Indiana law school commencement season begins

The graduating law school classes of 2021 are participating this month in commencement ceremonies across the Hoosier state that began over the weekend with a virtual ceremony.

Indiana University Maurer School of Law kicked off the festivities with a live virtual graduation ceremony on Mother’s Day weekend. The ceremony for the Class of 2021 took place via Zoom at noon Saturday with speeches from students and faculty speaker Jeffrey Evans Stake, Robert A. Lucas Chair and Professor of Law.

Family and friends were invited to watch the ceremony live on the law school’s YouTube channel. Faculty members hosted individual virtual receptions for students to attend at their leisure after the ceremony. IU Maurer graduates were also invited to an in-person outdoor ceremony on Friday.

Up next will be Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, which will host an in-person commencement at 10 a.m. Saturday at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. Due to COVID-19 protocols, graduates will attend the in-person hooding ceremony only. Family and friends may join the official campus commencement virtually by signing up online. A commencement speaker has yet to be announced.

To close the commencement season, Notre Dame Law School’s graduation ceremony will be at noon Saturday, May 22, outside at the Frank Eck Baseball Stadium. Differing from the commencement ceremonies preceding it, each Notre Dame graduate will be permitted to have up to four guests at the ceremony. A live stream will be available for those unable to attend.

Notre Dame Professor of Law Faculty Director Jimmy Gurulé, who was selected by graduating students as the distinguished professor of the year, will present the commencement address.

COVID-19 health and safety guidelines will be in place for the ceremony, including requirements that everyone participating wear masks at all times. Assigned seating will be arranged to maintain social distancing.