A Message to My Future and Former Students

Eagles are among the most majestic of creatures. From birth, they are cradled high above the ground in nests meticulously built for protection and nurture. Their parents fiercely guard them, feed them, and prepare them. But one day, inevitably, the nest is no longer a sanctuary; it becomes a launching pad. The eaglet must launch, spread its wings, and leap into the unknown. Some fall before they soar. Some flap wildly before the wind catches them. But all must leave the nest; it is not an act of abandonment but of becoming.

To my incoming students: you are stepping into a new world, a sacred space of learning, growth, and transformation. Law school is a nest and a storm where you challenge your thinking, stretch your capacity, and push your capabilities. But you are ready, not because you know all the answers, but because you are willing to ask questions.

To my graduates: your time in the nest is over. You are in flight now. Some of you are starting your legal careers, while others are already advocating in rooms where justice demands a loud voice. Remember that the law is not just a profession; it is a calling. Let your knowledge be sharp, your heart be open, and your commitment to justice be unshakable. The world does not need more technicians of the law. It needs more guardians of humanity. Lawyers should serve with compassion rather than arrogance; they must be advocates who remember the faces behind the files, recognizing that a LIFE has been reduced to a FILE. Advocates who remember that the law is not about wielding power; it is about supporting people.

As you fly, whether toward the rigors of law school or into the real work of justice, remember the values that make your flight meaningful: courage, curiosity, compassion, and conviction. These are your wings. Let them carry you not just to success, but to significance.

You are meant to SOAR!

Prof. DGJ