Celebrating the Class of 2026 — Rising to the Challenge

This year’s Commencement started with a presentation of the maces from former dean and Sterling Professor Emeritus of Law Heather K. Gerken to Sol and Lillian Goldman Dean and Professor of Law Cristina M. Rodríguez ’00, who became dean on Feb. 1.

“These maces are fit for a school — and a profession — like ours,” said Gerken. “They are meant to slip into the hands of someone who works rather than someone who rules. They are meant for a school that trains you to serve as the voice of others rather than pronouncing from on high. These maces are simple — humble, even — which means they are the right symbols for a school that teaches our students to be humble about their beliefs, to be righteous but never self-righteous.”

In her opening remarks to the graduates and their families, Dean Rodríguez highlighted the turbulent environment into which students are graduating, emphasizing the importance of using their Law School degree to meet the challenges of the moment and lead the world toward a better place. 

“Even as we need lawyers and leaders who can keep up with the fast-moving challenges facing our nation and our world, we also need lawyers who are wise enough to be calm in the storm, who have equanimity in a restless and churning world,” she said. 

Rodríguez also urged graduates to fiercely protect the rule of law as they go forth in their careers. 

“We need you to be stewards of the rule of law,” she said. “As a protective force against arbitrary treatment. As a force that holds people with power accountable. That ensures equal treatment of all people, even and especially those who are unpopular or marginalized. As a force necessary to our liberal democracy and to mediating political conflict.”

Rodríguez continued, “It is not self-executing, and its preservation does not depend on courts alone or even primarily. It depends on you acting with integrity, honesty, and restraint, no matter your chosen field or pursuit.”
 

Nicholas R. Parrillo ’04, the William K. Townsend Professor of Law and Professor of History at Yale, served as this year’s faculty speaker and faculty marshal, elected by the graduates. In his address, he encouraged graduates to let themselves create space for free and open exchange of ideas when working in groups and to refrain from being a polarizing force as stewards of the law. 

“I urge you to avoid the temptation to look at whatever group or institution you oppose and see that thing as a monolith,” he said. “A government agency contains different offices with different points of view. An industry contains different companies that have different investments. A political movement is a coalition of subgroups that have different preferences.”

To accomplish this, Parrillo implored graduates to see issues from an opponent’s point of view.

“Be alert to the possibility of some unexpected ally from among your opponents — if not in all things, then in one narrow thing, on which you happen to find agreement,” Parrillo said. He continued, “If you would know the world, you must know [your opponents]. And knowing the world is the precondition for any rational effort to change it.”
 

Judge James E. Boasberg ’90, who serves as the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, addressed the graduates as this year’s guest speaker with three pieces of advice: prioritize the mission of an organization when choosing a job, don’t be afraid to take career risks, and live a well-rounded life. 

“I know you will live up to your achievement as Yale Law School graduates every day,” Boasberg said in his closing remarks. “Take a job where the mission matters, don’t be afraid to take risks in your career, lead a life of balance, and always remember the support of this community and the friends you have made here. Thirty-six years from now, let it be said that you were the kind of lawyer and the kind of person that your law school and your community could be proud of.”

A reception in the Baker Hall Courtyard for graduates, families, and friends capped off the day’s festivities.

This year’s Commencement honored 241 degree candidates, comprising 207 J.D., 29 LL.M., and five J.S.D. candidates. Additionally, the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences awarded two Ph.D. in law degrees.