J. Shahar Dillbary

Biographical Sketch

Professor Dillbary is an award-winning scholar and teacher, and the Associate Dean for Faculty Research. His research spans across methodologies and disciplines. It includes theoretical, empirical, and experimental articles in torts, trademarks, antitrust, and the intersection between law, economics, social norms, and psychology.

Professor Dillbary’s scholarship and articles have been published in leading journals, such as the University of Chicago Law Review (twice), the Northwestern University Law Review, Washington University Law Review, Boston College Law Review, the Indiana Law Journal, Washington and Lee Law Review, and Cardozo Law Review. They have also appeared in leading peer review journals, such as the Journal of Institutional and Theoretical Economics, and the International Review of Law and Economics. Professor Dillbary’s empirical and theoretical tort and intellectual property scholarship has been cited by the Vermont and Israeli Supreme Courts and leading treatises, featured on JOTWELL, and has also appeared on the Harvard Blog. In 2021, professor Dillbary and his co-author, professor Edward Griffin, were named the Dukeminier Awards’ Stu Walter Prize winners for their co-authored article, “An Empirical Analysis of Sexual Orientation Discrimination,” 86 U. Chi. L. Rev. 1 (2019), which revealed race- gender- and sexual orientation discrimination in mortgage lending. The Dukeminier Awards are bestowed annually by The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law “to recognize outstanding achievements in legal scholarship.” His recent book, co-authored with William Landes (University of Chicago), Law and Economics: Theory, Cases and Other Materials was published in 2022 (Aspen).

Professor Dillbary received his BA in Economics and LLB in Law, Summa Cum Laude, from Bar Ilan University, Israel and his masters, with honors, and his doctorate degree from the University of Chicago. At the University of Chicago, he was a Fulbright Scholar and a John M. Olin Scholar in Law and Economics.

Prior to joining George Mason University Scalia Law School in 2023, professor Dillbary held an endowed professorship at the University of Alabama School of Law where he was the James M. Kidd, Sr. Professor of Law and the director the Cross-Disciplinary Legal Studies Program. He also held a Joint Appointment at the Business School, the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, and was a member of the graduate faculty.

Professor Dillbary practiced law at the flagship office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges, LL.P. in New York. At Weil he represented and advised in an array of antitrust and intellectual property matters, including horizontal and vertical arrangements, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, patent pools, and standard setting. His practice also included false advertising and unfair competition. Professor Dillbary is also admitted to the Israeli Bar. In Israel he practiced law at S. Horrowitz, LLP., and Israel’s leading law firm, Meitar, Liquornik, Geva, LL.P. where his practiced focused on complex commercial litigation. During his time at Meitar, he also provided legal counsel to private and public companies on matters including shareholders’ conflicts, bankruptcy proceedings, trademarks, and privacy.

Drawing on his areas of expertise, professor Dillbary mediates business, torts as well as family, divorce, and domestic relation conflicts. He is registered on the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster and also provides pro-bono mediation services, including in conjunction with the University of Alabama School of Law Mediation Clinic.

Professor Dillbary has taught, presented, lectured and advised, among other places, in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Outstanding Faculty Member Award (2010), the Commitment to Academic Excellence Award (2011), and is a two-time recipient of the Dean Thomas W. Christopher Award (2012 and 2013) for making a lasting contribution to legal education and the University of Alabama School of Law, for outstanding scholarly achievement, and distinguished service. In special recognition of his research and scholarly accomplishments, professor Dillbary was awarded the Dean’s Scholar (2013–2016).