Dear Alumni:

The new school year is in full swing and things are hopping! Our revamped Orientation hit a responsive chord with the lLs, who are settling in very well.

They are taking a new course initiated in August, which emphasizes professional expectations and, at the same time, provides training in the skills required to meet those expectations. The course runs through the first year and gives new guidance as students need it – from early focus on reading and briefing cases, notetaking, and time management, to outlining, to exam logistics, to practice exams, to soft skills. Third-year students are taking a new bar-focused course of the type our peers have adopted; we studied peer schools nationwide and have put together an entire bar awareness strategy. 

More broadly, the faculty is undertaking a heavy lift on our entire curriculum – something we have not done in 15 years. We have a committee of AI and Legal Tech scholars focusing on possible initiatives in that space – initiatives that will give Emory Law a unique presence and enhance our core mission of educating and preparing sophisticated lawyers who can thrive anywhere. We are enhancing mentoring opportunities, including outreach to undergraduates at Emory, HBCUs, Agnes Scott, and others.

Our faculty continues to grow and to excel. We added six new colleagues this year, who bring not only scholarly and teaching strength, but add to our rich community. Several recent studies of research productivity and impact show Emory Law’s continuing academic eminence, ranking #18 nationally. 

I have been thrilled to meet with hundreds of you and humbled that everyone seems to ask: “what can I do to help the school?” My first response: by being who you are – consummate, principled, professionals – and doing what you do, you reflect more credit on Emory Law than any media campaign.

And it is stunning how much more you do. Your ideas and suggestions, helping us understand what employers are looking for (substantively and in terms of skills), volunteering to speak with and to mentor students, teaching as adjuncts – the list goes on and on. We need you and you step up. Going forward, I want to talk with you about things the law school can do for you. I look forward to even more robust interaction.

We are a great law school. You are integral to a large team – including the university, faculty, staff, and students. The goal of that team is to make Emory Law better and stronger. Let’s work over these next five years to create the best version of Emory Law there has ever been. We are going to work hard, we are going to have fun, and we are going to get there. 

Soon, you will receive news of major gifts that have been made to the law school since July. We are so very grateful for, and exhilarated by, these stunning investments in our mission.

Richard D. Freer
Dean and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law