In his lecture, Professor Paulus explores the boundaries of insolvency law by examining high-profile cases such as Johnson & Johnson and Purdue Pharma. Using these as a springboard, he reflects on the fundamental purpose of insolvency law and considers how it should be applied in practice. Along the way, he revisits the age-old debate captured by the Roman jurists in the concept of in fraudem legis - a framework that resonates strongly with today’s pressing question of where legitimate use ends and abuse begins.
 
The John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship Program was endowed by the generous gifts of many members of the Texas bankruptcy bar in honor of Judge John C. Akard (retired), a 1957 UT Law graduate who served with great distinction for 14 years as the U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in the Northern District of Texas, sitting in Lubbock and throughout much of West Texas. In 2021 The John C. Akard Distinguished Lectureship Program received a special gift of support from the family of William Denny "Bill" Neary. The total grant to the law school was a very generous $100,000, of which half was designated for the Akard Lectureship. The first Akard Lecture was delivered in 2001 by Professor Elizabeth Warren of Harvard Law School, and formerly of The University of Texas School of Law.