of the several centers that specialize in interdisciplinary methods at the University of Minnesota. The Law & Economics Institute contributes to this mission of the University by promoting interdisciplinary research at the interface of economics and the law. Economics provides a tool for studying how legal rules affect human behavior, offering a unique methodology to understand and address contemporary legal and social problems. The Institute seeks to promote interdisciplinary collaborations within the University, as well as with other centers and scholars, nationally and internationally. The Institute for Law & Economics will conduct seminars, organize conferences, sponsor activities in conjunction with other interdisciplinary centers, and host distinguished visitors. Through these efforts the Institute hopes to offer a privileged opportunity for students and faculty alike to add an important dimension to traditional legal education.

The Institute for Law and Economics is also affiliated with the Institute for Law and Rationality.

Distinguished Visitor(s) to the Institute for 2011-12 academic year:

The Institute hosts several Distinguished Visitors each year. Distinguished Visitors are scholars from other institutions whose work falls within the ambit of the Institute. Visitors are in residence at the Law School for a short period of time, typically several days.

Date TBA - Prof. Emanuela Carbonara, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Bologna. Prof. Carbonara's main research interests are the law and economics of contracts and market regulation

Date TBA - Professor Giuseppe Dari-Mattiacci, Amsterdam Center for Law & Economics. Prof. Dari-Mattiacci specializes in the economic analysis of fundamental areas of the law, such as tort, contract, property and litigation. His research interests also cover welfare vs. fairness, public choice, evolution of law, ancient law, and slavery.