Rising to the top in a decade’s time
Over a decade ago, Belmont University's College of Law welcomed an ambitious group of individuals to become pioneers as its inaugural class. Dozens of alumni returned to campus to celebrate their 10-year reunion, Sept. 6-7, marking a significant milestone for both the alumni and the institution.
A Legacy of Success
When Belmont College of Law opened its doors, it was the first new law school in Nashville in nearly a century. Since then, Belmont Law has quickly established itself as a reputable name within the legal community.
Jeffrey Kinsler founding dean and current professor of law, expressed his excitement over the College’s accelerated ascent. "We've been much more successful than I would have anticipated," Kinsler remarked. "We're ranked in the top half of law schools now. To do that in just a little over a decade is remarkable."
The success of its inaugural graduates stands as a testament to Belmont Law’s commitment to excellence.
The reunion showcased the diverse career paths of Belmont Law's first graduates who serve in various legal capacities locally and nation-wide.
Alumni reconnected over two days and reminisced on their law school experience, praising their expert faculty, highlighting the College’s impact and honoring the program that equipped them for success in their field.
“I feel like when we started, there was just an energy to our class that has stayed,” alumna Katie Blankenship said. “It felt special because we were the beginning – the trailblazers.”
Blankenship, who practices First Amendment rights law in Miami, credits Belmont for igniting her passion in her profession. She highlighted the College’s emphasis on practical experience through clinics and partnerships with local organizations.
"I see a direct line from what I was interested in during law school to what I'm currently doing," she said. "Belmont is where I learned that I was passionate about immigrants' rights."
Alumnus Nathaniel Alexander is a criminal defense attorney in Hermitage, Tennessee. A highlight of Alexander’s experience were the faculty members who made a lasting impression, namely founding Dean Kinsler and founding Professor Jeffery Usman.
“I don't understand how he did it, but Kinsler could take any subject and break it down into a series of PowerPoint slides that were comprehensible,” he said. “That's not necessarily the most exciting skill, but it was incredibly useful to understand topics that are already hard enough to get a handle on like rule against perpetuities.”
Usman now serves as a Tennessee appellate court judge. Alexander recalled that “there was just something about the way Professor Usman taught that kind of spoke to me. I literally took every class I could get my hands on from the two of them.”
With a current student body of over 360 and a growing list of distinguished alumni serving as judges, partners, advocates, mentors and changemakers, the future is bright.
The reunion weekend served not only as a celebration of past achievements but also as a testament to the enduring spirit of the Belmont Law community.
Reunion weekend festivities included a law faculty reception hosted in the Randall and Sadie Baskin Center, an alumni dinner and after party and a time for alumni and their families to enjoy an afternoon of playing games on the main lawn outside of the Baskin Center.
The event was made possible by the sponsorship of strategic consulting firms BHA Strategy and Lawyers on Demand and dedicated efforts spearheaded by two local alumnae, Molly Shehan and Shellie Handelsman.
As the College of Law looks ahead to its next decade, it stands poised to continue its path of success, guided by the pioneering spirit of its inaugural graduating class and a commitment to excellence that has become its hallmark.
Read more success stories from Belmont Law