Pepperdine Caruso Law Graduates Celebrate Winter 2023 California Bar Swearing-In Ceremony
On Monday, December 11, the bi-annual tradition of the California Bar Swearing-in Ceremony was held in person at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law. Caruso Law graduates and their family and friends gathered in Malibu to celebrate the accomplishments of the class of 2023.
The ceremony opened with Arnold Barba, assistant dean of professional formation, offering a prayer over the graduates and their future legal careers. Dean Paul Caron then addressed the attendees, sharing that the law school will continue to support the graduates who are still working to pass the bar exam and encouraging the new class of attorneys to support their fellow alumni. Dean Caron thanked professors Ann Camacho, Barrett Schreiner, and Peter Fendel for their endless support in aiding the graduates through their preparation for the California Bar Exam.
Caruso Law alumnus Judge Ryan Wright (JD ‘97) of the Superior Court of Ventura County shared words of encouragement before administering the state oath. He focused on the importance of graduates sharing gratitude to their support systems but most importantly remembering to thank themselves. Judge Wright shared, “When you are wondering, ‘Man, can I do this?’ You can - because you already have.”
Caruso Law alumnus Judge André Birotte Jr. (JD ‘91) of the United States District Court of the Central District of California reminded the new attorneys to carry themselves nobly before he administered the federal oath. He noted “You probably heard that the law is a noble profession, and I would submit that it is, but it is a noble profession not just because you achieve this degree and because you have this education and skill set, but it is what you do with it.” Judge Birotte continued, “And as you embark as new lawyers, I would humbly submit that you use this opportunity to use the skills that you have to help serve others.”
After taking the state and federal oaths, the new attorneys celebrated with their friends and family who had joined them for the joyous occasion.
