Law Center News
Southern University Law Center launches new lawyer leaders at Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony
On May 20, over 200 students received their Juris Doctorate during Southern University Law Center’s (SULC) Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony was held at the F. G. Clark Activity Center on the campus of Southern University Baton Rouge. Honorable Dana M. Douglas, Fifth Circuit Court Judge of the United States Court of Appeals, served as the commencement speaker.
Chancellor John Pierre opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to guests, family, and friends. He expressed how proud he is of this group of students because they succeeded despite beginning law school at the height of a nationwide pandemic. Pierre gave the new Law Center alumni words of encouragement and well wishes.
Judge Douglas spoke about being resilient and pivoting through a disaster.
“Law schools like Southern in particular, give you more than research, writing, and critical thinking skills,” said Douglas. “There are many intangibles that you have gained during your tenure at Southern University Law Center that will help you push through unexpected trials.”
Douglas reflected on her career trajectory and went on to describe how her career froze during the inevitable tragedies of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and Covid 19. She added, “You will not know how prepared you are to face the practice of law until you have to rely solely on the foundation that this university has given to you.”
Before taking the bench, Judge Douglas practiced in the areas of energy, product liability, and intellectual property litigation in the state and federal courts of Louisiana. She currently sits on the boards of the Thomas More American Inns of Court and Federal Bar Association. Douglas is a past president of both the New Orleans Bar Association and the Greater New Orleans Louis A. Martinet Society. In addition, she is also a charter and founding member of the Louisiana Chapter of the Women’s Energy Network.
Douglas poured positive affirmations into the graduates. She reminded them that they are capable of anything.
She ended her profound address with “You are indeed ready for it all. Better people. Better lawyers.”
The ceremony was live-streamed and recorded on the Law Center's YouTube channel. You can watch the commencement ceremony here: https://bit.ly/sulccommencement.
View photos here.
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