Kenneth W. Dam

Kenneth W. Dam
Name	Kenneth W. Dam
Office	Deputy Secretary of the Treasury
President	Ronald Reagan
Term start	1982
Term end	1985
Predecessor	R. T. McNamar
Successor	Richard G. Darman
Office1	Deputy Secretary of State
President1	Gerald Ford
Term start1	1975
Term end1	1977
Predecessor1	Robert S. Ingersoll
Successor1	Warren Christopher
Office2	Executive Director of the Council on Economic Policy
President2	Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford
Term start2	1971
Term end2	1973
Birth date	10 August 1932
Birth place	Marysville, Kansas, U.S.
Party	Republican
Spouse	Marilyn J. Dam
Education	University of Kansas (BA), University of Chicago (JD)
Alma mater	University of Chicago Law School

Kenneth W. Dam is an American legal scholar, economist, and public servant who has held high-ranking positions in the United States federal government and academia. His career spans significant roles in the administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, where he focused on international economic policy and law. A former professor at the University of Chicago Law School, he is known for his expertise in international trade law, antitrust law, and intellectual property. Dam later served as a senior executive at technology firms like IBM and AT&T Corporation.

Early life and education

Kenneth W. Dam was born on August 10, 1932, in Marysville, Kansas. He pursued his undergraduate education at the University of Kansas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then attended the University of Chicago Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor and was deeply influenced by the intellectual environment of the Chicago school of economics. His legal education provided a foundation in economic analysis of law, a perspective that would define his later work in both government and academia.

Academic career

Following his legal training, Dam joined the faculty of the University of Chicago Law School, where he became a prominent professor. His scholarship focused on the intersection of law and economics, particularly in areas such as antitrust law, international trade, and corporate governance. He co-authored influential texts with scholars like George Stigler and contributed to the development of the law and economics movement. Dam also served as the provost of the University of Chicago from 1980 to 1982, overseeing academic and budgetary affairs before returning to government service.

Government service

Dam's government career began in the early 1970s when he was appointed Executive Director of the Council on Economic Policy under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. In 1975, President Ford named him Deputy Secretary of State, where he worked under Secretary Henry Kissinger on international economic and energy issues. During the administration of Ronald Reagan, Dam served as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury from 1982 to 1985, playing a key role in shaping Reaganomics, international debt strategy, and tax reform. He was also involved in negotiations related to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the Plaza Accord.

Corporate and legal career

After his tenure in the Reagan administration, Dam transitioned to the corporate sector. He served as Vice President for Law and External Affairs at IBM, where he managed the company's global legal, governmental, and regulatory strategies. Later, he held the position of Executive Vice President at AT&T Corporation, overseeing law and government affairs during a period of significant change in the telecommunications industry. He also served on the boards of directors for major corporations such as Schlumberger and Pfizer, applying his expertise in international regulation and corporate strategy.

Publications and thought

Dam is a prolific author whose works analyze law through an economic lens. His notable publications include *The GATT: Law and International Economic Organization* and *The Rules of the Game: Reform and Evolution in the International Monetary System*. He co-authored *Economic Analysis of Law* with Judge Richard Posner, a foundational text in the law and economics field. His scholarship often addresses the legal frameworks governing international trade, monetary policy, and intellectual property rights, arguing for rules-based systems that promote economic efficiency and global cooperation.

Personal life

Kenneth W. Dam is married to Marilyn Dam, a former official at the United States Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The couple has two children. Dam has been recognized with several honors, including the Secretary of the Treasury's Medal for his public service. He remains involved with institutions like the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Category:1932 births Category:Living people Category:American legal scholars Category:University of Chicago faculty Category:Deputy Secretaries of State of the United States Category:Deputy Secretaries of the Treasury of the United States Category:People from Marysville, Kansas