Lawyers lead. Prepare accordingly.
Engage collaboratively.
Connect theory to practice.
Excel professionally.
Live intelligently.

Areas of Interest

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Public<br>Interest

Public
Interest

Robust experiential learning options through clinics, externships and student organizations; intensive support for launching PI careers; stipends, fellowships, and LRAP; social justice curriculum
Social<br>Justice

Social
Justice

Explore equality, access and service in and out of class; courses and clinics address diverse topics; Social Justice Reading Group; externships, stipends, and fellowships
Corporate<br>Law

Corporate
Law

A renowned corporate law faculty offers a broad curriculum covering both litigation and transactional practice; Litigation and Dispute Resolution Program; Law & Business certificate; 3-year JD/MSF; 4-year JD/MBA
Dual Degree Programs

Dual Degree Programs

Combine a VLS JD with a companion graduate degree in economics, business, medicine, divinity, or education policy.
Law &<br>Business Certificate

Law &
Business Certificate

An innovative, interdisciplinary upper-level curriculum that builds expertise in business law, corporate management, accounting and finance without extending J.D. studies beyond three years.
Judicial Clerkship Program

Judicial Clerkship Program

Based on ABA data, Vanderbilt consistently ranks among the top dozen law schools on the percentage of graduates securing federal clerkships.
V-Legal Executive<br> Online Certificate

V-Legal Executive
Online Certificate

If you regularly encounter legal issues at work, and want to better understand the complexities of the law, make a long-term investment in your career with the 100% online V-Legal Executive Certificate.
Litigation &<br>Dispute Resolution

Litigation &
Dispute Resolution

Prepare for real-world litigation practice anywhere in the nation through an advanced legal curriculum that develops core competencies essential to succeed as a litigator.
Law &<br>Government

Law &
Government

Interdisciplinary engagement with the structures of government, allocation of powers, fundamental values of the legal order and the most vexing and interesting issues of our time
Energy, Environment & Land Use

Energy, Environment & Land Use

An interdisciplinary approach to teaching, research and service in environmental law; extensive curriculum and activities; fellowships & externships; Climate Change Research Network; Annual Review
Law &<br>Innovation

Law &
Innovation

Designed to equip students to navigate and influence the rapid social, economic, and technological transformations of the legal industry and to succeed in tomorrow’s legal environment.
International<br>Legal Studies

International
Legal Studies

Prepare for practice in a global context by combining substantive classes with practical experience in the International Law Practice Lab, externships, and stipends; study abroad in Venice
Study<br>Abroad

Study
Abroad

Each summer, Vanderbilt in Venice brings together a maximum of 45 students with four professors to study selected topics in international law in the rich cultural center of Venice, Italy.
Criminal<br>Justice

Criminal
Justice

Distinguished criminal law faculty; broad array of courses, seminars, and clinics; upper level courses on specialized areas such as juvenile justice, international criminal law, and mental health
Intellectual<br>Property

Intellectual
Property

Study technology, intellectual property, entertainment, and innovation law with world-class scholars and practitioners; IP journal, clinic, fellowships, and externships
Ph.D. Program<br>in Law & Economics

Ph.D. Program
in Law & Economics

Pursue a Ph.D. in law and economics and a J.D. in a fully integrated curriculum. Students are fully funded by a package of fellowship support covering tuition and stipend for both degrees.
Clinical Legal<br>Education

Clinical Legal
Education

Learn the theory and practice of law in context under faculty supervision. Represent clients in court or transactions, or complete legal research for government and international institutions.
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A Sense of Belonging at Vanderbilt

The endowment of a permanent director of the Diversity, Equity and Community Office in honor of the late Professor Robert Belton enables VLS to build on its long-term commitment to diversity, inclusion and racial justice.

“We want to foster an atmosphere at VLS where people with diverse backgrounds, identities and perspectives all feel welcome and included and find opportunities to learn and contribute. We want to educate lawyers who will bring that perspective to their work and communities wherever they live and practice.” - Dean Chris Guthrie

Read more about the endowment in honor of Professor Belton
The magazine cover for the Spring 2021 edition of Vanderbilt Law is a digital portrait of the late Professor Robert Belton created by artist Rachelle Baker-Martin. Martin’s portrait is based on an actual portrait of Belton painted by Gordon Wetmore that hangs in the law school.

News & Events

Celebrating Juneteenth, a message from Diversity, Equity and Community Dean Yesha Yadav

Jun. 18, 2021
As we gather to celebrate Juneteenth with our friends and families, we are humbled by the sacredness of this day and its profound significance for the history of our country. With the despicable inhumanity and evil of slavery ending, Black Americans began the slow and painful journey towards the fullest and most equal attainment of...
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Sara Mayeux wins 2020 David J. Langum Sr. Prize in American Legal History for her book, Free Justice

Jun. 17, 2021
The prize is awarded annually to “the best book in American legal history that is accessible to the educated general public” by the Langum Foundation. Mayeux’s book chronicles the history of public defenders in 20th century America.
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LAVA president Jay Larry ’17 (BA’14) aims to strengthen ties among Vanderbilt’s LGBTQIA+ alumni

Jun. 14, 2021
“I would not be the person I am today without Vanderbilt,” he adds. “Many formative experiences happened there that made me a better team player, better global citizen and more thoughtful about others and how I navigate the world.”
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Allen King named 2021 George Barrett Social Justice Fellow

Jun. 3, 2021
King will develop an online intake system to help attorneys at Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors, a nonprofit immigration law office, serve more clients.
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Vel Lewis named 2021 George Barrett Social Justice Fellow

Jun. 3, 2021
Lewis will work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Washington, D.C., where she will serve in the U.S. Protection and Solutions Unit.
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Vanderbilt law grads serving in 52 clerkships for 2020-21 or future years

Apr. 28, 2021
Thirty-three members of the Class of 2020 secured 35 clerkships in federal appellate, district and bankruptcy courts, and six secured clerkships in state courts, including the Delaware Court of Chancery.
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Four members of the Class of 2021 honored with VBA awards

Apr. 16, 2021
VBA President Esther Lee, BLSA President Samantha Furman, Co-Counsel Mentoring Program President Asha Menon and Legal Aid Society President Kira Benton were recognized for student leadership, while three student organizations-the Voting Rights and Advocacy Society, the Investment and Securities Club, and the Law Students for Social Justice-were honored for their contributions to student life.
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Blumstein, George, Stack, Wuerth and Zeppos honored with 2021 Hall-Hartman Awards for outstanding teaching by student vote

Apr. 16, 2021
The annual awards are given based on a student poll conducted by Vanderbilt Bar Association.
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Yesha Yadav discusses episodes of volatility in the U.S. Treasury market on Bloomberg’s Odd Lots podcast

Apr. 14, 2021
Yadav is an expert in securities regulation. In an in-depth discussion with Odd Lots hosts Joe Weisenthal and Tracy Alloway of Bloomberg Business, Yadav argues that recent, seeming inexplicable bouts of volatility in the treasury market can be explained by the inadequate patchwork of regulations governing this market.
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In condemnation of antisemitic violence

We, at Vanderbilt Law School, are deeply shocked and saddened by the recent wave of antisemitic hatred sweeping across our nation. We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and express our sincerest sympathies for the victims of this disgusting and senseless violence. As this year of tumult continues, we must confront yet again the horrifying specter of hate, brutalization, intimidation, and pain within our minority communities – and we must, yet again, condemn it in the strongest possible terms. At Vanderbilt Law School, we will absolutely not tolerate any form of aggression, incivility, discrimination or bigotry – and we will stand together to ensure that our Jewish students, staff and faculty feel fully supported and protected. Such despicable acts only serve to reaffirm our commitment to one another and to our mission as a center of learning devoted to realizing rule of law and the cause of social justice.

We would urge all members of our community to remain vigilant and to take the time to look out for themselves and others. Please immediately report any threat or instance of antisemitism, hatred, discrimination, or aggression to the law school administration. Those worried about risk to their safety should call 911 immediately (if outside campus), or Vanderbilt Police on (615) 421-1911 if within the campus grounds.