I’m Alan Gutterman, and welcome to the Substack website I’ve created to organize and distribute the books and other publications that I’ve done over the years on a variety of topics. I’m the founder and principal of Gutterman Law & Business, a leading provider of timely and practical legal and business advice for legal and financial professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers in the form of publications, online content, programs, training and consulting services. I’ve established myself as one of the top-selling individual authors in the global legal publishing marketplace, producing a substantial body of work that continues to inform legal and business practice.

In addition, I’m an accomplished independent scholar-practitioner. Drawing from over four decades of experience in counseling small and large businesses and other organizations and serving in senior management positions with several technology-based businesses, I’ve authored or edited an extensive portfolio of published works, including books, book-length chapters in comprehensive treatise works (each a stand-alone treatment of a discrete subject), chapters, articles, case studies, and research and background papers, spanning organizations, management, leadership, entrepreneurship, business law and transactions, international business, sustainability, impact investment, business and human rights, corporate social responsibility, ageism and ableism.

As a trusted counselor to organizations and skilled scholar, my work reflects a deep well of knowledge and appliable wisdom and has been supported and distributed by numerous publishers including Thomson Reuters, Kluwer, Aspatore, Oxford, Routledge, Palgrave Macmillan, Quorum, ABA Press, Aspen, Sweet & Maxwell, Euromoney, Business Expert Press, Harvard Business Publishing, CCH and BNA and is also available through academic social networks (my scholarship has ranked among the Top 100 authors in both the business and law categories on SSRN, earned Top Scholar recognition from ScholarGPS, attracted a broad global readership that placed me among the top 1% of the scholars and other contributors on ResearchGate, and is also indexed on Google Scholar). I have also self-published books under my own imprints—the Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project and the Older Persons’ Rights Project—and have achieved best-selling status in several Amazon Kindle categories.  

I have extensive experience as a partner and senior counsel with internationally recognized law firms counseling on general corporate and securities matters, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, international law and transactions, strategic business alliances, technology transfers and intellectual property.

I have also served as the chief legal officer of a leading international distributor of IT products headquartered in Silicon Valley and as the chief operating officer of an emerging broadband media company. I’m currently working with emerging fund manager as Senior Venture Counsel at Harvey Esq.

I’ve been an adjunct faculty member at several colleges and universities, including Berkeley Law, Golden Gate University, Hastings College of Law, Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco, teaching classes on corporate finance, venture capital, corporate governance, Japanese business law and law and economic development. 

I received my A.B., M.B.A., and J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, a D.B.A. from Golden Gate University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, and I’ve also been designated as a Credentialed Professional Gerontologist (CPG) and admitted as a member of the National Coalition of Independent Scholars. 

For more information about me and my activities, please contact me directly at alangutterman@gmail.com and follow me on LinkedIn.  

Information regarding my extensive library of publications with Thomson Reuters is available at the Legal Solutions online storefront and Business Transactions Solutions can be accessed on WESTLAW (subscription required).

Amazon customers can find my books on the Kindle Store and links to other online sellers that distribute my e-books can be found on my Books2Read author page.

Finally, please subscribe to this website to receive occasional updates on new works and other information that I add in the future.

By the way, the image above features my grandchildren gazing into the wonder and beauty of something new. I look forward to seeing what they find.

Here’s the current collection of my latest works. I hope you’ll enjoy reading them.

New Articles

Learning Culture: Always Improving

Market Culture: Competing for Performance

Building a Purpose-Driven Culture

Detail-Oriented Culture: Disciplined Flexibility

Knowing When to Conduct a Cultural Assessment

New Case Studies

Always Improving with a “Learn-it-All” Mindset

Market Culture: Is Winning at All Costs Worth It?

When Ideals Meet Reality: The Evolution of a Purpose-Driven Organization

Retooling Market Culture: Winning the Race Without Breaking the Runners

The full collection of my chapters, research and background papers, articles and case studies, as well as a number of my books (other than those distributed through commercial publishers), is always available at SSRN and ResearchGate.

If you haven’t already, please subscribe for free monthly updates on the work that I’ve been doing and plans for the future. Thanks in advance for your interest.

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Organizations are structured groups of individuals collaborating to achieve shared goals and create value. They vary in size and purpose, addressing diverse needs such as security, spirituality, social support, consumer demands, and societal challenges. Organizations evolve to remain relevant as initial needs change or diminish.

My work on organizations reflects a longstanding interest in how they are designed, governed, managed and sustained over time. Organizational studies is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from sociology, psychology, anthropology, management theory, organizational behavior, human resources and strategic management to understand how organizations function, adapt and evolve. I have been particularly interested in the interaction between organizational structure, leadership, culture, governance and operational systems, and in how those elements influence institutional effectiveness, resilience and long-term performance.

Over several decades, I have written and edited books, research papers, background papers, case studies and practical guides addressing a broad range of organizational topics including management practices, leadership, governance, organizational culture, organizational design, strategic planning, human resources, technology management and operational effectiveness. Many of these works were developed under and distributed through my own Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project imprint, which allowed me to create content for managers, founders, executives and advisors that integrated organizational theory with practical guidance.

A significant portion of my organizational work has focused on governance and leadership. I have examined the roles and responsibilities of boards of directors, executive teams and governance committees, including their oversight of sustainability, risk management, organizational culture and long-term strategy. My publications explore how governance systems shape decision-making, accountability and organizational adaptability, particularly in environments characterized by uncertainty and rapid change. Another major area of focus has been organizational culture. I have written extensively about definitions and models of organizational culture, determinants of culture, typologies of culture and methods for evaluating and changing culture within organizations. My research and writing also address organizational structure and management systems. I have examined how organizations design reporting relationships, allocate authority, coordinate activities and manage growth and change.

In recent years, my organizational work has increasingly focused on the concept of “enduring impact organizations.” This framework examines how organizations can preserve mission fidelity, institutional capacity and long-term effectiveness despite political instability, economic volatility, technological disruption and cultural change. Underlying all of this work is the belief that organizations are not static structures but evolving social systems shaped by leadership, culture, governance, technology and external environmental pressures. Organizations that endure are not necessarily those that resist change most effectively, but those that continuously adapt while preserving strategic coherence, institutional legitimacy and mission focus.

Books

Author’s Imprints

Corporate Governance: An Introduction to Theory and Practice (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Developing Countries: Business Leadership and Management Practices (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Enduring Impact Organizations: Readings on Theory and Practice

Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management: Regional and Country Studies (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Fair Operating Practices (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Financing the Business: A Guide for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Human Resources for Startups (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Human Resources Management: Theory and Practice (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Management, Leadership and Operations: A Global Survey (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Managing Growth and Change: A Guide for Emerging Companies (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Marketing for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Understanding, Managing and Changing Organizational Culture (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Organizational Culture: State of the Research 2023 (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Organizational Culture: Readings on Theory and Practice

Organizational Design: Creating an Effective Design for Your Business (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Organizational Structure: Selecting and Implementing a Structure for Your Business (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Organizational Studies: Theory and Practice (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Product Development: A Guide for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Project and Team Management: A Guide to Getting Things Done with Groups (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sales and Distribution for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Strategic Planning and Business Plan Preparation: A Manager’s Guide (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Other Publishers

Business Counselor’s Guide to Organizational Management (Thomson Reuters)

Business Financing: A Guide for Managers and Entrepreneurs (Quorum Books)

Cross-Cultural Leadership Studies (Business Expert Press)

Practicing Leadership (Business Expert Press)

Practicing Management (Business Expert Press)

Start-Up Financing for Growing Companies (Co-Author) (Aspen)

Chapters, Background and Research Papers and Articles

Corporate Governance

Chapters

The Executive Team

The Chief Executive Officer and Sustainability

Directors' Adoption and Oversight of Sustainability

Framework for Board Oversight of Sustainability

Governance and Nominating Committee

Audit Committee

Compensation and Organizational Development Committee

Finance Committee

Environmental, Health and Safety Committee

Corporate Social Responsibility Committee

Compliance and Risk Management Committee

Technology Committee

Disclosure and Reporting Committee

Internal Governance Instruments: Codes and Policies

Background Papers

Directors' Rights, Duties and Liabilities

Board Structure and Operations

Board Committees

Shareholders

Research Papers

Introduction to Corporate Governance

Fair Operating Practices

Background Papers

Legal and Regulatory Basis for Compliance Programs

Elements of Effective Compliance Programs

Compliance Audits

Contract Management

Risk Assessments

Records Retention

Internal Investigations

Privacy and Data Security

Finance

Background Papers

Disclosure and Offering Documents

Venture Capital

Seed Capital

Equity and Debt Securities

Organizing and Managing the Finance Function

Sources of Capital

Financing Activities for Businesses

Research Papers

Financial Systems

Human Resources

Chapters

Human Resources Management

Background Papers

Motivation and Performance Evaluation

Training and Development

Employment Handbooks and Policies

Managing the Global Workforce

Research Papers

Cross-Cultural Human Resources Management Research

Leadership

Background Papers

Definitions and Conceptions of Leadership

Leadership Roles and Activities

Leadership and Management

Leadership Traits and Attributes

Leadership Styles

Leadership in Developing Countries

Research Papers

History and Evolution of Leadership Studies

Cross-Cultural Leadership Studies

Management

Background Papers

Management Roles and Activities

Management Skills

Management Styles

Management Systems

Project Management

Team Management

Management of Technology Activities

Management in Developing Countries

Organizations

Organizational Performance and Effectiveness

Organizations and Networks

Organizational Change and Development

Organizational Design

Organizational Design and Technology

Organizational Design and Strategy

Organizational Structure

Basic Models of Organizational Structure

Challenges in Designing the Organizational Structure

Designing Global Organizations

Governance, Leadership and Management

Research Papers

Introduction to Management Studies

Comparative Management Studies

Designing the Organizational Structure

Organizational Culture

Chapters

Cross-Cultural Organizational Culture Research

Definitions and Models of Organizational Culture

Determinants of Organizational Culture

Dimensions of Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture and Sustainability

Typologies of Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture: What It Is and Why It Counts

Culture Explained: Definitions and Models

What Shapes Culture? Key Influences in Organizations

Classifying Culture: Typologies and Taxonomies

Steering the Ship: Culture Management and Change

Background Papers

What is Organizational Culture? And Why Does It Matter?

Managing, Evaluating and Changing Organizational Culture

Articles

Dissecting Culture: Key Dimensions and Their Effects

Adhocracy Culture: Innovation at the Edge

Clan Culture: People Before Process

Hierarchy Culture: Order Above All

Customer-Focused Culture: The Client Comes First

Learning Culture: Always Improving

Market Culture: Competing for Performance

Building a Purpose-Driven Culture

Detail-Oriented Culture: Disciplined Flexibility

Understanding and Using Organizational Culture Types: An Introduction for Founders

Knowing When to Conduct a Cultural Assessment

Culture Assessment: Tools and Techniques

From Insight to Action: Strategies for Cultural Transformation

Case Studies

Innovation Without Boundaries—An Adhocracy in Practice

Sustaining a People-First Organization Through Clan Culture

Transforming Hierarchy Culture: Balancing Order and Agility

Customer-Focused Culture: The Patient Comes First

Always Improving with a “Learn-it-All” Mindset

Retooling Market Culture: Winning the Race Without Breaking the Runners

Market Culture: Is Winning at All Costs Worth It?

When Ideals Meet Reality: The Evolution of a Purpose-Driven Organization

Product Responsibility and Customer Care

Background Papers

Traditional Product Development Process

Product Development for Global Markets

Lean Product and Customer Development

Research and Development

Purchasing

Manufacturing

Research Papers

Determinants of Product Innovation

Articles

Emerging Trends in Sales Agency Relationships: Legal, Strategic, and Technological Perspectives

Negotiating Distributor Relationships: Balancing Competing Interests for Sustainable Partnerships

Strategic Planning

Background Papers

Introduction to Strategic Planning

Environmental Forces and Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning Processes

Business Plan Preparation

*****

Certain resources used in connection with the publications listed above are available here.

My work on ableism, ageism and the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities reflects a growing concern with how social, legal, economic and institutional systems marginalize vulnerable populations and limit their full participation in society. Over time, I became increasingly interested in the intersection of human rights, demographic change, organizational responsibility and social justice, particularly as populations age and societies confront the operational, economic and ethical implications of increased longevity and disability inclusion.

I have written extensively about the human and civil rights of older persons and persons with disabilities, including books, chapters, articles, research papers and practical guidance addressing ageism, ableism, caregiving, long-term care, climate justice, workplace inclusion, accessibility, economic security and social participation. Much of this work has been published through the Older Persons’ Rights Project, a nonprofit organization that I founded and that has been granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. I have also been recognized as a Certified Professional Gerontologist based on my publication activities.

A central theme throughout these publications is that ageism and ableism are not isolated forms of prejudice but systemic conditions embedded in institutions, policies, workplace practices, healthcare systems and cultural assumptions. Older persons and persons with disabilities frequently encounter barriers relating to employment, housing, healthcare, transportation, political participation and access to justice. These challenges are often intensified by intersectionality, particularly for individuals also affected by race, gender, poverty, disability or other forms of social vulnerability.

My work also examines the responsibilities of businesses, governments, nonprofits and community organizations in promoting inclusion, accessibility and human rights. I have written extensively about disability-inclusive workplaces, businesses’ responsibilities toward older persons and persons with disabilities, the rights of caregivers, equitable access to healthcare and the role organizations can play in combatting ableism and ageism.

Underlying all of this work is the belief that increased longevity and disability inclusion should not be viewed solely as healthcare or social welfare issues. They are also organizational, economic, legal and human rights issues that will increasingly shape labor markets, public policy, infrastructure, caregiving systems and institutional design. As populations continue to age and expectations regarding inclusion evolve, organizations across every sector will need to rethink how they design workplaces, services, technologies and governance systems. My objective throughout these publications has been to advance awareness, strengthen institutional accountability and promote practical frameworks for protecting dignity, participation, accessibility and human rights for older persons and persons with disabilities in rapidly changing societies.

Books

Achieving the Human Right to a Caring Society in an Aging America (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Ageism: Where It Comes From and What It Does (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Ageism and Ableism (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Ageism and Intersectionality: Older Persons as Members of Other Vulnerable Groups (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Ageism and Older Women (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Ageism, Race and Ethnicity (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Businesses and Human Rights of Older Persons (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Businesses and Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Businesses’ Contributions to Achievement of the SDGs for People with Disabilities: Driving Impact for the World’s Largest Minority

Climate Change and Older Persons (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Combatting Ableism: Roles and Actions of Institutions and Organizations

Emergencies and Older Persons (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Human Rights of Older Persons (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Achieving Inclusivity for the World’s Largest Minority Group

Older Persons' Access to Justice (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Older Persons’ Rights Movement (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Older Persons’ Rights to an Adequate Standard of Living, Social Protection, Participation and Security (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Older Persons’ Rights to Physical and Mental Health (Older Persons’ Rights Project)

Older Persons’ Right to Work and Productive Resources (Older Person’s Rights Project)

Chapters, Background and Research Papers, Articles and Case Studies

Activism

Action Items for an Older Persons’ Rights Movement

Elder Rights Movement

Egalitarian Advocacy and Ageism

Intergenerational Solidarity

Images of Aging

Ageism

Understanding Aging

What is Ageism?

Effects of Ageism

Talking ‘Bout Generations

Human Rights

Access to Justice

Older Persons’ Right to Access Justice

Normative Framework for Older Persons’ Access to Justice

Older Persons’ Participation in the Justice System

Elder Rights Law

Business and Human Rights

Age-Responsive Human Rights Due Diligence

Climate Change

Causes and Impacts of Climate Change

Impacts of Climate Change on Older Persons

Intersectionality, Climate Change and Climate Justice

Climate Change: The Legal and Normative Framework

Climate Change: Is There Really a Generational Divide?

Older Persons and Climate Action

Systemic Actions to Protect Older Persons from Climate Change

Health

Human Right to Health and Older Persons

World Health Organization and Older Persons

Covid-19 and Older Persons

Long-Term Care

FemTech and Older Women

Ageism and Health

Institutional Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted-Living Centers

Caregiving and Families

Toward an Infrastructure of Care

Businesses’ Responsibilities for Caregiving

Human Rights of Older Persons

The Human Rights System and Older Persons’ Rights

Convention on Human Rights of Older Persons

Social Protection and Participation

Emergencies and Older Persons

Older Persons and the Crisis in Ukraine

Older Persons’ Rights to Participation

Older Persons’ Rights to Social Security and Economic Justice

Older Persons’ Right to Adequate Housing

Older Persons’ Right to Adequate Food

Elder Abuse

Work and Productive Resources

The Human Right to Work

Rights at Work: Labor Practices and Human Rights

Intersectionality

Intersectionality

Intersectionality and the Rights of Older Persons

Ageism and Older Women

Ageism and Disability

Ageism, Race and Ethnicity

Ageism, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Ageism and Socioeconomic Status

Socioeconomic Status and Inequality

People with Disabilities

Chapters

Definitions and Models of Disability

Disability and Development

Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Addressing Human Rights Challenges of Persons with Disabilities

Businesses and Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Ethical and Business Cases for Disability Inclusion

Creating a Disability Inclusive Workplace

Role and Actions of Businesses in Promoting Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities

Market Opportunities in the Disability Community

Businesses’ Engagement in the Disability Community

Businesses’ Contributions to the Realization of Basic Human Rights for People with Disabilities

Businesses’ Role in Combatting Ableism

Articles

Businesses' Support of Women with Disabilities

Businesses Supporting Access to Healthcare for People with Disabilities: Why and How

Businesses Supporting Access to Education for People with Disabilities

Businesses’ Actions to Promote Access to Adequate Housing for People with Disabilities

Businesses Supporting the Realization of Legal and Political Rights for People with Disabilities

Benchmarking and Reporting on Businesses’ Disability Inclusion Initiatives

Government Actions to Combat Ableism

Actions by Nonprofits and Community Organizations to Combat Ableism

Actions by Healthcare Providers to Combat Ableism

Actions by Schools and Educators to Combat Ableism

Multi-Sector Initiatives to Combat Ableism

Launching a Disability-Focused Startup

There are lots of different theories relating to entrepreneurship and a universal definition of the term has yet to be found. There is, however, general agreement that the concept comprises numerous dimensions, and common features among the sea of definitions include unique personal traits among entrepreneurs, risk taking, opportunity recognition, motivation and exploitation, and innovation.

My interest in entrepreneurship began through years of work with founders and their startups, venture capitalists and established companies developing new technologies, forming strategic alliances and creating innovative business models. Those experiences exposed me to the extraordinary opportunities and challenges associated with entrepreneurial activity and led me to begin studying and writing about the characteristics of entrepreneurs, the factors influencing entrepreneurial behavior and the processes involved in forming, financing and managing emerging growth ventures.

Entrepreneurship is a broad and evolving field that encompasses opportunity recognition, innovation, risk taking, organizational creation and strategic adaptation. Over the years, I have written books, chapters, research papers and practical guides addressing entrepreneurship generally as well as specialized topics including founders, growth-oriented entrepreneurship, startup financing, entrepreneurial strategy, technology management and the lifecycle of emerging companies. My work combines academic research with practical guidance intended for entrepreneurs, investors, advisors and managers.

As my work evolved, I became increasingly interested in the relationship between entrepreneurship and sustainability. I began writing and teaching about “sustainable entrepreneurship,” which I view as a continuing commitment by businesses to behave ethically, contribute to economic development and improve the quality of life of workers, customers, communities and future generations while maintaining operational viability and long-term resilience. This perspective recognizes that entrepreneurial success should not be measured solely through short-term financial returns, but also through the ability to create durable value for multiple stakeholders. That work eventually expanded into sustainable impact entrepreneurship and impact investing. I became interested in how entrepreneurs and investors could intentionally pursue positive social and environmental impact alongside financial sustainability. This led to extensive work on social entrepreneurship, ecopreneurship, impact investing, sustainable finance, mission-driven ventures and the governance and management systems necessary to sustain impact-oriented enterprises over time.

Another important influence on my entrepreneurial work has been international human rights law and the growing recognition that businesses and investors have responsibilities extending beyond shareholders and financial performance. My publications increasingly examine how entrepreneurs and investors can integrate principles of sustainability, ethical management, stakeholder engagement, human rights and good governance into entrepreneurial strategy and operational decision making. Through books, research papers, background materials and practical guidance, I have attempted to create an integrated framework linking entrepreneurship, sustainability, governance, impact investing and organizational resilience. The objective has been to help entrepreneurs and investors build ventures capable not only of achieving growth, but also of sustaining meaningful economic, social and environmental impact over the long term.

I’ve written and/or edited the following books and other publications on a range of topics related to entrepreneurship:

Books

Entrepreneurship (Business Expert Press/Harvard Business Publishing)

Founders (Business Expert Press/Harvard Business Publishing)

Growth-Oriented Entrepreneurship (Business Expert Press/Harvard Business Publishing)

Launching an Emerging Company: A Guide for Entrepreneur (Author’s Imprint: Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainable Entrepreneurship (Business Expert Press)

Chapters, Background and Research Papers and Articles

Entrepreneurship

Chapters

Sustainability

Ecopreneurship

Social Entrepreneurship

Corporate Sustainability

Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Senior Entrepreneurship

Background Papers

Entrepreneurship

Role of Entrepreneurs in Launching New Businesses

Motivational Traits of Prospective Entrepreneurs

Definitions and Types of Entrepreneurship

Research Papers

Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Activities

Research on Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship in Developing Countries

Growth-Oriented Entrepreneurship

Small Businesses and Startups

Chapters

Business Planning for Small Businesses and Startups

Product Development for Small Businesses and Startups

Initial Funding Sources for Startups

Technology Management

The Sustainable Entrepreneur

Background Papers

Emerging Companies

Founders’ Traits and Skills

Founders and Organizational Culture

Founder’s Role with IPO Firms

Managing Knowledge-Intensive Firms

Managing Growth and Change

Managing Troubled Companies and Crisis Situations

Mapping the Startup to Maturity Path

Research Papers

Innovation Clusters

Growth Models for Emerging Companies

*****

Certain resources used in connection with the publications listed above are available here.

My work on sustainability has focused on the evolving relationship between business, society, governance and human rights. Over time, I became increasingly convinced that sustainability should not be viewed as a peripheral corporate initiative or public relations exercise, but rather as a core framework for understanding how organizations create long-term value while managing their economic, social and environmental impacts. This perspective has shaped a large body of work addressing corporate social responsibility, stakeholder engagement, sustainability leadership and governance, sustainable finance and impact investing, business and human rights, sustainability standards and reporting, social enterprises and responsible business practices. Much of this work has been published through my Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project imprint as well as through commercial publishers such as ABA Press, Routledge, Business Expert Press and Kluwer Law International.

A central theme throughout my sustainability work is that organizations operate within broader systems of accountability involving regulators, investors, employees, customers, communities and civil society organizations. Businesses are now expected to address issues such as climate change, labor practices, diversity and inclusion, human rights, supply chain management, stakeholder engagement and social impact. As a result, sustainability has become closely connected to governance, organizational culture, risk management and long-term strategic planning. My sustainability publications also emphasize the importance of institutional durability and resilience. Sustainability requires more than ethical commitments or impact statements. It requires governance systems, organizational cultures, operational flexibility and financial structures capable of supporting mission continuity over time. Another recurring theme is the relationship between sustainability and entrepreneurship. Through my work on sustainable entrepreneurship and impact investing, I have explored how entrepreneurs, investors and mission-driven organizations can pursue positive environmental and social impact while maintaining operational viability and strategic discipline.

Books

Author’s Imprints

Assessing, Managing and Remediating Business’ Impacts on Human Rights: A Guide for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Board Oversight of Sustainability: A Practical Guide for Directors and Their Advisors (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Business’ Impacts on Human Rights: A Guide for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Businesses’ Contributions to Achievement of the SDGs for People with Disabilities: Driving Impact for the World’s Largest Minority

Businesses and Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Community Engagement and Investment (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Achieving Inclusivity for the World’s Largest Minority Group

Impact Organizations: Readings on Theory and Practice

Investing for Impact: A Guide for Impact Investors and Impact Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

JUST Business: Companies Respond to the Murder of George Floyd (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Preparing a Sustainability Report (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Responsible Business: A Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility for Sustainable Entrepreneurs (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Social Enterprises (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Stakeholder Relationships and Engagement (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Strategic Planning for Sustainability (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainability and Organizational Culture (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainability Governance and Management (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainability Reporting and Communications (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainability Reporting Frameworks, Standards, Instruments, and Regulations (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainability Standards and Instruments (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Sustainable Leadership (Sustainable Entrepreneurship Project)

Other Publishers

Business and Human Rights: Advising Clients on Respecting and Fulfilling Human Rights (ABA Press)

Community Engagement and Investment (Business Expert Press)

Corporate Social Responsibility (Co-Editor and Contributing Author) (ABA Press)

Guide to Privacy (Editor) (ABA Press)

Managing Sustainability (Routledge)

Strategic Planning for Sustainability (Business Expert Press)

Supply Chain Management (Editor) (ABA Press)

Sustainability and Corporate Governance (Kluwer Law International)

Sustainability and Corporate Governance (Routledge)

Sustainability for Small Businesses (ABA Press)

Sustainability Reporting and Communications (Business Expert Press)

Sustainability Standards and Instruments (Business Expert Press)

Chapters, Background and Research Papers and Articles

Community Engagement and Investment

Introduction to Community Engagement and Investment

Community-Related Voluntary Standards

Strategy and Management for Community Engagement and Investment

Community Investment

Community Engagement

Reporting on Community Engagement and Investment

Businesses’ Investment and Engagement in Black Communities

Corporate Governance and Social Enterprises

Chapters

On the Purpose of the Corporation

Evaluating and Improving Sustainability Governance

Benefit and Social Purpose Corporations

Governance and Management of Social Enterprises

Sustainability and Corporate Governance

Corporate Social Responsibility

Introduction to Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility: Definitions and Theories

CSR Drivers and Business Benefits

Core Subjects of Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility: Implementation and Integration

CSR Governance and Organizational Culture

The Environment as a Stakeholder

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Enduring Impact Organizations

Chapters

Organizational Culture and Enduring Impact

Volatility is the Environment

The Difference Between Impact and Endurance

Articles

What is a Sustainable Impact Organization?

What is an Enduring Impact Organization?

Enduring Impact: A Manifesto for Institutional Durability

What “Enduring Impact” Really Means

Beyond Legacy: The Case for Enduring Impact Organizations

Designing for Durability: Why Impact Organizations Must Be Built to Endure

Enduring Impact Architecture

Impact is Not Enough

Stability is a Dangerous (and Dubious) Assumption

Elements of an Enduring Impact Culture

Balance is Possible: Integrating Impact and Endurance

Mission Anchoring: The Fixed Point in a Volatile World

Case Studies

Feeding the Future: Transforming Meals on Wheels for Enduring Impact Amid Federal Funding Cuts

Human Resources

Sustainable Human Resources Management

Sustainability and Human Rights Standards and Instruments Relating to Labor Practices

Human Rights

What are Human Rights?

International Human Rights Law

Access to Justice

What is “Access to Justice”?

Business and Human Rights

Business and Human Rights

Evolving Relationship of Business and Human Rights

Businesses’ Impacts on Human Rights

Business and Human Rights Initiatives of Governmental and Intergovernmental Bodies

Human Rights Due Diligence

Embedding Businesses' Commitments to Human Rights

Embedding Respect for Human Rights

Human Rights Policies

Assessment of Human Rights Impacts

Integrating Respect for Human Rights

Role of Lawyers and the Legal Profession in Business and Human Rights

Businesses’ Measurement and Tracking of Responses to Adverse Human Rights Impacts

Communicating and Reporting on Businesses’ Human Rights Impacts and Initiatives

Remediation of Adverse Human Rights Impacts

Health

Right to Health under International Human Rights Law

Racial Equity

Responsibilities of Business for Racial Justice

Minority Rights in International Human Rights Law

Businesses and Racial Equity: Taking a Stand and Committing to Action

Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Racial DEI Reporting and Communications

Businesses’ Role in Promoting Financial Equity and Security for Black Americans

Businesses and Racial Equity: Products and Services for Black Consumers

Work and Productive Resources

The Human Right to Work

Impact Investment

What is Impact Investing

Impact Investment Tools, Structures and Instruments

Organizing for Impact Investment

Impact Investing Funds

Impact Investing: Doing the Deal

Impact Measurement and Reporting

Leadership

Sustainable Leadership

Management

Ethical Management

Sustainable Technology Management

Organizational Design and Sustainability

Sustainability Executives

Sustainability-Related Management Standards and Systems

Organizational Culture

Organizational Culture and Sustainability

Product Development

Responsible Supply Chain Management

Sustainable Product Development

Sustainable Manufacturing

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Theory

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Engagement and the Board

Stakeholder Engagement: Customers

Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning for Sustainability

Conducting a CSR Assessment

Developing a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy

Developing CSR Commitments

Implementing CSR Commitments

Sustainability Performance Measurement

Sustainability Reporting and Communications

Introduction to Sustainability Reporting and Communications

Sustainability Reporting and Communications: Legal and Regulatory Considerations

SDG-Related Reporting

Community-Related Sustainability Reporting

Sustainability Reporting: Formatting and Presentation

Certifications and Rating Systems for Assessing Social and Environmental Impact

CSR Communications

Sustainability Standards and Instruments

Introduction to Sustainability Standards and Instruments

Sustainability Initiatives of Governmental or Intergovernmental Bodies

Sectoral and Multi-Stakeholder Sustainability Initiatives

CSR-Related Reporting and Management Standards

CSR: Securities Exchanges and Regulators

CSR-Related Nonprofits and NGOs

Sustainable Finance and Impact Investment

Sustainable Finance

What is Impact Investing

Impact Investment Tools, Structures and Instruments

Organizing for Impact Investment

Impact Investing Funds

Impact Investing: Doing the Deal

Impact Measurement and Reporting

*****

Certain resources used in connection with the publications listed above are available here.

I have extensive experience as a partner and senior counsel with internationally recognized law firms counseling small and large business enterprises in the areas of general corporate and securities matters, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, international law and transactions, strategic business alliances, technology transfers and intellectual property, and have also held senior management positions with several technology-based businesses including service as the chief legal officer of a leading international distributor of IT products headquartered in Silicon Valley and as the chief operating officer of an emerging broadband media company. 

Beginning in the early 1990s, I devoted substantial effort to creating practical guidance tools on building, financing, governing and growing businesses. That work evolved into an extensive portfolio of books, treatises, chapters, forms, practice guides, webinars and research materials covering topics such as organizational formation, corporate governance, compliance, technology transactions, strategic alliances, finance, international business and operational management. My publications have been distributed through leading commercial publishers including Thomson Reuters, ABA Press, Aspen, Kluwer Law International, Euromoney, Sweet & Maxwell and others.

The cornerstone of this work is Business Transactions Solutions, an online-only treatise available on Thomson Reuters’ Westlaw platform that includes nearly 200 book-length chapters (each a stand-alone treatment of a discrete subject) addressing the legal and operational issues businesses encounter from formation through maturity, restructuring and exit. Other publications have focused on practical issues confronting emerging growth companies, venture-backed startups and internationally active enterprises, including cross-border transactions, technology commercialization, compliance systems, joint ventures and strategic partnering arrangements. I have become one of the top-selling individual authors in the global legal publishing marketplace.

A recurring theme throughout my work is that legal structures and transactions should be understood within broader organizational and economic contexts. Contracts, governance systems, financing structures and compliance programs are not merely technical instruments; they shape organizational behavior, strategic flexibility, risk allocation and long-term sustainability. As a result, many of my publications integrate law, management, governance and organizational design rather than treating them as isolated disciplines. Across all of these publications, my objective has remained consistent: to create practical, analytically grounded guidance that helps organizations and their advisors make better strategic, legal and operational decisions in environments characterized by increasing complexity and change.

Books

Thomson Reuters

Business Counselor’s Law and Compliance Practice Manual

Business Transactions Solutions

Buying a Business (Co-Author)

California Transactions Forms: Business Entities

California Transactions Forms: Business Transactions

Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Strategic Alliances

Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Technology Management and Transactions

Documenting International Transactions (Editor)

Domestic Joint Ventures

Economic Sanctions and Embargoes (Editor)

Export Controls (Editor)

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Reporter (Editor)

Going Global: A Guide to Building an International Business (Co-Author)

Handbook of Law Firm Management 2^nd Edition

Importing Under the US Customs Laws (Editor)

Inside the Minds: Understanding Legal Needs of Technology Companies (Co-Author)

International Boycotts (Editor)

Legal Aspects of International Sourcing (Editor)

Legal Compliance Checkups: Business Clients

Representing Startups (Co-Author) (Thomson Reuters)

Transnational Joint Ventures (Editor)

Other Publishers

Advising New Businesses (Sweet & Maxwell UK)

Commercial Laws of East Asia (Co-Editor) (Sweet & Maxwell)

Comparative Management Studies (Business Expert Press)

Corporate Partnering and Strategic Alliances: A Legal and Business Guide for Managers and Entrepreneurs (Quorum Books)

Counseling Emerging Companies in Going International (Principal Editor and Contributor) (ABA International Law Section)

Emerging Companies Guide: A Resource for Professionals and Entrepreneurs 3^rd Edition (Co-Editor) (ABA Press)

Initial Public Offerings (Corporate Practice Series, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.)

Innovation and Competition Policy (Kluwer Law International)

International Business Plans (Co-Author) (World Trade Press)

Intellectual Property in Global Markets (Co-Author) (Kluwer Law International)

International Joint Ventures (Euromoney Law Publishers)

International Joint Ventures (World Trade Press)

Law and Economic Development in Asia (Co-Author) (Kluwer Law International)

Limited Liability Company Deskbook (Co-Author) (Aspen)

Managing Your E-Business Hong Kong (Co-Author) (CCH Asia Limited)

Professional’s Guide to Doing Business on the Internet (Co-Author) (Aspen)

Protection and Exploitation of Intellectual Property in East Asia (Co-Editor) (Sweet & Maxwell)

Protection and Exploitation of Trade Secrets (Co-Author) (BNA Books)

Technology-Driven Corporate Alliances: A Legal Guide for Executives (Quorum Books)

Technology Development and Transfer: The Transactional and Legal Environment (Co-Author) (Quorum Books)

Chapters, Background and Research Papers and Articles

Project Playbook for Forming a Limited Liability Company

Contract Playbook for Preparing a Pre-Formation Agreement for a New Limited Liability Company