John D. Morley

Professor of Law and Counselor to the Dean

(on leave, fall 2023)


John Morley is a Professor of Law and Counselor to the Dean at Yale Law School. His research focuses on the law and economics of organization, with a special emphasis on the regulation and structure of investment funds.

FULL BIOGRAPHY
John D. Morley

Contact Information



Faculty Assistant


Cina Santos

Education & Curriculum Vitae


J.D., Yale Law School, 2006

B.S., University of Utah, 2003

Courses Taught


  • Business Organizations
  • Securities Regulations
  • Trusts and Estates

John Morley is a Professor of Law and Counselor to the Dean at Yale Law School. Morley is a leading expert on the regulation and structure of investment funds, including mutual funds, private equity funds and hedge funds. His research on investment funds is one application of a broader interest in the law and economics of organization. Morley’s other research on organization includes a study of why law firms collapse and a history of the common law trust as a substitute for the corporate form. He also writes about the law of trusts and estates and serves as the reporter for the Uniform Directed Trust Act. At Yale Law School, Morley has taught classes on business organizations, securities regulation, trusts and estates, and investment management regulation.

Prior to joining the Yale Law School faculty, Morley was a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia School of Law and the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Corporate Law at Yale Law School. He received undergraduate degrees in political science and economics from the University of Utah and his law degree from Yale Law School.

Monday, June 5, 2023


When Rainmakers Leave, Partners Ask ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go?’

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 explains what can cause a run on partners leaving law firms.

Wednesday, May 10, 2023


You Can’t Take It With You

Professors John D. Morley ’06 and Yair Listokin ’05 asked 9,000 American adults to contemplate how they would divide their property among relatives, friends, and others if they were to pass away immediately. The results were surprising.

Tuesday, May 2, 2023


The Confusing Fallout of Dying Without a Will

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 discusses the potential consequences of dying without a will.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023


Examining the Legal Ramifications of the Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

Sam Harris Professor of Corporate Law Jonathan Macey ’82 discusses the legal ramifications of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse.

Monday, July 11, 2022


Bill Ackman Winds Down $4bn Spac After Failing to Find a Target

This article mentions Professor of Law John Morley’s lawsuit on behalf of a PSTH shareholder against Ackman.

Monday, April 11, 2022


Ackman Says Proposed SPAC Rules Suggest SEC Backs Him Against Investor Lawsuit

Professor of Law John Morley is mentioned in a report on the latest development in the lawsuit he helped to bring regarding a special purpose acquisition company allegedly acting illegally as an investment company.

Thursday, March 31, 2022


SPAC Seizes On SEC’s Proposed Rules to Fight Investor Suit

A lawsuit brought by Professor of Law John Morley ’06 and New York University Professor Robert Jackson concerning a special purpose acquisition company continues.

Monday, January 3, 2022


3 Hurdles That Could Slow The Pace Of SPACs In 2022

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 is mentioned in an article about the future of Special Purpose Acquisition Companies.

Wednesday, November 10, 2021


Yale Law School Modernizes Legal Curriculum with New Tsai Leadership Program

Dean and Sol & Lillian Goldman Professor of Law Heather Gerken and Professor of Law John Morley ’06 comment on the launch of The Tsai Leadership Program.

Friday, November 5, 2021


Ackman’s Firms Fire Back at Challenge to Legality of SPACs

A story provides updates in the suit filed by Professor of Law John Morley ’06 and Robert Jackson of New York University alleging a special purpose acquisition company has been improperly operating as an investment company.

Monday, November 1, 2021


Law Profs Defend Theory that SPAC is Illegal Under Investment Company Act

A news report provides developments in the suit filed by Professor of Law John Morley ’06 and Robert Jackson of New York University alleging a special purpose acquisition company has been improperly operating as an investment company.

Thursday, August 26, 2021


Welcome to the Big SPAC Slowdown

Professor of Law John D. Morley ’06 is quoted in a report about increased scrutiny of special purpose acquisition companies.

Monday, August 23, 2021


Ackman Plans to Return Proceeds From $4 Billion SPAC

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 comments on a development in his lawsuit alleging a special purpose acquisition company has been improperly operating as an investment company.

Friday, August 20, 2021


Ackman SPAC Hit With Investor Suit Questioning Its Legality

A news report describes a lawsuit brought by Professor of Law John Morley ’06 and and others against a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC).

Tuesday, August 17, 2021


Bill Ackman’s SPAC Gets Sued

A news report describes a lawsuit brought by Professor of Law John Morley ’06 and a former SEC commissioner alleging a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) has been improperly operating as an investment company.

Tuesday, August 17, 2021


Ackman Says SPAC Does Not Need To Be Registered, Pushes Back on Lawsuit

Professor of Law John Morley comments on a lawsuit he helped to bring against hedge fund manager William Ackman’s special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), the largest ever formed.

Sunday, June 7, 2020


Massive bailout leaves Wall Street giant exposed to fire from all sides

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 is quoted in a Politico article about the growing, bipartisan scrutiny faced by BlackRock, an asset manager at the center of the Federal Reserve’s coronavirus-related bailout.

Friday, April 17, 2020


BlackRock Becomes Key Player in Crisis Response for Trump and the Fed

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 is quoted in Bloomberg News about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting small players in the asset management field.

Monday, March 30, 2020


Fed’s big boost for BlackRock raises eyebrows on Wall Street

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 is quoted in the Financial Times about the Federal Bank’s infusion of $1.5 billion into an exchange traded fund managed by BlackRock.

Sunday, September 22, 2019


When ‘Run’ on Partners Starts, So Does Race to Save the Law Firm

Professor of Law John D. Morley ’06 is quoted in Bloomberg, where he discusses the relationship between partner ownership and law firm stability.

Friday, April 20, 2018


Professor Morley’s Article Among Top 10 for 2017

“The Common Law Corporation: The Power of the Trust in Anglo-American Business History” by Professor John Morley ’06 was selected as one of the Top 10 Corporate and Securities Articles of 2017 by Corporate Practice Commentator.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018


Dangers of the ICO - Investing in Crypto: An interview with John Morley

Professor of Law John Morley ’06 was a guest where he discussed investing in cryptocurrency.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018


Professor Hansmann ’74 Receives 2018 Baldwin Award

Henry B. Hansmann '74, Oscar M. Ruebhausen Professor of Law, was the 2018 recipient of the Simeon E. Baldwin Award from the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law.

Monday, June 26, 2017


Vanguard Group wrangling over taxes with four states

A journal article by Professor of Law John Morley ’06 is cited in an article about the Vanguard Group and questions about its taxable income.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016


How Law and Organization Interact

John D. Morley ’06 received tenure and was promoted to the title of Professor of Law at Yale Law School on July 1, 2016. His teaching and research interests focus on organizational law and investment management.

Monday, February 8, 2016


Vanguard, a Champion of Low Fees, Faces a Peculiar Tax Challenge

Associate Professor of Law John Morley ’06 and Florence Rogatz Visiting Professor of Law David Schizer ’93 are quoted in an article about whether Vanguard has run afoul of U.S. tax laws.

Monday, May 11, 2015


Why Law Firms Collapse—A Commentary by John Morley ’06

John Morley ’06 is an Associate Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Friday, February 15, 2013


John D. Morley ’06 to Join Yale Law School Faculty in July as Associate Professor of Law

John D. Morley ’06 to Join Yale Law School Faculty as Associate Professor of Law on July 1, 2013.