University of Houston Law Center Dean Leonard M. Bayes welcomes students at the Top 30% reception, an annual event that celebrates early academic achievement in law school.
Ryan Dailey, a 2L who ranked No. 1 in his class of 285, delivers the keynote address, encouraging peers to take initiative and build connections.
March 4, 2026 - The University of Houston Law Center recognized more than 75 first-year students who finished in the top 30% of their class during a special reception held in late February.
UH Law Dean Leonard M. Baynes, in welcoming the guests to the reception, said the Top 30% reception was created more than a decade ago when he first became dean to recognize students’ accomplishments early in their law school journey.
“So many times in law school, people don't get a pat on the back,” Baynes said. “You don't hear someone say, ‘You're doing very well.’ Being in the top 30% is a big, very big, deal.”
Baynes noted the achievement is especially meaningful for many UH Law students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education or attend law school.
“Many times, students don't know what career paths to take,” he said. “Eighty percent of you are first-generation law school students, and 25% are first-generation college students. That means you often do not have lawyers in your family or circle of influence. I'm a first-generation college student too and the world is your oyster.”
Second-year student Ryan Dailey, ranked No. 1 in a class of 285, delivered the keynote address. Dailey, editor in chief of the Houston Law Review who will split his summer serving as a summer associate at Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing (AZA) PLLC and Vinson & Elkins LLP, encouraged students to take initiative and make connections early.
“The way I got my job was by going to a Career Development Office panel and speaking for about five minutes with an associate from AZA who was on the panel,” Dailey said. “I followed up by email when I applied, and the next day I had a screener interview. Sometimes it’s the simple things - being authentic and honest about your ambitions when you meet attorneys and employers.”
Dailey also encouraged students to build strong relationships with their classmates.
“All the people in this room are future opposing counsel. They’ll be on the other side of deals,” he said. “But for the next two and a half years, they’re also your teammates here at the Law Center.”
Other students also shared advice for academic success. First-year student Timothy Rizzo encouraged classmates to stay engaged with the material.
“Be passionate about the material, even if it doesn’t come naturally at first,” Rizzo said. “Find a way to connect with it. It makes studying more bearable and helps you stay motivated.”
Fellow 1L Alexandra Hickok emphasized the importance of building community.
“You need to find your people,” Hickok said. “I like to study alone a lot, but I wouldn’t have survived the first semester without the people I met here.”
Baynes closed the event by encouraging students to take advantage of the networking opportunities the reception provided.
“This is a unique opportunity to say hello,” he said. “People may remember you, and that can make a real difference in your future. That’s how you make your mark.”
