Richard Epstein, one of the most influential thinkers in legal academia, will deliver the annual Roscoe Pound Lecture at the University of Nebraska College of Law.

Epstein, a professor of law at New York University, will discuss modern financial takings law. There are many cases, such as the recent dispute over the private stock holdings in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, where courts often do not supply enough protection to property interests against confiscation, and other cases, like the pension claims by union workers against the state, where the constitutional protection is too strong. In his lecture, Epstein will develop a unified approach to government takings to explain why today’s dominant legal approach has it backwards.

The talk will take place at noon March 4 in the Hamann Auditorium at the Ross McCollum Hall, East Campus Loop and Fair Street. It is free and open to the public.

Epstein is known for his research and writings on a broad range of constitutional, economic, historical and philosophical subjects. His many books include “Takings: Private Property and the Power of Eminent Domain” (1985) and “Simple Rules for a Complex World” (1995).

He has taught courses spanning the legal landscape, including on administrative law, antitrust, communications, constitutional law, contracts, criminal law, environmental law, food and drug law, health law, labor, jurisprudence, patents, property, Roman law, torts and water.