Celebrating the Class of 2025 at NYLS’s 133rd Commencement Exercises

On Monday, May 19, New York Law School’s Class of 2025 gathered outside of the iconic Lincoln Center, the sun was shining and the graduates were beaming with joy on their special day. Joined by family and friends, they posed for photos in front of the Revson Fountain before cheerfully entering David Geffen Hall for NYLS’s 133rd Commencement Exercises.

Inside, NYLS trustees, honorees, deans, and faculty took their seats on stage, many waving to the cheering crowd. Dean and President Anthony W. Crowell called the ceremony to order, warmly welcoming all before introducing Lachanee Scott ’25 Evening to sing the National Anthem. Scott is the newest American in the graduating class and earned her U.S. citizenship while in law school.

Following Scott’s soulful performance, Dean Crowell announced this year’s Commencement theme––“The Rule of Law, Leadership, and Diplomacy.” The theme reflects NYLS’s mission to empower students to uphold the law in service of a just society, an essential aspiration in New York City’s unique legal landscape.

Chief Student Ambassador Ryan Prasad ’25––known colloquially as the “Mayor of NYLS”––then took to the podium for the first set of student remarks. He praised the Class of 2025’s resilience and unity, noting that NYLS feels like family. “As we carry forth the values and teachings instilled in us by the professors at NYLS,” he said, “let us not be defined by the titles we earn but by the change we create, the integrity we uphold, and the justice we pursue.”

Dean Crowell returned to the podium to recognize honored guests and thank NYLS faculty, administration, and staff for their care, guidance, and support of students. Addressing the graduates, Dean Crowell emphasized, “Leadership and diplomacy are not just about global relations. They are about what happens in every boardroom, courtroom, hearing room, and classroom where people seek the truth. You are now stewards of a system that favors freedom... And because lawyers are teachers, you must teach others that the rule of law is not just a construct, but a shared responsibility passed down through the generations... And that is why I always say, ‘Without lawyers, we have no democracy.’”

Next, guests welcomed the 2025 President’s Medal recipient, Christopher H. Stephens ’84, to the stage. Stephens, who is Senior Vice President and Group General Counsel of the World Bank, was honored for his global leadership and dedication to global cooperation.

Stephens’ remarks centered around a few key themes: the honor of being a lawyer, the journey of opportunity, the cultivation of one’s value, and the gift of critical thinking. “Your values––the guiding standards, principles, and beliefs that govern the way you conduct yourself, interact with others, and handle the responsibility bestowed upon you today––will ultimately determine your success. The only opinion of your success that will matter in the long run is your own,” he said. He concluded by wishing the graduates joy, respect, and a virtuous life—signaled with a spirited wave of two checkered flags marking the end of their law school journey.

Moving the ceremony along, Dean of Faculty William P. LaPiana presented the Otto L. Walter Distinguished Writing Awards to Professors Richard Chused, Andrew Scherer, and Heather E. Cucolo ’03, and students Monica Fainshtein ’25 and Andrew Shenberg ’25.

Keehle Amicon ’25 approached the podium to deliver her remarks. She encouraged her fellow graduates to “stand confidently in the choices that you made, and be proud of the perseverance, growth, and determination that led you here.”

Dean LaPiana then announced the finalists for the Trustees’ Prize for the Highest Average, followed by Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Matt Gewolb presenting several student awards, including the Alfred L. Rose Award for Excellence and the Alexander D. Forger Award for Distinguished Service to the Profession, among others.

The celebration continued with the presentation of the Kathleen Grimm Medal for Distinguished Public Service, which was awarded to Carla B. Freedman ’88. Freedman, who was the first woman confirmed as United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, reflected on her career as a public servant during her inspirational speech. She expressed, “I leave the podium today hopeful that many of you will find the same deep fulfillment that I have through public service. But wherever your journeys take you, may you all carry forward the torch of responsibility to honor and uphold the rule of law in all legal pursuits. Be fair, be just, and be decent to your fellow human beings.”

In what was the emotional pinnacle of the evening, Scott returned to the podium to deliver the final set of student remarks. She shared the story of how watching Judge Judy at age 10 inspired her path to the law, and her emigration from Jamaica to the U.S. at the age of 17 to attend college and ultimately law school. She emphasized that she had big dreams, but that the limitations of growing up in a developing country didn’t always allow her to have a ready-made plan on just how she could reach her destination. Hard work and the relentless pursuit of being the best version of herself each day allowed her to persevere, ask questions that opened doors, and seize opportunities. She will begin her legal career this fall in the real estate department at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Scott heralded her mother as her hero and expressed joy at how her mother, inspired by her daughter’s example, pursued higher education and will now be a teacher in Jamaica. Scott, along with the crowd, was stunned when the icon herself, Judge Judy Sheindlin ’65, made a surprise appearance to celebrate and share words of wisdom with the graduates.

“Always seek to do the right thing, and be guided by your legal and moral principles,” Sheindlin said. “Be fearless, be fair, and always be honorable. My wish is that the happiness that you all feel today will follow you for the whole of your journey.”

Between Freedman’s recognition, Scott’s heartfelt speech, and Sheindlin’s visit, the 133rd Commencement Exercises celebrated the leadership of women in the legal field. Notably, 67 percent of the graduating class are women—more than any other law school in New York State.

Associate Dean and Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Chief Development Officer Jeff Becherer then presented the inaugural graduates of the Judge Judy Sheindlin ’65 Honors Scholars Program: Anica Johnson ’25, Anya Patterson ’25, and Wendy Zeng ’25. They, alongside Scott, personally received their diplomas from Sheindlin. Dean Becherer then introduced legacy graduates, which included Maya Moskowitz ’25 receiving her diploma from her father, Trustee Ross Moskowitz ’84, and Nicholas Reyes ’25 receiving his diploma from both his father, Jorge Reyes ’88, and sister, Danielle Reyes ’24.

NYLS faculty proceeded to announce the remaining graduates of the Class of 2025, each of whom beamed with pride as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.

Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees Gerald C. Crotty ’76 then officially conferred the degrees. In their official welcome to the alumni community, President of the Alumni Association E. Drew Britcher ’84 reminded graduates to thank those who “packed their parachutes” and stood alongside them throughout their journey.

Graduates and guests cheered, hugged, and rejoiced. As George Michael’s “Freedom! ’90” played, the Class of 2025 recessed out of the Hall and back into the sunshine, greeting their bright futures with open arms.

New York Law School is proud to congratulate the Class of 2025!