Brooklyn Law School class of 2023 celebrates commencement in person

May 26, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Attorney General Letitia James delivers an impassioned address at the Brooklyn Law School Commencement, challenging the Class of 2023 to wield their legal power to foster change and justice. Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Law School.

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The Brooklyn Law School Class of 2023 began their journey on Zoom and ended it triumphantly in person, marking the end of an era and the beginning of their professional careers.

On Tuesday, May 16, the Brooklyn Law School Class of 2023 exchanged their Zoom backgrounds for caps and gowns, joyously celebrating their commencement at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

The class of 390 graduates shared their momentous day with proud friends, family, and the entire school community. Amidst a backdrop of vibrant flowers, they were cheered on as they crossed the stage, their accomplishments recognized by Attorney General Letitia James.

Members of Brooklyn Law School’s Class of 2023 eagerly gather inside the historic Brooklyn Academy of Music, eagerly anticipating the moment they will receive their hard-earned degrees during a jubilant commencement ceremony.

James, awarded the honorary degree of Juris Doctor Honoris Causa, delivered an impassioned commencement address, urging graduates to stand up for the disenfranchised and to use their legal training to foster change and justice. “The law is an incredible power, and those trained to wield it have an awesome responsibility,” she stressed.

Echoing these sentiments, Valedictorian Hayley A. Bork ’23 called on her fellow graduates to leverage their privilege to challenge the status quo and transform the world. “We came to Brooklyn Law School to make the world a better place,” she declared.

Brooklyn Law School’s Class of 2023, who began their academic journey together on Zoom, joyously assemble outside the Brooklyn Academy of Music, celebrating the culmination of their studies with a triumphant in-person graduation.

Student speaker Matthew Lign Fulton ’23, selected by his peers, added humor to the ceremony, joking about “practicing for lawyer confidentiality” by not telling his parents about his speech. Fulton paid homage to the growth, resilience, and unity of his class. He praised their progression from timid newcomers to becoming the counselors they aimed to be, despite the obstacles presented by the pandemic and societal unrest.

Dean Michael Cahill congratulated the graduates for their resilience and strength in the face of “unforeseen and unprecedented challenges.” He acknowledged retiring faculty and paid tribute to classmates Robert Taronji and Robert Stengel, who tragically passed away.