From the Dean—Introducing the Li Lu Law Library

Dear members of the Columbia Law School community,

Reimagining the Law Library has been a long-held aspiration at Columbia Law School. Now, as construction is nearly complete and we prepare to open the doors to our spectacular new space, I am thrilled to announce that distinguished alumnus Li Lu ’96 has pledged $15 million to support the project. In recognition of his extraordinarily generous gift—no individual has made a larger single gift in the Law School’s illustrious history—the new Law Library will bear his name.

Li Lu exemplifies the great integrity, tremendous intellect, and genuine care for others that mark the very best of the Columbia Law School community. Born in China, Li Lu graduated from Columbia University in 1996, when he simultaneously earned a B.A., J.D., and MBA. In 1997, he founded the value-investing firm Himalaya Capital, where he is chairman and continues to manage its principal fund. He is also co-founder and inaugural board chair of The Asian American Foundation, which serves the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the pursuit of belonging and prosperity, free from discrimination, slander, and violence.

Beyond supporting the Law School, Li Lu also is deeply connected to Columbia College, which honored him with its John Jay Award; Columbia Business School, which gave him its Distinguished Leadership in Business Award; and Columbia University, where he served on the Board of Trustees from 2017 to 2024. Among his many awards and accomplishments, Li Lu is the author of two books and an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. And, on a personal note, spending time with and getting to know Li Lu has been a distinct honor. I am inspired by his academic achievements, professional success, and committed work as a philanthropist and an engaged and principled leader.

I am also grateful for the many forward-thinking and dedicated donors who have contributed to the library renovation. I especially would like to recognize those alumni, law firms, and friends who supported the project from its earliest stages. Many of their contributions came in the form of pledges to the Campaign for Columbia Law, which was initiated in 2017 by my esteemed predecessor, Gillian Lester. In appreciation of their participation in this exceptional fundraising effort, the names of our donors will adorn spaces throughout the Li Lu Law Library and will also appear on a special display in the entryway.

The Li Lu Law Library will be a vibrant hub of intellectual activity and interpersonal connection—a signature space for learning, collaborating, and community-building at Columbia Law School. And that space is truly remarkable: the two-story reading room is breathtaking, and the areas for individual study and group engagement are thoughtfully designed and beautifully furnished. With over 600 seats—an increase of 60% from the prerenovation layout—the Li Lu Law Library will be a welcoming place for all students. They will be able to choose from individual carrels, communal workspaces, lounge areas, and group study rooms of various sizes—all with state-of-the-art technology in an open, modern, and inviting setting.

Li Lu’s visionary gift is an unprecedented investment in the student experience and ensures that Columbia Law School remains at the forefront as one of the world’s leading institutions for legal research and training—attracting the most talented students and scholars and providing them with unparalleled resources for success. Please join me in expressing our collective gratitude to Li Lu for his incredible generosity and unwavering commitment to the Law School. I hope you will join us later this fall when we come together to open the new Li Lu Law Library for our community.

Best,

Daniel Abebe
Dean and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law