The Cardozo community gathered on June 4 at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall to celebrate the commencement of the Class of 2025. In total, 304 J.D. graduates and 83 LL.M. graduates were awarded degrees. Dean Melanie Leslie ’91 recalled the day she sat in the same theater at Lincoln Center to receive her law degree, not knowing what the future would hold—a feeling shared by many of the graduates. However, Dean Leslie assured them that their education has prepared them for successful careers and the responsibility that comes with taking an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States.

Excellence, dedication, and stellar were just a few of the words used to describe the outstanding students who were recognized at this year’s Commencement Awards Ceremony. The awards ceremony, which precedes the Commencement Ceremony, celebrates students' hard work both in and outside the classroom.

Cardozo School of Law is proud to recognize 31 members of the Class of 2024 who have been elected to membership in the Order of the Coif. The Order of the Coif is an honorary scholastic society, which encourages excellence in legal education by fostering a spirit of careful study, recognizing those who as law students attained a high grade of scholarship, and honoring those who as lawyers, judges and teachers attained high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments.