“I hope you will become more than just a law graduate. More than just a lawyer. I hope you will become the kind of lawyer who inspires, who educates, who is compassionate, and who understands that justice requires more of us.”

That message from keynote speaker Bryan Stevenson echoed throughout UConn Law’s 103rd Commencement ceremony as approximately 234 graduates, surrounded by an ecstatic crowd of family and friends, celebrated the conferral of their degrees on Sunday, May 17. (Watch the ceremony online.) Stevenson, Aronson Family Professor of Criminal Justice at the New York University School of Law and founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, also received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

A widely acclaimed public interest lawyer, Stevenson encouraged graduates to think deeply about how they will use their legal education and the kind of professionals they aspire to be. Drawing on his decades of legal advocacy, he emphasized that professional identity must be rooted in character, integrity, and care for others. He noted that meaningful legal work requires listening, empathy, and human connection.

“No matter what kind of lawyer you become, find ways to get close to people who are poor, marginalized, and excluded,” he advised. “Because it’s in proximity to injustice that we become capable of doing justice.”

Stevenson also challenged graduates to confront narratives rooted in fear and inequality and to remain hopeful in the face of difficulty.

“Hopelessness is the enemy of justice,” he said. “Hope is your superpower. It will help you stand up when others tell you to sit down and speak when others tell you to stay quiet.”

A Class Defined by Service and Impact

Themes of hope and purpose were also reflected in Dean Eboni S. Nelson’s remarks, which highlighted the promise of the Class of 2026.

“I recently heard someone say, ‘Hope is what fuels changemakers,’ and I immediately thought of all of you,” Dean Nelson told the graduates. “That’s exactly who each of you are. With the knowledge and skills that you have acquired here at UConn Law, coupled with your steadfast dedication to the pursuit of justice for all, you are well-prepared to address the most difficult and complex problems of our time and to bring about positive changes in our communities, country, and world.”

The Class of 2026 features 160 graduates with juris doctor (JD) degrees and 74 with master of laws (LLM) degrees. Five graduates earned dual degrees – a JD and a graduate degree from another UConn school or college. Nelson reflected on all of their accomplishments, emphasizing that they have already translated their education into meaningful impact—advocating for children, asylum seekers, survivors of violence, entrepreneurs, and others.

“Through your work, you have advanced the interests of justice and expanded opportunity for others,” she said.

A more complete photo gallery is available at law.uconn.edu/gradphoto26. Photos will be added throughout the month.

Reflecting on the Journey and Community

Student speakers built on these themes while offering distinct perspectives shaped by their experiences at UConn Law.

Saba Elizabarashvili ’26 LLM highlighted the global nature of the UConn Law community, noting that classmates came from around the world and built lasting connections across cultures. He emphasized that a legal education brings both opportunity and responsibility.

“As lawyers, we gain the power to help people and the responsibility to do so,” he said. “We gain the power to change lives, and the responsibility to make that change a positive one.”

Speaking on behalf of the evening division, Haley Ruth Anderson ’26 highlighted the determination required to balance law school with work and personal commitments, encouraging graduates to embrace both their individuality and the community that supported them along the way.

“You are the architect of your own future,” she said. “And no matter where life takes you, we are a community, and we are here for one another.”

Sayad Khan ’26, representing the day division, encouraged graduates to pause and take in the moment, reflecting on the growth and experiences that shaped their journey.

“Even in a world filled with uncertainty, we step into it well prepared to make the differences we want to make and the differences that need to be made,” he said.

The Class of 2026 includes graduates from across the United States and countries around the world, including Chile, Germany, Ghana, and Poland, reflecting a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. As they move forward, they carry with them not only the knowledge and skills gained at UConn Law, but also a shared commitment to expanding opportunity and advancing justice, along with the relationships and sense of purpose shaped during their time on campus.