Theodor Baums

Theodor Baums is a German jurist specializing in corporate law, holding the endowed chair for civil and business law at the Institute for Law and Finance (ILF) since 2006. He has served as a professor at multiple institutions including the University of Muenster (1986-1987), and founded the Institute for Business Law at the University of Osnabrueck's School of Law in 1992. His career spans advisory roles for the World Bank (1992-1995), leadership in corporate governance reforms as chairman of Germany's Federal Government Commission (1999-2001), and membership in the European Model Company Law Group.

• Professor at University of Muenster (1986-1987)
• Visiting professor at U.C. Berkeley, Vienna, Stanford, and Columbia
• Founder of Institute for Business Law (University of Osnabrueck, 1992)
• Director of Institute for Banking Law (Frankfurt, 2000-2006)

His research interests focus on German and European corporate law, corporate governance, and corporate finance. His work examines comparative legal frameworks between Germany and the U.S., with particular attention to shareholder protection, capital market regulation, and corporate disclosure practices. Publications include analyses of the European Model Company Law Act Project and post-2003 EU corporate law developments.

Scientific awards:

• Recipient of the Order of Merit 1st class (2006) from Germany's Federal Republic

Prof. Baums has advised the German Federal Parliament on company and securities market regulation, served on advisory boards for the German Capital Markets Supervisory Agency, Deutsche Bundesbank's Vorstand, and the European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI). He has also contributed to multiple scientific journals as an editor.