Bio

Ronald J. Gilson is the Stern Professor of Law and Business at Columbia University and the Meyers Professor of Law and Business emeritus at Stanford University. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research. Professor Gilson is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and of the European Corporate Governance Institute and was one of the Reporters of the American Law Institute's Corporate Governance Project. Professor Gilson’s academic work has focused on the law and economics of corporate governance and on the economic structure of transactions and complex contracting. Professor Gilson is the independent chair of the boards of directors of the American Century Mountain View family of mutual funds, which manage some $50 billion on behalf of investors. Prior to joining the Stanford Law School faculty in 1979, he was a partner in a San Francisco corporate law firm

Academic Appointments

Contact

  • Academic
    rgilson@stanford.edu
    University - Emeritus faculty Department: Law School Position: Retiree
    • LAW SCHOOL
    • Stanford,  California  94305-8610 

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 8610

Links

All Publications

  • THE CORE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PUZZLE: CONTEXTUALIZING THE LINK TO PERFORMANCE BOSTON UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW Fox, M. B., Gilson, R. J., Palia, D. 2019; 99 (5): 1995–2059

    View details for Web of Science ID 000492685200003

  • The Rise of Agency Capitalism and the Role of Shareholder Activists in Making It Work JOURNAL OF APPLIED CORPORATE FINANCE Gilson, R. J., Gordon, J. N. 2019; 31 (1): 8–22

    View details for DOI 10.1111/jacf.12327

    View details for Web of Science ID 000467858400002

  • ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE INTEGRATION OF LAW AND FINANCE: THE IMPACT OF VOLATILITY SPIKES COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Fox, E. G., Fox, M. B., Gilson, R. J. 2016; 116 (2): 325-407

    View details for Web of Science ID 000372854000007

  • Corporate control and credible commitment INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF LAW AND ECONOMICS Gilson, R. J., Schwartz, A. 2015; 43: 119-130

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.irle.2015.06.002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000362610400011

  • TEXT AND CONTEXT: CONTRACT INTERPRETATION AS CONTRACT DESIGN CORNELL LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Sabel, C. F., Scott, R. E. 2014; 100 (1): 23-97

    View details for Web of Science ID 000349570700002

  • MARKET EFFICIENCY AFTER THE FINANCIAL CRISIS: IT'S STILL A MATTER OF INFORMATION COSTS VIRGINIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R. 2014; 100 (2): 313-375

    View details for Web of Science ID 000334321300002

  • CONTRACT AND INNOVATION: THE LIMITED ROLE OF GENERALIST COURTS IN THE EVOLUTION OF NOVEL CONTRACTUAL FORMS NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Sabel, C. F., Scott, R. E. 2013; 88 (1): 170-215

    View details for Web of Science ID 000317885000005

  • Constraints on Private Benefits of Control: Ex Ante Control Mechanisms versus Ex Post Transaction Review JOURNAL OF INSTITUTIONAL AND THEORETICAL ECONOMICS-ZEITSCHRIFT FUR DIE GESAMTE STAATSWISSENSCHAFT Gilson, R. J., Schwartz, A. 2013; 169 (1): 160-183

    View details for DOI 10.1628/093245613X660537

    View details for Web of Science ID 000316706200020

  • REGULATORY DUALISM AS A DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: CORPORATE REFORM IN BRAZIL, THE UNITED STATES, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Hansmann, H., Pargendler, M. 2011; 63 (3): 475-537

    View details for Web of Science ID 000288883900001

  • Economically Benevolent Dictators: Lessons for Developing Democracies AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE LAW Gilson, R. J., Milhaupt, C. J. 2011; 59 (1): 227-288

    View details for DOI 10.5131/AJCL.2010.0014

    View details for Web of Science ID 000287279500005

  • BRAIDING: THE INTERACTION OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL CONTRACTING IN THEORY, PRACTICE, AND DOCTRINE COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Sabel, C. F., Scott, R. E. 2010; 110 (6): 1377-1447

    View details for Web of Science ID 000283384600001

  • LOCATING INNOVATION: THE ENDOGENEITY OF TECHNOLOGY, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, AND FINANCIAL CONTRACTING COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 2010; 110 (3): 885-917

    View details for Web of Science ID 000277330100005

  • CONTRACTING FOR INNOVATION: VERTICAL DISINTEGRATION AND INTERFIRM COLLABORATION COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Sabel, C. F., Scott, R. E. 2009; 109 (3): 431-502

    View details for Web of Science ID 000265320400001

  • Sovereign wealth funds and corporate governance: A minimalist response to the new mercantilism STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Milhaupt, C. J. 2008; 60 (5): 1345-1369

    View details for Web of Science ID 000256272600003

  • Deconstructing equity: Public ownership, agency costs, and complete capital markets COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Whitehead, C. K. 2008; 108 (1): 231-264

    View details for Web of Science ID 000252838400005

  • Controlling family shareholders in developing countries: Anchoring relational exchange STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 2007; 60 (2): 633-655

    View details for Web of Science ID 000252371200007

  • Controlling shareholders and corporate governance: Complicating the comparative taxonomy HARVARD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 2006; 119 (6): 1641-1679

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236816000001

  • Understanding MACs: Moral hazard in acquisitions JOURNAL OF LAW ECONOMICS & ORGANIZATION Gilson, R. J., Schwartz, A. 2005; 21 (2): 330-358

    View details for DOI 10.1093/jloe/ewi012

    View details for Web of Science ID 000231761800003

  • Takeovers in the boardroom: Burke versus Schumpeter BUSINESS LAWYER Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R. 2005; 60 (4): 1419-?

    View details for Web of Science ID 000235023900005

  • Choice as regulatory reform: The case of Japanese corporate governance AMERICAN JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE LAW Gilson, R. J., Milhaupt, C. J. 2005; 53 (2): 343-377

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236126900002

  • Controlling controlling shareholders UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Gordon, J. N. 2003; 152 (2): 785-843

    View details for Web of Science ID 000189086300008

  • Engineering a venture capital market: Lessons from the American experience STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 2003; 55 (4): 1067-1103

    View details for Web of Science ID 000182946200001

  • Understanding venture capital structure: A tax explanation for convertible preferred stock HARVARD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Schizer, D. M. 2003; 116 (3): 874-916

    View details for Web of Science ID 000180368500002

  • Globalizing corporate governance: Convergence of form or function Symposium on Globalization and Law for the Twentieth Century Gilson, R. J. AMER SOC COMPARATIVE LAW INC. 2001: 329–57

    View details for Web of Science ID 000171470600005

  • The legal infrastructure of high technology industrial districts: Silicon Valley, Route 128, and covenants not to compete NEW YORK UNIVERSITY LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1999; 74 (3): 575-629

    View details for Web of Science ID 000081124900001

  • Lifetime employment: Labor peace and the evolution of Japanese corporate governance COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Roe, M. J. 1999; 99 (2): 508-540

    View details for Web of Science ID 000080429000009

  • Why start-ups? STANFORD LAW REVIEW Bankman, J., Gilson, R. J. 1999; 51 (2): 289-308

    View details for Web of Science ID 000078241800002

  • Venture capital and the structure of capital markets: banks versus stock markets JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL ECONOMICS Black, B. S., Gilson, R. J. 1998; 47 (3): 243-277

    View details for Web of Science ID 000072749300001

  • HIV infection alters the production of both type 1 and 2 cytokines but does not induce a polarized type 1 or 2 state AIDS Fakoya, A., Matear, P. M., Filley, E., Rook, G. A., Stanford, J., Gilson, R. J., Beecham, N., Weller, I. V., Vyakarnam, A. 1997; 11 (12): 1445-1452

    Abstract

    To test the T-helper (TH)1/TH2 cytokine paradigm in HIV infection.Cytokine profiles in two separate studies of HIV patients and controls are presented: (i) a longitudinal study of HIV patients with CD4 counts > 500 x 10(6)/l tested at three timepoints compared with controls; (ii) a blinded cross-sectional study of controls and patients with high (> 500 x 10(6)/l) and low (< 500 x 10(6)/l) CD4 counts. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients and controls were tested for the production of two type 1 [interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma] and two type 2 (IL-4, IL-10) cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both spontaneous and mitogen-induced cytokine production was measured.HIV infection was noted to have the following effects on cytokine production: (i) it led to the in vivo activation of type 2 cytokines in a small group of individuals with high CD4 numbers characterized by the spontaneous release of IL-4 and IL-10. Longitudinal data showed high spontaneous IL-4 and IL-10 to be a consistent feature of the patient group (at each timepoint some patients were high producers) but to be variable in a given individual; (ii) HIV infection impaired the ability of PBMC to respond to stimuli (selected for their ability to optimally induce each cytokine) in terms of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10 production in patients with both high and low CD4 cell counts; and (iii) conversely, HIV infection led to an overproduction of IFN-gamma in patients with high CD4 counts; patients with low CD4 produced normal levels of IFN-gamma.Our observations did not suggest polarization of the type 1/type 2 cytokine profile in HIV patients. Instead, the data suggested more complex changes to type 1/type 2 cytokine patterns in HIV infection than originally proposed by the TH1/TH2 dichotomy.

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997YA04300008

    View details for PubMedID 9342066

  • Rewriting the contracts - Discussion Colloquium on Corporate Governance and Investments in Human Capital Perkins, R., Gilson, R. BROOKINGS INST. 1996: 33–36

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996BG52W00005

  • DISPUTING THROUGH AGENTS - COOPERATION AND CONFLICT BETWEEN LAWYERS IN LITIGATION COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., MNOOKIN, R. H. 1994; 94 (2): 509-566

    View details for Web of Science ID A1994NG52600003

  • INVESTMENT COMPANIES AS GUARDIAN SHAREHOLDERS - THE PLACE OF THE MSIC IN THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DEBATE STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R. 1993; 45 (4): 985-1010

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993KY62000004

  • UNDERSTANDING THE JAPANESE KEIRETSU - OVERLAPS BETWEEN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND INDUSTRIAL-ORGANIZATION YALE LAW JOURNAL Gilson, R. J., Roe, M. J. 1993; 102 (4): 871-906

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993KG44200001

  • THE FIGHT FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW BREEDEN, R. C., Hinsey, J., WOHLSTETTER, C., Hanson, D. M., CORNWALL, D. J., LORSCH, J. W., Lipton, M., CADBURY, A., Charan, R., PERLMAN, L., Thompson, L. M., Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R., Pound, J. 1993; 71 (1): 76-83

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993KG05700006

  • INVESTMENT COMPANIES AS GUARDIAN SHAREHOLDERS - THE PLACE OF THE MSIC IN THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE DEBATE Conference on Institutional Investors and Corporate Governance Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R. WALTER DE GRUYTER. 1993: 225–254

    View details for Web of Science ID A1993BA24B00008

  • THE POLITICAL ECOLOGY OF TAKEOVERS - THOUGHTS ON HARMONIZING THE EUROPEAN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ENVIRONMENT FORDHAM LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1992; 61 (1): 161-192

    View details for Web of Science ID A1992JU69100013

  • REINVENTING THE OUTSIDE DIRECTOR - AN AGENDA FOR INSTITUTIONAL INVESTORS STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R. 1991; 43 (4): 863-906

    View details for Web of Science ID A1991FL13000002

  • COMING OF AGE IN A CORPORATE-LAW FIRM - THE ECONOMICS OF ASSOCIATE CAREER PATTERNS STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., MNOOKIN, R. H. 1989; 41 (3): 567-595

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989T114200002

  • DELAWARE INTERMEDIATE STANDARD FOR DEFENSIVE TACTICS - IS THERE SUBSTANCE TO PROPORTIONALITY REVIEW BUSINESS LAWYER Gilson, R. J., Kraakman, R. 1989; 44 (2): 247-274

    View details for Web of Science ID A1989U042700002

  • DRAFTING AN EFFECTIVE GREENMAIL PROHIBITION COLUMBIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1988; 88 (2): 329-353

    View details for Web of Science ID A1988M711300002

  • EVALUATING DUAL CLASS COMMON-STOCK - THE RELEVANCE OF SUBSTITUTES VIRGINIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1987; 73 (5): 807-844

    View details for Web of Science ID A1987K000800001

  • SHARING AMONG THE HUMAN CAPITALISTS - AN ECONOMIC INQUIRY INTO THE CORPORATE-LAW FIRM AND HOW PARTNERS SPLIT PROFITS STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., MNOOKIN, R. H. 1985; 37 (2): 313-392

    View details for Web of Science ID A1985ART7500005

  • VALUE CREATION BY BUSINESS LAWYERS - LEGAL SKILLS AND ASSET PRICING YALE LAW JOURNAL Gilson, R. J. 1984; 94 (2): 239-313

    View details for Web of Science ID A1984ABG3500001

  • THE MECHANISMS OF MARKET-EFFICIENCY VIRGINIA LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J., KRAAKMAN, R. H. 1984; 70 (4): 549-644

    View details for Web of Science ID A1984TL75600002

  • THE CASE AGAINST SHARK REPELLENT AMENDMENTS - STRUCTURAL LIMITATIONS ON THE ENABLING CONCEPT STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1982; 34 (4): 775-836

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982NQ07600003

  • SEEKING COMPETITIVE BIDS VERSUS PURE PASSIVITY IN TENDER OFFER DEFENSE STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1982; 35 (1): 51-67

    View details for Web of Science ID A1982QE99000003

  • A STRUCTURAL APPROACH TO CORPORATIONS - THE CASE AGAINST DEFENSIVE TACTICS IN TENDER OFFERS STANFORD LAW REVIEW Gilson, R. J. 1981; 33 (5): 819-891

    View details for Web of Science ID A1981MJ18800002