Born: February 16, 1964 (Saarbrücken, Saarland)
Susanne Baer is a German legal scholar and judge, known for her contributions to public law and gender studies. Born on February 16, 1964, in Saarbrücken, Saarland, Baer has made significant advancements in the fields of socio-cultural legal studies, gender studies, law against discrimination, and comparative constitutional law.
Baer’s academic journey began at the Free University of Berlin, where she studied German law and political science from 1983 to 1988. She went on to receive her LL.M. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1993, further expanding her knowledge and understanding of legal systems.
Her passion for constitutional law and anti-discrimination led Baer to write her doctoral thesis on the fundamental-rights concept of anti-discrimination law, specifically focusing on sexual harassment in the workplace. With a scholarship from the Hans Böckler Foundation, she conducted extensive research at the Goethe University Frankfurt, where she successfully completed her thesis. Baer’s outstanding work was recognized with the prestigious Walter Kolb Memorial Award by the City of Frankfurt am Main.
Throughout her career, Baer has held academic positions at various institutions, contributing to legal education and research. She has served as a visiting professor of public law at the universities of Bielefeld and Erfurt, expanding her expertise and sharing her knowledge with students. In 2002, Baer became a university professor at Humboldt University of Berlin, where she currently holds the position of dean of academic affairs.
Baer’s research interests have always encompassed important social issues, such as gender equality and discrimination. As the director of Humboldt University’s Centre for Transdisciplinary Gender Studies and GenderCompetenceCentre from 2003 to 2010, she played a pivotal role in advancing gender studies and ensuring its integration into the legal field.
In 2011, Baer was appointed as a judge of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany, one of the highest judicial bodies in the country. Her appointment came after being elected by a committee of the German Parliament for a 12-year term upon nomination by The Greens. Baer became the second judge of the Federal Constitutional Court to be elected on the proposal of The Greens, following in the footsteps of Brun-Otto Bryde. Notably, Baer’s appointment also marked an important milestone as she became the first lesbian to serve on the Federal Constitutional Court.
Baer’s time on the Federal Constitutional Court has seen her contribute to significant legal decisions. In a unanimous 2014 decision by the Court’s First Senate, she, along with fellow members Reinhard Gaier and Johannes Masing, issued a supplementary decision regarding inheritance tax laws. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that revised tax rules did not undermine the core purpose of inheritance law, which is to prevent the excessive concentration of wealth among a privileged few.
Susanne Baer’s contributions to academic research and her involvement in the judicial system have made her a highly respected figure in German law. Her dedication to gender equality and her commitment to upholding constitutional values have had a significant impact on society. As a legal scholar and judge, Baer has played an instrumental role in shaping German law and advancing women’s rights.
Awards:
– Walter Kolb Memorial Award of the City of Frankfurt am Main for her doctoral thesis on anti-discrimination law.