About W. Robert Thomas

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 and Expertise: 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 prosecution. 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: A "Double Wolverine," 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 practice at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. He earned his BA from Columbia University.