Richard O. Lempert

Richard O. Lempert is the Eric Stein Distinguished University Professor of Law and Sociology at the University of Michigan, on leave as Division Director for the Social and Economic Sciences at the National Science Foundation.

The recipient of the Law & Society Association's Harry Kalven Jr. Prize for outstanding socio-legal scholarship and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Lempert's interest in applying social science research to legal issues is reflected in his work on juries, capital punishment, and the use of statistical and social science evidence by courts. His innovative book, A Modern Approach to Evidence, pioneered the problem-oriented approach to evidence. Originally published in 1977, it is in its third edition (with Sam Gross and James Liebman as coauthors) and continues to hold its place as a leading coursebook on evidence. Lempert is also the author (with Joseph Sanders) of An Invitation to Law and Social Science, and co-editor of Under the Influence? Drugs and the American Work Force. His recent articles have appeared in the St. Louis Law Review, Virginia Law Review, Law and Society Review, and Law and Social Inquiry.

Professor Lempert is a graduate of Oberlin College, the University of Michigan Law School, and holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan. In 2000, Lempert was named founding director of the University's Life Sciences, Values, and Society Program (LSVSP). He continues to direct the program while on leave and travels to Ann Arbor regularly in connection with his LSVSP responsibilities.

Back to the agenda