Nicholas Parrillo

Nicholas R. Parrillo is the William K. Townsend Professor of Law at Yale Law School and holds a secondary appointment as Professor of History at Yale University. He specializes in legal history, the administrative state, and political development. Parrillo earned a J.D./Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale. His research examines the evolution of governance structures, particularly focusing on the shift from profit-driven public officer compensation to fixed salaries, as detailed in his award-winning book Against the Profit Motive. His work has influenced administrative law practices and policy, including testimony before Congress and guidance for the Administrative Conference of the United States. He has received Yale Law School's annual teaching award, recognized by student vote.

His research interests include constitutional law, administrative power, and historical analysis of bureaucratic systems. Notable works include groundbreaking articles on originalist interpretations of administrative power and legislative history's role in judicial decisions. Parrillo's interdisciplinary approach bridges legal scholarship and historical analysis, contributing to both academic discourse and contemporary policy debates.