Richard Posner

Posner's "Economic Analysis of Law," first published in 1973, is widely considered the foundational textbook of the law and economics movement. It systematically applies economic reasoning—efficiency, cost-benefit analysis, and rational choice theory—across virtually every area of law, from torts to contracts to criminal law.

Posner served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit from 1981 until his retirement in 2017, a span of 36 years. He was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and became one of the most prolific and widely cited federal appellate judges in American history.

Posner was a vocal critic of the drug war, arguing that the prohibition approach was costly and ineffective, and publicly suggesting marijuana legalization was a reasonable policy. He also wrote critically about mass incarceration and excessive sentencing, positions that surprised many who associated him with conservative jurisprudence.

In "How Judges Think" (2008), Posner argued that judges are not neutral legal technicians but pragmatic decision-makers influenced by ideology, personal experience, and real-world consequences. The book challenged both formalist and simplistic political explanations of judicial behavior, drawing on his decades of experience on the appellate bench.