A wise man of the law.

• Author: Scirica, Anthony J.
• Position: University of Pennsylvania Law School professor Geoff Hazard - Testimonial

In The Wise Men, Walter Isaacson and Evan Thomas wrote about six extraordinary men who were instrumental in reshaping the post-World War II world. (1) These talented men--lawyers, diplomats, bankers--embraced the responsibility of public service during a period of turmoil and uncertainty. Their rich and varied experiences enabled them to understand and bridge different worlds, domestically and internationally. Although they took different approaches, their devotion to the public good was paramount, and they had a profound impact on the course of postwar history.

Few lawyers in the last half century have had a more profound impact on the state of the law than Geoff Hazard. And few have had the ability to bridge and connect the worlds of the academy, law practice, and the administration of justice. The commonweal has always been Geoff's polestar. He is one of the law's wise men.

Law professor at several great law schools, prolific scholar, author of textbooks, legendary teacher, mentor, rulemaker (of federal procedural rules and attorney-conduct rules), and former Director of the American Law Institute (ALI), Geoff continues to leave a huge imprint on the American and international legal systems.

For fifteen years, Geoff was Director of the ALI. He was an exemplary leader--from recommending Restatement topics and selecting reporters to sagaciously guiding the projects to successful completion. He still serves on the ALI Council.

Working with Geoff on drafting a Restatement was a unique and rewarding experience. The first thing you realized was that Geoff knew the text, understanding its strengths and weaknesses. Then you realized his extraordinary ability as a lawyer, characterized by penetrating insights, historical references, and the ability to foresee consequences and craft wise resolutions. When drafting got stuck, Geoff always managed to move it forward by asking a question that unlocked the conundrum, by suggesting a new approach, or sometimes by deferring resolution for more thought. Whether direct or indirect, his orchestration was masterful.

The ALI/UNIDROIT Principles and Rules of Transnational Civil Procedure (2) was Geoffs creation from conception to completion. The project took six years. Geoff first engaged as a collaborator Professor Michele Taruffo of the University of Pavia and then, believing that an international partner was necessary, brought in the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT)...