Gregory Shaffer
Director, Center on Globalization, Law, and Society
Joint Appointment in Political Science

Expertise:
International Law and International Trade and Investment Law
Background:
Professor Gregory Shaffer is Chancellor's Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine. Shaffer is a globally recognized expert on law and globalization, with a specialization in international trade law. His publications include ten books and over one hundred articles and book chapters. He is ranked among the top five most-cited scholars in the United States in the field of international law. The work is cross-disciplinary, theoretical, and empirical, addressing such topics as transnational legal ordering, legal realism, hard and soft law, comparative institutional analysis, public-private networks in international trade, the impact of the rise of China and other emerging economies, and the ways trade and investment law implicate domestic regulation and social and distributive policies. His recent book Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law (CUP 2021) won the 2022 Chadwick F. Alger Prize of the International Studies Association.
Professor Shaffer is President of the American Society of International Law. He has served on the Board of Editors of the American Journal of International Law, the Journal of International Economic Law, was a founding member of the AJIL Unbound Committee, is on the board of multiple other journals around the world, and is a Book Series Editor for Hart-Bloomsbury. He also is founding Board member of the Society of International Economic Law, and is founding coordinator of the Law and Society Association Collaborative Research Network on Transnational and Global Legal Ordering.
He previously was Melvin C. Steen Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School, inaugural Wing-Tat Lee Chair at Loyola University Chicago School of Law, and Professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he also co-directed two university research centers on World Affairs and the Global Economy (WAGE) and the European Union Center of Excellence. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Dartmouth College and his J.D., with distinction, from Stanford Law School. He practiced law in Paris for seven years for Coudert Frères and Bredin Prat, where he was a member of the Paris bar.
He is a recipient of multiple U.S. National Science Foundation awards, was a Shimizu Visiting Professor at London School of Economics, a Fernand Braudel Fellow at the European University Institute, a Fulbright Senior Research Scholar in Rome, a Visiting Scholar at the American Bar Foundation and at the World Trade Organization, and winner of the Inaugural John Jackson Memorial Prize awarded by the Journal of International Economic Law. He has given invited lectures in over 25 countries.
Professor Shaffer has also published a chapbook of poems, Forest (Artemis, 1998), and his poems have appeared in over a dozen journals.
(Log in to view full course descriptions in the UCI Law Course Catalog)
- Governing the Interface of US-China Trade Relations, American Journal of International Law (2021).
- “Trade Law in a Data-Driven Economy: The Need for Modesty and Resilience,” 20:3 World Trade Review 259-281 (2021).
- Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law (CUP 2021).
- “Defining Crimes in a Global Age: Criminalization as a Transnational Legal Process,” Law and Social Inquiry (2020).
- “A New Chinese Economics Law Order?," (2019) (with Henry Gao).
- “Retooling Trade Law for Social Inclusion,” 2019 University of Illinois Law Review 1 (2019). Condensed versions published as “Reconceiving Trade Law for Social Inclusion,” in The Shifting Landscape of Global Trade Governance, ed. Manfred Elsig (Cambridge University Press, 2019); and “Bargaining over Policy Space as a Complimentary Dimension to Trade Negotiations,” in World Trade and Investment Law Reimagined: A Progressive Agenda for an Inclusive Globalization, eds. Alvaro Santos, Chantal Thomas and David Trubek (Anthem Press, 2019).
- “How Do We Get Along?: International Economic Law and the Nation-State,” Michigan Law Review (2019). Condensed version reprinted as “Reading Rodrik: A Call for a New Law and Economics for International Law,” in World Trade and Investment Law Reimagined: A Progressive Agenda for an Inclusive Globalization, eds. Alvaro Santos, Chantal Thomas and David Trubek (Anthem Press, 2019).
- “Constitution-Making as a Transnational Legal Order” (with Tom Ginsburg & Terence Halliday), in Constitution-Making as a Transnational Legal Order (eds. Gregory Shaffer, Tom Ginsburg and Terence Halliday) (Cambridge University Press) (2019).
- Legal Realism and International Law, in International Legal Theory: Foundations and Frontiers, eds. Jeffrey Dunoff and Mark Pollack, Cambridge University Press (2019).
- “With, Within, and Beyond the State: The Promise and Limits of Transnational Legal Ordering,” Oxford Handbook of Transnational Law, ed. Peer Zumbansen. Oxford University Press (2019).
- “From International Law to Transnational Law: from Transnational Law to Transnational Legal Orders,” in Jessup’s Bold Proposal: Critical Engagements with ‘Transnational Law’, ed. Peer Zumbansen (for edited volume on Transnational Law) (2019).
- Imperfect Alternatives: Institutional Choice and the Reform of Investment Law, 112 American Journal of International Law 361 (2018) (with Sergio Puig).
- “China’s Rise: How it Took on the U.S. at the WTO,” University of Illinois Law Review (2018).
- “A Tragedy in the Making? The Decline of Law and the Rise of Power in International Trade Relations,” Yale Journal of International Law Online (2018).
- “International Organizations and Technologies of Governance,” for International Panel on Social Progress: Rethinking Society for the 21st Century (contributing author) (2018).
- Feb. 26, 2022:
Moderator, Reactions to China’s Rise Outside of Western Europe and America, Global China in an Anxious Age, UCI Forum for the Academy and the Public, Irvine, CA - Feb. 16, 2022:
Featured Speaker, Emerging Powers and the World Trading System, LSE Law, Online - Jan. 28, 2022:
Speaker, Strengthening Sustainability Provisions in Trade Agreements: Focus on Social Dispositions, For a More Sustainable and Responsible Trade Conference, French Treasury on behalf of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Online - Nov. 3, 2021:
Featured Speaker, China in Global Times, UCI Forum for the Academy and the Public, Online - Nov. 3, 2021:
Featured Speaker, Governing US-China Trade Relations, Asia Law Speaker Series, U.S.-Asia Law Institute, New York University, Online - Oct. 7, 2021:
Featured Speaker, "Emerging Powers and the World Trading System," World Affairs Council of Orange County, Pacific Club, Newport Beach, CA - Sept. 30, 2021:
Featured Speaker, Emerging Powers and the World Trading System – The Past and Future of International Economic Law, World Trade Organization Public Forum 2021, Geneva, Switzerland - May 18, 2021:
Featured Speaker, “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law,” American Society of International Law, Online - Jan. 20, 2021:
Speaker, Emerging Economies and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law, ABF Speaker Series, Online - Nov. 18, 2020:
Featured Speaker, “A New Chinese Economic Law Order,” U.S.-Asia Law Institute, Online - Nov. 20, 2019
Moderator, Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency, World Affairs Council of Orange County, Newport Beach, CA - Oct. 26, 2019
Opening Keynote, International Trade Regime for the Data-Driven Economy: How Will Artificial Intelligence Transform International Economic Law, Society of International Economic Law's Asian International Economic Law Network, 6th Biennial Conference, Taipei, Taiwan - Oct. 11, 2019
Speaker, A New Chinese Economic Law Order?, Australian National University School of Regulation and Global Governance, Canberra, Australia - Oct. 8, 2019
Speaker, A New Chinese Economic Law Order, US-Australia Dialogues on International Trade and Resource Governance Law, UNSW, Sydney, Australia - Aug. 22, 2019
Keynote Speaker, Trade Law: Emerging Powers and the World Trading System, Centro de Estudios Internacionales de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile - May 10, 2019
Keynote Speaker, Stanford Program in Law and Society, Stanford Law School, Stanford, CA - April 26, 2019
Speaker, “How China Took on the U.S. at the WTO,” UCI CEO Roundtable, Aspen, Colorado - Jan. 5, 2019
Speaker, Law and South Asian Studies and Comparative Law Joint Program - Trade and Investment Across Asia, 2019 AALS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA - Oct. 4, 2018
Featured Opening Speaker, “What is Interpretation Really About?” Evolutionary Interpretation in Different International Legal systems, University of Geneva Global Studies Institute, Geneva, Switzerland - Sept. 28, 2018
Speaker, Concluding Conference Panel: Advancing Solutions to the Reform of International Investment Law, 13th Annual Columbia International Investment Conference , Columbia University, New York, NY - April 13, 2018
Speaker, Rethinking International Trade and Investment Law, Harvard Law, Cambridge, MA - April 9, 2018
Keynote Speaker, "Projecting Domestic Norms and Models to the International Realm," Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL - April 6, 2018
Moderator, “Challenges and Opportunities for International Trade Law Practice,” The American Society of International Law Annual Meeting, Washington, DC - April 6, 2018
Speaker, “Retooling Trade Agreements for Social Inclusion,” Seminar – International Law and the New Global Political Economy, Georgetown Law, Washington, DC - Feb.16–18, 2017
Speaker, opening panel “The new global politics: Is there space for trade multilateralism?” and closing panel “Addressing non-trade concerns at the WTO,” WTP@20 Conference, New Delhi
- August 2022: Prof. Shaffer ranked as top law professor in Brian Leiter's Law School Reports listing by h-index (Google Scholar).
- March 2021: President-Elect, American Society of International Law
- June 2016: Article “Can Informal Law Discipline Subsidies?” co-authored by Prof. Shaffer and Vinhcent Le ’16, wins Oxford Journal of International Economic Law inaugural John Jackson Prize
- deVolkskrant: Joe Biden wants more domestic production. Is it still 'America First' after Trump?
- Truthout: Court of Appeals Rules That Domestic Abusers Can Own Guns
- The Weekly Dystopia: Microchips shifted to domestic production in new trend away from globalization
- Brian Leiter's Law School Reports: Prof. Shaffer ranks #42 on Brian Leiter's Law School Report, "Top 95 law faculty ranked by D-Index"
- CTIL Magazine: Prof. Shaffer interviewed by CTIL Magazine about book 'Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law'
- UCI Law: Shaffer named President of American Society of International Law
- Cambridge University Press: Shaffer’s book "Emerging Powers and the World Trading System" reviewed by Michael Trebilcock, highlighted as a “tour de force" and "field changer in future international economic law scholarship”
- International Studies Association: Prof. Shaffer receives the 2022 Chadwick F. Alger Prize from the International Studies Association for his book "Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law"
- AJIL: AJIL Unbound Symposium published in response to Prof. Shaffer’s AJIL article on Governing the Interface of US-China Trade Relations
- World Trade Online: Prof. Shaffer quoted on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement for addressing worker rights issues
- Global Policy Journal: Prof. Shaffer’s book “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System” reviewed by Marc D. Froese, highlighted as ‘profoundly multidisciplinary’
- Politico: Prof. Shaffer quoted on U.S.-China relations, intellectual property practices and steel and solar panel production
- Montevideo Portal: Prof. Shaffer discusses his book “Emerging Powers an the World Trading System,” the role of emerging economies and Uruguay, and the global economic landscape
- Harris Bricken’s Global Law and Business Podcast: LISTEN: Prof. Shaffer discusses his new book “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System,” the WTO and international trade law, U.S.-China trade relations and more
- The Hill: Prof. Shaffer and Henry Gao op-ed: It's essential to bring back binding WTO dispute settlement
- Sing Tao Daily: Prof. Shaffer discusses U.S.-China trade disputes and trends in Chinese language publication
- Geneva Trade Platform: WATCH: Prof. Shaffer presents on the methodology behind his new book “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System”
- Brian Leiter’s Law School Reports: Prof. Shaffer ranked No. 5 most-cited international law & security scholar in the U.S.
- North South University Law: WATCH: Prof. Shaffer discusses his book “Emerging Powers and The World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law”
- Law & Society Association: Prof. Shaffer highlighted by LSA in Member Spotlight
- Vital Interests: Prof. Shaffer Q&A interview on his new book “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System: The Past and Future of International Economic Law”
- Medium: Prof. Shaffer: A New Transatlantic Agenda: A Defensive Turn
- Medium: Prof. Shaffer: A Silver Lining of US-China Competition: Producing Public Goods
- WTO: WATCH: Prof. Shaffer presents on his new book “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System” as part of the WTO Trade Dialogues Lecture/Webinar Series
- The Hill: Prof. Shaffer op-ed: The US must engage with China – even when countering China
- International Economic Law and Policy Blog: Prof. Shaffer: The G7 on Trade: Some Hope for US Return to Binding Multilateral Dispute Settlement?
- Medium: Prof. Shaffer: The Risk of an “Alliance of Democracies”
- Global Insights: WATCH: Prof. Shaffer discusses the G7 conference and how global leaders can cooperate on a post-pandemic recovery
- Gulf Times: Prof. Goodwin and Prof. Shaffer co-write op-ed on incentives for global vaccine access
- CEIUC: WATCH: Prof. Shaffer discusses governing U.S.-China trade relations
- The Jordan Times: Prof. Goodwin and Prof. Shaffer op-ed: The right incentives for global vaccine access
- Los Angeles Times: Prof. Goodwin and Prof. Shaffer op-ed: Changing the incentives for global vaccine production
- CGTN: Prof. Goodwin and Prof. Shaffer co-write op-ed on the Biden administration’s support of a waiver of intellectual-property rights for COVID-19 vaccines
- Project Syndicate: Prof. Goodwin and Prof. Shaffer: The Right Incentives for Global Vaccine Access
- UCI Law: Gregory Shaffer, Chancellor's Professor of Law at UCI Law, Named President-Elect of American Society of International Law
- Ms. Magazine: Prof. Shaffer discusses U.S.-China relations, international trade policy, human rights, and his forthcoming book “Emerging Powers and the World Trading System”
- AJIL Unbound: Prof. Shaffer co-writes introduction and co-edits AJIL Unbound Symposium “The Biden Administration and the International Legal Order”
- Ms. Magazine’s On the Issues with Michele Goodwin Podcast: LISTEN: Prof. Goodwin discusses how the U.S. can rebuild global relationships with Penelope Andrews, Prof. Kaye, Prof. Shaffer, and Lyric Thompson
- The Hill: Prof. Shaffer’s article “Retooling Trade Agreements for Social Inclusion” cited
- CEIUC: Prof. Shaffer’s “The Future of Trade Law: Emerging Powers and the World Trading System” reviewed
- Orange County Register: Prof. Shaffer comments on Pompeo’s speech calling for a change in international relations with China
- TPCI: Prof. Shaffer Q&A on how COVID-19 has impacted global trade, and the need for supply chain diversification
- The FinReg Blog: Prof. Shaffer co-writes piece on theorizing transnational fiduciary law
- UCI Law: UC Irvine Journal of International, Transnational, and Comparative Law Publishes New Volume
- Vital Interests: Prof. Shaffer gives an in-depth interview on U.S.-China trade agreements, intellectual property, and NAFTA/USMCA
- Courthouse News Service: Prof. Shaffer discussed the Trump administration's move to strike Soleimani, the 'might equals right ethic,' U.N. Charter mandates, and potential repercussions
- NYU Shanghai: Prof. Shaffer joins world’s leading economists and legal scholars in signing proposal for resolving the current trade conflict between the U.S. and China
- Society of International Economic Law: Prof. Shaffer gives keynote address on trade law in a data-driven economy at AIELN 6th Biennial Conference in Taiwan
- IACL-AIDC Blog: Prof. Shaffer participated in an interview on his new book “Constitution-Making and Transnational Legal Order”
- UCI Law: Prof. Shaffer Lends Expertise on the Future of Trade Law While in Chile
- Diario Financiero: Q&A with Prof. Shaffer on the Trump administration, trade wars and the future of trade law
- PolitiFact: Prof. Shaffer comments on U.S., China tariff rates
- The Atlantic: Prof. Shaffer quoted on U.S. Trade Rep. Lighthizer’s approach to the WTO
- Financial Post: Prof. Shaffer comments on Canada-led effort to reform WTO amid trade war between US and China
- Marketplace: LISTEN: Prof. Shaffer comments on EU’s move to join complaint over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs
- The Guardian: Prof. Shaffer comments on Trump’s tariffs on China, risk of return to ‘tit-for-tat protectionism’
- Marketplace: LISTEN: Prof. Shaffer discusses WTO and U.S. history of winning and losing politically charged cases
- The Atlantic: Prof. Shaffer comments on the World Trade Organization, how trade disputes challenge the law
- Huffington Post: Prof. Shaffer op-ed: The Slow Killing of the World Trade Organization
- Washington Post: Prof. Shaffer op-ed: Examining Trump's stealth war against the WTO
- CNN Money: Prof. Shaffer: Wine complaint part of U.S. efforts to pressure Canada in NAFTA talks
- New Law Journal: Prof. Shaffer interview on the UK's WTO commitments post Brexit
- Huffington Post: Prof. Shaffer: Among the greatest risks the world can face is Trump's trade agenda
- Huffington Post: Prof. Shaffer op-ed: Demeaning Mexico is not in America's interest
- The Huffington Post: Prof. Shaffer writes about putting into perspective the FBI investigation of Clinton emails
- tbs eFM This Morning: Prof. Shaffer interviewed on podcast re: U.S. anti-dumping duties in violation of WTO agreements (episode 0920 Issue Today)
- Brian Leiter’s Law School Reports: Prof. Shaffer ranks among 20 most-cited international law faculty
- BBC Mundo: Prof. Shaffer quoted extensively on WTO & market economy status for China (in Spanish)
- The Washington Post: Prof. Shaffer co-authors article explaining controversy, impact of WTO Appellate Body judge reappointment
- Financial Times: Prof. Shaffer quoted on role of U.S. with the WTO (PDF)
- Law360: More on the WTO Appellate Body, with quote by Prof. Shaffer on dispute settlement system
- The Huffington Post: Prof. Shaffer writes: Will the U.S. Undermine the WTO?
- American Society of International Law: Article recaps panel discussion on Theorizing Transnational Legal Orders, led by Prof. Shaffer
- The International Panel on Social Progress: Video: Prof. Shaffer discusses global policy, international trade & investment issues
- Ask a Leader: Prof. Shaffer discusses the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on podcast