After nearly four decades of shaping the minds of future advocates and defending the integrity of the press, Professor Lili Levi is officially retiring from the University of Miami School of Law. A formal retirement celebration is scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, honoring her storied career alongside several esteemed colleagues.
Levi joined the School of Law faculty in 1987, bringing with her a formidable background in litigation and corporate counsel. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Harvard Law School, she began her legal career at the firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison before serving as Broadcast Counsel for CBS, Inc.
This blend of high-stakes practice and academic rigor defined her tenure at the University of Miami. Over the years, she became a cornerstone of the faculty, teaching essential courses such as Business Associations, Copyright Law, Media Law, and International Copyright Law.
Between 2019 and 2021, she further served the institution as the school's inaugural Vice Dean for Intellectual Life, a role designed to foster a vibrant scholarly environment within the law school community.
A Guardian of the Free Press
Levi is widely regarded as a leading voice in media and press law. Her scholarship—comprising over 30 published articles—has evolved alongside the digital age. While her early work focused on FCC regulation, her more recent research has tackled some of the most pressing crises of our time, including the spread of "fake news" and the importance of media literacy; the impact of Non-Disclosure Agreements on watchdog journalism; and violence and litigation threats against the press.
A Life Member of the American Law Institute, Levi’s influence extends far beyond the classroom. Her work has consistently explored how the law can protect accountability journalism in an era of increasing volatility.
While she may be leaving the classroom, Levi’s contributions to the legal understanding of the First Amendment and the media will continue to guide scholars and practitioners for years to come.
