Law schools take a lot of heat for not preparing students for the actual practice of law. They are rightly criticized for ignoring how technology and innovation are changing the profession. This failure is particularly acute when it comes to generative AI. Some law schools have engaged in a lot of handwringing and schemed how to keep students from using Gen AI tools. Others have just put their heads in the sand. But a handful of law schools have been proactive, recognizing how Gen AI may change how lawyers practice and work.
One such school is Vanderbilt University’s Law School. Nestled a short walk from Nashville’s bustling downtown, Vanderbilt’s Law School created its Program of Law and Innovation several years ago. It was the brainchild of Cat Moon and Larry Bridgesmith. The idea was to create a learning space within the law school for innovation and collaboration.
Out of this innovation and collaboration effort grew the Vanderbilt AI Law Lab (VAILL). I was fortunate enough to attend a launch of the initiative last week. The VAILL initiative, spearheaded by Cat Moon and her co-director, Mark Williams, is a bold step into the uncharted future of law with tools like Gen AI. Moon says the launch was the first of many events designed to bring the legal community into the school and the work at VAILL.
In Moon’s view, this community must include technologists, students, lawyers, educators, and designers. These are the people who represent the diversity in thought, experience, and expertise needed to leverage Gen AI and fully prepare students for the future.
The event was a testament to VAILL’s commitment to collaboration. The audience included many in the Nashville tech community (which itself is vibrant) and beyond. The diverse audience highlighted the
