The Law School recently received a significant gift to advance the study of constitutional law from Debra A. Cafaro, ’82, chairman and chief executive officer of Ventas, a leading S&P 500 company and one of the world’s largest owners of senior housing. She is also a member of the University of Chicago Board of Trustees.

The $1 million gift will support the Law School’s Constitutional Law Institute, an authoritative leader in research and scholarship on longstanding constitutional issues. Established in 2020, the Institute is committed to rigorous analysis and sharing ideas with the general public. It promotes civil discourse and debate of constitutional law topics and intellectual inquiry that is independent of partisan influence. 

The Institute’s faculty director is William Baude, the Harry Kalven Jr. Professor of Law. 

“I have so much respect for Professor Baude and his work to elevate rigorous constitutional scholarship in a free, non-partisan fashion,” said Cafaro. “Decisions of constitutional law have a profound impact on our country and the lives of all Americans. Professor Baude’s commitment to open discussion, inquiry and debate on constitutional topics makes these matters more accessible, and advances the enduring pursuit of a ‘more perfect’ union.” 

“I’m just thrilled by Debra Cafaro’s support and it couldn’t come at a more urgent time,” said Baude. “Debra’s gift will help us share with the nation more of Chicago’s signally rigorous constitutional thinking.”

Cafaro’s support will expand the Institute’s annual Constitutional Law Conference, which brings together leading scholars from across the country to share, discuss and analyze significant topics of constitutional law. It will also fund a new program to enable the Institute to host leading constitutional scholars from other universities each year to enrich debate and promote intellectual exchange, benefitting the Law School, its students and the study of constitutional issues. In recognition of Cafaro’s generosity, visiting scholars will be called Cafaro Visiting Constitutional Law Scholars.

“The Constitutional Law Institute plays a vital role in shaping how scholars, students, and the broader public engage with foundational constitutional questions,” said Dean Adam Chilton. “Debra Cafaro’s support will expand the Institute’s reach and impact, reinforcing the Law School’s leadership in advancing thoughtful, independent constitutional scholarship.”

Cafaro, who is widely recognized for her business success and civic leadership, received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2011 and established the Cafaro Scholars program at the Law School in 2013. Her recent gift brings her total giving to the Law School to over $5 million.