The dual life of a legal scholar and investment titan

Science · Published 20 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: How does one person navigate the high-stakes world of private equity and the rigorous demands of international human rights law? While many are defined by a single career path, Steven Rattner exemplifies a rare intersection of global finance, journalism, and the pursuit of international justice.

The name Steven Rattner refers to two distinct professional identities in the public sphere. One is a prominent legal scholar and professor at the University of Michigan Law School. This Rattner is a specialist in public international law, focusing on the complexities of war, human rights, and the legal frameworks governing foreign investment. His career is defined by high-level advisory roles for global institutions, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. He currently holds the title of Bruno Simma Collegiate Professor of Law. His academic tenure at Michigan began in 2004 after he graduated from the University of Texas School of Law.

This academic and legal Rattner has served on multiple UN commissions, including a three-person group of experts tasked with considering justice for the Khmer Rouge in 1998–1999. He also advised on human rights violations in Sri Lanka between 2010 and 2011. His work bridges the gap between theoretical political philosophy and practical international arbitration, specifically regarding business violations of human rights. He also served as a commissioner for the UN Human Rights Council on Ethiopia from 2022 to 2023. Since 2009, he has served on the Advisory Committee on International Law within the State Department.

Conversely, another Steven Rattner is a major figure in American finance and media. This Rattner began as a journalist for The New York Times, covering the energy crisis in Washington before transitioning to investment banking at firms like Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley. He eventually became a top 'rainmaker' at Lazard, advising on massive media conglomerates like Viacom and Comcast, and currently manages the personal and philanthropic assets of Michael Bloomberg. He earned his honors degree in economics from Brown University in 1974. Before entering banking, he worked as a news clerk for James Reston and served as the paper's chief Washington economic correspondent at age 27.

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