5 Key Takeaways From GW Law’s 158th Commencement: Celebrating The Class Of 2025
The George Washington University Law School’s 158th Commencement for the Class of 2025 marked a significant milestone, celebrating the achievements of its newest cohort of legal professionals. As of today, December 22, 2025, the official details from the celebratory weekend confirm a vibrant series of events that culminated in the main diploma ceremony, cementing the graduates' transition from students to practitioners in the legal world.
The entire Commencement Week was meticulously planned to honor the dedication and hard work of the graduating students, featuring keynote addresses, academic recognitions, and a historic ceremony on the National Mall. The information below provides a definitive look back at the key dates, figures, and events that defined the GW Law Class of 2025's final days as students.
The Definitive Schedule: GW Law Class of 2025 Commencement Week
The celebrations for the George Washington Law School Class of 2025 spanned a full weekend, beginning with specialized recognition ceremonies and culminating in the main University-Wide Commencement and the Law School's Diploma Ceremony. The 158th Commencement honored an impressive cohort of 568 graduates, all poised to make their mark on the world.
The primary Commencement activities were centered on Sunday, May 18, 2025, but the full schedule of events for the graduating class began the day prior, ensuring every achievement was recognized.
- Pro Bono Recognition Celebration: Held on Saturday, May 17, at 11:00 am, this ceremony honored students who dedicated significant time to public service and pro bono legal work during their studies, a core value of the GW Law community.
- Academic Awards Celebration: Later that same day, Saturday, May 17, at 3:00 pm, the Law School recognized its highest academic achievers, presenting awards for excellence across various disciplines and programs.
- University-Wide Commencement Celebration: The main university event took place on Sunday, May 18, starting at 10:30 am. This massive celebration was held in a historic location, the National Mall, bringing together graduates from all George Washington University schools.
- GW Law Diploma Ceremony: The Law School’s specific ceremony, where students crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, was held on Sunday, May 18, following the University-Wide event.
- Official Class Photo: A final, unifying event was the Class of 2025 Photo, scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 1:15 pm, a lasting memory for the graduating cohort.
The entire weekend was a testament to the students' commitment, marking the conclusion of their Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM), and other graduate law programs.
The Keynote Address: Wisdom from Harold Hongju Koh
A highlight of the GW Law Diploma Ceremony was the keynote address delivered by a prominent figure in international law and academia. The George Washington University Law School was honored to host Harold Hongju Koh as the 2025 Commencement Speaker.
Professor Koh is a highly respected legal scholar, currently serving as the Sterling Professor of International Law at Yale Law School. His distinguished career includes a tenure as the former Dean of Yale Law School and significant roles in the U.S. government, including Legal Adviser of the Department of State. His presence added immense topical authority to the event, providing the new graduates with a powerful message about their future roles in a complex global landscape.
His address, often referred to as the diZerega Lecture/Ceremony Address, focused on the importance of the rule of law, human rights, and the unique responsibility that comes with a GW Law degree. The graduates, now members of the legal fraternity, received a direct challenge to use their education to uphold justice, both domestically and internationally. This focus on international law and public service resonated deeply with the diverse Class of 2025.
The Class of 2025: A Snapshot of Success and Achievement
The GW Law Class of 2025 demonstrated exceptional academic and professional promise, even before officially stepping off the National Mall stage. The school proudly highlighted several key statistics that underscore the high caliber of the graduating class:
- Total Graduates: The 158th Commencement celebrated 568 new alumni, a robust group ready to enter the legal workforce.
- Clerkship Class: A significant measure of academic success is the number of graduates securing prestigious judicial clerkships. The Clerkship Class of 2025 included 62 recent graduates who had already secured these coveted positions, demonstrating their readiness for high-level legal research and writing.
- Areas of Focus: GW Law is renowned for its strengths in areas such as Environmental Law, Intellectual Property Law, and National Security Law. The graduating class is expected to disperse into these high-demand fields, leveraging the school’s Washington D.C. location and proximity to federal agencies and courts.
The academic rigor at GW Law, coupled with its strategic location in the nation’s capital, provides graduates with unparalleled networking and career opportunities. The Class of 2025 is now part of an expansive alumni network, known as the GW Law Alumni, which spans the globe and holds influential positions in government, private practice, and non-profit organizations.
Essential Entities and Topical Authority Keywords
To fully understand the significance of the GW Law Graduation 2025, one must consider the key entities and concepts that define the institution and the ceremony. This level of detail enhances the topical authority of the commencement event:
- The George Washington University Law School (GW Law): The core institution, known for its prestige and location.
- Class of 2025: The specific graduating cohort being celebrated.
- 158th Commencement: The historical iteration of the annual ceremony.
- Harold Hongju Koh: The distinguished keynote speaker.
- Sterling Professor of International Law: Koh's title at Yale Law School.
- National Mall: The iconic, historic location of the University-Wide Commencement.
- Diploma Ceremony: The specific event where Law School graduates receive their degrees.
- Juris Doctor (JD): The primary professional law degree conferred.
- Master of Laws (LLM): The advanced degree for specialized legal study.
- Clerkship Class: The group of graduates who secured judicial clerkships.
- Pro Bono Recognition: An important celebratory event highlighting service.
- Academic Awards: The ceremony recognizing top academic performance.
- GW Law Alumni: The powerful network the graduates join.
- diZerega Lecture: The traditional name for the commencement address.
- Washington, D.C.: The strategic location of the Law School.
- Rule of Law and Human Rights: Central themes of the keynote address.
- University-Wide Celebration: The larger event involving all GW schools.
- May 18, 2025: The official date of the main ceremonies.
The successful execution of the 2025 Commencement ceremony underscores GW Law’s commitment to producing well-rounded, highly skilled legal professionals ready to tackle the challenges of the 21st-century legal field. The Class of 2025 officially begins its professional journey, carrying the prestige and education of one of the nation's premier law schools.
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