معرفی
Norman I. Silber is the Boas-Claster Distinguished Professor in Civil Procedure at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Hofstra University, where he has been a faculty member since 1989. His scholarly work bridges law, history, and public policy, with primary expertise in consumer law, commercial law, legal history, and nonprofit corporations. He holds a JD from Columbia University and a PhD in History from Yale University. He previously practiced law at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler and clerked for Judge Leonard I. Garth of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
His educational background includes:
- JD, Columbia University, 1986
- PhD in History, Yale University, 1978
- BA, Washington University, 1972
Professor Silber's research focuses on the evolution of consumer protection, the role of nonprofit organizations in society, and the legal history of 20th-century America. He has written extensively on topics such as donor privacy, nonprofit governance, and consumer behavior in crisis situations. His work often integrates oral history methodologies and interdisciplinary perspectives. He is particularly known for his books Test and Protest, A Corporate Form of Freedom, and With All Deliberate Speed.
His recent publications reflect a consistent trend toward examining the intersection of law, ethics, and social responsibility—particularly in nonprofit finance, disaster response, and consumer rights. Articles such as 'Charitable Debt Calamity' and 'Thriving on Adversity' reveal a deep concern for institutional accountability and consumer protection in times of systemic risk.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
- Member of The American Law Institute
- Red Ribbon Award, American Film Festival (for PBS documentary America at Risk)
He has served in significant professional roles, including past chair of the Consumer Affairs Committee of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, past director of the American Council on Consumer Interests, and current director of Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports). He was the editor of Advancing The Consumer Interest and has consulted for national media, law revisions, and international consumer law reform, including in China. He has advised on UCC revisions and participated in numerous panels and policy discussions. He is also an active interviewer for the Columbia University Oral History Research Office and has conducted oral histories of prominent legal figures.
Professor Silber has been deeply involved in public scholarship, contributing to encyclopedias, op-eds, and media commentary. He has presented at major academic conferences such as ARNOVA and the American Association of Law Schools, and has lectured at institutions including NYU, Berkeley, and St. John's. His work demonstrates a sustained commitment to both academic rigor and real-world impact in law and policy.
