The law school has done an effusive writeup announcing my (temporary) chair: UM Law Awards Silvers-Rubenstein Endowed Distinguished Professorship to A. Michael Froomkin.
Recent Bluessky Posts- I demand they send me $100,000 forthwith. If they can demand stuff with no legal basis, why can't I? July 10, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- Jotwell Worklaw: Michael C. Duff, An Honest Look at Police Union Contracts – Beat Them or Join Them?, JOTWELL (July 10, 2026), worklaw.jotwell.com/an-honest-lo.... July 10, 2026 Jotwell
- I guess there are some things (this) man was not meant to know. July 10, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- Been cloudy a lot but little rain. July 10, 2026 Michael Froomkin
- People keep talking about oil prices reacting (or not) to the on-again-off-again shooting war in the Gulf of Hormuz. I'm more concerned about the looming fertilizer crisis. Apparently, 30% of the world's supply goes through the Gulf. Or, now, doesn't. news.un.org/en/interview... July 9, 2026 Michael Froomkin
Effusive perhaps, but right on the money. Congratulations on the greatly deserved honor, Michael, and may you wear it in good health!
Congratulations, Michael.
Q: (since I’m not an academic): What does it mean? Do you get some extra money above your salary to pursue some particular goal? What’s its purpose? What did Bruce Winick do when he was there?
(Not a snarky slam – I really have no idea, and am curious what these sorts of things actually mean for the recipiants.)
Chairs vary. They’re considered an honor. Usually the honor comes with some sort of funding, either pay or resources or both. There are rarely strings attached (and this one has an emolument but no strings). If my experience is any guide, they make your parents very happy.
Bruce Winick didn’t go anywhere — unlike most chairs that you hold indefinitely, this is a one-year rotating chair (not unheard of, but less common), and he was the first to have it. Bruce may be the most productive member of our faculty. Despite being nearly blind he writes up a storm, edits a journal, and is starting an institute. See Bruce Winick’s homepage for more.