Reinier Kraakman

Reinier Kraakman serves as the Ezra Ripley Thayer Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, Harvard University. A leading authority in corporate law and governance, he has influenced global company law reforms through consultancy with the Bank for International Settlements and advisory roles in Russia and Vietnam. His international engagement includes teaching summer programs in Germany and Japan and holding the Anton Philips Professorship at Tilburg University (2003-2004).

His research spans business law, comparative company law, corporate governance, corporate takeovers, limited liability, shareholder-derivative suits, and third-party enforcement strategies. Kraakman's work emphasizes functional and comparative approaches to corporate legal structures across jurisdictions, examining how legal frameworks address agency problems and organizational evolution.

Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent focus on foundational corporate law elements, historical development of business organizations, and post-crisis market regulation. His work bridges historical perspectives with contemporary governance challenges, particularly in emerging markets and financial regulatory contexts.

Scientific awards and honors include:

• ECGI Research Associate (2006)
• Anton Philips Professor at the University of Tilburg (2003-2004)

Kraakman co-authored the seminal 'The Anatomy of Corporate Law: A Comparative and Functional Approach' and has advised on corporate governance reforms internationally. His teaching portfolio includes specialized seminars on comparative corporate law for East Asia and Europe at Harvard Law School, contributing significantly to global legal education and policy development.