email : Webview : Law@Vanderbilt

Dear alumni and friends:

As spring returns to Nashville after weeks of snow, we are excited to connect with alumni at the Law School and across the country. Next month at the Founder's Dinner in Nashville, we honor two individuals who have had an extraordinary impact on the law school: Distinguished Service Award recipient, Nicholas S. Zeppos, Chancellor Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor of Law and Politic Science Emeritus and Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, Jim Cuminale ’78. Keep reading for more info.

There are faculty accomplishments to spotlight as well. Our faculty are contributing to the legal discourse on a myriad of topics, with two new book publications. Rebecca Allensworth recently published The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who is Allowed to Work, and Why it Goes Wrong detailing the real impact that our system of occupational licensing has on consumers and the workforce. Criminal law expert Christopher Slobogin's new book, Rehabilitating Criminal Justice: Innovations in Policing, Adjudication and Sentencing, offers reform solutions to policing, trial procedures, and sentencing.

In alumni news - Daniel Aronowitz '91 has been named Assistant Secretary of Department of Labor Employee Benefits Security Administration.

Earlier this year, the Law School reached our $190 million Dare To Grow campaign goal thanks to the generous support of our alumni and friends. The Dare To Grow campaign continues through June 2026, and so do our ambitions. Thank you to all who have contributed and will contribute to our campaign success. Our School would also like to thank the alumni that have supported the school community as guest speakers, career fair table representatives, panel participants, alumni interviewers, and reception hosts. A recently held Government and Public Interest Day boasted 35 employers - many with alumni connections. I'd like to extend a special thank you to Adolpho Birch ‘91 for joining a lunchtime discussion with the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. Further down the newsletter, you will find upcoming events you can join live on YouTube or watch recordings of previous speakers.

I hope to see you all during our alumni events this year; see below for save the dates. I am always grateful for such an engaged and supportive alumni community.

Sincerely,

Chris Guthrie
Dean and John Wade-Kent Syverud Professor of Law

Register Today for the 2025 Vanderbilt Music Law Summit!

Please join us for the second annual Vanderbilt Music Law Summit on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at Vanderbilt Law School. This year’s summit will focus on the Future of Music Rights and Enforcement. We are excited to feature a stellar lineup of experts from industry, academia, government, and beyond.

Some of the panelists for this year's summit will include:

Emily Chapuis, Acting General Counsel and Associate Register, US Copyright Office
Bob Valentine, CEO, Concord, interviewed by Melinda Newman, Billboard

Learn More & Register Now

Upcoming Livestreams and Recent Events Available to Watch

There are two March events available for you to join and watch live on our YouTube! Follow the link and click "notify me" to get a reminder when the livestream begins.

Please join us on:

- March 4: The Weaver Distinguished Lecture: Upgrading Justice: How Neuroscience Can Revolutionize the Criminal Law
- March 17: Jonathan I. Charney Distinguished Lecture in International Law with Ambassador Roger Carstens

Did you miss a previously streamed event? You can watch all prior livestreams, including the second Respectfully Dissent Debate, from our Live playlist on YouTube below.

Previous Livestreams

Upcoming Event: The Founders Circle Dinner

The Founders Circle Dinner will be Thursday, March 27. The dinner will honor Distinguished Service Award recipient, Nicholas S. Zeppos, Chancellor Emeritus and University Distinguished Professor of Law and Political Science Emeritus, and Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient, Jim Cuminale ’78.

The event will be held at The Conrad. Festivies begin at 6pm with a reception before dinner.

Questions? Contact the Law School Development and Alumni Relations Office or call 615.322.2606.

Save the Date for Giving Day!

Join the Vanderbilt Community for our 9th annual Giving Day on April 10 and give back to the areas and initiatives at the Law School that mean the most to you! More information coming soon.

Energy, Environment, and Land Use Program Launches Private Climate Governance Lab

The Private Climate Governance (PCG) Lab approaches climate change with a new perspective by accounting for private governance as well as public governance. By engaging the private sector in climate initiatives and understanding private sector motivations and options, the Lab is helping to bridge the gap between needs and reality.

Private Climate Governance Lab

Save the Date for Reunion!

The Law School Reunion Weekend will be held November 7 - 8, 2025. Any classes ending in 0 or 5 will be celebrating in Nashville! More information forthcoming.

If you are interested in volunteering for your class, please email alumni@law.vanderbilt.edu.

Save the Date and Join Us at our Future Campaign Events!

Boston – April 1, 2025 | Museum of Fine Arts
London – May 21, 2025 | Saatchi Gallery