UNC School of Law

Winter Commencement
2025-12-14

UNC LAA Virtual Book Club
2026-01-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join UNC School of Law alum Jennifer Puryear ’95 and Professor Leigh Osofsky for a virtual mid-winter book club on Miracle Creek by Angie Kim with fellow alumni.
Jennifer, author of the blog Bacon on the Bookshelf, will lead a spirited conversation about Kim’s literary courtroom thriller.
We encourage you to make Miracle Creek your holiday read, and we look forward to a great discussion on January 9.
Kindly register by January 5 to receive the Zoom link. We hope you will join us and wish you a wonderful holiday season.

By Invitation Only: With Thanks: Sharing Perspectives, Shaping Futures
2026-02-12 18:00 | The Carolina Inn, 211 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, United States
February 12, 2026
6 p.m.
The Carolina Inn | Chapel Hill, N.C.
By invitation only
With Thanks: Sharing Perspectives, Shaping Futures
In recognition of your generous support of UNC School of Law, please join us for this special dinner to celebrate your impact and engage in meaningful dialogue about shaping the future of Carolina Law.
You are also invited to join us for the Festival of Legal Learning the following morning.
Please register by February 6.
A hotel block is reserved for your convenience at the Rizzo Center.

Book online by January 29
Contact: Laura Rabb at laura.rabb@destinationhotels.com

UNC School of Law Festival of Legal Learning 2026
2026-02-13 08:00 - 18:30 | UNC School of Government
This event is sold out. To join the waitlist, please email mann@unc.edu.

Presented by the UNC Law Alumni Association
February 13, 2026 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
UNC School of Government Chapel Hill, N.C.
Register by February 5, 2026 Join UNC School of Law alumni and students for a day of legal education and receive five hours of CLE credit and one hour of ethics, with sessions instructed by members of our community. CLE sessions include:

CLE sessions include:

Updates from Carolina Law’s Supreme Court Program
Elizabeth Fisher ’19, Wiley Rein F. Andrew Hessick, Interim Dean and Judge John J. Parker Distinguished Professor of Law Rick Simpson ’77, Wiley Rein Materials: Handout, Slides

The Front-Line Legal Response to Natural Disasters: Two Mayors’ Perspectives Post-Helene
Rebecca Badgett, Teaching Assistant Professor of Public Law and Government, UNC School of Government Hon. Esther Manheimer ’98, Mayor, Asheville, N.C. Hon. Zeb Smathers ’08, Mayor, Canton, N.C.

Merchant Cash Advances (MCA): Fast Cash, Flexible Terms, and the Law Behind Them
Kara Bruce, Graham Kenan Distinguished Professor of Law Materials: Slides, The Murky Process of Characterizing Merchant Cash Advance Agreements, Revenue-Based Finance in Bankruptcy and Beyond

Jefferson, Adams and Tacitus: Perspectives on the Framers and the Classics
Martin H. Brinkley ’92, Dean Emeritus and William Rand Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Law Materials: Handout, Tacitus’ Annals, Slides

The Changing First Amendment
Mark Storslee, Associate Professor and C. Boyden Gray Distinguished Scholar Materials: Slides

AI Panel

Patricia Brown ’86, Executive Vice President & Chief Legal Officer, SAS Wab Kadaba ’97, Chair, Kilpatrick John Sieman ’07, Patent Counsel, SASMaterials: Slide

Important program information:

Registration Fee: $100.
Five hours of general CLE and one hour of ethics are approved by the North Carolina State Bar.
Carolina Law will file CLE credits in North Carolina and will provide attendance certification for out of state attendees.

Festival Schedule

8-9 a.m.
Check in & Continental Breakfast

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
CLE Sessions (lunch provided)

5-6:30 p.m.
Alumni and Student Reception

Register by February 5, 2026

Thomas A. Kelley: Great Decisions Lecture; Sponsored by the U.S. Foreign Policy Association and the Global Studies department at UNC.
2026-02-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Murphey Hall
Topic: The Future of Human Rights and International Law: As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?
Date: 2/17/26
Time: 7:00- 8:00 pm
Location: Murphey Hall 116
Attendance: Officially enrolled students only

The Music Industry and the Law with Grammy Award Winner Graham Sharp
2026-02-23 | UNC Curtis Media Center
Not only is Graham Sharp a Grammy winning member of the Bluegrass group the Steep Canyon Rangers, but he’s also a Tar Heel alum, born and bred. Discuss the music industry, songwriting, trademark, copyright, AI and all things bluegrass with one of North Carolina’s finest musical talents.
About the speaker: Graham Sharp is a celebrated songwriter, musician, and founding member of the Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers. With a career spanning decades, Sharp has earned praise for his thoughtful storytelling and deep connection to bluegrass traditions. Beyond his work with Steep Canyon Rangers, Sharp’s solo projects showcase his evolution as an artist, blending personal narratives with rich musical landscapes. Originally from Greensboro, NC, Graham has made Asheville his home since graduating from UNC in the spring of 2024.
This is a recorded interview at the UNC Curtis Media Center and is not open to public attendance. The conversation will be available to view on the Institute’s website and LinkedIn following the taping.

Faculty Lunch and Learn with Professor Rick Su
2026-02-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
February 27, 2026, 12-1 p.m. | Virtual
Hosted by the UNC Law Alumni Association, Carolina Law Professor Rick Su presents legal analysis on current immigration topics in the United States during a lunch-time virtual event.
Register by February 24 to receive the Zoom link.

AI Ethics & Responsible Innovation
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 | UNC School of Law
Learn from the most experienced in the business on how to drive innovation ethically and responsibly. Reggie Townsend is the Vice President of the SAS Data Ethics Practice (DEP), where he spearheads a global responsible innovation initiative to develop strategies for implementing data-driven systems that promote human-centric technology practices. Learn why SAS is committed to trustworthy, human‑centric innovation across products, policies and partnerships. Reggie has counseled government leaders worldwide, appeared on major stages and been published in JAMA.
Room TBA
About the Speaker: Reggie Townsend is Vice President of the SAS Data Ethics Practice, leading a global initiative to develop strategies for responsible, human-centric AI and data-driven systems. In 2022, he was appointed by the US Department of Commerce to the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC), which advises the White House on AI-related issues. He also serves on the board of EqualAI, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing harms associated with AI.
An internationally recognized speaker, Reggie has presented at conferences from SXSW to Singapore, and his expertise is regularly sought by journalists worldwide. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from Southern Illinois University and an MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Summer Registration Opens
2026-03-20

ABCs of Banking Law
2026-03-25 08:00 | Chapman and Cutler LLP, Charlotte, NC
Save the Date
UNC School of Law Center for Banking and Finance sponsors the continuing legal education program focused on the basics of banking law for lawyers.

The Banking Institute
2026-03-26 - 2026-03-27 | Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, 201 E Trade St, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
Save the Date
UNC School of Law Center for Banking and Finance sponsors the Banking Institute, a continuing legal education program that focuses on important issues for bankers and their lawyers. The Institute is designed to provide the highest quality CLE on cutting-edge issues related to banking law.

SELA Speaker Event: Joel Lulla
2026-03-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Classroom 5046
UNC Law Alum Joel Lulla will discuss a variety of legal issues related to the current state of college athletics and what the future may hold. Mr. Lulla graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he was a member of the UNC Law Review.

Wade H. Hargrove Media Law and Policy Colloquium
2026-04-06 19:00 - 20:45
The colloquium brings together leaders from law, media, and technology for a dynamic conversation at the intersection of policy and practice. This year’s event features Meta Vice President of Global Public Policy Kevin Martin.

Bolster AI, Brand Security and Protection
2026-04-15 | UNC Curtis Media Center
Meet Bolster AI CEO and UNC alum Rod Schultz. Discuss AI and data privacy issues generally, what’s happening today and what the future holds. Learn how Bolster is one of the few security products in the World offering immediate visibility of counterfeit websites and more importantly, immediate response for takedowns. Continuous, real-time protection for your brand and your customers. Bolster scans the internet for threats and takes them down before they ever reach you.
About the Speaker: Rod Schultz is CEO of Bolster AI, an AI-powered cybersecurity company helping leading brands protect customers from phishing, fraud, and digital impersonation. A UNC undergrad alum, Schultz is a product management professional with deep technical experience spanning networking, consumer devices, video distribution, and SaaS for IoT.
His expertise includes authentication, cryptography, digital rights management, and secure protocol design. Throughout his career, Schultz has worked across consumer and enterprise companies, developing product strategy and go-to-market approaches for complex technical solutions.
This is a recorded interview at the UNC Curtis Media Center and is not open to public attendance. The conversation will be available to view on the Institute’s website and LinkedIn following the taping.

UNC Law Tax Day
2026-04-15 11:45 - 13:00 | Law School Rotunda
Tax Day 2026 Flyer

The Mind of an Entrepreneur
2026-04-23 | UNC Curtis Media Center
Understanding your client is imperative for any successful attorney and/or entrepreneur. Learn from Bernard Bell, the Executive Director of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has spent the majority of his career as both a Corporate Sales and Marketing Executive and an Entrepreneur, and most recently, an Academic. Bernard also serves as a Professor of the Practice in the program, teaching almost 200+ plus students annually in his Shuford Capstone Class.
About the Speaker: Bernard Bell is Executive Director of the Shuford Program in Entrepreneurship at UNC Chapel Hill, where he also serves as Professor of the Practice, teaching over 200 students annually in his Shuford Capstone Class. He is CEO of Urban Media Solutions, a consulting firm advising founders and startups on raising capital, product launch, digital transformation, and e-commerce strategies with a focus on the urban consumer.
Bell’s extensive career includes senior executive positions at Urban One, Tribune Media, HGTV, Discovery Channel, and IBM. Originally from Greensboro, NC, he holds both a BA and MBA from UNC Chapel Hill.
This is a recorded interview at the UNC Curtis Media Center and is not open to public attendance. The conversation will be available to view on the Institute’s website and LinkedIn following the taping.

LAA Book Club with Jennifer Puryear '95 and Professor Bill Marshall
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Professor Bill Marshall discusses “The First Gentleman” by Bill Clinton and James Patterson, sharing his insights from serving as deputy counsel to the president and deputy assistant to the president during the Clinton Administration.
Email Brian Stern at brian.stern@unc.edu to join the LAA book club email list for updates.
Register by April 17

Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering
2026-04-30 | UNC Curtis Media Center
Panel discussion with the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering to discuss entrepreneurship in the age of innovation. Biomedical Engineering (BME) is a fast-growing, interdisciplinary field that integrates engineering, mathematics, medicine, and science to improve human health and quality of life. In the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, students are given access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at both NC State University and UNC-Chapel Hill. This unique relationship offers students a wealth of opportunities for research, group collaboration, coursework, and exposure to experts in medicine and engineering. The mission of the Lampe Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering is to unite engineering and medicine to improve lives. Our department’s three core values are: innovate, collaborate and translate. With more than 50 primary teaching and research faculty members and approximately 600 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, the Joint Department is on track to realize its ambitious vision of becoming a leader in real-world results: faculty productivity, student accomplishment and entrepreneurial success.
No public attendance allowed, discussion will be recorded

Commencement
2026-05-08 12:30
Can’t make it? Commencement will be available via livestream.

Classes Begin; Externship Orientation; Summer Registration Closes
2026-05-11

State of the School Address
2026-05-15 12:00 - 13:00
Carolina Law State of the School Address
Join UNC School of Law leaders for an update on the happenings in the halls of Carolina Law, including our second-consecutive No. 18 best law schools ranking. The virtual event outlines our successes, our future, and the path forward.

DDI Board Boot Camp
2026-05-20 - 2026-05-21 | Rizzo Center, 150 DuBose Home Lane, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517, United States
This program is designed to support aspiring board members who want to learn more about corporate board service. Topics include the job of a director, the skills needed and how to develop them, realistic approaches to advancing your candidacy for a board of directors’ position, and evaluating companies and opportunities. We will form Peer Pods for those interested. Following the program, each Peer Pod will meet with a group leader three times (for an hour) before the end of the year. This is an opportunity to work on skills discussed at the Boot Camp. Enrollment is limited and based upon application.

Aaron Gard with Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce
2026-05-20 | Wilmington, NC
Institute for Innovation Executive Director, Aaron Gard, speaking to the Wilmington Minority Chamber of Commerce about entrepreneurship in the age of innovation. The Chamber is a network of entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders committed to economic growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact across the Cape Fear region.

Memorial Day—no classes
2026-05-25

Faculty Lunch and Learn with Professor John Coyle
2026-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Hosted by the UNC Law Alumni Association, Carolina Law Professor John Coyle, explores how U.S. courts navigate the tangled and often contradictory choice‑of‑law rules in terrorism cases.

Entrepreneurship In The Age of Innovation
2026-06-15 | Kitty Hawk, NC
Institute for Innovation Executive Director, Aaron Gard, speaking to Outer Banks Entrepreneurs about entrepreneurship in the age of innovation. Outer Banks Entrepreneurs is a vibrant hub of women’s empowerment, connection, and success! Based in the scenic Outer Banks of North Carolina, with additional chapters in Elizabeth City, NC, and Chesapeake, Virginia, this is not just an organization – it’s a thriving community of female artists, business professionals, crafters, direct sellers, non-profit organizations, and service providers.

Juneteenth—no classes
2026-06-19

Carolina Law Alumni Reception at the NCBA Annual Meeting
2026-06-25 17:30 - 19:00 | The Westin Charlotte, 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC, 28202
Join Carolina Law for an alumni reception during the North Carolina Bar Association Annual Meeting.

LAA Book Club with Jennifer Puryear ’95, Professor Leigh Osofsky, and Professor Kathleen Thomas
2026-08-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join Jennifer Puryear ’95, Professor Kathleen Thomas, and Leigh Osofsky for a compelling virtual book club conversation exploring The Tragedy of True Crime: Four Guilty Men and The Stories That Define Us by John J. Lennon. Together, they’ll delve into the book’s powerful examination of justice, narrative, and the human stories that shape our understanding of crime and punishment.

SAVE THE DATE: Law Alumni Weekend 2026
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-10
Mark your calendar for Law Alumni Weekend, October 9-10, 2026, a signature celebration of all things Carolina Law.
The weekend kicks off with the Law Alumni Association Awards Dinner, where we honor the very best of Carolina Law. From there, enjoy a full slate of programs designed to connect you with our faculty, students, and fellow alumni.
Details are coming soon, and this is a weekend you won’t want to miss.
If you’re celebrating your 10th, 20th, 30th, or 40th reunion and want to help rally your class, please contact Brian Stern at brian.stern@unc.edu.
Questions?
Brian Stern
Director of Development for Alumni and Community Engagement
(919) 843-5644 | brian.stern@unc.edu
