William Maxwell

William Maxwell is a Professor of Finance at the Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, where he has served since 2009. Holding the Mary Jo Vaughn Rauscher Chair in Financial Investments, he directs the Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies and the EnCap Investments & LCM Group Alternative Asset Management Center. With a PhD in Finance from George Washington University (1998), he has previously taught at the University of Arizona, Texas Tech, Georgetown, and George Washington University, and worked in mergers & acquisitions.

Research Focus: Maxwell's work centers on corporate finance and corporate bond microstructure, with notable contributions to understanding transparency in illiquid markets, refinancing risk, and structured credit transaction costs. His research has appeared in top journals such as the Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial Economics, and Review of Financial Studies, as well as books on leveraged finance and credit risk modeling.

Scientific Awards:

• Poets and Quants' 2017 Top 40 Undergraduate Business School Professors
• Two Distinguished Teaching Awards at SMU Cox School of Business

Teaching & Leadership: Maxwell created the Alternative Asset Management Program for undergraduates and teaches graduate courses in valuation. Known for his demanding yet fair approach, he emphasizes critical thinking, real-world applications, and networking to secure student placements at firms like PricewaterhouseCoopers and Moelis & Company. His research has been cited over 10,000 times (Google Scholar) and featured in media outlets including the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News.