Meet the Class: Alec Greven, ’26
Free Speech Advocate Lands at His ‘Dream School’
With a longtime interest in free speech issues, Alec Greven, ’26, calls the University of Chicago his “dream school.” As an undergraduate at the University of Richmond, he wrote a resolution urging his school to adopt the Chicago Principles, which it ultimately did. He went on to serve as research fellow at the Institute for Free Speech, and is currently writing a law review article of the First Amendment assembly rights. Hailing from Castle Rock, Colorado, Graven has a master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford, as well as bachelors’ degrees in Leadership Studies and in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law from the University of Richmond.
Please describe your background and professional path.
When I was 12, I joined Castle Rock Teen Court, an early intervention restorative justice program for first time juvenile offenders. I eventually became the assistant director of the program, and the experience first got me interested in law school. After college and graduate school, I worked as a research fellow at the Institute for Free Speech on First Amendment issues. These experiences helped shape my interest working at the intersection of law and public policy.
Can you expand on your interest in free speech?
I first got involved in free speech issues in college where I wrote a resolution for my school to adopt the Chicago Statement to protect student free speech rights. The University of Richmond eventually adopted the Chicago Statement, and I began branching out to political speech issues. At the Institute for Free Speech, my work has covered campaign finance issues, public assembly rights, free expression and digital content moderation. I am currently working on a law review article on the threat time, place, and manner restrictions can pose to First Amendment assembly rights.
What motivates your decision to go to law school?
My work in Teen Court first illustrated to me how the legal system can tangibly improve individual lives. More recently, my work on First Amendment issues has showed me how I can use a law degree to defend individual rights and help preserve constitutional values.
Why did you select the University of Chicago Law School?
The University of Chicago is my dream law school. I have been inspired by the University’s steadfast commitment to free expression and open inquiry. I also believe it has the best faculty in the world and I am very excited to have the chance to study with First Amendment experts like Geoffrey Stone and Genevieve Lakier, who have been inspirations for my First Amendment research.
What do you plan to do with your legal education?
My plan is to focus on constitutional litigation. After I graduate, I hope to do a federal clerkship and then work at a law firm or nonprofit on constitutional law issues, particularly appellate work. I plan on specializing in First Amendment issues, but also would like to branch out into other constitutional areas such as the Fourth Amendment.
What are you looking forward to about being a law student?
I am most looking forward to participating in the clinics at the law school where I will be able to work on real cases and gain practical experience. My hope is to join the Jenner and Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic where I can focus on live constitutional issues and also support writing Supreme Court and federal circuit amicus briefs.
What are some of your hobbies or interests?
I grew up in Colorado and have been skiing since I was four years old (I was strapped in a ski harness in front of my Dad’s legs so I could go down the mountain). I love being outdoors and also enjoy camping, hiking, and mountain biking in the Rocky Mountains.
What is a “fun fact” about you?
When I was 8 years old, I was bored in my writing class and ended up writing a book giving my friends advice on how to talk to girls. The book ended up being an unexpected hit and I was invited to appear on the Ellen Degeneres show. To my complete surprise, I became a New York Times Bestselling author accidentally at nine years old and my book was published in over twenty languages.