By Bob Needham
Michigan Law
Professor Nicholas Bagley is among 22 newly elected members of the American Law Institute (ALI), one of the most prestigious distinctions for judges, lawyers, and academics.
“It’s an honor to be elected to the American Law Institute, which does immensely valuable work to make the law both clearer and fairer,” Bagley said. “And it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my colleagues here at the Law School.”
Bagley, the Thomas G. Long Professor of Law, is an expert in administrative law and health law. He’s currently writing a book, tentatively titled, “Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” (Norton, 2026), that documents how administrative law has become an impediment to progress in the United States.
In 2020 and 2022, Bagley served as special counsel and then chief legal counsel to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. His academic work has been published widely, including in Harvard Law Review and Columbia Law Review, and he contributes frequently to popular outlets, including The New York Times and The Atlantic.
Before joining Michigan Law, Bagley was an attorney with the appellate staff in the Civil Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I’m thrilled that Nick has been inducted into the ALI,” said Interim Dean Kyle Logue. “He is among the country’s leading experts on administrative law, regulatory theory, and health law, and he will bring not only world-class academic expertise but also practical experience as an exceptional government lawyer. Many ALI projects will benefit from his participation.”
The ALI calls itself “the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and improve the law.” ALI members—who come from all areas of the U.S. and many foreign countries—are chosen on the basis of professional achievement and demonstrated interest in improving the law. The ALI’s principal activities involve developing and publishing “Restatements of the Law, Model Codes, and Principles of Law” for use in courts, legislatures, legal scholarship, and legal education.
“As ALI welcomes this class of newly elected members, we recognize the important role they will play in shaping the future of the institute,” ALI President David F. Levi said.
“Their election is not just a reflection of their leadership and accomplishments but also of their commitment to contributing their wisdom to the collaborative work ahead. ALI thrives when each member actively participates in our work to secure the rule of law. I am sure that each of these new members will bring a unique perspective that will contribute meaningfully to that mission.”
Michigan Law
Professor Nicholas Bagley is among 22 newly elected members of the American Law Institute (ALI), one of the most prestigious distinctions for judges, lawyers, and academics.
“It’s an honor to be elected to the American Law Institute, which does immensely valuable work to make the law both clearer and fairer,” Bagley said. “And it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my colleagues here at the Law School.”
Bagley, the Thomas G. Long Professor of Law, is an expert in administrative law and health law. He’s currently writing a book, tentatively titled, “Why We Can’t Have Nice Things” (Norton, 2026), that documents how administrative law has become an impediment to progress in the United States.
In 2020 and 2022, Bagley served as special counsel and then chief legal counsel to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. His academic work has been published widely, including in Harvard Law Review and Columbia Law Review, and he contributes frequently to popular outlets, including The New York Times and The Atlantic.
Before joining Michigan Law, Bagley was an attorney with the appellate staff in the Civil Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.
“I’m thrilled that Nick has been inducted into the ALI,” said Interim Dean Kyle Logue. “He is among the country’s leading experts on administrative law, regulatory theory, and health law, and he will bring not only world-class academic expertise but also practical experience as an exceptional government lawyer. Many ALI projects will benefit from his participation.”
The ALI calls itself “the leading independent organization in the United States producing scholarly work to clarify, modernize, and improve the law.” ALI members—who come from all areas of the U.S. and many foreign countries—are chosen on the basis of professional achievement and demonstrated interest in improving the law. The ALI’s principal activities involve developing and publishing “Restatements of the Law, Model Codes, and Principles of Law” for use in courts, legislatures, legal scholarship, and legal education.
“As ALI welcomes this class of newly elected members, we recognize the important role they will play in shaping the future of the institute,” ALI President David F. Levi said.
“Their election is not just a reflection of their leadership and accomplishments but also of their commitment to contributing their wisdom to the collaborative work ahead. ALI thrives when each member actively participates in our work to secure the rule of law. I am sure that each of these new members will bring a unique perspective that will contribute meaningfully to that mission.”
