Yonathan Arbel

Yonathan Arbel serves as the William Alfred Rose Professor of Law and Director of the AI Legal Studies Initiative at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he has been a faculty member since 2017. His interdisciplinary scholarship bridges artificial intelligence, commercial law, and economic analysis, establishing him as a leading voice in law and technology.

His educational background includes:

• Doctoral degree in law and economics from Harvard Law School (Olin and Byse fellow)
• JSM degree from Stanford Law School
• Joint degree in Law and Humanities (summa cum laude) from Hebrew University in Jerusalem

Professor Arbel's research integrates doctrinal, economic, and socio-legal methodologies to address contemporary challenges in contract interpretation, defamation, and AI regulation. His work demonstrates exceptional innovation in applying machine learning to legal text analysis and developing market-based solutions for information integrity. He has pioneered empirical approaches to studying contract readability and nano-contracts, while his status theory of defamation law redefines traditional frameworks through sociological lenses.

His publication trajectory reveals a strategic pivot toward AI-law intersections since 2022, with 10 of 15 most recent articles focusing on artificial intelligence applications, regulation, and safety. This builds upon his foundational work in commercial law and defamation, creating a cohesive research program examining how technological change reshapes legal doctrines and enforcement mechanisms.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Olin and Byse fellowships at Harvard Law School
• Winner of the American College of Consumer Financial Services Writing Competition (2021)
• Four teaching distinction awards
• Multiple selections for prestigious workshops including Stanford/Yale/Harvard Junior Faculty Forum

As Director of the AI Legal Studies Initiative, Professor Arbel leads interdisciplinary collaborations exploring regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies. His publicly available teaching tools—including the Hypo Name Generator and Law Review Article Template—demonstrate commitment to pedagogical innovation. Prior consultancy experience (2010-2017) informs his practical approach to contract design and regulatory implementation.

The AI Legal Studies Initiative serves as his primary research hub, fostering cross-disciplinary dialogue between legal scholars, computer scientists, and policymakers to address pressing challenges in algorithmic accountability and AI governance.