Lynn A. Stout ’79 *82

Lynn died April 16, 2018, after a brave battle with cancer. An internationally recognized corporate-law scholar with expertise in corporate governance, securities regulation, financial derivatives, law and economics, and moral behavior, Lynn was a teacher, mentor, writer, speaker, and commentator, and an exceptional friend.

Lynn graduated summa cum laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She then earned a master’s in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School. She also earned a law degree from Yale Law School in 1982.

She was the distinguished professor of corporate and business law at Cornell Law School and previously taught law at UCLA, Harvard, NYU, Georgetown, and George Washington. Lynn authored several books, including Citizen Capitalism, published posthumously, which she considered her most important book and social idea. She served on numerous boards and co-founded a nonprofit, the Ethical Shareholder Initiative. She was named one of the “100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics” in 2014.

Lynn’s personal life was equally full: She flew small planes and hot air balloons; was an avid horsewoman (dating back to the Princeton Equestrian Team), musician and artist; and played polo, fox-hunted, skied, hiked, biked, and rowed. She enjoyed life to the fullest and will be remembered for her generosity of spirit, her integrity and scholarship, and her commitment to creating a more just and equitable world.

“She was a wonderful friend and roommate, the kind with whom you get up to goofy antics, share dreams and secrets, and rely on,” said Amy Grimm ’79. “She was the maid of honor at my wedding, and a friend of the heart. I will miss her voice and her wonderful laugh.”

Lynn is survived by sons Dan and David; a brother, sister, and their families; and many friends. We offer our sincere condolences to them all.