Michael Wald is the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of Law at Stanford University, where he has taught courses dealing with legal and public policy regarding children and families since 1967. Professor Wald has held a number of positions outside the University, including serving as Executive Director of the San Francisco Department of Human Services and Deputy General Counsel of the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Professor Wald has drafted major child welfare legislation in California and nationally. His other experiences include representing children in abuse proceedings, serving as a judge pro tem in juvenile courts throughout California, and serving as Chair of California's State Advisory Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect.