Michael Cannon

Michael Cannon is a Professor of Practice in the American Culture Studies Program at Washington University in St. Louis. He holds a B. Litt. in Politics from Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar), a BA in Economics from Washington University (1973), and a JD from Yale Law School (1978). His career includes 23 years as Executive Vice Chancellor & General Counsel at Washington University, overseeing legal affairs and advising senior leadership. Previously, he was a federal prosecutor specializing in public corruption and a partner at Wiley, Rein & Fielding law firm.

Cannon’s research explores behavioral economics’ impact on litigation decisions, particularly how cognitive biases influence insurance claims management. He teaches undergraduate courses on U.S. legal systems and modern societal conflicts, analyzing how legal disputes reflect cultural values and anxieties. His mentorship focuses on competitive postgraduate scholarships like Rhodes and Marshall.

• Education:
• B.Litt. in Politics, Oxford University (Rhodes Scholar, 1973)
• B.A. Economics, Washington University (1973)
• J.D., Yale Law School (1978)

Notable professional roles include:

• Executive Vice Chancellor & General Counsel, Washington University (1993–2016)
• Partner, Wiley, Rein & Fielding (Washington, DC)
• Federal Prosecutor, U.S. Department of Justice