Cass Sunstein stands as a preeminent legal scholar whose interdisciplinary work has reshaped our understanding of law, regulation, and human decision-making. He currently holds the prestigious position of Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard Law School where he founded and directs the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy. Sunstein graduated from Harvard College in 1975 and earned his law degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1978 following which he clerked for Justice Benjamin Kaplan of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and Justice Thurgood Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court. His distinguished academic career began at the University of Chicago Law School where he served from 1981 to 2008 rising to become the Karl N. Llewellyn Distinguished Service Professor of Jurisprudence in both the Law School and Department of Political Science.
Sunstein's groundbreaking contributions to behavioral law and economics have fundamentally transformed how policymakers approach regulation and public policy. His collaborative work with Richard H. Thaler culminated in the seminal book Nudge Improving Decisions about Health Wealth and Happiness 2008 which introduced the concept of choice architecture and libertarian paternalism to a global audience generating profound influence across multiple disciplines. As Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs from 2009 to 2012 he implemented these principles in practical government regulation demonstrating how small interventions can yield significant societal benefits. His extensive scholarly output comprising hundreds of articles and dozens of books has established him as a leading authority on risk regulation constitutional law and the psychological foundations of legal decision-making.
In 2018 Sunstein received the Holberg Prize from the government of Norway widely regarded as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for law and the humanities recognizing his exceptional contributions to interdisciplinary scholarship. His influence extends globally through appointments such as Chair of the World Health Organization's technical advisory group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health 2020 and his advisory roles with numerous international organizations. Sunstein continues to pioneer new research directions currently focusing on reducing administrative burdens sludge addressing misinformation and exploring the boundaries of freedom of speech in the digital age. His ongoing scholarly contributions and policy engagement ensure his lasting impact on the evolving relationship between behavioral science law and effective governance.
