Dear Alumni and Friends,
Commencement is my favorite day of the year. Last week, we welcomed alumni, families, and friends back to campus to celebrate the Class of 2026 — and to send our newest JD and LLM graduates into the profession. Watching them cross the stage never gets old.
Our commencement speaker, Judge Robert J. Luck (JD 04) of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, gave our graduates three charges. First, embrace service — it is written into the oath every lawyer takes. Second, practice professionalism and civility, because respectful discourse strengthens both the profession and the public’s confidence in it. And third, make time for the people and moments that matter, even as careers take off. Thank you, Judge Luck, for advice our graduates will carry with them.
Our graduates are already on their way — to law firms, public interest organizations, government agencies, businesses, and judicial chambers across Florida and the country. They have landed roles at leading law firms and won competitive federal and state clerkships, a testament to their talent and to the doors a UF Law degree opens.
I’ll share more on student outcomes in a future update. For now, congratulations to the Class of 2026 — and thank you to the faculty, staff, alumni, families, and friends who supported them every step of the way. We can’t wait to see how our newest alumni carry the Gator Law tradition of excellence, leadership, and service into the profession.
Share in the joy of our ceremony on the UF Law Commencement page or follow along with us on social media. The only thing missing is the feeling in the arena when "I Won't Back Down" began playing and the beach balls went flying.
Go Gators!
Merritt McAlister
Interim Dean and Levin, Mabie, & Levin Professor of Law
