University of Richmond School of Law – 2025 Commencement Program

CommenCement

University of Richmond School of Law

May 10, 2025

Seating Areas

Degree recipients of the prior January are placed at the beginning of their respective degree groups.

Order of Recognition

Students are recognized in the order shown in this program.

Photography and Videography

For safety precautions, family members and guests will not be permitted to approach the graduate-seating and stage areas during the ceremony to take pictures. GradImages, a University vendor, will take a photo of each graduate receiving their diploma and again once off stage. Note: Only authorized press and University photographers are permitted on the arena floor during the ceremony.

Videos and photographs taken during Commencement will be used in University publications and on the website. If you do not wish to be included in videos or photographs, please alert the photographer and/or videographer.

Kevin Lester Byrne, cum laude .......................................................................... Chandler, Ariz.

B.A., Arizona State University

Molly Anne Catherine Calo................................................................................... Bluefield, Va.

B.A., Virginia Commonwealth University

Rebekah Joy Carico, summa cum laude Sarasota, Fla.

B.S., Florida State University

Adrianna Elizabeth Carpenter Richmond, Va.

B.A., Sweet Briar College

Kaitlin Cosette Dowling Carroll, cum laude Porterville, Calif.

B.S., University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Haley Jeannette Cerretani ...................................................................................... Roanoke, Va.

B.S., University of Texas, Austin

Rose Mi Chang .................................................................................................... Centreville, Va.

B.A., Virginia Commonwealth University

Savanna L. Clendining, magna cum laude ....................................................... Rochester, N.Y.

M.S., Syracuse University

B.A., Le Moyne College

Sydney Allene Coker ........................................................................................... Cumming, Ga.

B.A., Elon University

Catherine Saine Condyles, summa cum laude ................................................. Richmond, Va.

B.A., Randolph-Macon College

Jessie Partridge Cooke, magna cum laude ................................................ Mechanicsville, Va.

B.A., College of William and Mary

Nathan James Crispo, cum laude Salt Lake City, Utah

B.S., University of Utah

James P. Dennehy Cornelius, N.C.

B.A., University of California, Berkeley

Lauren Nicole Dillon Los Gatos, Calif.

B.S., Santa Clara University

Kaitlyn Patricia Dobbins, cum laude ..................................................... New Brighton, Minn.

B.A., University of Minnesota

Audrey Cecelia Dodds, cum laude ....................................................................... St. Louis, Mo.

B.S., Baylor University

Sean P. Dwyer, magna cum laude ......................................................................... Hadley, Mass.

B.S., University of Maryland Global Campus

* Denotes Completion of the Intellectual Property Concentration + Denotes Completion of the Family Law Concentration

Katherine Grace Elliott ......................................................................................... Lexington, Ky.

B.A., University of Kentucky

Jack Ellis ............................................................................................................. Monterey, Tenn.

B.S., Middle Tennessee State University

Madison Faizon-Hardgrave, magna cum laude Lancaster, Pa.

B.A., University of Pittsburgh

Sophie Caroline Fields Leesburg, Va.

B.A., University of Virginia

Ashley Heather Fine St. Augustine, Fla.

B.S., University of Utah

Zachary Evan Finelt, cum laude .................................................................... Aliso Viejo, Calif.

B.A., University of California, San Diego

Jacob Ryman French ...........................................................................................Woodstock, Va.

B.A., James Madison University

Alejandro Jose Garcia Jr. ....................................................................................Woodstock, Va.

B.S., Radford University

+ Elizabeth Alexandra Garrity, magna cum laude .............................................. Brooklyn, N.Y.

B.A., Vassar College

James Jackson Geary Kansas City, Mo.

M.A., University of Pittsburgh

B.S., University of Missouri

Sarah Theresa Gokelman, magna cum laude ............................................ San Antonio, Texas

B.A., Loyola University of Chicago

Gwendolyn Joy Goodyear Southampton, N.Y.

B.A., State University of New York, Stony Brook

Victoria Lee Hagerott Davie, Fla.

B.S., Kennesaw State University

Jay Michael Hale Logan, Utah

B.S., Utah State University

Katie E. Hall, summa cum laude................................................................. Virginia Beach, Va.

B.A., Christopher Newport University

Garrett Action Handegan, cum laude ......................................................................... Pekin, Ill.

B.S., Illinois State University

+ Brenna Elizabeth Harman, cum laude.................................................................. Roanoke, Va.

B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

* Denotes Completion of the Intellectual Property Concentration

+ Denotes Completion of the Family Law Concentration

* Kathryn Ann Pearson .............................................................................. Independence, Minn.

M.A., George Washington University

B.A., George Washington University

Christopher Alexander Pellegrino, cum laude ......................................................... Bethel, Vt.

B.A., Eastern Nazarene College

Kristen Marie Peterson, cum laude .................................................................... Richmond, Va.

B.S., The Ohio State University

Bryan J. F. Plat ...................................................................................................... La Verne, Calif.

B.A., University of California, Los Angeles

Ryan Gaylord Pokorny Hays, Kan.

B.A., University of Kansas

Joseph Christian Probus San Antonio, Texas

B.A., University of Texas, San Antonio

Ejaj Rahman Glen Allen, Va.

B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University

Jami-Reese Darling Robertson, magna cum laude ............................................. Laurens, S.C.

B.A., Randolph-Macon College

Benedict Andreas Roemer, summa cum laude ................................................. Richmond, Va.

B.A., University of Richmond

+ Hannah James Romero-Ruvalcaba ......................................................................El Paso, Texas

B.A., University of Texas, El Paso

Tyler R. Roy ....................................................................................................... Auburndale, Fla.

B.A., Florida State University

A.A., Polk State College

Austin Halyburton Rutter ........................................................................... Virginia Beach, Va.

B.S., University of Alabama

Carroll A. Rutter IV, cum laude Virginia Beach, Va.

M.S., University of Virginia

B.A., University of Virginia

Rebecca Marie Seeger, magna cum laude.......................................................... Delafield, Wis.

B.A., University of Richmond

John Sidney Sherwood Spotsylvania, Va.

B.A., University of Virginia

* Emma Yuewan Silverman, cum laude Richmond, Va.

B.A., College of William and Mary

* Denotes Completion of the Intellectual Property Concentration

+ Denotes Completion of the Family Law Concentration

+ Kelsie Jayne Simpson ............................................................................................... Moseley, Va.

B.A., University of Oregon

Jesse Singh ............................................................................................................. Richmond, Va.

B.S., Virginia Commonwealth University

Lindsey Elizabeth Slusher, cum laude Fincastle, Va.

B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Daniel Meriwether Smith, cum laude Rustburg, Va.

B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Magdalyn Grace Staples Midland, Texas

B.S., University of Southern California

Sita Mohandi Stewart................................................................................................ Nyack, N.Y.

B.A., Hunter College

Magnolia Kaylee Stuart, cum laude..................................................................... Lake City, Fla.

B.A., University of Richmond

Jack James Sullivan.............................................................................................. Dublin, Ireland

LL.B., University of Manchester

Amanda Rachael Teppo ................................................................................. Queensbury, N.Y.

B.S., St. Lawrence University

* Kathryn Annemarie Threatt, cum laude Richmond, Va.

B.S., Georgetown University

* Savannah Nicole Throneberry Chesapeake, Va.

B.A., Old Dominion University

Laura Michelle Ugalde, cum laude Chantilly, Va.

B.S., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Kelly Doyle Vance, summa cum laude ....................................................... Virginia Beach, Va.

M.P.P., George Washington University

B.A., Bucknell University

Natalie Maureen Wade Charlotte, N.C.

B.S.B.A., Appalachian State University

Payton Lea Ward, cum laude ........................................................................... Kansas City, Mo.

B.S., University of Kansas

Everett Tucker Weiser ......................................................................................... New York, N.Y.

B.A., Boston University

Suzanne Michael White............................................................................................Mobile, Ala.

B.A., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

* Denotes Completion of the Intellectual Property Concentration

+ Denotes Completion of the

Concentration

Emma VanCuyk Wilson ...................................................................................... Richmond, Va.

B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Alberto Jesus Wray, cum laude ............................................................................ Bethesda, Md.

B.A., Hobart College

Avery Suzanne Younis, summa cum laude Shepherdstown, W.Va.

M.S., Wake Forest University

B.S., Washington and Lee University

Jorge Mauricio Zegarra .............................................................................................. Lima, Peru

B.A., Universidad de Lima

* Denotes Completion of the Intellectual Property Concentration

+ Denotes Completion of the Family Law Concentration

Awards

Auzville Jackson Jr. Award for Excellence in Intellectual Property

Eleni Isabella Paraskevopoulos

Savannah Nicole Throneberry

Recognizes the graduating students who have made enduring contributions to the study of Intellectual Property law through activities both in and outside the classroom and who show great promise as future Intellectual Property practitioners.

Cudlipp Medal

Recognizes the student with the highest cumulative GPA after the second year.

Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award

Nicholas Kaye

Keshav Agiwal

Audrey McElrath

Margarita Orozco

Awarded to the graduating students who have contributed most significantly to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the law school, and thereby demonstrate potential to contribute to ending historical and enduring forms of subordination and structural inequality and injustice.

Excellence in Legal Scholarship Award ..............................................

Madison Faizon-Hardgrave

Jami-Reese Darling Robertson

Rebecca Marie Seeger

Presented to the students who have made the most significant contributions to overall legal scholarship during law school.

Family Law Section of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers ............... Elizabeth Alexandra Garrity

Presented to a graduate who demonstrates promise and potential for the practice of Family Law.

International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Student Advocacy Award

Hannah James Romero-Ruvalcaba

Recognizes the student who has excelled in the field of trial advocacy.

J. Westwood Smithers Medal

Recognizes the student with the highest cumulative GPA after the third year.

Law Faculty Award for Clinical Excellence

To be announced

Emma Yuewan Silverman

Presented to the student who demonstrates superior performance in client representation or other intensive advocacy work through in-house clinics, or who is otherwise regarded as an outstanding clinical student.

Law Faculty Award in Commercial Law .....................................................

Moses John Hutchison

Jacob Alexander Oswalt

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Commercial Law.

Law Faculty Award in Constitutional and Civil Rights Law ............

Benedict Andreas Roemer

Alberto Jesus Wray

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Constitutional and Civil Rights Law.

Law Faculty Award in Corporate and Securities Law ..........................

Katherine Grace Menello

Kelly Doyle Vance

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Corporate and Securities Law.

Law Faculty Award in Criminal Law

Sophie Caroline Fields

Nicholas Kaye

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Criminal Law.

Law Faculty Award in Energy, Environmental, and Land Use Law

Andrew Scott Gordon Jacobs Yun S. Park

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Energy, Environmental, and Land Use Law.

Law Faculty Award in Family Law ....................................................................

Cora Anne Heinzen

Kimberly Siu Lo

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Family Law.

Law Faculty Award in Intellectual Property Law ................................

Emma Yuewan Silverman

Kathryn Annemarie Threatt

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Intellectual Property Law.

Law Faculty Award in International Law

Katie E. Hall

Alexia Isabela Inge

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in International Law.

Law Faculty Award in Labor and Employment Law ...................................

James Jackson Geary

Magnolia Kaylee Stuart

Presented to the students who demonstrate superior academic performance or who are otherwise regarded as outstanding in Labor and Employment Law.

Law Faculty Award in Tax Law ...................................................................

Jacob Alexander Oswalt

Presented to the student who demonstrates superior academic performance or who is otherwise regarded as outstanding in Tax Law.

National Association of Women Lawyers Award...........................................

Rebekah Joy Carico

Awarded by the faculty for academic achievement, professionalism, and potential to contribute to the advancement of women in society.

National Order of Scribes Award ...........................................................

Brenna Elizabeth Harman

Miriam Kelly Mays

Katherine Grace Menello

Presented to the students who demonstrate excellence in legal writing.

Order of the Barristers

Melody de Castro Bohannan

Kevin Lester Byrne

Savanna L. Clendining

Sophie Caroline Fields

Garrett Action Handegan

Miriam Kelly Mays

Joseph Mosby Noser

Benedict Andreas Roemer

Hannah James Romero-Ruvalcaba

Magdalyn Grace Staples

Awarded for excellence in advocacy, through participation on Moot Court teams, as chairs of a Moot Court Board, or on the Trial Advocacy Board.

Orrell-Brown Award for Clinical Excellence in the Children’s Law Center........................................................

Elizabeth Alexandra Garrity

Sara A. Kimmel

Hannah James Romero-Ruvalcaba

Awarded to the students who have excelled in the skills necessary for direct representation of clients.

Professor Nina R. Kestin Service Award .................................................... Alyssa Grace Harrison

Miriam Kelly Mays

Benedict Andreas Roemer

Honors the students who have contributed most significantly to the law school, the community, and the profession.

Public Interest Law Association Pro Bono Award ................................................. Keshav Agiwal

Recognizes the graduating student who has shown extraordinary commitment to public interest work.

Racial Justice and Anti-Racism Advocate Award ............................................ Alexia Isabela Inge

Awarded to the graduating student who has contributed most significantly to advancing antiracism in the law school, and thereby demonstrates potential to contribute to ending structural racism, racial inequality, and other forms of injustice based on race.

Virginia Bar Association Tax Award Avery Suzanne Younis

Recognizes a graduating student who has approached the study of Tax Law with distinction through activities both in and outside the classroom and who demonstrates great promise as a future Tax Law practitioner.

Virginia State Bar Section on Criminal Law Award .......................... Benedict Andreas Roemer

Awarded to the outstanding student in the field of Criminal Law and Procedure.

Virginia Trial Lawyers Association ........................................................... Magdalyn Grace Staples

Awarded to the student who has excelled in demonstrating the talent and attributes of a trial advocate.