Vanderbilt University Law School

"If you just go to class and do your homework without actually networking, you don't do anything." That's advice from a Vanderbilt LL.M. alum now practicing internationally.

Three LL.M. grads came back to Vanderbilt to discuss their career paths. Read our recap:

Building a Legal Career with a Vanderbilt LL.M. Degree Vanderbilt Law School’s LL.M. Distinguished Speaker Series Highlights Roberto Cantu-Dessommes, Leopoldo Sarria, and Max Weber

Most people think of natural selection as something from a biology textbook. Professor Owen Jones argues that's a costly misunderstanding.

In his new book, Force of Nature, Professor Jones shows how natural selection is an active force right now, shaping outcomes across industries.

Read more:

Harnessing the Power of Natural Selection for the Greater Good New book by Owen D. Jones explores the untapped potential of natural selection and evolution

Hospitals are changing the anesthesia gases they use during surgery because some options are better for the environment than others.

That's just one example from Zoe Beck's talk at Vanderbilt Law of how one of the country's largest healthcare systems is tackling climate change.

Read our recap of her visit:

Leading Sustainability in Practice: Corporate Responses to Climate Change HCA Healthcare’s Zoe Beck discussed sustainability, patient care environments, and long-term resilience planning.

Your home insurance premiums have skyrocketed. Insurers blame climate change.

New research from the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator says the real culprit is $150 billion in overcharges spent on executive jets, stock buybacks, and ads.

Read more:

Property Insurers Are Inflating Premiums for Consumers and Businesses by $150 Billion, New VPA Reports Show A new white paper and academic article released by the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator show that insurers are inflating prices for consumers and businesses far beyond what is necessary.

Congratulations to Taylor-Marie Foster LL.M.'26 on winning the 2026 LL.M. Research Prize!

Taylor-Marie's winning paper looks at biodiversity credits, a tool that works similarly to carbon offsets but focuses on protecting ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

She spent her year at Vanderbilt researching practical legal solutions for a more sustainable planet, including pro bono work with the Harpeth Conservancy.

Read more:

Taylor-Marie Foster LLM’26 Wins the 2026 LL.M. Research Prize for Paper on Biodiversity Credits Foster's paper on Biodiversity Credits wins annual prize awarded to the LL.M. student with the best research and writing project.

Do you have questions about Vanderbilt’s online MLS? Join our live webinar with Faculty Director Garrick Pursley and Assistant Dean for Legal Studies Kelly Bahiraei to have them answered! Explore the admissions process, online learning experience, and program highlights to determine if our program is the right fit for your goals. Register today https://bit.ly/4vztQNZ

Jeffrey Bellin's “Faithless Prosecution,” to be featured in an upcoming edition of the George Washington Law Review, argues that the judiciary can address politicization of the DOJ by recognizing a new doctrine grounded in Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution.

Read more:

How to Counter the Politicization of Federal Prosecution Bellin argues that the judiciary can address the problem of politicized federal prosecution by recognizing a new doctrine in the Constitution.

Professor Owen Jones just had his latest book named a Must Read by Next Big Idea Club, one of the highest distinctions the club gives.

His big idea: natural selection isn't history. It's running right now, shaping how bacteria evolve, how doctors miscalculate risk, and how your brain makes decisions.

Read his 5 ideas and watch the video:

The Deep Logic Running Your Brain, Your Body, and the Modern World How evolution explains your blind spots, your bad decisions, and your next big breakthrough.

The Delaware Court of Chancery once had to decide who gets custody of a golden doodle after an unmarried couple broke up. The judge's solution: a sealed-bid auction between the two parties.

That court also shapes most of American corporate law.

In a recent visit to Vanderbilt Law, Vice Chancellor Bonnie David talked about what that court does, how it works, and why a clerkship there can change your career.

Read our recap:

Vice Chancellor Bonnie David on Delaware Chancery, Judicial Philosophy, and Career Paths in Corporate Law Vice Chancellor Bonnie David discusses the Delaware Chancery Court, Judicial Philosophy, and navigating career paths in Corporate Law