Michael J. Saks’ research focuses on empirical studies of the legal system, especially decision-making; the behavior of the litigation system; and the law’s use of science. Professor Saks is the fourth most-cited law-and-social-science scholar in the U.S., and has authored approximately 200 articles and books. Courses he has taught include criminal law, evidence, law and science, property and torts.

Professor Saks has served as editor of the journals Law & Human Behavior and Jurimetrics. He has been president of the American Psychology-Law Society and chair of the Section on Law and Social Science of the AALS. For a decade he taught in the University of Virginia Law School's LL.M. program for judges, Duke Law School’s “Judging Science” program and at the National Judicial College, and taught law professors at the Georgetown University Law Center, as well as numerous continuing education programs for attorneys, judges, and scientists. 

Before joining the College in 2000, Professor Saks was the Edward F. Howrey Professor at the University of Iowa. He was on the staff at the National Center for State Courts. His work has earned numerous awards and been cited in a number of judicial opinions, including by the U.S. Supreme Court.