Details for Guests
COVID-19 Policy: The Law School follows University policy. Visit the University website for more information.
We encourage you to follow precautions for your well-being and to review Yale’s COVID-19 website for the latest information.
All Yale Law School degree candidates are invited to participate in Commencement activities.
The Class of 2023 will be celebrating on Monday, May 22.
There are two distinct ceremonies that comprise Commencement. The University Commencement takes place on Old Campus in the morning and the Law School ceremony is held in the Lanman Center at Payne Whitney Gymnasium beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Tickets are required for both the University Commencement and the Law School Ceremony.
University Commencement
Class of 2023: Monday, May 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Old Campus
All university degrees are formally conferred during the Commencement ceremony on Old Campus. During the ceremony, the deans formally present their approved candidates to President Salovey. The president, in turn, confers the degrees and admits new graduates to each degree’s “rights and responsibilities.” Student marshals accept symbolic diplomas from the president on behalf of their colleagues. The ceremony lasts approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Law School Ceremony
Class of 2023: Monday, May 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Payne Whitney Gymnasium
The diploma ceremony for Yale Law School takes place immediately after the University Commencement. The ceremony includes a few speeches including remarks by the dean and a faculty member selected by the class. This ceremony lasts approximately two and a half hours.
Reception
After the diploma ceremony, we will host a reception in the Goldman Courtyard of the Law School. This is an opportunity to mingle with faculty, members of the administration, family and guests, and to take lots of photographs!
The Yale Law School commencement ceremony was live streamed and recorded. Watch the Commencement video.
You may request a wheelchair rental for guests on a first come first served basis.
To make disability arrangements, please contact Dean Mike Thompson.
Please find information on accommodations on the Yale Commencement website.
All university parking lots are open on Commencement day, but parking will be at a premium, and meters will be monitored. Traveling and parking within the city of New Haven is always challenging on Commencement Day. Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time to travel to and around campus that day.
Additional information can be found here:
http://commencement.yale.edu/transportation
It can be mild and sunny or cold and rainy in Connecticut in May. Recent Commencement weekends have had both weather extremes, so flexibility and practicality are good planning principles. Dress with an eye to the weather and comfort. The University ceremony is held outdoors; the Law School ceremony is held indoors. Low heels or flats are appropriate for navigating the grass and mulched pathways of Old Campus. Rain gear, including water-impervious footwear, is important; and rain ponchos are preferred over umbrellas so sightlines are not blocked. Sunglasses and hats may also be useful. A jacket and tie or collared shirt and sports jacket is appropriate men’s attire for most events. On graduation day, it is recommended that students wear clothing with pockets, comfortable heels (if they choose to wear heels), and a shirt with a button to make it easier to tie their regalia.
All bags will be checked at gates and no bags larger than 12x12 will be allowed.
Looking for graduation gifts? Vendors selling fresh flowers will be available on site. You can also purchase hats, t-shirts, umbrellas, and other Yale memorabilia from the Yale University Bookstore and Campus Customs.