A Multidisciplinary Event:
Behavior and Business Law Conference
October 2, 2010
Business Law in the New Economy
The recent financial crisis has prompted policymakers in the U.S. and abroad to reexamine some basic assumptions of a market economy. In reexamining these assumptions, policymakers are studying the findings of one of the hottest topics within academia: behavioral studies. This emerging field of research uses facts and methods from the social sciences, such as psychology and sociology, to better understand how people behave across social and business settings in terms of decision-making, willpower, and motivation.
On October 2, 2010, the center gathered a multidisciplinary group of leading academics to participate in four workshops exploring topics including: behavior, corporate securities, dispute resolution, and consumer protection law, as well as happiness in business and law. Following the academic portion of the conference, the center sponsored a additional one-hour continuing legal education presentation featuring practical outtakes from the academic workshops. A reception and dinner celebrating the center’s 15th anniversary followed.
The conference considered the implications of behavioral studies in four key areas:
- How ow behavioral economics can be applied to corporate and securities law. Business associations have cultures and exhibit behaviors as participants in society. How can laws and informal norms affect the behavior of business associations and their constituents?
- How behavioral research can aid in resolving disputes, where emotions can often play an important role.
- The role of behavioral economics in consumer protection. Do people act contrary to their longterm interests, and, if so, should the law protect them or is that too paternalistic?
- What makes us happy in business and law?
Each workshop featured an academic paper with commentary by other panelists and the audience participants. The scholars participating in the conference came from a variety of institutions and fields of study.
The James L. Clayton Center for Entrepreneurial Law seeks to improve the training of business lawyers in both transactional and litigation practices at the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Video Highlights
Conference Photo Gallery
Clayton Center for Entrepreneurial Law
The University of Tennessee
College of Law
Clayton Center for Entrepreneurial Law
Suite 202
1505 W. Cumberland Ave.
Knoxville, Tennessee
37996-1810
Phone: 865-974-9917
Fax: 865-974-6595