The 159th Commencement of the George Washington University Law School was held on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Events took place throughout the weekend and included the Pro Bono Recognition Celebration, Academic Awards Celebration, Dean’s Reception, University Commencement, and the GW Law Diploma Ceremony.
The Jeffrey & Martha Kohn Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Laurie Kohn, announced the commencement. In Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew's address to the graduates, she said:
"My charge to you is to make us live out our aspirations. Your dedication, your training, your law degree, means that we should not wait another 250 years, we should not wait another 25 years, we should not wait another 25 minutes to do what we say we are going to do in this country."
Dayna Bowen Matthew
Dean and Harold H. Greene Professor of Law
Amanda Hichez, President of the Student Bar Association (SBA), addressed her fellow graduates and presented awards to faculty and staff as voted on by the graduating class.
Assistant Dean for Field Placement Keri McCoy received the Distinguished Dean Award. The Distinguished Faculty Service Award was presented to Professor Sonia Suter, the Henry St. George Tucker III Dean's Research Professor of Law, Kahan Family Research Professor of Law, and Co-Director & Founding Director of the Health Law & Policy Program.
Judge Marian Blank Horn and Professor Robert Baxter received the Distinguished Adjunct Faculty Service Awards. The SBA Distinguished Service Award was presented to Allison Deutsch. And Bobby Walis, program coordinator, received the Distinguished Staff Service Award.
Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski, III, President Emeritus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, gave the keynote address. In his address, Dr. Hrabowski said:
“I look at you today, and you are my hope. You are the champions of the rule of law. Do not give up hope.”
Freeman A. Hrabowski, III
GW Law's Class of 2026 Keynote Speaker
Watch the Law Diploma Ceremony.
