What role do we play in addressing the issues of the day?

From its earliest days, Emory Law has been an institution that challenges the status quo. At a time when other institutions had not yet embraced the value of varied voices contributing to our collective discourse, Emory Law did.

Of our institution’s moves toward inclusion, diversity, justice, and deeper learning, we can be quite proud. We reflect upon our history during this academic year, as we celebrate
100 years of being trailblazers. One hundred years of recognizing opportunities to be better and capitalizing on them. One hundred years of advancing the rule of law.

While celebrating our storied history, we begin a pivot toward the future - a future in which an institution of relevance and impact might consider the role it will play in addressing the most pressing challenges of this time and the years to come. As part of a great research university, Emory Law helps to build knowledge-based communities that create solutions to the problems we face. Building on its signature strengths, Emory Law is well positioned for leadership on critical issues, including fostering polices that ensure high-quality and affordable health care; stimulating economic development through innovation; protecting civil and human rights; and promoting global security.

The political polarization, global strife, and rapid technological change that mark our current era underscore the truth that the rule of law has never been more important. As we look forward to our next century, Emory Law will continue to prepare generations of lawyers who are dedicated to forging a better society and to upholding the highest standards of our honorable profession.

We reflect upon our past, we honor our present, and we charge each of you reading this to engage in the Emory Law community of the future. We seek your assistance as we develop the ideas to solve the most pressing problems of today and tomorrow. You help us to ensure that the vision for our promising future becomes a reality.

You are Emory, our past, our present, our future. I hope that as you read through this issue of Emory Lawyer, you will think fondly on your time here, as a student, a faculty or staff member, a visitor, or a parent, and you will consider how you might engage even more deeply.