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Dear alumni and friends:
Our building has been through a lot over the past two years. We completed a $4.8 million "Phase I" renovation in the summer of 2022, with new suites for Student Life and Administrative Services, plus redesigns to our basement and other key areas – only to experience two floods in subsequent months, including a Christmas Day deluge that forced one-third of faculty and staff to relocate and damaged too many items to count.
True to form, the Vanderbilt Law community rose to the challenge during the 2023-24 academic year, demonstrating resourcefulness, resilience, and optimism as we completed a $3.4 million "Phase II" restoration process.
But our work is not done. This summer, we launch a “Phase III” renovation focusing on several areas – including the main lobby, restrooms, and law library – and involving upgrades to first- and second-floor interiors as well as the outside of the building. And next summer, assuming we can secure the necessary philanthropic support, we will launch “Phase IV,” which will re-envision classroom spaces (specifically Bartholomew, Burch, and Alexander), repurpose the first-floor locker room for a seminar room, and reimagine some of the Law Library space.
Outside of insurance reimbursements for the flood-related work, none of this has been possible – and Phase IV simply will not be possible – without the generosity of our alumni and friends who, time and again, step up to support the Law School.
We are seeking to raise roughly $10 million more (and the University has generously provided some matching funding) to accomplish these goals and take our building to the next level. We are trying to make lemons out of lemonade and to provide future generations of Vanderbilt Law students with a state-of-the-art facility in which to learn and grow. For more information, click here, or contact me or Clay Cline if you are interested in helping us realize these goals.
Sincerely,
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Chris Guthrie
Dean and John Wade-Kent Syverud Professor of Law
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Giving Day 2024 Recap
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Giving Day! VLS received gifts totaling over $650,000 from more than 400 donors on April 11, making 2024 our most successful year to date. Special thanks to the generous, anonymous alum who issued donor challenges totaling $100,000.
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Founders Circle Dinner Honors Two Alumni
The annual Founders Circle dinner for donors and friends of the Law School took place on April 11.
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J.B. Ruhl Wins Joe B. Wyatt Distinguished University Professor Award
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Faculty Senate Chair Andrea Capizzi presented J.B. Ruhl with the Joe B. Wyatt Distinguished University Professor Award at the Spring Faculty Assembly. The award recognizes faculty who develop significant knowledge from research or demonstrate exemplary innovations in teaching. Read more.
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SJR Inaugural Symposium Focuses on Capitalism and The Carceral State
The Vanderbilt Social Justice Reporter's inaugural symposium brought together academics, practitioners, and persons with lived experiences from across the country to explore how capitalism and the carceral systems intertwine, perpetuate inequalities, and shape the personal experiences of individuals and communities. Read more.
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| 19 members of the Class of 2024 Complete Pro Bono Pledge
Nineteen members of the Class of 2024 were recognized in April for completing Vanderbilt Law School’s Pro Bono Pledge, through which students commit to complete at least 75 hours of pro bono legal work and community service during their law school careers. Read more.
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Inaugural Music Law Summit Explored the Impact of Generative AI on the Music Industry
The all-day event featured several panels and keynote speakers, with topics ranging from the NO FAKES Act to how existing music might interplay with generative AI to create wholly new compositions. Read more.
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Law School Reunion Weekend is November 8-9
Classes with years ending in 4 or 9 will celebrate in Nashville.
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| Admitted Student Receptions: Thank you for your support!
This spring, Admitted Student Receptions took place in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. We appreciate all the alumni who attended these receptions to talk with the students about their experiences at VLS, and answer their questions about the Law School and Nashville. The personal touch makes a difference and helps with increasing our yield rates in these cities. A special thanks to our gracious hosts, including Robert Hays ’83 and Richard Hays ’86 (Atlanta); Zach Fardon BA’88, JD’92; Leila Morgan '17; Erin Embrey '22; Kristen Smith '23 (Chicago); David Gelfand BA’84, JD’87 (New York); Paul Werner '02; and Hannah Wigger BA'13, JD'17 (Washington, D.C.).
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