Celebrating the Commencement of Notre Dame Law School’s Class of 2026 | News | The Law School

Smiling graduates and faculty in blue and gold academic regalia pose on the steps of Notre Dame's Main Building. — *Notre Dame Law School’s Class of 2026*

Notre Dame Law School honored the Class of 2026 on Saturday, May 16, at the Law School’s 156th Diploma and Hooding Ceremony. The Law School conferred 1 J.S.D., 11 LL.M., and 190 J.D. degrees.

On Friday, May 15, the celebration began with the annual Awards Ceremony, commencement reception, and Prayer Service at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Law students played an integral role in the service, selecting readings and music, as well as serving as readers, petitioners, and the cantor.

In his homily to the class, Msgr. John Paul Kimes, professor of the practice, reflected on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, saying that it "challenges us to go beyond mere knowledge of the law and to seek its understanding." He said, “Being scholars of the law is a gift and a responsibility, one to be practiced not only with knowledge but with the compassion and love that come with understanding. Understanding the law, especially God’s law, focuses on people, not problems.”

In his concluding prayer, Fr. Bill Dailey, C.S.C., the Law School’s chaplain, said, “We all have to think about how we respond to our neighbor in need. We might be the only one to see that need or who is willing to respond.”

After the Law School's Prayer Service, law graduates gathered for a class photo on the steps of the University of Notre Dame’s Main Building.

The 156th Diploma and Hooding Ceremony took place the following day at the Purcell Pavilion.

Man in black academic gown and purple stole speaks at a Notre Dame podium. A dark blue Notre Dame seal banner is visible. — *Rev. Patrick E. Reidy, C.S.C., associate professor of law, delivers the Commencement address.*

The Class of 2026 selected Rev. Patrick E. Reidy, C.S.C., associate professor of law, to receive the Distinguished Faculty Award and deliver the commencement address. Outgoing Student Bar Association President Nicholas Smith introduced Father Reidy.

In his Commencement address to the Notre Dame Law School Class of 2026, Father Reidy reflected on hope, love, and resurrection, reminding graduates that the law is ultimately about accompanying others through their most vulnerable moments.

“As lawyers, people will share with you what they keep hidden from the world,” he said. “They will invite you into stories that are far from perfect. They will trust you in a moment with the deepest recesses of their hearts.” He later added, “As lawyers, people will share with you what they need help to carry.”

Throughout the address, Father Reidy encouraged graduates to lead with compassion: to listen deeply, advocate faithfully, and never lose sight of the humanity behind every story. Reflecting on memory, love, and the moments that shape a life, he also quoted—and sang—lyrics from Ed Sheeran.

Man in blue academic regalia and glasses speaks at a wooden podium with the University of Notre Dame seal. — *Notre Dame Law School's Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law G. Marcus Cole delievers his charge to the Notre Dame Law School Class of 2026.*

G. Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean and Professor of Law, conferred degrees and placed the doctoral hood over each graduate as they walked across the stage. He then delivered a charge to the class reflecting on what it means to become a "different kind of lawyer” and encouraging graduates to become “Matthew 25 lawyers” who use their legal training to pursue justice, serve others, and “practice love.”

Drawing from a personal story about visiting a Buddhist temple in Seoul with his wife and two sons, Cole reflected on seeing enormous pots used to prepare soup for the poor and homeless. The experience, and a question from his young son asking why Christians in their Church were not doing the same work, challenged him to think more deeply about what it means to live out one’s faith through action.

“You will not be helping clients to escape justice,” Cole told the graduates. “Instead, you will be helping clients to find ways to build just and virtuous futures for their communities and the people within them. You will be using your legal training to make ‘big pots’ of justice for the people in your communities, our nation, and our world.”

Smiling young woman in blue and gold academic regalia and tam. Official with gold chain adjusts her hood. — *Mariko Jurcsak ’26 J.D. being hooded by Dean G. Marcus Cole*

Cole also spoke about the urgent need for lawyers grounded in compassion, courage, and service. “If there was ever a time when the world needed a different kind of lawyer, it is now. If there was ever a time for lawyers to serve up ‘big pots’ of justice, it is now," he said. "Yes, practice law, but also practice love.”

He concluded by inviting family, friends, faculty, and staff to extend their hands toward the graduates while he offered a prayer over the Class of 2026, asking that they become “Matthew 25 lawyers” who “see the face of God in everyone” they encounter.

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