Talking about the limits of legal change: an interview with Marc Galanter

Abstract

Recognized as one of the central figures of the Law & Society and as one of the first editors of the Law & Society Review, Marc Galanter is the author of pioneer and internationally recognized studies on the legal system and patterns of litigation (including "Why the haves come out ahead: Speculations on the Limits of Legal Change", one of the most cited articles in legal literature), lawyers and legal culture, legal institutions and informal regulation, among others. In this interview, Galanter speaks mostly about his academic and professional trajectory, a narrative that is intertwined with the history of tha Law & Society movement itself and with some of the most important developments in American academia since the 60s to the present day. The author also talks about the growth of law firms (described in Tournament of Lawyers) and cultural perceptions currently surrounding lawyers and the legal profession. He discusses the importance of the studies he developed in India for his work, including the famous "Why the haves come out ahead", a piece that is still relevant in the current context.