Reaching new heights

Richard Conviser — distinguished legal educator and founder of BARBRI, the nation’s largest bar review company — has made a gift of $2 million to Emory Law specifically to enhance academic excellence initiatives. These funds support programming and staffing precisely in the legal skills and bar readiness areas. Dean Rich Freer says, “We are so very grateful for Richard’s investment in Emory Law. His gift makes it possible to accelerate the academic excellence initiatives we started last year.” 

The faculty and staff are “all in” in creating and providing durable curricular change and intervention strategies to enhance our student experience and outcomes, Freer adds.  

Associate Dean for Academic Excellence Kamina Pinder said, "Thanks to the generosity of the Conviser gift, we have made great strides in the categories of  academic support and curricular development." To date, the gift has helped expand the Program of Academic Excellence, comprising Pinder, her program director, and three experienced academic advisors. 

Conviser has a long relationship with Emory Law, dating to the 1980s when David Epstein served as dean, and including appointment as a Dean’s Professor.  

“I’ve been so close to Emory for decades. It’s right up there with Chicago roots in terms of legal education,” Conviser quipped. “Law schools have gotten much more diverse in terms of what they’re doing … it is teaching torts and contracts and real property, but it’s so much more. These endeavors are great for the institution.” 

Including the gift from Conviser, gifts to Emory Law’s Excellence Fund, gifts to scholarship endowments, and gifts to programs, clinics and centers at Emory Law, the total giving to student flourishing efforts since Dean Freer took office last year has reached over $6 million and counting, a significant milestone to note that doesn't include funds donated for professorships, centers, and other strategic purposes, bringing his fundraising to well over $20 million.

Freer says, “I hope people see this as teamwork — I’m so proud to be a member of the team of faculty who educate, mentor, guide, and prepare these wonderful professionals — these Emory Lawyers.” 

A challenge to give

Four graduates from the Class of 1986 have been leading an effort that will establish The Richard Freer Endowed Scholarship to honor Dean Richard D. Freer’s enduring commitment to student flourishing.

Meet Chuck Palmer 86L, partner with Troutman Pepper Locke; Mark Wasserman 86L, CEO emeritus with Eversheds Sutherland; Paul Murphy 86L, retired partner with King & Spalding; and DeWitt Rogers 86L, retired partner with Troutman Pepper Locke. This group of alumni has inspired a momentum campaign that has already garnered the pledged support of Brad Ginsberg 86L, Sam Kaywood 86L, and Mike McConnell 86L. Collectively, the group has committed $110,000 to support the scholarship. 

Thanks to the generosity of almost 40 donors, this campaign has been an outstanding success. Commitments now total over $200,000.00 and continue to come in. To support this scholarship, please visit https://giving.emory.edu/products/richard-d-freer-scholarship-endowment, or contact the Emory Law Advancement staff at lawalumni@emory.edu. Gifts are tax-deductible and will directly benefit students during the 2025–2026 academic year and beyond.