Washington University Law Review

Article Title

Wall Street Scandals: The Curative Effects of Law and Finance

Authors

William G. Christie, Vanderbilt University
Robert B. Thompson, Georgetown University Law Center

Publication Title

Washington University Law Review

Abstract

This Article studies three scandals that embroiled U.S. financial markets during the past decade or so, including the Nasdaq market-makers' use only of odd-eighths quotes, the abuse of specialist power on the New York Stock Exchange, and the mutual fund scandal. We attempt to attribute the resolution of these situations to the curative effects of markets versus regulation. We argue that the intervention of the legal system through regulation and/or litigation is often necessary to help resolve the misalignment of incentives needed for markets to accomplish their goal of maximizing value. The Article suggests that there exists an important synergy between financial markets and law that is often overlooked.

Recommended Citation

William G. Christie and Robert B. Thompson, Wall Street Scandals: The Curative Effects of Law and Finance, 84 Wash. U. L. Rev. 1567 (2006).
Available at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview/vol84/iss7/1