The newly appointed Professor of Practice will strengthen the link between European corporate law and sustainability.
Michael Ristaniemi, LL.D., was appointed as a Professor of Practice at the University of Eastern Finland Law School in early September. His professorship focuses on European corporate law, particularly at the intersection of sustainability and business.
“It is a great honour to be invited as a Professor of Practice. In research, I strive to bring the perspective of EU corporate law, and that of business and industry, into a sharper focus, so that research can be as impactful as possible. The Law School at the University of Eastern Finland is home to high-level expertise in climate, energy and environmental law – as well as in the newly established field of sustainability law – and this provides a strong foundation for diverse and influential work. I am happy to be part of a research group that seeks to address the sustainability challenges of our time,” Ristaniemi says.
Ristaniemi has extensive knowledge of the intersection of business and sustainability, as well as of the related regulation, gained both in industry and in EU-level legislation. The professorship is part-time, and Ristaniemi continues in his primary role as a permanent official at the European Commission in Brussels.
“Companies operate as part of society and are therefore societal actors. Corporate responsibility is about recognising and responding to this role. As a researcher, I am interested in how business interacts with other levels of society, and what kind of external effects that interaction entails, including positive value generation. I am especially interested in the increasing regulation of corporate responsibility and its role as a steering instrument.”
Strong background in corporate law and sustainable development
The Professor of Practice position complements the University of Eastern Finland’s strong expertise in sustainability law, which integrates various branches of law. Ristaniemi contributes to the Resilience of Complex Legal Systems in Sustainability Transformation project, RELIEF, funded by the Strategic Research Council established within the Research Council of Finland. He will also forge links between EU corporate law and sustainability law in legal research.
“Ristaniemi will significantly strengthen the University of Eastern Finland’s expertise in sustainability law, particularly in the field of competition law and other branches of EU corporate law. The professorship also greatly supports the implementation of the RELIEF project at the intersection of sustainable development and corporate law,” says Professor of Environmental Law Niko Soininen, the director of the RELIEF project.
Ristaniemi’s earlier appointments include Vice President, Sustainability at Metsä Group from 2019 to 2021, and he has extensive experience in corporate law, thanks to his various corporate lawyer roles held in 2011–2019. Together with Anne Vanhala, he has also co-edited Finland’s first legal publication on the juridification of corporate responsibility, Yritysvastuu & oikeus, and he is a founding member of the Finnish Corporate Sustainability Law Association. In 2020, he was included in the “top 35 under 35” list of promising figures in Finnish business by Talouselämä magazine.
Supporting students in corporate and European law
Ristaniemi’s professorship will also strengthen the University of Eastern Finland’s education in commercial and European law, as well as their working life relevance. Ristaniemi earned his doctorate in competition law from the University of Turku, where he has volunteered, in the role of an alumnus, to develop and coordinate several practical elective courses addressing competition law, commercial contract negotiation and legal issues relevant to start-ups, also involving numerous other alumni.
“I am happy to continue teaching, where my main goal is to expose and inspire students to explore themes in corporate and EU law. I especially welcome students to get in touch with me with their ideas. In my experience, alumni-led elective courses are rare win-win opportunities.”
Ristaniemi also hopes to raise awareness of EU careers among students and to help build bridges between the European Union and the university. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Finland’s EU membership, and in the coming years, a significant number of Finnish EU officials are set to retire.
“Many scholars working at the Law School have a good understanding of the EU and its institutions, but for students, it may feel more distant. Finnish lawyers’ EU-related expertise is not only needed, but it can also lead to extremely rewarding career opportunities and life experiences.”
For further information, please contact:
Professor of Practice Michael Ristaniemi, michael.ristaniemi(at)uef.fi
Professor Niko Soininen, tel. +358 50 437 6342, niko.soininen(at)uef.fi
