Wayne State University School of Business Administration

William Volz

Professor of Accounting

ab9241@wayne.edu
(313) 577-4694

Academic Degrees

  • MBA, Harvard Graduate School Of Business Administration, 1978
  • JD, Wayne State University, 1975
  • MA, University of Michigan, 1972
  • BA, Michigan State University, 1968

Teaching Interests

  • Business Law
  • Ethics, Business and Society
  • Taxation

Research Interests

  • Taxing Executive Compensation in Nonprofit Entities
  • Great Teachers
  • The Efficacy of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Bio

  • Hired at WSU, 1978
  • Dean, School of Business, 1985-1995
  • Interim Director, Center for Legal Studies, Law School, 1996-1997
  • Interim Chair, Department of Accounting, 1997-1999
  • University Council/Academic Senate, 1984-1985, 2000-present
  • Policy Committee, 2004-present
  • Budget Committee, 1984-1985, 2000-present
  • Elections Committee, Chair, 2000-present
  • University Faculty Hearing Panel, 2004-2006
  • General Education Oversight (Implementation) Committee, 2000-present
  • President's Commission on General Education, 1984
  • Art and Art History Department Internal Review, Chair, 1999-2000
  • Interdisciplinary Studies Search Committee for Director, Chair, 1999
  • Center for Academic Ethics, Board of Directors, 1989-1995
  • Merrill-Palmer Institute, Committee on Employer-Sponsored Child-Care, 1990-1992
  • College of Liberal Arts/Science Restructuring Committee, 2003
  • School of Business Administration Restructuring Committee, 2004
  • Accounting Department and Chair Review Committee, Chair, 2004
  • School of Business Faculty Senate, 1979-1985, Chair, 1983-1985
  • JD/MBA Review Committee, 2004-2005; etc.
  • President, Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, 1995-1996, 1998-2000
  • Board of Directors, several community mental health, amateur theater, and legal aid societies

Selected Academic Accomplishments:

Published one book and over thirty articles in law reviews, academic and professional journals; Published over eighty other articles, book reviews and papers; My work in business and commercial law has been cited in over forty journals and law reviews, by the United States Supreme Court and one state supreme court; Served on the editorial boards of five journals; Proceedings editor for papers for several national and regional conferences. Consultant to Michigan Supreme Court, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, U.S. Department of Social Security, Ford Motor Company, Rolls-Royce Corporation, City of Detroit Legal Department, etc.

Selected Awards:

  • Wayne State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, 2006
  • Cohn Prize in Legal and Public Policy Scholarship, 2003 and 2006
  • School of Business Administration Distinguished Teaching Award, 2001
  • Association of Black Business Students Outstanding Teacher Award, 1997
  • School of Business Administration Distinguished Faculty Award, 1982

Professional Experience & Certification

  • State Bar of Michigan, 1975
  • Federal Bar, 1975
 

Publications & Presentations

  • "The Role of Attorneys under Sarbanes-Oxley: The Qualified Legal Compliance Committee as Facilitator of Corporate Integrity," W. Volz and V. Tazian, American Business Law Review, 2006. Won the Cohn Prize for Legal Scholarship.
  • "The Tax Treatment of Sexual Harassment Awards: Clarifying the Threshold for Exclusion," W. Volz and V. Tazian, Journal of Legislation, 2004.
  • "An Anatomy of the Legal Writing of Justice John D. Voelker," W. Volz, Michigan Academician, 2004. Won the Cohn Prize for Legal Scholarship.
  • "Charitable Checkoffs on State Income Tax Returns: A Modest Success Story," W. Volz and A. Spalding, State Tax Notes, 2002. Reprinted with the same title in The Exempt Organization Tax Review.
  • "Toward the Definition of a Great Teacher," W. Volz, Journal of Legal Studies Education, 1997.
  • "U.S. Tax Policy Toward Foreign Operations Hampers International Competitiveness of U.S. Multinationals," B. Billings and W. Volz, Journal of Applied Business Research, 1994.
  • "Michigan Just Cause Employment Contracts: The Enduring Experiment," W. Volz and M. Fayz, University of Detroit/Mercy Law Review, 1993.
  • "Punitive Damages and the Due Process Clause," W. Volz and M. Fayz, University of Detroit/Mercy Law Review, 1992. Cited by the United State Supreme Court (J. O'Connor dissent) and the Alabama Supreme Court.
  • "McBride v. General Motors: Judicial Response to Constitutional Challenges in a Products Liability Punitive Damages Limitation Statute," W. Volz and M. Fayz, American Business Law Review, 1991.
  • "Managing a Trial/A Benchbook for Michigan Trial Court Judges", W. Volz and D. Kasunic, Michigan Legal Press, 1982.

Awards & Recognitions

  • Wayne State University Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, 2006
  • Cohn Prize in Legal and Public Policy Scholarship, 2003 and 2006
  • School of Business Administration Distinguished Teaching Award, 2001
  • Association of Black Business Students Outstanding Teacher Award, 1997
  • School of Business Administration Distinguished Faculty Award, 1982

Professional Memberships

  • Academy of Legal Studies in Business
  • American Bar Association
  • American Political Science Association
  • Beta Gamma Sigma
  • Beta Sigma Phi
  • Common Ground
  • Detroit Athletic Club
  • Economic Club of Detroit
  • Harvard Business School Club of Detroit
  • Harvard Club of Eastern Michigan
  • Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
  • Oakland Audubon Society
  • State Bar of Michigan