Addressing the Boston College Law School Class of 2025, Robert P. Casey, Jr., former United States Senator, stressed the crucial role lawyers play in protecting the independence of the judiciary.
Senator Casey congratulated the graduates, noting that BC Law’s commitment to public service and social justice shapes the kind of lawyers it produces—and noted that beyond being advocates and officers of the court, lawyers have the essential responsibility of serving as guardians of an independent judiciary, which he called “essential for the rule of law.”
Judicial independence faces ongoing challenges, Senator Casey said, including proposed legislation to limit federal court jurisdiction and overturn Supreme Court judgments, as well as verbal attacks on judges and their families. “Lately, verbal attacks directed at judges personally or directed at their families in an attempt to intimidate the judge as well as calls by some politicians and commentators to have more judicial impeachments are totally inappropriate and dangerously undermine the independence of our judiciary,” he said, referencing ABA data showing serious threats against federal judges doubled since 2019.
Lawyers are bound by ethical rules prohibiting false statements about judges and are encouraged to defend unjustly criticized courts and show respect for judicial rule, Casey said. While judicial decisions are “fair game” for critique, Senator Casey drew a clear line: “Good faith criticism of the decision, the reasoning, or the analysis is appropriate. But, baseless personal attacks on a judge and/or the judge’s motives, or suggestions that a judge is corrupt because you disagree with the result in a case, is not only wrong, but also erodes the foundation of judicial independence.”
Senator Casey concluded by highlighting that lawyers are respected leaders who can use their conduct and voice to condemn falsehoods against judges. Calling the American judiciary “the envy of the world,” he expressed hope the graduates would succeed professionally while ensuring that judicial independence is safeguarded.
Senator Casey dedicated his career to public service, serving nearly twenty years as a US Senator for the state of Pennsylvania, as well as its Auditor General and State Treasurer. As Senator, he was known for advancing economic opportunity, strengthening health care access, and protecting the rights of families, establishing himself as one of the leading advocates in Congress for children, workers, seniors, and people with disabilities. Senator Casey worked across party lines to author and pass ninety-nine pieces of legislation into law. That included laws that made college campuses safer; required employers to grant reasonable accommodations to pregnant workers; improved cockpit safety on commercial airliners; and enhanced criminal penalties for online stalkers who victimize children.
A signature achievement was the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (or ABLE) Act in 2014, widely regarded as the most impactful disability rights legislation since the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
In her address, BC Law Dean Odette Lienau called out the Class of 2025’s determination, talent, compassion, and resilience, which she described as hallmarks of the BC Law student body, highlighting BC Law’s mission to stand with those at the margins and uphold the dignity of every human person while acknowledging the seemingly fraught times ahead for both lawyers and citizens.
“In the phrasing of Massachusetts’ Rules of Professional Conduct,” she said, “attorneys are both ‘officer[s] of the legal system’ and ‘public citizen[s] having special responsibility for the quality of justice’—a responsibility that transcends politics and partisanship.” She reminded graduates that the concept of the rule of law is made real through their work, and issued a challenge: “Protect and nourish that drive to make the world a better place. Fight to uphold the rule of law, the centers of democracy…use the tools we have given you—to protect what is precious—and to make amazing things happen.”
Two hundred and nine JD graduates received degrees at the Law School’s 92nd Commencement exercises. Twelve LLM students also received degrees. At the ceremony, Lee Moore received The Attorney Michael A. Flanagan Award, which honors a student for ranking highest in the graduating class. Three other awards were given out: The St. Thomas More Award to Samuel Hodgkins-Sumner, which recognizes a student who exemplifies the intellectual, spiritual, and moral qualities of St. Thomas More; The Susan Grant Desmarais Award to Morgan Byrne, which recognizes a student for public service achievement and leadership; and The Philip Joseph Privitera ‘95 Commencement Award to Andrea Traetti, which honors a student for exceptional contributions through outstanding scholarship and commitment to service as well as to the work of the law.
Other awards, given at the Law School’s Commencement Eve Celebration on May 23, included:
Pedro Arrupe, SJ, Award: Kristie-Valerie Hoang
Recognizes a student who has made outstanding contributions to diversity in the life of the law school community.
The Sheila McGovern Award: Závon Billups
Recognizes students for achievement of personal goals under extraordinary circumstances.
The Law School Award for Clinical Excellence: Michael Tomase
Recognizes students who have done outstanding work in our clinical programs.
The Lewis S. Gurwitz Award: Rachel Freeman-Cook
Honors a law student who has shown selfless commitment to the defense of those without the resources to defend themselves.
The Richard G. Huber Award: Carolyn Zaccaro
Honors a student for scholarship and leadership in extra- and co-curricular activities.
The Richard S. Sullivan Award: Savannah Wormley
Honors a student for overall contribution to the Law School community, service to the community, and outstanding school spirit.
The Law School Award for Service and Leadership by a Group: Board of Student Advisors
Honors one student organization each year for outstanding service and leadership in our law school community.
The Aviam Soifer Award: Joseph Thibodeau
Honors a student for public service achievement and leadership.
The LLM Leadership Award: Shrishti
Honors an LLM student who serves as an ambassador of the LLM Program with our faculty, staff, Visiting Scholars, JD/LLM, and exchange students.
The Cornelius J. Moynihan Awards: Maria Russo and Emily Saulnier
Recognizes students who have done outstanding editorial work on publications.
The Dean Dennis A. Dooley Award: Aidan Power
Honors a student for outstanding scholarship average, for ranking second highest in the graduating class, our salutatorian.
The William J. O’Keefe Award: Eliot Usherenko
Honors a student for outstanding contribution to the law school.
The John D. O’Reilly, Jr. Awards: Marika Takeshita and Fax Victor
Honors a student’s outstanding contribution to the law school community through service to its students.
More information on the Boston College Law School Commencement, including a recording of the ceremony, is available at the school’s website, http://www.bc.edu/lawcommencement.