Jean Du Plessis

Professor Jean Du Plessis is a leading academic in corporate law and governance at Deakin Law School, Faculty of Business and Law, Deakin University, where he has been a Professor since 2000. He also holds an honorary Extraordinary Professor position at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa. His work spans teaching, research, leadership, and international collaboration, particularly in comparative corporate governance.

Education:

• Doctor of Law (LLD), University of the Orange Free State
• Master of Laws (LLM), University of the Orange Free State
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of the Orange Free State
• Baccalaureus Procurations, University of the Orange Free State

His research interests focus on corporate law, directors’ duties, corporate governance, codetermination, employee board participation, stakeholder theory, CSR, and integrated reporting. He has led major research projects on corporate purpose, profit distribution, and social contracts in business. His publications reveal a strong emphasis on comparative legal frameworks, particularly between Australia, South Africa, and Germany. He frequently explores themes of ethical governance, long-term sustainability, and the evolving role of corporations in society.

Du Plessis has received significant recognition, including the Anneliese Maier Research Award (2013–2018) from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, multiple Humboldt Fellowships, and the Medallion Award from the Corporate Law Teachers Association (2010). He has served on the Deakin University Council and was a member of an International Reference Group for South African corporate law reform.

He has supervised numerous doctoral and master’s students on topics such as CSR, insider trading, fintech regulation, and gender diversity in boards. He teaches core units including Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Corporations Law. He is actively involved in international conferences and policy discussions, particularly on stakeholder governance and post-pandemic corporate reform.

He leads and contributes to research teams focused on comparative corporate governance, and his ongoing work continues to influence academic and policy debates in corporate law globally.