Orientation 2025: Aug. 16 - Aug 21
Welcome to Vanderbilt Law School!
Student Orientation Week (August 16 - 21) marks the start of your legal education at Vanderbilt. Your first law class, Life of the Law, will introduce you to some foundational concepts that you will encounter throughout your legal education (and beyond).
We aspire to ease you into law school this week, but we want to be clear from the outset that we have very high expectations of you both inside and outside the classroom. As lawyers, you will be charged with upholding the rule of law and safeguarding our adversarial system of justice. To carry out this important responsibility, you need to commit as law students to embrace arguments with an open mind; to listen, discuss, and debate in a civil and respectful manner; and to give one another the benefit of the doubt as you discuss and debate some of society’s most vexing and contested issues.
We want each of you to flourish while you are here (and after you leave)! Take good care of yourselves and one another.
Sincere regards,
Chris Guthrie
Dean and John Wade-Kent Syverud Professor of Law
Orientation Schedule
Orientation schedule will be posted in Spring 2025. Schedules subject to change, please check back prior to beginning of Orientation.
Life of the Law:
J.D. students will need to know their Co-Counsel Circuit number to follow individualized schedules. All students will be notified of Circuit numbers by early August.
Required Reading: Plain English for Lawyers (7th Edition).
Headshots
Students are required to sign up for a time slot as part of your Life of the Law participation. Please note your scheduled time on your calendar and arrive on time. Dress is professional. You’re welcome to change for the photo. Day use lockers are available. Please bring a lock if you plan to use one.
Registration for a timeslot will open in Spring 2025.
ONEelevate Leadership Program
Application for 2025 - 2026 cohort will open in Spring 2025. Students will receive an email with the application link.
ONEelevate is a highly selective leadership training program for Vanderbilt 1L’s. Students will be selected based on demonstrated leadership potential as well as lived experience overcoming adversity (i.e. underrepresented law student, first generation to attend college, or other significant life challenges).