Page 7 - Briefcase - University of Houston Law Center

UH LAW CENTER 2021 J.D. AND LL.M. GRADUATES PRAISED

FOR THEIR RESOLVE AMID UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES

he University of Houston
TLaw Center Class of 2021
was celebrated for overcoming
societal obstacles while in the
pursuit of a legal career during
a socially distanced, in-person
convocation ceremony held in
May at TDECU stadium. The
ceremony was also livestreamed
to a crowd of approximately 500
people. Among the graduates
were 218 J.D. recipients and 54
LL.M.s, with some receiving
both degrees.
“Graduates, you are making
history as the class who has
shown its resilience in rising to
the challenges of our day,” said
Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “Over
the course of the past 15 months
during the pursuit of a legal
education, you have exhibited the
qualities necessary for success:
tenacity, intellectual rigor, and
focus. Yet relying on our intellect Dean Leonard M. Baynes emphasized the “power of a legal education” and encouraged the Class of
alone is not enough. Our times 2021 to “become ethical and effective advocates” for clients during the University of Houston Law
call for kindness, compassion Center’s Commencement Ceremony on Sunday at TDECU Stadium.
and understanding.
“In a country and state with so many people of so many backgrounds, The LL.M. class speaker was Brett Dyer Salazar, who commended
his classmates for being a tight-knit group amidst a virtual
it is important for us to think about each other before we act. Lawyers learning experience.
lead and have been at the forefront of civil rights, women’s rights,
marriage equality, immigration reform, tort reform, tax reform and “Despite the pandemic context, I feel like we became a family - a
deregulation. Ultimately as lawyers, you will seek justice for your great, diverse family with traditions from Pakistan, Venezuela,
client whoever he, she, or they may be.” Peru, Brazil, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Jordan, Colombia and other
The Hon. Alvaro De la Cruz Jr., a student regent and 2021 graduate countries,” Salazar said.
of the University of Houston-Victoria, encouraged graduates to take Graduates selected Professor Meredith J. Duncan, the George Butler
pride in their journey and the education they received. Research Professor of Law, as the faculty speaker. She encouraged to
As a sign of the times in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, always be mindful of why they chose to attend law school
additional speakers delivered their speeches through the Law Center’s “You didn’t just survive law school, you thrived through law school,”
first-ever video wall. Duncan said. “I have great hope in our legal profession because in
Chelsea Klumpp, the speaker for the J.D. class, applauded the large you’re joining us.
effort it took for members of the Class of 2021 to complete their Graduates were also embraced into the Law Center’s network
legal education. of alumni.
“It goes without saying that this year and this experience has been “Let me welcome you with open arms to joining your Law Alumni
nothing like what we thought it was going to be when we started law Association,” said UH Law Alumni President Victor Wright via video.
school,” Klumpp said. “Our class rose to the occasion.” “We look forward with great excitement and anticipation to you
joining us to taking the Law Center to even greater heights.” ^
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