Expert in Business Law & White Collar Crime
W. Robert (Will) Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Business Law at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. His research explores foundational issues in white collar crime, and especially corporate responsibility and punishment. He is a regular commentator on corporate scandals and issues at the intersection of criminal law and politics.
About Will
W. Robert Thomas (known to students and colleagues as Will Thomas) is an Assistant Professor of Business Law and, by courtesy, of Philosophy at the University of Michigan.
Research: He is an award-winning teacher of business law and ethics whose research explores the law of business crimes, with a particular focus on corporate punishment and white collar enforcement. His academic scholarship is published under the name “W. Robert Thomas” and can be found in leading journals including the Stanford Law Review, Journal of Corporation Law, Vanderbilt Law Review, and Washington University Law Review.
In the Media: Professor Thomas is a frequent commentator on breaking issues at the intersection of business and criminal law. He has provided expert analysis for national media outlets including the Financial Times, NPR, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.
Background: Professor Thomas earned both his JD and PhD from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the Ross faculty, he completed a Climenko fellowship at Harvard Law School and practiced at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. He earned his BA from Columbia University.