William P Alford

William P. Alford is a renowned American legal scholar specializing in Chinese law. He holds the position of Henry L. Stimson Professor of Law and Vice Dean for the Graduate Program and International Legal Studies at Harvard Law School, where he also directs East Asian Legal Studies. Additionally, he is an honorary professor at several prestigious Chinese universities and institutions. Alford has played a pivotal role in China's legal reform, founding the first academic program on U.S. law in the PRC and initiating exchange programs for Chinese students in the U.S. He has advised various entities, including governments and NGOs, on issues ranging from trade to human rights.

Born on November 26, 1948, in Massachusetts, Alford earned degrees from Amherst College, the University of Cambridge, Yale University, and Harvard Law School. Before joining Harvard, he taught law at UCLA. He is married to Dr. Yuanyuan Shen, a lawyer and researcher, with whom he has two children. Alford's work extends to pro bono efforts with the Special Olympics, focusing on disability issues in China.

His notable publications include books such as *To Steal a Book Is an Elegant Offense* and *Raising the Bar*, as well as articles on topics like air pollution law and legal professionalism in China.