The Journey to Vanderbilt
Olivia Miller '26 discusses her law school admissions journey and the strategies she used to evaluate law schools and ultimately choose Vanderbilt.
We are a collaborative and engaged community, offering a rigorous, highly personalized legal education and nationwide career placement. Vanderbilt Law combines the advantages of a stimulating university community, top-tier faculty, and a small, carefully selected student body, in the vibrant city of Nashville, Tennessee.
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No. 3
Best quality of life, Princeton Review (2023)
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No. 10
Ranking of the Top 50 law schools based on employment outcomes, cost, and student debt, Above the Law (2024)
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No. 7
Ranking of Law Faculties by Academic Influence (2023)
2025 Commencement
Vanderbilt will celebrate Commencement for the J.D., LL.M., and MLS Classes of 2025 on May 8 and 9.
On May 9, tune in here or on our YouTube channel to watch a full livestream of the Law School Hooding Ceremony. Congratulations to all of our graduates!
Academic Programs
Branstetter Litigation and Dispute Resolution Program
Criminal Justice Program
Energy, Environment, and Land Use Program
George Barrett Social Justice Program
Intellectual Property Program
International Legal Studies Program
Law & Business Certificate Program
Program in Law & Government
Program on Law & Innovation
Weaver Program in Law, Brain Sciences, and Behavior
Public Interest
We are committed to cultivating a culture of public service and facilitating opportunities for students in the public interest through clinics, practicums, externships, and student-led pro bono projects.
Experiential Learning
Eight dynamic legal clinics, enriching experiential learning programs, externships, and scholarly student-run publications create an immersive learning environment where theory meets practice.
DEGREES
J.D. Program
Our J.D. program combines a thorough grounding in the law, practical skills development, substantive experiential learning opportunities, and a highly customizable curriculum. Develop knowledge and expertise in specialty areas of legal practice, and earn a Law and Business Certificate or J.D./MS Finance dual degree in three years. Our J.D. graduates enjoy national geographic mobility, supported by the school’s longstanding relationship with legal employers coast to coast.
LL.M. Program
Our one-year Master of Laws (LL.M.) program admits a select group of attorneys who come to Vanderbilt Law from around the globe to learn the fundamentals of the American legal system and study alongside J.D. students. Our expansive curriculum allows you to choose courses each semester that advance your career goals. LL.M. students may earn a Law and Business Certificate, focus on intellectual property, international, environmental or criminal law, or gain exposure to many other areas of legal practice.
Ph.D. Program
Our 6-year Ph.D. program in Law and Economics is unlike any other. Dual-degree students pursue a law degree and a Ph.D. concurrently in a fully-integrated curriculum where students conduct policy-relevant research within a wide variety of fields. Graduates have obtained prestigious judicial clerkships, faculty positions in law schools and economics departments, and jobs in government, consulting, and legal practice.
Our online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) program provides non-lawyers with a deeper understanding of American law and legal systems. Students expand their professional skillsets and learn legal fundamentals from the same world-class faculty of scholars and educators who teach our J.D. students. Created from the ground up by our top-ranked law school faculty, the MLS curriculum emphasizes both foundational legal principles and insights into areas of law that are most relevant to working professionals.
Meet Our Students
Miles Brinkley '25
For Miles, Vanderbilt didn’t just help him secure a job offer or become a more analytical thinker; it helped him understand why lawyers think and act the way they do.
Rachel Davis '25
Vanderbilt stood out to Rachel for it's smaller class sizes which allow students to get to know their professors and create community-based relationships.
Giorgio Chioin LLM'25
Giorgio recommends the Vanderbilt LL.M. program to prospective international students due to its status as a top-ranked institution with a strong reputation.
