Faculty Profile

Research Interests: Global and domestic business strategies to influence public policy; business ethics; the U.S. Congress and the legislative process.

Lawrence M. Lesser teaches courses in Business-Government Relations, Business Ethics and Society, and Introduction to Business and Management. He began his teaching at the Smith School in 1993. Previously, Lesser worked for more than 12 years on Capitol Hill, where he served as legislative director for senior members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and as a staff member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

He also has experience as a lobbyist and executive director of a trade association he helped establish for major American corporations. He also has worked in the Executive Branch as a trade specialist with the U.S. Department of Commerce, and as Congressional liaison for the former Interstate Commerce Commission (now the Surface Transportation Board).

Lesser is the author of Business, Public Policy, and Society, a textbook (now in its second edition) published by Thomson Learning, Inc. He also has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and other publications. Lesser is a recipient of the Smith School's Allen J. Krowe teaching award for classroom innovation. He holds MBA and BS degrees from The American University in Washington, D.C.

PUBLICATIONS

Author, Business, Public Policy, and Society, Second Edition (Mason: Thomson, 2006).

"Business Government Relations and Education," a research analysis prepared for the Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise, School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, as part of a project commissioned by the Business Government Relations Council on the value of government affairs to corporate growth and profit, October 2003.

Author, Business, Public Policy, and Society, (Fort Worth: Harcourt College Publishers, now part of Thomson, 2000).

"The Campaign Finance Conundrum: Does Corporate and Other Special Interest Money Buy Votes?" Original paper presented at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Seventeenth Annual Research Forum, University of the District of Columbia, April 21, 2001. Abstract published in conference proceedings.

"Foreign tragedy can be personal," Baltimore Sun, September 14, 2000

“Federal Subsidies to Business: The Debate Over Corporate Welfare,” Original paper presented at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Thirteenth Annual Research Forum, University of the District of Columbia, April 26, 1997. Abstract published in conference proceedings.

"Coalitions are new political power brokers," The Hill, August 2, 1995

"Business Coalitions in the Public Policy Process," Original paper presented at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Eleventh Annual Research Forum, Howard University, April 22, 1995. Abstract published in conference proceedings.

"Economic Assistance and Business Opportunities in the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union," Business Speakers Almanac (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1994).

"Once Powerful ICC Hangs On," The Journal of Commerce, November I, 1993

"Aid to Russia," Vital Speeches of the Day, August 15, 1993

"Barter Is Best With Cash-Poor Russia," The New York Times, May 16, 1993

"A Solution to the Russian Aid Dilemma: Trade US-Food for Russian Oil," Original paper presented at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Ninth Annual Research Forum, George Washington University, April 17, 1993. Abstract published in conference proceedings.

"Impeachment lsn't The Only Way To Remove Judges," Roll Call, October I, 1992

"Settling Transportation Disputes," The Journal of Commerce, August 25, 1992

"For the Record," The Washington Post, April 23, 1992, From "The Investment Tax Credit: A Key to Economic Recovery?," remarks at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Eighth Annual Research Forum, Mount Vernon College, Washington, D.C., April 11, 1992

"The Investment Tax Credit: A Key to Economic Recovery?" Original paper presented at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Eighth Annual Research Forum, Mount Vernon College, Washington, D.C., April 11, 1992. Abstract published in conference proceedings. Member, Forum Organizing Committee.

"Restore Investment Tax Credits,” The Journal of Commerce, March 13, 1992

"For-Profit Attitude Is Key to Nonprofit Productivity," Interview with Peter F. Drucker, The Washington Post, December 9, 1991

"Strategic Defense of Exports," The Journal of Commerce, September 25, 1991

"Why 13 Is Too Many Committees to Make Transportation Policy," Roll Call, October 8, 1990

"No Way to Make a Policy," The Journal of Commerce, April 6, 1990

PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Recipient of Allen J. Krowe teaching award for classroom innovation, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland at College Park, 2000

Four-time Nominee for Teaching Excellence Award, University of Maryland, University College

Co-founder, Washington Week Program, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland at College Park

Member, Organizing Committee and University of Maryland Coordinator, Washington Consortium of Schools of Business Faculty Research Forum

Lecturer, Executive Development Program, Institute for Global Chinese Affairs, University of Maryland

Moderator, guest panelist and consultant, Center for Public Policy Education, The Brookings Institution

Lecturer in Government Relations and the Legislative Process, and course consultant, Executive Conferences, Congressional Quarterly

Chair, International Business and Marketing Panel, The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Fifteenth Annual Research Forum, Howard University, April 17, 1999

Chair, Public Policy Panel, The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Fourteenth Annual Research Forum, George Washington University, April 18, 1998

Chair, Social Issues Panel, The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Thirteenth Annual Research Forum, University of the District of Columbia, April 26, 1997

“Federal Subsidies to Business: The Debate Over Corporate Welfare,” Original paper presented at The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Thirteenth Annual Research Forum, University of the District of Columbia, April 26, 1997. Abstract published in conference proceedings.

Chair, International Business and Finance Panel, The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Twelfth Annual Research Forum, Catholic University, April 20, 1996

Chair, Economic Issues and Public Policy Panel, The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Eleventh Annual Research Forum, Howard University, April 22, 1995

Chair, Panel on Impacts of International Trade Policies, and Member, Organizing Committee, The Washington Consortium of Schools of Business, Ninth Annual Research Forum, George Washington University, April 17, 1993

Quoted by name on front page of Wall Street Journal in "Warren Buffett's Aura As Folksy Sage Masks Tough, Polished Man," by Ron Suskind, November 8, 1991