Mauricio Bugarin's Blog

Obituário: Professor Robert Cooter

Estimados colegas,

Com profundo pesar, comunicamos o falecimento do professor Robert D.
Cooter em 8 de setembro de 2025. Considerado um dos “pais” da Análise
Econômica do Direito, sua pesquisa incansável e seu apoio constante à
área deixaram marcas indeléveis na academia mundial.

Em 2023, o Economics and Politics Research Group (EPRG), em conjunto
com a Pós-Graduação em Economia da UnB, organizou uma sessão especial
em sua homenagem. A gravação do evento está disponível em:
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AlkZFj-nwq2Borw5mWYCU6qM-fhWQw?e=TjH8jm

Na ocasião, a professora Flávia Vera também preparou um vídeo em
tributo ao professor Cooter, disponível em:
https://youtu.be/AMwHSVFQPDA?si=vV8RMB53DQhxMpen

Nesta sexta-feira, 26 de setembro, será realizado um Memorial em
Berkeley, com transmissão ao vivo em:
https://www.youtube.com/live/b9fwuRTUwa0?si=y0CUXzaMymAoL3nI
às 13h (Califórnia) = 17h (Brasília). Todos estão convidados a
participar desta homenagem.

A seguir, reproduzimos mensagens de colegas que dão testemunho da
trajetória e do legado do professor Cooter.

________________________________

Mensagem de Flávia Vera, fundadora e primeira presidente da Associação
Brasileira de Direito e Economia

Obituary – Robert D. Cooter (1945–2025)

We mourn the passing of Robert D. Cooter, the esteemed Herman F.
Selvin Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Law and Economics
Program at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.
Robert was a pioneering figure in the development of Law and
Economics, and his influence was profoundly felt not only in the
United States but around the world.

Through his groundbreaking scholarship and mentorship, Professor
Cooter co-founded the Latin American and Iberian Law and Economics
Association (ALACDE) in 1993 and played a pivotal role in bringing
ALACDE to Brazil in 2007 when we founded the Brazilian Law and
Economics Association (ABDE).

His dedication to promoting the tools offered by this field inspired a
generation of Brazilian scholars who disseminated these ideas across
the nation and effectively changed institutions.

To scholars worldwide, Professor Robert Cooter, or Bob as we called
him, was more than a renowned scholar; he was a mentor, a guide, a
supporter, and a friend. His generosity in sharing expertise and
encouraging scholars of all backgrounds strengthened our community’s
visibility in the world.

His active participation in meetings abroad, particularly at ALACDE’s
annual conferences, enriched our discussions and fostered intellectual
growth across the discipline for scholars, legal professionals,
judges, and public policymakers.

He indeed planted a forest of strong and healthy seeds that made a
difference. In honor of Bob’s impact, during a Robert Cooter seminar
series organized by Professor Mauricio Bugarin at the University of
Brasília in June 2024, I was grateful for the opportunity to present
him with a video that captured heartfelt testimonies from many leading
Brazilian scholars who were profoundly influenced by him. You can view
this tribute here:
https://youtu.be/AMwHSVFQPDA?si=vV8RMB53DQhxMpen

Robert Cooter passed away on September 8, 2025. He will be greatly missed.

Flavia Santinoni Vera
Brazilian Law and Economics Scholar, Founding President of ABDE,
Former President of ALACDE

________________________________

Mensagem de Nuno Garoupa, Presidente da Associação Europeia de Direito
e Economia

We mourn the passing of Robert D. Cooter, the Herman F. Selvin
Professor of Law and Co-Director of the Law and Economics Program at
the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Robert Cooter
was one of the pioneering figures in the development of Law and
Economics as a scholarly field, and his influence extended far beyond
Berkeley. His scholarship shaped generations of research, and his
teaching inspired countless students and colleagues around the world.

For the European Association of Law and Economics (EALE), Robert
Cooter was more than a distinguished academic—he was a mentor, a
guide, and a steadfast supporter. He generously shared his expertise,
encouraged younger scholars, and strengthened the international
visibility of our community. His regular participation in EALE’s
annual meetings enriched our debates and helped foster the
intellectual growth of the discipline in Europe and beyond.

The Association has lost not only a preeminent scholar but also a
great friend. His commitment, wisdom, and generosity of spirit will be
deeply missed, and his legacy will continue to inspire future
generations of legal scholars and economists.

Robert Cooter passed away on 8 September 2025. We honor his memory
with gratitude and profound respect.

On behalf of the European Association of Law and Economics
Nuno Garoupa, President