John Dillbary
Professor Dillbary’s research spans across methodologies and disciplines. It includes theoretical, empirical, and experimental projects on torts, environmental law, antitrust, trademarks, anti-discrimination, ethics and the intersection between law, economics, social norms and psychology. Many of these articles have been placed in leading journals, such as the University of Chicago Law Review, the Northwestern University Law Review, and Boston College 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 Court and leading treatises and featured on JOTWELL.
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.”
Professor Dillbary joined the faculty at the University of Alabama in 2007 after practicing law at 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 where he practiced law with S. Horrowitz, LLP., and Israel’s leading law firm, Meitar, Liqournik, Geva, LL.P.
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 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 for making a lasting contribution to legal education and the Law School (2012 and 2013) and 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).
Professor Dillbary received his B.A. in Economics and LL.B 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. Professor Dillbary holds a Joint Appointment in the Business School, Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration and he is a member of the Graduate Faculty. He is also the director of the Cross-Disciplinary Legal Studies Program.