Sarah Light

Sarah E. Light is a Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.12 She currently holds the position of Mitchell J. Blutt and Margo Krody Blutt Presidential Professor.13

Academic Background

Professor Light received her education from prestigious institutions:

• J.D. from Yale Law School in 2000
• M.Phil. in Politics from Oxford University (as a Rhodes Scholar) in 1997
• A.B. in Social Studies, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard University in 19951

Research and Teaching

Her research focuses on the intersection of environmental law, corporate sustainability, and business innovation.14 Some key aspects of her work include:

• Examining how corporate and marketplace laws can be considered forms of environmental law
• Studying private environmental governance through business actions like carbon fees and lending decisions
• Addressing greenwashing concerns in relation to the First Amendment1

Professor Light's articles have been published in renowned law journals, including the Stanford Law Review, Columbia Law Review, and Duke Law Journal.1

Professional Roles

At Wharton, Professor Light serves as:

• Faculty Co-Director of Wharton's Climate Center
• Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics (since 2023)12

She has previously held positions as:

• Associate Professor (2019-2023)
• Assistant Professor (2013-2019)
• Law and Public Affairs Fellow at Princeton University (2019-2020)1

Recognition

Professor Light has received multiple Wharton Teaching Excellence Awards in both undergraduate and MBA divisions.1 Her research has also been recognized, with one of her articles receiving an Honorable Mention from the Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review.1