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Frank Easterbrook

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description Frank Easterbrook Overview

Frank Easterbrook has served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit since 1985 and served as Chief Judge from 2006 to 2013. Before his judicial appointment, Easterbrook was a prominent legal scholar and attorney, teaching at the University of Chicago Law School and working in the Solicitor General's office. He is widely recognized for applying economic analysis to legal reasoning, particularly in corporate law and antitrust cases, and for his collaboration with legal scholar Daniel Fischel on "The Economic Structure of Corporate Law." Easterbrook is also known for his textualist approach to statutory interpretation.

help Frank Easterbrook FAQ

Which court does Frank Easterbrook serve on?

Frank Easterbrook serves on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. President Ronald Reagan appointed him to that court in 1985.

Why is Frank Easterbrook associated with law and economics?

His judicial opinions and academic writing frequently use economic reasoning to examine incentives, markets, and legal rules. Before joining the bench, he taught at the University of Chicago Law School, a major center of law-and-economics scholarship.

Did Frank Easterbrook serve as chief judge of the Seventh Circuit?

Yes. He served as the Seventh Circuit's chief judge from 2006 until 2013, when Diane Wood succeeded him.

What is the Easterbrook hypothesis in corporate law?

The term is associated with arguments by Easterbrook and Daniel Fischel about corporate governance and the role of market incentives. Their influential book The Economic Structure of Corporate Law was published in 1991.