Pepperdine Caruso Law Welcomes the Class of 2027
On August 12, 2024, the Pepperdine Caruso Law community was pleased to welcome the Class of 2027 during Launch Week, a four-day introduction to law school and professional formation. As the incoming class of 192 students arrived on campus to begin their legal education, they were enthusiastically greeted by student ambassadors, deans, faculty, and professional staff. Caruso Law is proud to have enrolled a highly-qualified class with a 3.84 median undergraduate GPA, a 164 median LSAT score, and representing 81 undergraduate schools. Caruso Law looks forward to the future accomplishments of this outstanding class.
Dean Paul Caron and Courtney Caron opened the program on Monday with welcoming remarks and a prayer. Dean Caron conveyed his fervent wish that the new students love their time at Caruso Law, and that they each graduate with a deep sense of their professional and personal calling in law and in life. The students were then welcomed by founding dean Ronald F. Phillips, Pepperdine University senior vice chancellor and Caruso Law dean emeritus. Dean Phillips was followed by the Honorable André Birotte, Jr. (JD '91) of the United States District Court for the Central District of Colombia. Judge Birotte, who recently served as the commencement speaker for the Caruso Law Class of 2024, then delivered his motivating speech, "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway."
Launch Week continued on Tuesday with presentations on "Introduction to Professional Excellence," and "Unity and Collaboration." A panel of Caruso Law alumni that included Angela Powell (JD '97), Jennifer Snitko (JD '02), Greer Illingworth (JD '10), and Alex Caruso (JD '17), then convened to discuss "Excellence Through the Pepperdine Caruso Law Experience." The day concluded with a festive lunch where students could meet the representatives of Caruso Law's many student organizations.
On Wednesday of Launch Week, faculty members joined the program to introduce themselves and the courses of study that the incoming class would soon be starting. Students met their first-year professors, and a faculty panel presented "Purpose and Scholarship."
On Thursday, Launch Week continued with the insightful presentations "Leadership: The Pepperdine Way" by University president Jim Gash (JD '93), and "Reputation and Integrity" by the Honorable Ryan Wright (JD '97) of the Superior Court of California, Ventura County. President Gash encouraged the students to bring intellect, discipline, and determination to their legal studies, and to embrace the journey through humility. Judge Wright advised the students that lawyers are in the people business, and that building relationships and personal reputations begins in law school.
Launch Week concluded with an oath writing workshop and the annual professionalism ceremony. The Class of 2027 was then officially ready to join their Caruso Law classmates and colleagues for their first day of classes.
