Graduate wearing a black cap and gown adorned with multiple colorful honor cords and stoles raises both hands in a celebratory gesture during a commencement ceremony. A large blue backdrop behind shows the University at Buffalo School of Law emblem featuring a buffalo and shield design.

Andrew Cegielski ’25 (JD)

Celebrating the Class of 2025

Highlights from our 2025 Commencement Ceremony, featuring guiding voices and notable honors.

A person in academic regalia places a graduation hood over another individual wearing a red stole with colorful patterns during a commencement ceremony. Several other people in similar regalia are seated in the background, and the setting includes chairs and tall curtains on a stage.

Rani Patel ’25 (JD)

A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown with a white stole and multiple cords stands on stage during a commencement ceremony. The stole has Greek letters and a medallion hangs around the graduate’s neck. A faculty member in black and red academic regalia faces the graduate. In the background, several colorful flags are displayed, along with a podium and floral arrangements.

Havvie Savas ’25 (BA)

A person in academic regalia is being hooded during a graduation ceremony. Another individual, also in academic regalia, places a purple graduation hood over the person’s shoulders. The setting includes a stage with a podium on the left, several people seated in the background, and a large blue banner featuring a laurel design.

Aslan Alshet ’25 (LLM)

Guiding Voices and Notable Honors

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95
Associate Justice
New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department
“We are not our jobs; we are not how much money we have in the bank … What defines us as a person are our values and our actions. Again, it is our duty … to become role models, activists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, pillars of your community … to be living examples of how your life can change and be enriched through education, hard work and self-sacrifice.”

DEAN’S ADDRESS

S. Todd Brown
Dean and Professor of Law
“To be great in this profession … doesn’t necessarily mean that you will receive widespread recognition ... But if you approach service understanding that ‘It’s not about me,’ none of those things should matter so much. Knowing that you have served well is, in many respects, the best reward.”

Graduate in black academic regalia with a purple tassel and a colorful stole featuring rainbow stripes, standing while another person places a hood over their shoulders. Several other individuals in academic attire are seated in the background.

STUDENT ADDRESS

Nicia Bottini Morales ’25
“It is important not to hide or silence the important parts of our identities for the sake of our profession: they make each of us as individuals better advocates and improve the law school community and profession as a whole.”