Michael Karayanni

Michael Karayanni is a Visiting Professor of Law at Yale Law School and holds the Bruce W. Wayne Chair in International Law at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is affiliated with the Minerva Center for Human Rights as a Board Member and previously served as Dean of the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law. He has held visiting positions at institutions including National University of Singapore, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford Law School. His expertise spans private international law, inter-religious law, multiculturalism, and civil procedure.

Education:

• S.J.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2003
• LL.D., Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 2000
• LL.M., George Washington University, 1994
• LL.B., Bar-Ilan University, 1990

Research Interests: Karayanni focuses on choice of law in modern jurisdiction, laws in international conflict contexts, inter-religious adoption, and the interplay of religion and state regarding minority rights in Israel. His work bridges comparative law and international frameworks, contributing to the private international law of class actions.

Awards & Fellowships:

• Zeltner Award
• Michael Bruno Memorial Award
• Fulbright Fellowship
• Rothschild Fellowship
• Ma’of Fellowship

Advising & Grants: He has secured grants from the Israel Science Foundation and led initiatives like the Center for the Study of Multiculturalism and Diversity. His academic contributions include editorial roles at the American Journal of Comparative Law and membership in the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities.

Labs/Teams: Director of Hebrew University’s Center for the Study of Multiculturalism and Diversity, and Board Member of the Minerva Center for Human Rights.