Filled with practical tools and guidelines, this text addresses an essential competence for public managers to be—incorporating governance and law in public administration. It links democratic constitutional values to administrative decision-making and practices by stressing how public law authorizes, informs, and democratically constrains public servants in fulfilling public policies.

The author addresses important aspects of governance in chapters that discuss democratic values of the rule of law, constitutional law, legislation and policy, administrative law, judicial practice, contract law, and tort law. The book also considers the practical aspects of public management (such as tax collection, benefits administration, personnel administration, and more), with application guidelines and techniques based on thorough legal grounding. Plentiful cases, case discussions, additional sources, and discussion questions amplify the material.

“I am fascinated by the author's ability to weave together managerial and legal considerations in a clear and logical fashion. Public Management and the Rule of Law provides a detailed road map through difficult terrain confronted by public managers, including guidance in areas often left out of administrative law texts: property, contracts and torts. The author's dual training as a lawyer and public administrator enables her to show how managerial and legal reasoning can—and must—reinforce each other. I plan to use the book the next time I teach Administrative Law.” — Christine Reed, University of Nebraska Omaha (*)