Max Planck Society appoints Professor Ventoruzzo director of new law institute

Professor Ventoruzzo said his research will focus on regulation of financial markets from both an international and comparative perspective but the emphasis will be on Europe. “We will look at the harmonizing process in the European markets—what has happened and what should be done; essentially answering the question ‘is the harmonization of European markets a good thing?’ This will include looking at the intermediate markets—banks, investment firms—as well as publicly held corporations.”

 

There are 80 Max Planck institutes around the world which are described as being built solely around the world's leading researchers. “What makes Max Planck exceptional,” said Penn State Law Dean Philip McConnaughay “is that researchers define their subjects, are able to select their staff, and are provided optimal conditions for productive, innovative scholarship.” He added that Professor Ventoruzzo, who joined Penn State Law in 2009, would continue to work on research initiated through his joint-appointment at Penn State Law and Bocconi University in Milan.

 

Professor Ventoruzzo will begin his directorship in April but plans to continue his involvement with Penn State Law. “Instead of semester-long courses, it is more likely that I will focus on seminars related to the research we will be doing and hopefully sponsoring some Luxembourg-based joint activities with the Law School,” he explained. 

 

“I am both honored and humbled by this prestigious appointment,” Ventoruzzo said. “It is challenging from both the research side and from the organizational side,” he said explaining that in his role he will be responsible for hiring and managing research and support staff as well as handling the administrative needs of the office. He has published more than thirty articles, book chapters, and books in Italian, English and French, in major U.S. and European law reviews and is a Research Associate of the European Corporate Governance Institute.