Henry Hansmann

Yale University - Law School

Oscar M. Ruebhausen Professor of Law

P.O. Box 208215

New Haven, CT 06520-8215

United States

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI)

Fellow

c/o the Royal Academies of Belgium

Rue Ducale 1 Hertogsstraat

1000 Brussels

Belgium

http://www.ecgi.org

  • Yale University - Law School

    • Email
    • Tel: 203-432-7101
SCHOLARLY PAPERS

38

DOWNLOADS
Rank 212

SSRN RANKINGS

Top 212

in Total Papers Downloads

92,023

SSRN CITATIONS
Rank 3,854

SSRN RANKINGS

Top 3,854

in Total Papers Citations

158

CROSSREF CITATIONS

191

Scholarly Papers (38)

Actions:
Email selected abstracts
1.

What is Corporate Law?

Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 300
Number of pages: 21 Posted: 27 Jul 2004 Last Revised: 26 Jan 2017
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 16,349 (302)
Citation 3

Abstract:

Loading...

legal personality, limited liability, transferable shares, delegated management, investor ownership, agency problems, default and mandatory rules, choice of law, share ownership

2.

The End of History for Corporate Law

Number of pages: 36 Posted: 10 Mar 2000
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 14,516 (375)
Citation 110

Abstract:

Loading...

3.

The Essential Elements of Corporate Law

Oxford Legal Studies Research Paper No. 20/2009, Yale Law, Economics & Public Policy Research Paper No. 387, Harvard Law and Economics Research Paper No. 643, Harvard Public Law Working Paper No. 09-39, European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 134/2009
Number of pages: 37 Posted: 21 Jul 2009 Last Revised: 10 Dec 2018
John Armour, Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law, Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 13,799 (412)
Citation 6

Abstract:

Loading...

Corporation, agency problem, corporate law, corporate regulation, corporate governance, securities law, limited liability, regulatory competition, mandatory rules, comparative corporate law, evolution of corporate law

4.

Agency Problems, Legal Strategies, and Enforcement

Oxford Legal Studies Research Paper No. 21/2009, Yale Law, Economics & Public Policy Research Paper No. 388, Harvard Law and Economics Research Paper Series No. 644 , European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 135/2009
Number of pages: 23 Posted: 21 Jul 2009 Last Revised: 10 Dec 2018
John Armour, Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law, Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 7,710 (1,171)
Citation 3

Abstract:

Loading...

Agency, agency cost, agency problem, appointment rights, decision rights, control rights, regulation, corporate governance, equal treatment, trustee, mandatory disclosure, enforcement, private enforcement, public enforcement, gatekeeper control

5.

The Essential Role of Organizational Law

Downloads 4,992 ( 2,466)
Citation 11

The Essential Role of Organizational Law

Number of pages: 47 Posted: 07 Jun 2000
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 4,992 (2,426)
Citation 11

Abstract:

Loading...

The Essential Role of Organizational Law

Posted: 17 Aug 2001
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School

Abstract:

Loading...

Asset partitioning, legal entities, limited liability, property rights

6.

Law and the Rise of the Firm

Downloads 4,571 ( 2,876)
Citation 54

Law and the Rise of the Firm

ECGI - Law Working Paper No. 57/2006, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 326
Number of pages: 69 Posted: 03 Jan 2006
Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fordham University School of Law
Downloads 3,369 (4,750)
Citation 61

Abstract:

Loading...

Corporations, Partnerships, Companies, History of the Firm, Entity Shielding, Limited Liability, Legal Entities, Bankruptcy

Law and the Rise of the Firm

Harvard Law Review, Vol. 119, No. 5, pp. 1333-1403, March 2006, Harvard Law and Economics Discussion Paper No. 546
Number of pages: 70 Posted: 31 Jul 2006
Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fordham University School of Law
Downloads 1,202 (24,291)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

Law and the Rise of the Firm

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship
Posted: 09 Nov 2009
Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fordham University School of Law

Abstract:

Loading...

Legal protection, Limited liability companies (LLC), Asset management, Firm ownership, Legal systems

7.

Agency Problems and Legal Strategies

Number of pages: 13 Posted: 13 Dec 2004
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 4,555 (2,899)
Citation 7

Abstract:

Loading...

Agency, agency cost, agency problem, appointment rights, decision rights, control rights, regulation, corporate governance, equal treatment, trustee, mandatory disclosure

8.

Foundations of Corporate Law

FGV Direito SP Research Paper Series No. 147, European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 336/2017
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 26 Jan 2017 Last Revised: 06 Jun 2017
John Armour, Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Mariana Pargendler
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law, Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fundação Getulio Vargas Law School at São Paulo
Downloads 3,343 (4,912)
Citation 5

Abstract:

Loading...

Legal Personality; Limited Liability; Transferable Shares; Delegated Management; Investor Ownership; Agency Problems; Default and Mandatory Rules; Choice of Law; Share Ownership

9.

Reflections on the End of History for Corporate Law

Convergence of Corporate Governance: Promise and Prospects, Abdul Rasheed and Toru Yoshikawa, eds., Palgrave-MacMillan, 2012, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 449
Number of pages: 16 Posted: 28 Jun 2012 Last Revised: 31 Jul 2012
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 2,206 (9,587)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

corporate governance, convergence

10.

Regulatory Dualism as a Development Strategy: Corporate Reform in Brazil, the U.S., and the EU

Stanford Law and Economics Olin Working Paper No. 390, Columbia Law and Economics Working Paper No. 368, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 399, ECGI - Law Working Paper No. 149/2010, Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University Working Paper No. 80
Number of pages: 60 Posted: 26 Jan 2010 Last Revised: 04 Jan 2015
Ronald J. Gilson, Henry Hansmann and Mariana Pargendler
Stanford Law School, Yale University - Law School and Fundação Getulio Vargas Law School at São Paulo
Downloads 1,950 (11,776)
Citation 11

Abstract:

Loading...

Corporate Governance, Regulatory Dualism, Capital Market Reform

11.

Property, Contract, and Verification: The Numerus Clausus Problem and the Divisibility of Rights

Number of pages: 46 Posted: 30 Aug 2002
Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 1,709 (14,556)
Citation 26

Abstract:

Loading...

property, contract, property rights, contract rights, verification, notice, numerus clausus

12.

The Basic Governance Structure: The Interests of Shareholders as a Class

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 337/2017, Oxford Legal Studies Research Paper No. 11/2017
Number of pages: 40 Posted: 26 Jan 2017 Last Revised: 14 Mar 2017
John Armour, Luca Enriques, Henry Hansmann and Reinier Kraakman
University of Oxford - Faculty of Law, University of Oxford Faculty of Law, Yale University - Law School and Harvard Law School
Downloads 1,608 (15,932)
Citation 7

Abstract:

Loading...

Shareholder-Management Conflict; One-Tier and Two-Tier Boards; Director Appointment; Directors Removal; Decision Rights; Shareholder Coordination; Independent Directors; Executive Compensation

13.

Firm Ownership and Organizational Form

The Handbook of Organizational Economics, Robert Gibbons and John Roberts, eds., Princeton University Press, December 2012, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 450
Number of pages: 34 Posted: 05 Jul 2012 Last Revised: 31 Jul 2012
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 1,573 (16,478)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

firm structure, ownership, organizational economics, enterprise form

14.

The Evolution of Shareholder Voting Rights: Separation of Ownership and Consumption

Yale Law Journal, Vol. 123, pp. 100-165, 2014, European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 219/2013
Number of pages: 72 Posted: 17 Feb 2013 Last Revised: 04 Nov 2018
Henry Hansmann and Mariana Pargendler
Yale University - Law School and Fundação Getulio Vargas Law School at São Paulo
Downloads 1,546 (16,939)
Citation 10

Abstract:

Loading...

Corporate Governance, History, Ownership Structure, Shareholder Voting Rights

15.

Corporation and Contract

Downloads 1,491 ( 17,871)
Citation 8

Corporation and Contract

ECGI - Law Working Paper No. 66/2006
Number of pages: 23 Posted: 29 Mar 2006
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 1,491 (17,532)
Citation 8

Abstract:

Loading...

Corporation and Contract

American Law and Economics Review, Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp. 1-19, 2006
Posted: 29 Feb 2008
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School

Abstract:

Loading...

16.

The New Business Entities in Evolutionary Perspective

Downloads 1,151 ( 26,265)
Citation 9

The New Business Entities in Evolutionary Perspective

Number of pages: 10 Posted: 16 Feb 2005
Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fordham University School of Law
Downloads 1,151 (25,855)
Citation 9

Abstract:

Loading...

Corporations, Partnerships, Organizations, History, Limited Liability Companies, Legal Entitites, Asset Partitioning

The New Business Entities in Evolutionary Perspective

European Business Organization Law Review, Vol. 8, 2007
Posted: 16 May 2007
Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fordham University School of Law

Abstract:

Loading...

corporations; partnerships; organizations; history; limited liability companies; legal entities; asset partitioning

17.

Higher Education as an Associative Good

Number of pages: 19 Posted: 05 Dec 1999
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 1,053 (29,881)
Citation 6

Abstract:

Loading...

18.

The Governance of Foundation-Owned Firms

Number of pages: 50 Posted: 05 Nov 2020
Henry Hansmann and Steen Thomsen
Yale University - Law School and Copenhagen Business School
Downloads 960 (34,156)
Citation 4

Abstract:

Loading...

Industrial Foundations; Nonprofit Firms; Denmark; Behavioral Economics; Theory of the Firm; Identity Economics; Managerial Incentives; Non-pecuniary Incentives; Corporate Governance; Fiduciaries; Managerial Agency Costs; Foundation Governance Index

19.

Globalizing Commercial Litigation

Downloads 952 ( 34,471)
Citation 11

Globalizing Commercial Litigation

Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 357
Number of pages: 60 Posted: 26 Mar 2008 Last Revised: 20 Jul 2008
Jens Dammann and Henry Hansmann
University of Texas at Austin - School of Law and Yale University - Law School
Downloads 594 (63,815)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

adjudication, arbitration, courts, competition, choice of forum, international litigation, choice of law, contracts, rule of law, regulatory competition, development

Globalizing Commercial Litigation

Cornell Law Review, Vol. 94, No. 1, 2008, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 380
Number of pages: 73 Posted: 07 Apr 2009 Last Revised: 11 Jun 2009
Jens Dammann and Henry Hansmann
University of Texas at Austin - School of Law and Yale University - Law School
Downloads 358 (117,215)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

adjudication, arbitration, courts, competition, choice of forum, international litigation, choice of law, contracts, rule of law, regulatory competition, development

20.

Extraterritorial Courts for Corporate Law

ECGI - Law Working Paper No. 43/2005, U of Texas law, Law and Econ Research Paper No. 056, Yale ICF Working Paper No. 05-12, Yale Law School, Public Law Working Paper No. 102, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 315
Number of pages: 41 Posted: 16 May 2005
Henry Hansmann and Jens Dammann
Yale University - Law School and University of Texas at Austin - School of Law
Downloads 792 (44,394)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

extraterritorial, courts, Delaware, regulatory competition, arbitration, soverignity, jurisdiction

21.

External and Internal Asset Partitioning: Corporations and Their Subsidiaries

The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Law and Governance, Forthcoming, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 535
Number of pages: 44 Posted: 20 Feb 2016 Last Revised: 06 Feb 2018
Henry Hansmann and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School and Fordham University School of Law
Downloads 745 (48,200)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

asset partitioning, corporations, subsidiaries, corporate groups, external partitioning, internal partitioning, creditor remedies, veil piercing, enterprise liability

22.

All Firms are Cooperatives – And so are Governments

Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 1-10, 2013.
Number of pages: 10 Posted: 29 Jan 2014
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 625 (60,588)
Citation 2

Abstract:

Loading...

Entrepreneurship, cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, public enterprises, private enterprises, governance, firm organization

23.

Supreme Court Amicus Brief of 19 Corporate Law Professors, Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association, No. 14-915

Number of pages: 55 Posted: 08 Nov 2015
John C. Coates IV, Lucian A. Bebchuk, Bernard S. Black, John C. Coffee, James D. Cox, Ronald J. Gilson, Jeffrey N. Gordon, Lawrence A. Hamermesh, Henry Hansmann, Robert J. Jackson Jr., Marcel Kahan, Vikramaditya S. Khanna, Michael Klausner, Reinier Kraakman, Donald C. Langevoort, Brian JM Quinn, Edward B. Rock, Mark J. Roe and Helen S. Scott
Harvard Law School, Harvard Law School, Northwestern University - Pritzker School of Law, Columbia Law School, Duke University School of Law, Stanford Law School, Columbia Law School, Widener University Delaware Law School, Yale University - Law School, New York University School of Law, New York University School of Law, University of Michigan Law School, Stanford Law School, Harvard Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, BC Law School, New York University School of Law, Harvard Law School and New York University (NYU)
Downloads 605 (63,115)

Abstract:

Loading...

corporate politics, union politics, First Amendment, shareholder rights, corporate speech

24.

A Global Market for Judicial Services

U of Texas Law, Law and Econ Research Paper No. 98, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 347
Number of pages: 69 Posted: 31 Mar 2007 Last Revised: 03 Mar 2015
Jens Dammann and Henry Hansmann
University of Texas at Austin - School of Law and Yale University - Law School
Downloads 522 (75,993)
Citation 3

Abstract:

Loading...

Judicial services, arbitration, courts, competition, choice of forum, international litigation, choice of law, corporations, regulatory competition, development

25.

Legal Entities as Transferable Bundles of Contracts

Michigan Law Review, Forthcoming
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 05 Mar 2012 Last Revised: 07 May 2012
Kenneth Ayotte and Henry Hansmann
University of California, Berkeley - School of Law and Yale University - Law School
Downloads 458 (89,017)
Citation 7

Abstract:

Loading...

legal entities, subsidiaries, assignment, theory of the firm

26.

Incomplete Organizations: Legal Entities and Asset Partitioning in Roman Commerce

European Corporate Governance Institute (ECGI) - Law Working Paper No. 271/2014, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 511
Number of pages: 36 Posted: 09 Oct 2014 Last Revised: 01 Nov 2014
Henry Hansmann, Reinier Kraakman and Richard Squire
Yale University - Law School, Harvard Law School and Fordham University School of Law
Downloads 451 (90,593)
Citation 2

Abstract:

Loading...

asset partitioning, entity shielding, limited liability, legal history, Ancient Rome, business organizations, corporations

27.

Royalties for Artists Versus Royalties for Authors and Composers

Downloads 439 ( 93,467)

Royalties for Artists Versus Royalties for Authors and Composers

Number of pages: 28 Posted: 11 Apr 2001
Henry Hansmann and Marina Santilli
Yale University - Law School and affiliation not provided to SSRN
Downloads 439 (92,691)
Citation 2

Abstract:

Loading...

droit de suite, royalties, artists, authors, commissions

Royalties for Artists Versus Royalties for Authors and Composers

Posted: 09 Aug 2001
Henry Hansmann and Marina Santilli
Yale University - Law School and affiliation not provided to SSRN

Abstract:

Loading...

droit de suite, royalties, artists, authors, commissions

28.

Ownership Form and Trapped Capital in the Hospital Industry

Downloads 410 (101,175)
Citation 5

Ownership Form and Trapped Capital in the Hospital Industry

Number of pages: 40 Posted: 04 Dec 2002
Henry Hansmann, Daniel P. Kessler and Mark B. McClellan
Yale University - Law School, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Brookings Institution
Downloads 351 (119,837)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

nonprofit, hospitals, exit, capacity, capital, ownership, supply response

Ownership Form and Trapped Capital in the Hospital Industry

NBER Working Paper No. w8989
Number of pages: 39 Posted: 07 Jun 2002 Last Revised: 25 Jul 2022
Henry Hansmann, Daniel P. Kessler and Mark B. McClellan
Yale University - Law School, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Brookings Institution
Downloads 59 (494,287)

Abstract:

Loading...

29.

Firm Ownership: The Legacy of Grossman and Hart

Number of pages: 9 Posted: 26 Jul 2015
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 320 (133,144)
Citation 4

Abstract:

Loading...

Theory of the Firm, Ownership, Property Rights, Cooperatives, Government

30.

Supreme Court Amicus Brief of 22 Corporate Law Professors, Mark Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31, et aL, No. 16-1466

Number of pages: 56 Posted: 02 Jan 2018
John C. Coates IV, Lucian A. Bebchuk, John C. Coffee, Bernard S. Black, Lawrence A. Hamermesh, James D. Cox, Marcel Kahan, Reinier Kraakman, Jeffrey N. Gordon, Ronald J. Gilson, Vikramaditya S. Khanna, Michael Klausner, Henry Hansmann, Donald C. Langevoort, Brian JM Quinn, Michal Barzuza, Mira Ganor, Edward B. Rock, Mark J. Roe, Helen S. Scott, Holger Spamann, Randall S. Thomas and Randall S. Thomas
Harvard Law School, Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, Northwestern University - Pritzker School of Law, Widener University Delaware Law School, Duke University School of Law, New York University School of Law, Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, Stanford Law School, University of Michigan Law School, Stanford Law School, Yale University - Law School, Georgetown University Law Center, BC Law School, University of Virginia School of Law, University of Texas at Austin - School of Law, New York University School of Law, Harvard Law School, New York University (NYU), Harvard Law School and Vanderbilt University - Law SchoolVanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management
Downloads 229 (186,303)

Abstract:

Loading...

corporate politics, union politics, First Amendment, shareholder rights, corporate speech

31.

The Evolving Economic Structure of Higher Education

University of Chicago Law Review, Vol. 79, No. 1, 2012, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 448
Number of pages: 25 Posted: 26 Jun 2012 Last Revised: 31 Jul 2012
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 187 (224,343)

Abstract:

Loading...

higher education, universities, colleges, privatization, ownership, governmental services

32.

The Performance of Foundation-Owned Companies

Number of pages: 31 Posted: 27 Oct 2014
Steen Thomsen and Henry Hansmann
Copenhagen Business School and Yale University - Law School
Downloads 152 (267,055)
Citation 2

Abstract:

Loading...

33.

The Governance of Foundation-Owned Firms

Number of pages: 50 Posted: 17 Jul 2010 Last Revised: 12 Nov 2018
Henry Hansmann and Steen Thomsen
Yale University - Law School and Copenhagen Business School
Downloads 54 (506,941)
Citation 1

Abstract:

Loading...

corporate governance, industrial foundations

34.

Managerial Distance and Virtual Ownership: The Governance of Industrial Foundations

ECGI - Finance Working Paper No. 372, Yale Law & Economics Research Paper No. 467
Posted: 06 Apr 2013 Last Revised: 12 Nov 2018
Henry Hansmann and Steen Thomsen
Yale University - Law School and Copenhagen Business School

Abstract:

Loading...

35.

The Functions of Trust Law: A Comparative Legal and Economic Analysis

Posted: 09 Oct 1998
Henry Hansmann and Ugo Mattei
Yale University - Law School and UC Hastings Law

Abstract:

Loading...

36.

Ownership of the Firm

Posted: 31 Aug 1998
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School

Abstract:

Loading...

37.

Employee Ownership of Firms

Posted: 17 Aug 1998
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School

Abstract:

Loading...

38.

THE OWNERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE OF MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANIES

Number of pages: 38
Henry Hansmann
Yale University - Law School
Downloads 0

Abstract:

Loading...

insurance, governance, ownership, mutual, control, policyholders, non-pecuniary incentives