Bio

An expert in international law and legal institutions, Thomas C. Heller has focused his research on the rule of law, international climate control, global energy use, and the interaction of government and nongovernmental organizations in establishing legal structures in the developing world. He has created innovative courses on the role of law in transitional and developing economies, as well as the comparative study of law in developed economies. He has co-directed the law school’s Rule of Law Program, as well as the Stanford Program in International and Comparative Law. Professor Heller has been a visiting professor at the European University Institute, Catholic University of Louvain, and Hong Kong University, and has served as the deputy director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, where he is now a senior fellow.

Professor Heller is also a senior fellow (by courtesy) at the Woods Institute for the Environment. Before joining the Stanford Law School faculty in 1979, he was a professor of law at the University of Wisconsin Law School and an attorney-advisor to the governments of Chile and Colombia.

Academic Appointments

Program Affiliations

  • Center for East Asian Studies
  • Center for Latin American Studies

Contact

  • Academic
    theller@stanford.edu
    University - Faculty Department: Precourt Institute for Energy Position: Professor Emeritus
    • Crown Quad rm 311
    • Stanford,  California  94305-8610 
    (650) 725-0253 (fax)
    University - Emeritus faculty Department: Law School Position: Emeritus Faculty, Acad Council (650) 725-0253 (fax)

Additional Info

  • Mail Code: 8610

2023-24 Courses

Stanford Advisees

All Publications

  • Pathways versus incentives: climate activism to climate aligned portfolio management OXFORD OPEN CLIMATE CHANGE Roston, M., Maire, J., Seiger, A., Heller, T. 2024; 4 (1)

    View details for DOI 10.1093/oxfclm/kgae013

    View details for Web of Science ID 001605592800013

  • Climate Change: Designing an Effective Response Conference on Global Warming - Looking Beyond Kyoto Heller, T. BROOKINGS INST. 2008: 115–144

    View details for Web of Science ID 000327201800009

  • AFRICAN TRANSITIONS AND THE RESOURCE CURSE: AN ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE ECONOMIC AFFAIRS Heller, T. C. 2006; 26 (4): 24–33

    View details for DOI 10.1111/j.1468-0270.2006.00665.x

    View details for Web of Science ID 000210590300005

  • Baselines for carbon emissions in the Indian and Chinese power sectors: Implications for international carbon trading ENERGY POLICY Zhang, C., Shukla, P. R., Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C., Biswas, D., Nag, T. 2006; 34 (14): 1900-1917

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.enpol.2005.01.009

    View details for Web of Science ID 000237776000017

  • Understanding Renegotiation and Dispute Resolution Experience in Foreign Infrastructure Investment Proceedings of the 2nd General Counsels' Roundtable February 10-11, 2006 Stanford University, California JOURNAL OF WORLD INVESTMENT & TRADE Heller, T. C., Metzger, B., Stodder, S. M. M., Orr, R. J. 2006; 7 (5): 805–23

    View details for DOI 10.1163/221190006X00405

    View details for Web of Science ID 000213078600007

  • The Political Economy of Power Sector Reform The Experiences of Five Major Developing Countries Introduction and overview POLITICAL ECONOMY OF POWER SECTOR REFORM: EXPERIENCES OF FIVE MAJOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. edited by Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. 2006: 1–30

    View details for Web of Science ID 000296574800002

  • The Political Economy of Power Sector Reform The Experiences of Five Major Developing Countries Preface POLITICAL ECONOMY OF POWER SECTOR REFORM: EXPERIENCES OF FIVE MAJOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. edited by Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. 2006: XV-+

    View details for Web of Science ID 000296574800001

  • Reform of the Chinese electric power market: economics and institutions POLITICAL ECONOMY OF POWER SECTOR REFORM: EXPERIENCES OF FIVE MAJOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Zhang, C., Heller, T. C. edited by Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. 2006: 76–108

    View details for Web of Science ID 000296574800004

  • Major conclusions: the political economy of power sector reform in five developing countries POLITICAL ECONOMY OF POWER SECTOR REFORM: EXPERIENCES OF FIVE MAJOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. edited by Victor, D. G., Heller, T. C. 2006: 254–306

    View details for Web of Science ID 000296574800008

  • Carbon intensity of electricity generation and CDM baseline: case studies of three Chinese provinces ENERGY POLICY Zhang, C., Heller, T. C., May, M. M. 2005; 33 (4): 451-465

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.enpol.2003.08.010

    View details for Web of Science ID 000225858500003

  • Impact on global warming of development and structural changes in the electricity sector of Guangdong Province, China ENERGY POLICY Zhang, C., May, M. M., Heller, T. C. 2001; 29 (3): 179-203

    View details for Web of Science ID 000166303200002

  • Doing better with less energy IEEE SPECTRUM Sathaye, J., Sinton, J., Heller, T. 1999; 36 (12): 42-49

    View details for Web of Science ID 000084034200014

  • STRUCTURALISM AND CRITIQUE STANFORD LAW REVIEW Heller, T. C. 1984; 36 (1-2): 127-198

    View details for Web of Science ID A1984SU79300004