Eric W. Orts

Eric W. Orts is a Guardsmark Professor and Professor of Legal Studies & Business Ethics and Management at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He has held visiting appointments at Columbia Law School, Harvard University, INSEAD, NYU School of Law, and other institutions. His research spans corporate governance, environmental law and policy, democratic theory, and constitutional law.

• JSD, Columbia University (1994)
• LLM, Columbia University (1992)
• JD, University of Michigan (1988)
• MA, New School for Social Research (1985)
• BA, Oberlin College (1982)

His research focuses on normative theories of the firm, environmental governance, and constitutional legitimacy. Recent projects include critiques of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Senate reform proposals, and interdisciplinary explorations of business ethics.

Key trends in his publications include integrating legal and ethical frameworks for corporate responsibility, analyzing constitutional challenges to environmental policy, and examining commodification of collective goods. His work bridges corporate law, political science, and sustainability studies.

• Wharton MBA Teaching Award (2021)
• MBA Excellence in Teaching Award (2011)

Orts has taught MBA, undergraduate, and Ph.D. courses in business law, ethics, and environmental management. He served as faculty director of the Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership until 2020 and contributed to professional organizations like the American Law Institute.