Elizabeth Workman, Assistant Dean for Career Services at Vanderbilt Law School, has announced her intention to retire at the end of Summer 2025. She has held the position for over 25 years.
“In her nearly three decades of service at the Law School, Elizabeth has led one of the most successful career offices in the country,” said Dean Chris Guthrie. “She has deftly navigated the legal hiring market, always ensuring that our graduates have a pathway to achieve their career goals.”
Workman joined Vanderbilt Law School in 1996 as Director of the Annual Fund. She assumed the role of Assistant Dean for Career Services in 1999. Prior to joining the Law School, she served as Assistant Director of Development for Vanderbilt Divinity School and Director of Development for the John F. Kennedy Institute for Handicapped Children. She began her career as a teacher at Trinity Lutheran School.
As head of the Career Services Office, Workman has developed countless relationships with alumni and other hiring partners, creating programs and initiatives that met employer needs while positioning decades of Vanderbilt Law graduates for success.
“Dean Workman has been passionate for nearly three decades in not just finding jobs, but facilitating the right placement of VLS grads entering the workforce,” said Rita Powers ’90, National Co-Chair Real Estate Litigation and Chicago Co-Managing Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig. “The recruiters feel her equal commitment to them and their organizations. That she has done it all with charm, wit, joy, genuineness, and a true love of Vanderbilt and its unparalleled attributes means she will be sorely missed, and her legacy will endure for decades to come.”
Workman created the “Public Service Pathways” initiative, which generated opportunities for graduates to provide legal services to underserved populations around the country. She spearheaded the launch of interview programs in major markets like New York, D.C., Chicago, and Houston to ensure employers throughout the U.S. have exposure to Vanderbilt Law students. Her law firm hiring programs have continually adjusted to varying timelines around the country. Under her leadership and in response to the move toward virtual interviewing, she created Firm “Mingle” events in 2022 to provide opportunities for 1Ls to connect in person with law firm representatives about summer employment.
“Having led, together with David Gelfand, Milbank’s recruiting at Vanderbilt for over 25 years until my retirement earlier this year, I witnessed firsthand Elizabeth’s extraordinary talents and commitment,” said Jay Grushkin ‘82. “Her impact on Vandy law students and alumni has been profound. I feel fortunate to have worked with Elizabeth over so many years and, more importantly, to have her as a friend.”
The Career Services Office has produced exceptional outcomes under Workman’s leadership, including the best in the Law School’s history in 2024, as measured by compensation, employment percentages, and national scope.
“I cannot adequately express what an honor it has been to work in the Career Services Office at Vanderbilt,” said Workman. “I have received incredible support from Dean Guthrie. I have had the honor of working with fantastic alumni whose loyalty and generosity continually inspire me. I have had the good fortunate of being assisted by committed faculty and colleagues in working together for positive outcomes. And I have loved working with talented, motivated students as they identify and pursue their career goals. To everyone here at Vanderbilt, I am truly, truly grateful.”
Workman will continue in her position through next summer. A search will be launched for her successor soon.
