Marisa Anne Pagnattaro is a Professor at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, specializing in the Department of Insurance, Legal Studies, and Real Estate. She holds a PhD in English (American Literature) from the University of Georgia (1998), a JD in Law from New York Law School (1987), and a BA in English from Colgate University (1983). PhD in English (American Literature), University of Georgia, 1998 JD in Law, New York Law School, 1987 BA in English, Colgate University, 1983 Her research focuses on China Employment Law, International Trade Law, and the protection of trade secrets in global contexts. She explores intersections between labor rights, trade policy, and corporate compliance. Recent publications analyze RFID technology in employment, CAFTA labor standards, and transnational conflicts between corporate ethics and privacy laws. Her work spans trade secret enforcement in China, food safety regulations, and executive compensation reforms in the U.S. and Europe. Awarded the Larry DiMatteo Senior Scholar Award (2016) and multiple teaching honors, including the Hugh O. Nourse Outstanding MBA Teacher Award (2016) and Creative Teaching Award (2014). She has held editorial leadership roles at the American Business Law Journal and other legal publications.
Joana Galvão Teles serves as a Visiting Professor at NOVA School of Law, NOVA University Lisbon, and holds dual professional roles as Of Counsel at Morais Leitão's Litigation and Arbitration Department and researcher/coordinator of the Commercial Arbitration area at the Nova Dispute Resolution Forum. She maintains active institutional affiliations including the Board of the Arbitration Center of the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Management Committee of Concórdia — Center for Conciliation, Conflict Mediation and Arbitration, and Board of Directors of Revista Themis. Education: Law Degree, NOVA School of Law (2005) Postgraduate in Voluntary Arbitration, NOVA School of Law (2009) PhD in Law (in progress), NOVA School of Law, supervised by Prof. Mariana França Gouveia Her research centers on arbitration and dispute resolution , with expertise spanning international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration, and mediation. She critically examines procedural fairness in waiver of fundamental rights, interim relief mechanisms, and post-Achmea treaty reforms, applying these insights to infrastructure, construction, and energy sectors. Her work bridges theoretical legal frameworks with practical dispute resolution strategies across civil and commercial law domains. Publications from 2011–2022 reveal an evolving focus from foundational concepts like res judicata and arbitrability toward contemporary challenges in interim measures and investment treaty reforms. The research demonstrates consistent engagement with procedural efficiency, party autonomy, and cross-jurisdictional harmonization, reflecting deep integration of Portuguese law with international arbitration standards. Joana actively shapes the field through leadership at the Nova Dispute Resolution Forum and Concórdia, where she coordinates commercial arbitration initiatives and conflict mediation programs. She designs and delivers specialized curricula including the University Extension Course in Arbitration (2011–2020) and Summer School on International Arbitration (2021–2022), while regularly presenting at global arbitration forums to advance practitioner-academic dialogue.
Håkan Andersson is a Professor of Civil Law at the Department of Law, Uppsala University. His primary affiliations include academic roles within legal studies, with a strong focus on tort law and civil liability frameworks. He maintains an active research profile with frequent publications in legal journals. His research concentrates on European tort law, liability systems, compensation mechanisms, and discrimination law. Key areas include: Development of tort liability boundaries and limitation periods Constitutional aspects of compensation rights Intersections between criminal law and tort law Insurance law complexities and policy interpretations Discrimination compensation frameworks and accessibility requirements Human rights implications in civil liability cases Andersson's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on evolving liability frameworks, with recent works analyzing limitation periods, discrimination compensation, and causal dilemmas in medical contexts. His scholarship trends toward practical legal problem-solving within European tort systems, emphasizing judicial interpretation and legislative developments.
Agata MacGregor is a Lecturer and Honours Coordinator in the Insurance and Risk Management Division at the School of Business Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Johannesburg. She holds a BCom, MCom in Insurance and Risk Management, and a PGDE in Higher Education, and is currently pursuing a PhD in the School of Education at Wits. Her educational background includes: Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Master of Commerce (MCom) in Insurance and Risk Management Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education (PGDE) Her research interests are centered on specialised liability risks and insurance regulation , with additional focus on insurance education , social theories of learning , assessment-as-learning , curriculum studies , and Legitimation Code Theory . This interdisciplinary work bridges insurance practice and educational theory. Her publications reflect two main streams: risk management (including enterprise risk and terrorism insurance) and higher education (focusing on assessment and academic identity). Recent work explores the determinants of enterprise risk management adoption and learning-oriented assessment strategies. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. She supervises Honours and Masters students in Insurance and Risk Management. She also serves on the Teaching and Learning Committee, School Academic Misconduct Committee, and Faculty Postgraduate Writing Committee.
Mateusz Balcerzak, a researcher at the Department of Commercial Law, Insurance and Industrial Property within the Faculty of Law and Administration at University of Lodz, specializes in legal disciplines with a focus on Commercial Law , Civil Law , and Patent Law . His work also intersects with Industrial Property , Intellectual Property , and Trademark Law . He has contributed to academic discourse with 17 documented publications, emphasizing topics such as legal liability, damage compensation, and private law mechanisms. His research often addresses modern challenges in intellectual property protection and contractual obligations.
Daniel Kessler is a Professor of Law at Stanford University and holds multiple senior fellowships, including the Keith and Jan Hurlbut Senior Fellowship at the Hoover Institution and a Senior Fellowship at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). He is also a Professor of Political Economics at the Graduate School of Business and a Professor (by courtesy) of Health Policy. His research focuses on the intersection of law, economics, and healthcare policy. Research Interests: Kessler's work explores the medical liability system , defensive medicine , healthcare productivity , and malpractice reforms . He investigates how insurance structures , tax policies , and market dynamics influence healthcare delivery, with a focus on Medicare , hospital administration , and opioid prescribing trends. Scientific Awards: Keith and Jan Hurlbut Senior Fellowship, Hoover Institution Senior Fellowship, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research Teaching: He supervises independent studies and offers courses such as Doctoral Practicum in Research , Health Law: Finance and Insurance , and PhD Directed Reading across Stanford's Law School, Graduate School of Business, and Health Policy departments.
Karsten Engsig Sørensen is a Professor at the Department of Law , Aarhus BSS , Aarhus University , Denmark. His research is centered on European and comparative company law, with a strong emphasis on corporate governance, sustainability, CSR, non-financial reporting, and the legal challenges of cross-border corporate structures within the EU. His research interests include: Corporate Law, European Company Law, Corporate Governance, Sustainability and CSR, Non-Financial Reporting, Group of Companies, Free Movement of Companies, Company Law Reform, EU Regulatory Frameworks, and the Legal Aspects of Sustainable Development. His work frequently analyzes EU directives, regulatory instruments, and legal doctrines related to corporate accountability and transparency. The recent article titles reflect a consistent focus on sustainability, governance, and EU integration. Key themes include the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), differential voting rights, engagement policies for sustainability, and the impact of EU directives on corporate structures. His publications often explore the balance between regulatory harmonization and national law, as well as the prevention of abuse in corporate forms. European Model Company Act (EMCA) - First Edition, 2017 He has collaborated with prominent scholars across Europe on projects related to corporate governance and company law reform. His work is published in the Nordic & European Company Law Working Paper series and other academic outlets. He appears to be an active researcher with a strong publication record in the field.
Danaë Anderson serves as a Lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety at Victoria University of Wellington's School of Health. She holds a PhD from Auckland University of Technology (2021), complemented by an MPhil (Hons) from the same institution and a BA BCom (Hons) from the University of Auckland. Her research portfolio spans critical contemporary workplace issues: Occupational health and safety and risk management Migration and international worker dynamics Conflict resolution and negotiation frameworks Regulatory mechanisms in employment relations Protection of vulnerable worker populations Workplace disability inclusion Dr. Anderson's scholarly output demonstrates deep engagement with New Zealand's employment relations landscape, workplace safety regulations, and the experiences of marginalized worker groups. Her publications reveal consistent focus on policy implementation gaps, regulatory enforcement challenges, and the lived realities of international students and migrant workers within New Zealand's labor market. Recent work examines tourism accident liability, health and safety reform trajectories, and political party approaches to employment relations. Her research impact extends beyond academia through frequent contributions to The Conversation, reaching broader public audiences on workplace safety issues. She has presented at international conferences on workplace safety and employment relations, establishing herself as a knowledgeable commentator on regulatory frameworks and their practical application. Dr. Anderson actively supervises graduate research and teaches core courses in Health and Safety Management and Leadership (HLWB511) and Professional Role and Functioning (HLWB512). She maintains strong industry connections and welcomes collaborative research projects, media engagements, and advisory committee participation related to her expertise areas.
Patricia Ghilardi is a Research Assistant at the University of Lucerne, Faculty of Law, with affiliations to two chairs: initially the Chair of Social Security Law (Prof. Hürzeler) from March 2024 to mid-March 2025, and subsequently the Chair of Associate Professor Oliver D. William since mid-March 2025. Education: Master of Law (MLaw) in Social, Insurance & Damages Law from the University of Lucerne (2024); Aargau Maturity School for Adults (2017). Her research interests align with social security law, insurance law, and damages law, reflecting her work in legal frameworks for social protection and liability. Contact: patricia.ghilardi@unilu.ch
Prof. Dr. Gregor Thüsing LL.M. (Harvard) is a leading academic in labor law, social security law, and canon law at the University of Bonn . His career spans roles as a habilitated scholar, expert witness for German parliamentary committees, and advisor on data protection, healthcare, and employment policy. Current Positions: Director, Institute for Labour Law and Social Security Law Key Expertise: Church-State legal conflicts, strike law, data privacy, social policy His research interests focus on intersections between labor law and constitutional rights, religious institutions' employment practices, data protection reforms, and wage equity. Recent work analyzes abortion bans in religious clinics, compulsory retirement ages, night shift bonuses, and EU data regulations. Publications trend toward timely debates: 60% address labor rights (strike laws, minimum wage), 30% data privacy (GDPR implications), and 10% church employment conflicts. Subfields include workplace ethics, constitutional challenges, and policy modernization. Scientific awards include scholarships from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation German Research Foundation (DFG) He has advised over 40 parliamentary hearings on labor, health, and legal affairs, and contributed to reforms like the Tarifeinheitsgesetz. His lab affiliations include the Society for Data Protection and Data Security.
Professor Wolfgang Wurmnest is a distinguished academic in the field of law, currently serving as Professor for Private Law, Private International Law, Commercial and Maritime Law at the University of Hamburg Faculty of Law. He has held this position since 2021, while also serving as a Fellow at the European Centre of Tort and Insurance Law in Vienna. Prior to his appointment at Hamburg, he held professorial positions at the University of Augsburg (2013-2020) and Leibniz University Hannover (2009-2013). His academic journey includes a Habilitation from Hamburg in 2009, an LLM from Berkeley in 2004, and a Dr. iur. from Hamburg in 2002. Professor Wurmnest has been actively involved in international academic exchanges, with guest lectureships at prestigious institutions including the University of Cambridge (2022), Università di Foggia (2017), and Foreign Trade University Hanoi (annually 2016-2023). He has received significant scholarly support through scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the DFG Graduiertenkolleg "Integrationsforschung". His research spans several critical areas of legal scholarship, with a particular focus on Private International Law, Commercial Law (especially Antitrust Law), European Private Law, and Comparative Law. Professor Wurmnest's work explores the complex intersections between national legal systems and European regulatory frameworks, with special attention to maritime law and competition law. His scholarship demonstrates a consistent commitment to understanding how legal principles operate across jurisdictional boundaries and how they can be harmonized within the European context. Professor Wurmnest has made substantial contributions to legal scholarship through numerous monographs, edited volumes, and commentaries. He serves as editor for significant legal publications including the beck-online.GROSSKOMMENTAR zum Zivilrecht (BeckOGK), sections on private international law since 2013. His editorial work extends to series such as Schriftenreihe Europäisches Wirtschaftsrecht and Schriftenreihe Europäische Integration und internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen. He is also a member of the editorial board for Rabels Zeitschrift für ausländisches und internationales Privatrecht and Transportrecht. Among his notable memberships are the Zivilrechtslehrervereinigung e.V., Academic Society for Competition Law, Gesellschaft für Rechtsvergleichung e.V., and the International Academy of Comparative Law. These affiliations reflect his standing within the international legal academic community and his commitment to interdisciplinary and comparative approaches to legal scholarship. Professor Wurmnest maintains an active role in academic mentorship and collaboration, working with colleagues across Europe and beyond. His research continues to influence both academic discourse and practical applications in private international law, competition law, and maritime commercial law. With his extensive background in both German and international legal systems, he provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of European legal integration and harmonization.
Prof. Dr. Peter Ehlers is a Professor at the Faculty of Law , University of Hamburg , specializing in Maritime Law and Marine Environmental Law . He has held various leadership roles, including President of the International Max-Planck Research School for Maritime Affairs and Chair of the World Maritime University’s Governing Board . His career spans academia, government, and international organizations. Education: Law at Philipps-Universität Marburg and Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel Doctorate: Dr. jur. (1969) Research Interests: Focus on International Maritime Law , Marine Environmental Protection , and European Maritime Policy . His work addresses legal frameworks for Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) , Maritime Security , and Climate Change Impacts on Seas . Publications: Extensive contributions on Baltic Sea Governance , Marine Pollution Liability , and Hydrographic Services . Key themes include EU maritime policy, UNCLOS interpretation, and climate adaptation strategies. Scientific Awards: Dr. h.c. (honorary doctor) from University of Rostock (2007) Advising & Grants: No formal advisees listed. Led research projects on Marine Environmental Law and Maritime Policy with institutions like the International Hydrographic Organization and HELCOM . Labs & Teams: Affiliated with the Institute for Maritime and Commercial Law and advisory boards of maritime institutions, including the Baltic Sea Forum and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Navigation .
Professor Andrzej Szlęzak is a distinguished academic and legal practitioner at SWPS University, where he serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Private Law within the Faculty of Law in Warsaw. He maintains a dual career as both an academic and a senior legal practitioner, combining theoretical expertise with practical legal experience. Professor Szlęzak's research focuses primarily on corporate law, commercial law, civil law, and banking and finance law, with particular emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, arbitration mechanisms, and shareholder agreements. His work bridges Polish legal traditions with common law approaches, especially in contract formation at their intersection. He has published extensively on commercial company law, with recent work examining price correction mechanisms in arbitration, M&A transaction insurance, and drag along/tag along clauses. His publication trends demonstrate a consistent focus on practical commercial law issues evolving from early work on family law and cohabitation to contemporary corporate law challenges. Recent publications (2020-2025) show increasing specialization in M&A transactions, shareholder agreements, and risk allocation mechanisms in commercial contracts. Professor Szlęzak maintains an active legal practice as a senior partner at Sołtysiński, Kawecki & Szlęzak, one of Poland's leading law firms, and serves as an arbitrator at the Arbitration Court of the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw. His practical experience informs his academic work, creating a valuable synergy between theory and practice in commercial law. At SWPS University, he teaches civil law (covering property law and obligations) and contract formation at the interface of Polish law and common law. His academic leadership as Department Head demonstrates his significant institutional role within the Faculty of Law.
Daniel P. Kessler is the Keith and Jan Hurlbut Senior Fellow and Director of Research at the Hoover Institution and a Professor at both Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business and Stanford Law School. He teaches courses on economics, public policy, and the health-care industry, and is a founding member of the Hoover Program on the Foundations for Economic Prosperity. Education: PhD in Economics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology JD, Stanford Law School Research Interests: Kessler’s scholarship lies at the intersection of economics, law, and health policy. His work spans antitrust economics in health care, industrial organization of hospital and insurance markets, the effects of regulation and tort reform on medical care, and the fiscal impacts of public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. Recurrent themes include the consequences of hospital ownership, vertical integration between hospitals and physicians, the role of tax subsidies in driving health-care spending, and the evaluation of large-scale reforms such as the Affordable Care Act. Selected Books & Policy Monographs: Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: Five Steps to a Better Health Care System (2nd ed., 2011, with J. Cogan & R. G. Hubbard) Regulation versus Litigation: Perspectives from Economics and Law (2010, University of Chicago Press) Research Teams & Leadership Roles: Health Care Working Group, Hoover Institution Hoover Program on the Foundations of Economic Prosperity Frequent chair/moderator of Hoover Institution panels on fiscal sustainability and health reform
Kathryn Zeiler is a Professor of Law and the Nancy Barton Scholar at the Boston University School of Law . Previously, she served as a Senior Academic Fellow at the Center during a sabbatical from Georgetown Law School in Fall 2010. Her research focuses on empirical analyses of legal systems and tort reform. Her work includes a co-authored book, To Sue is Human: A Profile of Medical Malpractice Litigation (Yale University Press), based on a dataset of 16,000 Texas medical malpractice claims (1988–2005), and a chapter in the Tort Law Handbook on tort reform impacts. She examines liability systems, insurance markets, and the efficacy of legal frameworks in medical malpractice cases. Awards : Nancy Barton Scholar, Senior Academic Fellow
