The University of Chicago Law School kicked off a national alumni welcome tour for its new dean, Adam Chilton, with a lively reception in Chicago on September 30. The event launched a series of “Meet the Dean” gatherings across the country, giving alumni the opportunity to celebrate Chilton’s new role and hear his vision for the Law School’s future.

Held at the Chicago Winery in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, the event also provided alumni with a chance to connect with each other and to chat with Law School faculty and staff over beverages, hors d’oeuvres, and desserts.

Law School Council Chair Lisa Noller, ’95, introduced Chilton, the Howard G. Krane Professor of Law and Walter Mander Research Scholar, who became dean on July 1 after 11 years on the Law School faculty.

“Coming back to the University of Chicago Law School in any capacity reminds us all of why we went here in the first place,” said Noller. “It's so that we can reconnect with our peers and reconnect with our colleagues, learn new stories, and think about what the future holds. And it really is bright for all of us.”

Chilton began his remarks with a quip that the event was occurring on his “favorite day of the year” because it was the day that he would ordinarily teach his first Torts class to 1Ls. He went on to reflect on the values and characteristics that distinguish the Law School from all others.

“Across the board we are the first in student outcomes,” he said. “We have the highest bar-passage rate in the country. We have the highest clerkship rate in the country. We have the highest elite placements, which are clerkships plus law firms. And to me, the core question that any dean should have to answer of this law school is how is that possible? What is it about this place that can create an environment where we outperform in these ways year after year, decade after decade?”

The answer, Chilton said, was in the Law School’s unique culture of engagement and enduring commitment to its mission and values, including free speech and academic freedom.

“Five of the six University of Chicago [free expression] reports, including the Chicago Principles, were written by members of our faculty, and a few of the authors who wrote those reports over different moments in our history are here tonight,” he said. “When we adopted many of those principles, it was the politically hard thing to do. But we always came back to the question of, what would be best for research and what would be best for teaching?”

Chilton next laid out the challenges facing law schools, the legal profession, and higher education in general, and how the Law School is well-positioned, thanks to its long-standing commitments, to face those challenges. He described the many ways in which the Law School is working to impart its values onto students. He also emphasized how vital the alumni community is—and has been throughout the Law School’s history—to ensuring the success of the next generation of UChicago Law lawyers.

“We have always had to find ways to work with the last generation to bring forward the next generation, and that continues to be true.” said Chilton. “So, thank you for being here and for engaging in our online content and other events; that's important in part so we can all connect and build this sort of thick intergenerational network of people who share similar values.”

Meet Dean Chilton at an Upcoming Event

Several “Meet the Dean” events have been scheduled for this fall. At each stop, a Law School faculty member will join Chilton in conversation on a timely topic. Alumni are welcome to join us for a lively discussion and opportunity to meet and greet Dean Chilton.

• Washington, DC — October 9. In conversation with William Baude, the Harry Kalven, Jr. Professor of Law, on the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court’s emergency docket.
• New York City — October 28. In conversation with Vincent Buccola, ’08, Professor of Law, on “precedent terms,” a new analytical category of contract terms that explains why sophisticated transactional lawyers negotiate as they do.
• Dallas — November 18. In conversation with Jonathan Masur, the John P. Wilson Professor of Law, discussing "the transformation in administrative law."
• Houston — November 19. Same speaker and topic as the Dallas event.

Additional cities, including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and others, will be announced soon and posted on our website.

More Photos from the Chicago Kick-Off

Related:

Adam Chilton Appointed Dean of the University of Chicago Law School

Preserving Our Culture and Adapting to Change: A Conversation with New Dean Adam Chilton