Giorgio Chioin studied law at the prestigious University of Padua, the world’s fifth-oldest surviving university. During his fourth year of studies, he won a competitive position and a scholarship to participate in an exchange program between the University of Padua and Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NC. He thrived in the rigorous academic environment and immersed himself in U.S. legal culture, which solidified his decision to return to the United States for a Master of Laws (LL.M.) program.

“I had such a great time in the U.S. on a personal and professional level that I wanted to try to come back later to get an actual diploma,” he said.

After graduating from Padua, Giorgio never wasted a moment. From day one, he worked relentlessly in the energy and environmental law sector as a legal consultant for an Italian startup. He gained hands-on experience in regulatory compliance, corporate structuring, and energy transition strategies, helping companies navigate the uncertainty of emerging sustainability regulations.

“The legal landscape in energy and ESG is changing at a breakneck pace,” Giorgio said. “New policies and compliance frameworks emerge constantly. It’s a challenge, but I thrive on challenges. Every obstacle is an opportunity to learn, strategize, and create innovative solutions. That’s what makes this work exciting.”

His professional drive and dedication eventually led him to Vanderbilt, though the school wasn’t initially on his radar. That changed when he attended an online webinar hosted by the Environmental Law Institute, which featured professors and students from Vanderbilt Law School.

Giorgio was especially drawn to the Energy, Environment & Land Use Program, which aligned perfectly with his professional background and future goals. To learn more about the program, he attended a Vanderbilt LL.M. web fair and had a “great conversation” with Cynthia Coleman, the Director of LL.M. Admissions.

She put him in touch with some LL.M. alumni, and those connections convinced him to apply to the LL.M. program at Vanderbilt. Even though Giorgio had visited the U.S. before, he had never been to Nashville or even Tennessee before moving in August to start the one-year master’s program.

So far, Giorgio’s favorite classes have included Environmental Law with Professor Michael Vandenbergh, Energy Law with Professor Jim Rossi, and the Crypto Governance Seminar with Professor Yesha Yadav.

“Professor Vandenbergh is one of the most insightful minds in environmental law today, and Professor Rossi brings an unmatched depth of expertise in energy regulation. Their classes challenge you to think critically and push beyond conventional legal frameworks,” Giorgio said. “And Professor Yadav, she’s simply outstanding. A global authority in financial regulation and digital assets, she has advised policymakers, shaped financial markets, and continues to be at the forefront of legal innovation. Her class is intellectually demanding, but that’s what makes it so valuable.”

Giorgio is also a participant in the Environmental Law Policy Annual Review (ELPAR) class, which produces a joint publication between Vanderbilt Law School and the Environmental Law Institute (ELI).

In addition to getting to know his professors, Giorgio says he has enjoyed forging relationships with fellow LL.M. students as well as J.D. students. “I made quite a lot of good, deep friendships, both with international students and J.D.s, and I have good relationships with some of the faculty members,” he said. “I feel like the size helped, you know, with Vanderbilt Law being a smaller school.”

Looking ahead to the future, Giorgio plans to sit for the New York Bar Exam, which is one of the few bar exams in the U.S. that allows international students to qualify immediately after finishing their academic program. He is actively seeking career opportunities in energy, environmental, and ESG-focused legal sectors, as well as corporate law roles tied to these industries, particularly in the U.S. financial and regulatory hubs.

“I didn’t come to the LL.M. just to study. I came to position myself for high-impact opportunities in the legal world,” he said. “With Europe’s regulatory landscape shifting rapidly and the U.S. playing a key role in global ESG and corporate sustainability, I want to be at the intersection of these changes, helping companies and institutions navigate the legal complexities ahead.”

Giorgio recommends the Vanderbilt LL.M. program to prospective international students, particularly those interested in environmental and energy law. “Even if you’re going back to your native country, Vanderbilt is a top-ranked institution with a strong reputation,” he pointed out. “It’s known as the ‘Ivy of the South,’ and I can definitely feel that as I’m studying here.”