Baylor Law School Professor Chris Jaeger Named Co-Winner of AALS Scholarly Papers Competition
Baylor Law School’s Professor Chris Jaeger has been recognized as a co-winner of the prestigious American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Scholarly Papers Competition for his research paper, The Hand Formula’s Unequal Inputs. This honor is awarded annually to junior faculty members at AALS member schools who have demonstrated remarkable scholarship, with selections made anonymously by a committee of established scholars.
“I am pleased to congratulate Professor Chris Jaeger on being named co-winner of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) Scholarly Paper Competition,” said Dean Jeremy Counseller. “The AALS is a leading organization in legal education with a long history of recognizing exceptional scholarship. This recognition by the AALS highlights the quality and impact of Professor Jaeger's work and underscores his substantial contributions to the legal academy. It also reflects the intellectual rigor and strength of Baylor Law School’s faculty, of which I am immensely proud.”
Jaeger’s research addresses a core issue in tort law: how lay jurors interpret the idea of “reasonableness.” The paper examines two prevailing models of reasonableness in legal scholarship—the Hand Formula and Kantian theory— and assesses their compatibility with laypeople’s perceptions of reasonableness. As Jaeger explained, “Legal cases, especially in tort law, often hinge on whether a jury finds the defendant’s actions reasonable. Scholars have long debated what constitutes ‘reasonableness,’ but little evidence shows how well these theories reflect lay perspectives, which are essential for practical applications.”
To investigate this gap, Jaeger conducted five innovative experiments in which study participants evaluated fictitious tort cases with varying specifics of the defendant’s actions. His findings indicate that both the Hand Formula and Kantian theory capture certain aspects of lay reasonableness judgments, while neither offers a complete standalone explanation. One striking finding was that lay judgments are disproportionately influenced by the size of the risk involved in the defendant’s conduct; people are inclined to view activities with a high risk of minor harm as more unreasonable than actions with a low risk of severe harm. This disproportionate influence of risk constitutes the first empirical evidence that the Kantian view—which prioritizes autonomy over cost-benefit analysis—captures significant aspects of jurors’ reasonableness judgments, providing subtlety to how reasonableness should be interpreted both in theory and practice.
This recognition by the AALS holds significant meaning to Jaeger. “As a junior scholar, it’s encouraging to know that my research resonates beyond my personal interests,” he reflected. “This award has been incredibly motivating, especially as I work on related projects. It feels energizing to contribute to an important scholarly conversation.” Beyond the personal honor, he expressed hope that this award will draw attention to the impactful scholarship being conducted at Baylor Law School.
Professor Jaeger’s research enriches tort theory and broadens Baylor Law School students’ understanding of critical concepts like reasonableness. “At Baylor, we emphasize practical legal education. While my research delves into theory, it also addresses real-world questions: Will a case based on the Hand Formula persuade jurors? What details influence jurors’ perceptions of reasonableness?” Jaeger’s work bridges legal theory with jury perceptions, shedding light on how laypeople interpret notions like “reasonableness” differently from legal scholars. This research will help students craft more effective strategies by understanding how jurors evaluate theoretical arguments in real-world cases.
Looking ahead, Jaeger’s research on reasonableness continues to expand. He is currently gathering data for a new study examining five prominent theories of reasonableness, using sophisticated, innovative methodologies he created to analyze how laypeople perceive these frameworks in tort cases. Additionally, he is working on a paper tentatively titled A Two-System Theory of Negligence, which seeks to connect cognitive science’s “two-system theories” to the reasonableness standard used in tort law. Jaeger is excited about these projects, noting that each new question in his research reveals additional aspects of the critical legal concept of reasonableness.
Beyond the satisfaction of academic discovery, Jaeger emphasized that research is a constant process of growth. “I love that my work keeps me learning,” he shared. “I hope that this passion for exploration, combined with Baylor’s supportive learning environment, inspires students to find the same excitement in the subjects they pursue.”
Professor Jaeger’s AALS recognition highlights both his dedication to advancing the field of tort law and Baylor Law School’s commitment to fostering scholarship that bridges theory and practice. As he continues contributing to critical legal issues, his work exemplifies the dynamic role of research at Baylor Law School in providing students with a greater understanding of the law and its application.