Pepperdine Caruso Law Welcomes the Class of 2025

On August 8, 2022, the Pepperdine Caruso Law community was pleased to welcome the Class of 2025 to Launch Week, a week-long introduction to law school and professional formation. Greeted by student ambassadors, administrators, faculty, and staff, the incoming class of 193 students arrived on campus to begin their legal education. Caruso Law is proud to have enrolled a class with the highest credentials in the 54-year history of the school, with a 3.85 median undergraduate GPA and a 164 median LSAT score. Caruso Law looks forward to the future accomplishments of this outstanding class.  

In his welcoming remarks, Dean Paul Caron commented, “I am thrilled that you have decided to join our very special law school community. You will learn and study on our spectacularly beautiful campus in Malibu with easy access to Los Angeles, one of the world's most vibrant cities for young professionals. Beginning today you will experience the faculty and staff's faith-fueled commitment to you and to your success that manifests itself in various ways, large and small, in daily life at Pepperdine Caruso Law. My fervent wish is that you will love your time here as I have since joining the faculty in 2013, and that you will leave here with a deep sense of your professional and personal calling in law and in life.”

The Honorable Andre Birotte (JD ‘91) then delivered his inspirational speech, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway,” in which he encouraged the entering law students to overcome and embrace the challenges of law school. 

On Tuesday, Assistant Dean for Professional Formation Arnold Barba spoke on the attributes of becoming a legal professional, and invited students to contribute their ideas on the meanings of both professionalism and excellence.

On Wednesday, faculty members joined the program to introduce themselves and the courses that the incoming class would soon be starting. Caruso Law alumni then participated in a discussion with Alumni Director Jessie Fahy (JD ‘11) in which they shared their experiences in law school and in their professional careers. Students heard from panelists Ardy Pirnia (JD '12), founding partner of Pirnia Law Group, Cameron McCollum (JD '17), director of the Sudreau Global Justice Institute, Derek Newman (JD '96), partner and owner of Newman DuWors, Jessica Newman (JD '97), partner and owner of Newman DuWors, and Raisa Turner (JD '13), associate principal counsel at Disney.

Pepperdine University President Jim Gash (JD ‘93) spoke on leadership on Thursday, in which he related the support and encouragement he received from his law professors and mentors along the way, and inspired the students to seek meaningful relationships on their own professional journeys.

The day continued with the highlight of Launch Week, the Oath of Professionalism for the Class of 2025. The oath serves as a promise to uphold the Pepperdine University School of Law Honor Code, as well as a commitment to the highest standards of the profession, including honesty, integrity, civility, humility, justice, and service. The students combined what they had learned during Launch Week to write the oath, which was then administered by Judge Jennifer Dorsey (JD ‘97) of the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. 

On Friday, Launch Week concluded with the annual barbecue lunch at Pepperdine’s beautiful Alumni Park overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The entire Caruso Law community warmly welcomes the Class of 2025.