NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Deborah Burand is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Michigan Law School.  She is the founding director of the Law School’s International Transactions Clinic, and she leads a law seminar that focuses on “impact investment lawyering” (lawyering transactions that intentionally generate multiple returns).  Her current areas of research include impact investment, social impact bonds, social enterprise, and building inclusive business opportunities at the base of the economic pyramid.

From August 2010 through October 2011, Deborah took a leave of absence from the Law School to serve as Vice President and General Counsel of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the US government’s development finance institution.

Prior to directing the launch of the University of Michigan Law School’s International Transactions Clinic in 2008, Deborah was active in the microfinance sector where she worked in senior management positions for two global microfinance networks. Deborah also has held senior, internationally-focused positions at the US Federal Reserve Board and US Treasury Department. And she worked as an international corporate attorney at the law firm, Shearman & Sterling, in New York.

In 2009 Deborah was the Co-Topic Leader for the Finance track of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI).  She also is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and former International Affairs Fellow of the Council.

Deborah holds a joint graduate degree from Georgetown University, combining law with international business and development (JD/MSFS with honors), and a bachelor degree, cum laude, from DePauw University.  She is admitted to practice in New York and Washington, DC.