Professor Ruder has been a member of the faculty at Northwestern University School of Law since 1961, and served as Dean of the School from 1977 to 1985. He became Professor of Law Emeritus on September 1, 2005. Professor Ruder has written more than 60 papers and articles in the corporate and securities law area, has testified before Congress 43 times, and has made more than 550 speeches and public appearances. He has participated as a committee chairman, member, or reporter in the preparation of 11 substantive reports.
Professor Ruder is President of Northwestern's Corporate Counsel Center, which sponsors legal research and provides continuing professional education programs for corporate counsel. He also serves as a member of the Planning Committees for three professional education programs sponsored by the Law School: the Corporate Counsel Institute, the Ray Garrett, Jr. Corporate and Securities Law Institute, and the California Securities Regulation Institute (Chairman 1994-1997).
From 2000 to 2005, Professor Ruder served as a Trustee of the International Accounting Standards Committee Foundation, which oversees the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). From 1997 to 1999 he served as a member of the IASC's Strategy Working Party, whose report served as the basis for restructuring the IASC. From 1999 to 2004, Professor Ruder served as founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Securities and Exchange Commission Historical Society. From 1996 to 2002 he served as a Trustee of the Financial Accounting Foundation, which oversees the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB).
From 1990 to 1993 Professor Ruder was a member of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. He was Chairman of the NASD's Legal Advisory Board from 1993 to 1996. In 1990-91 he was Chairman of the NASD's Payment for Order Flow Committee. From 1994 to 1997 he served as Chairman of the NASD's Securities Arbitration Task Force.
Professor Ruder received a bachelor's degree, cum laude, in 1951 from Williams College, and his law degree with honors in 1957 from the University of Wisconsin. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison on May 17, 2002. On February 9, 2007 he received the William O. Douglas Award conferred annually by the Association of Securities and Exchange Commission Alumni (ASECA) on an SEC alumnus who has contributed to the development of the federal securities laws and served the financial and SEC community with distinction.
Professor Ruder served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953. He has practiced law as an associate at Quarles and Brady (Milwaukee), of counsel at Schiff, Hardin & Waite (Chicago), and as partner and senior counsel at Baker & McKenzie (Chicago).
