Vanderbilt Law School celebrated Commencement Day for the Class of 2025 on May 9. Gathered on Curry Field, 168 students were awarded their Juris Doctor degree, 31 students were awarded a Master of Laws degree, and 22 students were awarded a Master of Legal Studies degree.
Dean Chris Guthrie opened the ceremony by thanking the faculty, staff, family, and friends for their support, before turning to the graduates and commending them on their achievements. “Today is a day to be present and mindful, to soak up all that you have accomplished, to enjoy your law school friends before you scatter across the globe, and to celebrate,” he said. He also urged them to “peer ahead into the future,” when they will use the unique set of skills they developed at Vanderbilt Law on behalf of clients and as public citizens.
“You have an awesome responsibility as well as an incredible opportunity to shape the future,” he concluded. “And knowing that our future is in your hands fills me with hope on this special day of celebration.”
Matthew Patrick Shaw, Associate Professor of Law, was selected by the graduating classes to deliver the 2025 commencement address. He commended graduates for completing their law school journeys and cultivating safety in the Vanderbilt Law School community. His main appeal, and the title of his speech, was “give yourself permission.”
“The legal landscape is evolving exponentially at lightning speed. New challenges and opportunities are emerging in areas we couldn’t have imagined just a few short years ago,” he said. “Your law degree isn’t a rigid blueprint; it’s a powerful passport. It grants you entry into a world of possibilities, many of which haven’t even been conceived of yet. Don’t let fear of the unknown or the weight of expectation hold you back.” 
Awards and Honors
Twenty members of the Class of 2025 received academic honors, journal awards, citizenship and leadership awards, or recognition from the Vanderbilt Bar Association. Read the awards recap to learn more about the winners and the awards.
Ceremony Recording
The full 2025 Law School Commencement is available below or on our YouTube channel. The full gallery of photos from the awards ceremony and commencement is available here.
