On Sunday, May 4, The University of Alabama School of Law honored 162 graduates at its annual Commencement Ceremony at Coleman Coliseum. Among the graduates, 147 received Juris Doctor degrees—including 11 students who earned dual JD/LL.M degrees in taxation or business transactions. An additional 10 members of the Class of 2025 received standalone LL.M degrees and five students received a Juris Master in Taxation.
The commencement address was given by Chief Justice Sarah Hicks Stewart of the Alabama Supreme Court. Since 2018, Stewart had served as an Associate Justice on the Court before being elected Chief Justice in November 2024.
“You are stepping into a profession that doesn’t just interpret the law—it shapes the world,” said Chief Justice Stewart. “Behind every statute, every precedent, every verdict is a human life—someone seeking justice, someone looking for hope, someone needing to be heard. And now, more than ever, the world needs lawyers who lead not with ego, but with empathy. Lawyers. . . who understand that justice is not a given—it is earned, upheld, and fought for.”
The valedictory address was given by 2025 graduate, Natalie Simon. She and her classmate, Liz Garri, both finished at the top of the class and were honored for their outstanding performances as law students. Upon graduation, Garri will clerk for The Honorable Madeline Haikala in the Northern District of Alabama before joining Burr Forman in Birmingham. Simon will clerk for The Honorable Anna Manasco of the Northern District of Alabama and Chief Judge William Pryor of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit before joining McGuireWoods in Richmond, Virginia.
Brandon Marsh, past president of the Student Bar Association, also offered a reflection, and the national anthem was performed by fellow graduate, Briana Murphy. To watch the full 2025 Alabama Law Commencement Ceremony, visit this link on the Law School’s website.
