Alumni

Vanderbilt Law School has enjoyed a strong tradition of annual support, thanks in large part to the alumni who not only support the school financially, but also volunteer their valuable time encouraging others to give back through our various alumni volunteer programs. In fact, each year over 200 alumni serve as Class Agents, Reunion Chairs, Firm Giving Representatives and members of the school's Board of Advisors.

The law school encourages all alumni and friends to contribute to the Annual Fund each fiscal year to ensure a dependable and ongoing source of support to provide for the law school's annual operating budget and other important needs, including but not limited to:

• Student scholarship support
• Faculty retention and recruitment
• Student organizations, activities and journals
• Building maintenance and enhancements
• Computing and library resources for students, faculty and staff

The most important benefit of giving to the Annual Fund is the knowledge that your gift helps maintain the quality of a Vanderbilt Law School education. Your support is a vehicle through which you can enhance your connection to the law school while also strengthening its visibility and prestige worldwide.

Depending on the level at which you choose to participate, you may qualify for membership in the law school's annual leadership donor society, the Founders Circle. Each spring, the Law School celebrates the generosity of its Founders Circle members at an annual dinner in Nashville hosted by Dean Chris Guthrie. Founders Circle members are also invited to private regional events with the dean. 

Financial aid is often the single deciding factor in whether a student chooses Vanderbilt Law School over another institution. Among the nation's top 20 law schools, Vanderbilt ranks 15th in the amount of scholarship money it offers per student. While 85% of law school students receive financial aid from Vanderbilt, much of that aid comes in the form of loans to be repaid after graduation. The law school needs additional scholarships to continue to attract talented students to Vanderbilt and ensure that graduates are free to pursue meaningful work in the private or public sector. 

To learn more about scholarships, click here.

The Vanderbilt law faculty's outstanding scholarship commands attention nationally and internationally. Yet, on any given day, the vast majority of the law school's faculty can be found in their offices and classrooms, available to students and energetically involved in the life of the school. To retain such exceptional professors and to attract talented new faculty, the ability to offer endowed chair places the law school at a decided advantage. The recognition and honor an endowed chair confers upon the faculty member holding it are vital incentives in a dynamic market where the best faculty are in great demand. 

At times, the law school embarks on a special project that requires the financial support of our alumni and friends. In addition, the law school maintains many special funds to meet specific needs. Restricted gifts help support endeavors such as faculty research, term scholarships, the moot court program, public interest stipends and the legal clinic. You are always welcome to designate your contribution as you choose. If you would like to restrict your gift, please include a note to that effect when making the donation. 

Many areas of the law school building are still available for naming. By naming a room or other area, you can assure that your legacy, or that of a loved one, will live on for years to come. Naming opportunities exist for a wide variety of giving levels. 

Charitable gifts from alumni and friends provide critical support for our students, faculty members and programs. The Founders Circle recognizes financial support of Vanderbilt Law School by those who make annual gifts of $2,500 and up. Alumni who received their Vanderbilt Law degrees within the last 10 years are eligible for membership with an annual gift of $1,000.

To learn more about the Founders Circle, click here.

The 3L Class Gift Program provides a way for members of the graduating class to come together and give back to the law school in order to ensure that the students who follow in their footsteps are met with the same excellent educational experience and collegial environment they had. Contributing to the class gift efforts allows 3L students to show their appreciation for their legal education, the experiences they have had, and the memories they have created during their time at Vanderbilt Law School.  Learn More