Brooklyn Law School welcomes new class during convocation ceremony

August 30, 2016 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Hon. Robert A. Katzman, chief judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, spoke to incoming students during the Brooklyn Law School's Convocation Ceremony last week. Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Law School

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Brooklyn Law School recently held its annual Convocation Ceremony, during which 350 students marched from the campus to the federal courthouse where they listened to speeches from Hon. Robert A. Katzmann and others.

“It is now your time to invest in the hard, fascinating, worthy work of earning your law degree,” Brooklyn Law School (BLS) Dean Nick Allard said at the event, which was held on Aug. 22. “It will be your time after graduation to spend wisely and to give incalculable value to your life through service to the profession, to society and to people. Make us as proud of you tomorrow as we are today.”

At the courthouse, the students listened to speeches from Allard; Katzmann, the chief judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; Matthew Swaya, chief ethics and compliance officer for Starbucks and a 1981 alumnus; Susan Herman, centennial professor of law and president of the American Civil Liberties Union; and current student Karla Cabral. Vice Dean and Professor William Araiza served as the master of ceremonies.

“You are joining a law school community that is renowned and consequential — your futures will be bright because you are part of that Brooklyn Law School community,” Katzmann said. “I can speak directly to the excellence of Brooklyn Law School, of its contributions to the administration of justice, of the extraordinary faculty and the quality of students.”

Each of the students also received a copy of Katzmann’s book “Judging Statutes,” which he signed at the reception following the ceremony. The cost of the books was covered by one of the speakers, Swaya, who said that he hopes the book “will become a common frame of reference that the entering students can all share.”

The 350 incoming students are from 25 states as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and five foreign countries. Combined, they are fluent in 35 languages and dialects other than English, and their ages range from 18 to 52. Each of the speakers addressed this group with words of encouragement.

Swaya advised the group to always take the high road. “At a time when our society lacks good behavior, when confidence in our institutions and our political system is lacking and with a critical national election coming up, please ground yourselves in these values,” he said. “Never waver. Don’t be cross. Be steadfast and take the high road. You can be civil and do good, using the law as a positive influence for your own good and for the good of your clients and society.”

Herman encouraged the students to reach beyond what others expect of them. “Don’t let yourself become distracted by what anyone else thinks is the best way to be a lawyer,” she said. “Find your own version of a life in the law that will be meaningful and fulfilling to you, whether it’s working in mergers and acquisitions at a big law firm, or representing internet start-ups or helping poor people to avoid being evicted.”

Cabral, who is expected to graduate in 2017, encouraged the students to take advantage of everything the school has to offer. “I find there is a sort of entrepreneurial spirit to law school, and it starts on the very first day,” she said. “Speak up in class, reach out to your professors, participate in tryouts and pro bono projects, and, most important, build relationships.”