Heidi K. Gardner

Heidi K. Gardner, PhD, is a Distinguished Fellow at Harvard Law School’s Center on the Legal Profession and Faculty Chair in the school’s executive programs. Not only is she a prolific legal writer and a faculty member at Harvard Law School, but she is also recognized as a prominent figure in American legal academia. Previously, she was a professor at Harvard Business School. Dr. Gardner’s book “Smart Collaboration: How Professionals and Their Firms Succeed by Breaking Down Silos” became a Washington Post bestseller. Named by Thinkers 50 as a Next Generation Business Guru, Dr. Gardner co-founded the research and advisory firm Gardner & Co. The company has just launched its first tech product, the Smart Collaboration Accelerator.

Altogether, she has authored (or co-authored) more than 100 books, chapters, case studies, and articles, contributing significantly to the advancement of legal scholarship. Her research received the Academy of Management’s prize for Outstanding Practical Implications for Management, and has been selected three times for Harvard Business Review’s “best of” collections. Her research has been featured in major media outlets around the globe and she has received recognition and accolades for her contributions to the legal field.

Dr. Gardner's knowledge and expertise in the legal community are highly regarded, making her a leading authority in her area of expertise. She has lived and worked on four continents, including as a Fulbright Fellow, and for McKinsey & Co. and Procter & Gamble. She earned her BA in Japanese Studies from the University of Pennsylvania (Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude), a Master's degree from the London School of Economics, and a second Master's and PhD from London Business School. As an active participant in academia, Dr. Gardner continues to teach, mentor students at Harvard Law School, and push the boundaries of legal research.