On Friday 6 November, Erasmus School of Law made a substantial contribution to the celebration of the Dies Natalis, the university's 107th anniversary. In the pre-recorded programme, the School presented itself with a video and an honorary doctorate for Professor Katharina Pistor, Edwin B. Parker Professor of Comparative Law and Director of the Center on Global Legal Transformation at the Columbia Law School of Columibia University (New York City).
‘A bridge builder between disciplines’
In their joint laudatio, honorary promotors Professor Hélène Vletter-van Dort (Financial Law and Governance) and Professor Fabian Amtenbrink (European Union Law) praised Katharina Pistor for her role as a bridge builder between disciplines: ‘She crosses the boundaries between law and economics. In her work she introduces the economics discipline to the insights of legal science and at the same time utilises economic theories in law.’
According to Vletter-van Dort and Amtenbrink, Pistor’s theory on law and finance has revolutionised the way in which we understand finance, financial markets and financial market regulation. At the same time in her work she has also made the very vital point that even in our globalised societies politics and law can shape our economies and make them more purposeful. ‘Her research is related to real-world problems that have direct impact on people and societies and is linked to problems that are in desperate need of solutions.’
Katharina Pistor accepts honorary degree in her father’s memory
After receiving the title doctor honoris causa, together with all the rights which statute and custom attach to this degree, Katharina Pistor was clothed with the cappa by her husband Carsten Bonnemann, who took on the role of master of ceremonies, in their home in Washington DC.
In the subsequent acceptance speech Professor Pistor thanked all who devoted their time and energy to making the arrangements for the day, and the care they took in making the celebrations this year safe for everyone in light of the COVID pandemic. Special was the moment Katharina Pistor referred to her father’s recent passing, just three months short of his 86th birthday: ‘He was overjoyed when he learned that I would be receiving this honorary degree and we made plans to meet in Rotterdam for the occasion. Me traveling from New York and he from Germany. This was not to be for neither of us, but I wish he was here today, if only virtually, so I could thank him for so much, most of all in light of this event for having instilled in me a passion for his dream that has accompanied me throughout my career as a legal scholar. I accept this honorary degree in his memory.’
The Dean and Vice Deans of Erasmus School of Law are deeply honored that Professor Pistor has accepted the honorary doctorate and their thoughts, as well as those of the two honorary promotors, are with her and her family at this very difficult time.
- More information
You can find the speech ' On Power in Private Law', provided by Professor Pistor on occasion of receiving her honorary doctorate here.
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Communications Officer at Erasmus School of Law, rdegroot@ese.eur.nl +31 6 53 641 846.