Zachary Liscow

Zachary Liscow is a Professor of Law at Yale Law School with a dual background in economics and law. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from UC Berkeley and a J.D. from Yale Law School. Previously, he served as Chief Economist at the White House Office of Management and Budget (2022–23) and as a Staff Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers (2009–2010). His research focuses on tax policy, benefit-cost analysis, and infrastructure costs, with a particular emphasis on addressing economic inequality and reducing infrastructure spending inefficiencies.

Education: A.B., Harvard University (summa cum laude, Economics & Environmental Science/Public Policy), J.D. Yale Law School, Ph.D. Economics, UC Berkeley.

Research Interests: Liscow explores cost-effective policies to combat inequality, drivers of U.S. infrastructure cost inflation, and tax system reforms targeting wealth concentration. He also examines environmental policy and the intersection of law with economic outcomes. His work bridges empirical analysis with policy design, often involving collaborations with economists and legal scholars.

Awards & Recognition: While specific named awards are not listed, his research has been cited in top-tier outlets like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Bloomberg, and he has received a 2013 Best Paper Prize for the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy.

Advising & Grants: As a Yale Law School faculty member, he advises students on tax and policy issues. His grants include support for studies on infrastructure costs, tax loopholes, and benefit-cost analysis frameworks. He co-authored influential papers on topics like the ‘realization rule’ in taxation and state capacity for infrastructure planning.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams (e.g., economists, engineers) on infrastructure cost projects. Active in policy think tanks, including contributions to the Niskanen Center’s ‘Abundance and Dynamism’ initiative.