CLASS OF 2029 PINNING CEREMONY Friday, August 7, 2026 6:00 PM Cramton Auditorium Howard University 2455 6th St. NW Washington, D.C. 20059
J
JAMES CARTER '97
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
James Jerome Carter is a nationally accomplished attorney, statesman, educator, and author who has been practicing law for decades. He is the Managing Partner of The Cochran Firm–Trials & Mass Torts and serves on The Cochran Firm's national Board of Directors. He is the 84th President of the National Bar Association (NBA) and only the second person in the NBA's 101-year history to serve as president while residing in Louisiana. James obtained his undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Howard University and subsequently graduated from Howard University School of Law (HUSL), where he serves on the Board of Visitors. James is an Adjunct Professor who proudly created the popular Developing a High-End Civil Trial Practice course for the students at HUSL and is funding an endowed scholarship. Mr. Carter is a formidable trial attorney responsible for recovering millions of dollars on behalf of individuals and corporations throughout the United States. His tenacious approach to civil litigation earned him elite membership in the MultiMillion Dollar Advocates Forum. He received a prized certification in Mass Tort Multi-District Litigation from the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke University School of Law and, in 2021, earned a certification in Governing for Nonprofit Excellence from Harvard Business School. He is currently one of seven Commissioners of the globally significant Port of New Orleans. Mr. Carter is admitted to practice in all Louisiana state courts, all Michigan state courts, all Louisiana United States District Courts, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He has also represented clients in Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, California, New York, Florida, Mississippi, New Jersey, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Illinois, and Arkansas. In 2025, Mr. Carter became a CBC Power 100 honoree. In 2024, he received the Omega Psi Phi, Nu Beta Alpha Chapter, Outstanding Service Award. He received the prestigious 2022 Gertrude Rush Award and the Power 50 Award from the NBA. Also in 2022, he received the Citizen of the Year Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Rho Phi Chapter. From 2021 through 2025, he was recognized by Lawdragon 500 for excellence and leadership in the legal profession. He is the recipient of the 2021 New Orleans Chapter of the NAACP President's Trailblazer Award and the 2021 Court Watch NOLA Lynne & Jerome Goldman Criminal Justice Reform Award. He has been recognized by New Orleans City Business Magazine as a Leader in Law in 2012 and 2016. Mr. Carter is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 (Executive Committee),
the NBA (Life Member), and Litigation Counsel of America — a distinction limited to fewer than one-half of one percent of North American lawyers, judges, and scholars. Mr. Carter has also served on the Louisiana Association for Justice Council of Directors and as an Adjunct Trial Advocacy Professor at Tulane University School of Law. He served as Chairman of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors (ULS) — the governing body that provides policy guidance and fiscal oversight for eight public universities in Louisiana. Among his crowning achievements while serving on the ULS board was the establishment of the Reginald F. Lewis Educational Opportunity Initiative. As a result of his successful advocacy for the construction of a new library at Grambling State University, the university named the James and Mildred Carter Pavilion in honor of his parents at the new digital library. Mr. Carter participated in a multi-year study of leadership in divided communities at the University of Oxford Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict and took part in the Government of France Foreign Visitors Program to foster cultural understanding. He has lectured in England, France, Canada, Barbados, Curaçao, Panama, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and across the United States. Mr. Carter was elected as only the second African American to serve as a New Orleans City Councilman in District C and served on the first City Council seated after Hurricane Katrina. Mr. Carter played the lead legislative role in establishing the first City Charter-mandated Independent Police Monitor to combat police brutality and was the first African American Criminal Justice Commissioner in the city's history. He has served on many boards, including Greater New Orleans, Inc., Canal Street Development Corporation, New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, Ochsner Baptist Hospital, Urban League of Louisiana, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, French Market Corporation, and Second Harvest Food Bank. He is a life member of 100 Black Men of America and served as a Fellow for the internationally lauded criminal justice organization the VERA Institute of Justice. Mr. Carter is an author who has written on diversity in legal practice, financial literacy, and progressive policing. His article "Benefits of Having Diversity in Your Jury Practice" was published in the Louisiana Advocates journal, and he co-authored the book Money Matters 101: A Smart Money Guide for 18 and Beyond. His article "Transforming Policing" was published in the New England Journal of Public Policy. His newest book, Legal Hitman, was published in 2024. Mr. Carter is married to Dr. Rene Carter, a retired educator with 28 years of service, who was recognized in 2016 by the Louisiana Department of Education as Middle School Principal of the Year. They have one child, Brice. Mr. Carter holds membership in Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Prince Hall Masons, and Sigma Delta Tau Legal Fraternity. In recognition of his accomplishments as an attorney and public servant, Grambling State University and the University of New Orleans have each awarded him an honorary doctorate degree.
PROGRAM
PRESIDING .................................................... Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. Dean and Professor of Law INVOCATION ................................................ Rev. Dr. Bernard Richardson Dean of Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel “LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING” ............. Howard Law Gospel Choir Class of 2027 & Class of 2028 WELCOME REMARKS ................................ Roger A. Fairfax, Jr. Dean and Professor of Law Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh Provost and Chief Academic Officer GREETINGS .................................................
Frantzy Luzincourt President, Student Bar Association Class of 2027
PURPOSE .....................................................
Jaden Faunteroy Chair, Orientation Committee, Class of 2028
INTRODUCTION OF Kameelah Lewis-Freeman KEYNOTE SPEAKER ................................... Vice Chair, Orientation Commitee, Class of 2028 KEYNOTE SPEAKER .................................. PROFESSIONALISM OATH ......................
James Carter President, National Bar Association Class of 1997 Class of 2029
PINNING OF NEW ENTRANTS ................ Tracy L. Simmons Associate Dean, Admissions and Student Affairs ALMA MATER
BENEDICTION .............................................
Rev. Dr. Bernard Richardson Dean of Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel
HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW DEANS Fairfax, Jr., Roger A. Dean and Professor of Law Akintobi, Adeshola Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation Jackson, Lauren Assistant Dean for Career & Professional Development King, Frank Interim Assistant Dean of Administration & Operations Powell, Cedric Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Simmons, Tracy Associate Dean of Admissions & Student Affairs Wiredu, Joni McCray Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
HOWARD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW FACULTY Allsbrook, Jamille Fields Assistant Professor of Law Bawa, Jasbir Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills
Dawson, April Professor of Law Echols, Marsha Professor of Law
Bruckner, Matthew Professor of Law Chisolm, Tuneen Associate Professor of Law
Edmondson, Rashida Assistant Professor of Law
Clarke, Kristen Associate Professor of Law
Hansford, Justin Professor of Law
Collins, Valerie Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills
Herbert, Lenese Professor of Law
Crichton, Sha-Shana Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills
Ifill, Sherrilyn Vernon Jordan Endowed Chair in Civil Rights
Crooms-Robinson, Lisa Professor of Law and Joseph W. Hatchett Faculty Scholar cunningham, e. christi Professor of Law Dark, Okianer Christian Professor of Law
Gavil, Andrew Professor of Law
Johnson, Darin Professor of Law
Husain, Waris Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills Jones, Alicia Professor of Law and Director of the Vernon E. Jordan Jr. Law Library
Motala, Ziyad Professor of Law
Schneider, Valerie Professor of Law
Mtima, Lateef Professor of Law
Strickland, Mark Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills
Murphy, Ieshaah Assistant Professor of Law
Terry, Keeva Professor of Law
Nichols, Cheryl Professor of Law
Thomas, Alice Associate Professor of Law
Olivares, Mariela Professor of Law
VanWye, Sarah Assistant Professor of Lawyering Skills
Outlaw, Lucius Professor of Law
Waterhouse, Carlton Professor of Law
Porter, Angi Associate Professor of Law
Williams Brewer, Tiffany Associate Professor of Law
Robinson, Reginald Professor of Law
Worthy, Patricia Professor of Law
Rogers, W. Sherman Professor of Law
THE PROFESSIONALISM OATH As I begin the study of law, I acknowledge and accept the privileges and responsibilities inherent in becoming a lawyer, and the high standards and ideals that accompany such an undertaking. Accordingly, I, [state your name], pledge that I will at all times conduct myself with the dignity befitting an advocate and counselor in a learned profession. I commit myself to service without prejudice, integrity without compromise, and the diligent performance of my duties with the utmost good faith. I acknowledge that I will be a zealous advocate, but will act with courtesy and cooperation towards others, and I will, at all times, behave in a professional manner. I will remember that my responsibilities to the legal profession permeate my actions both as a student of the law, and thereafter, as a member of the bar. I accept my new status as a legal professional, and will approach my colleagues and adversaries alike with the same integrity, professionalism, and civility, which I expect from them. This pledge I take freely and upon my honor.
THE ALMA MATER Reared against the eastern sky Proudly there on hilltop high, Far above the lake so blue Stands old Howard firm and true There she stands for truth and right, Sending forth her rays of light, Clad in robes of majesty; O Howard, we sing of thee. Be thou still our guide and stay Leading us from day to day; Make us true and leal and strong, Ever bold to battle wrong. When from thee we’ve gone away May we strive for thee each day. As we sail life’s rugged sea, O Howard, we’ll sing of thee. Words, J.H. Brooks, ‘19 Music, F.D. Malone, ‘16
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Office of Admissions and Student Affairs would like to thank Senior Director Adrienne Packard, our student leaders, staff, faculty, and alumni for their contributions to the Orientation Program.