Dr. Michael Simkovic

Professor

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Biography

Michael Simkovic is the Leon Benwell Professor of Law at USC Gould School of Law. His research focuses on the intersection of law and finance, with particular emphasis on credit markets, financial regulation, and taxation. His work has been published in leading journals such as the University of Chicago Law Review and the Journal of Corporate Finance. In 2015, he received the American Law Institute’s Young Scholars Medal and became an elected member of the American Law Institute. For four consecutive years, he was voted one of the most influential figures in legal education by National Jurist Magazine. He also received the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers Writing Award in 2012. Simkovic has testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee as an expert on consumer and corporate finance issues. Before joining the USC Gould faculty, he worked as an attorney at Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York and as a strategy consultant at McKinsey & Company, specializing in legal and regulatory business issues affecting financial services companies. He is a frequent contributor to Brian Leiter’s Law School Reports and has published articles in the Wall Street Journal, New York Dealbook, Washington Post, and Bloomberg. His research has been cited by federal regulators and has appeared in major publications such as the New York Times and USA Today. Simkovic has presented his research at various prestigious conferences and universities including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and UC Berkeley.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor of Law

2012-01-01 — Present

USC Gould School of Law • Los Angeles, California

Teaching and conducting research in areas of law and finance.

Attorney

2005-01-01 — 2010-01-01

Davis Polk & Wardwell • New York, New York

Practiced law focusing on corporate finance.

Strategy Consultant

2010-01-01 — 2012-01-01

McKinsey & Company • New York, New York

Specialized in legal and regulatory issues affecting financial companies.

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.