Saturday, May 20, 2023
1:00 p.m.
Matthew Knight Arena
The University of Oregon School of Law will hold the Juris Doctorate and Master of Laws Commencement in-person on Saturday, May 20.
This ceremony will include traditional remarks by members of our community and a library of individual 2023 JD and LL.M. graduates.
DeFazio to deliver address at Oregon Law Commencement 2023
Congressman Peter DeFazio MA ’77, is set to be the distinguished speaker for the University of Oregon School of Law commencement on Saturday, May 20, 2023. Over 100 Juris Doctorate and Master of Laws degrees are expected to be conferred.
Congressman DeFazio proudly represented Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District from 1987 to 2023. As the longest serving member in Oregon’s history and the 65th longest-serving member of the House in U.S. history, DeFazio earned the title of “Tiger of the House.”
His fierce advocacy began while as a graduate student at UO, leading him on a path of environmental advocacy and conservation. DeFazio’s legacy is the wilderness spaces that he helped preserve for future generations. During his career, DeFazio passed and signed into law protections for over 30,000 acres of old growth forest, 250 miles of wild and scenic rivers, and over 100,000 acres of critical steelhead and salmon habitat.
Congressman DeFazio (OR-04) also worked on some of the most critical issues facing our society serving as a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure beginning in 1987 and as Chair in 2019 to 2023. Additionally, he served on the House Committee on Natural Resources from 1987 to 2015.
Faculty Marshal
Jen Reynolds, Professor
Associate Dean of Faculty Research and Programs
Student Speakers
Dee Akinbosade
Student Bar Association President
Joshua Gandarilla
Juris Doctor (JD) Elected Speaker
Ziyad Alahdal
Masters of Law (LL.M.) Elected Speaker
Presentation of Class Gift
Jordan Galik and Maddie Hansen
Student Bar Association 3L Representatives
Important Information
Doors to the East entrance of Matt Knight Arena will open at 12pm and the ceremony will begin at 1pm.
Bags will be checked by MKA staff. No glass bottles, bull horns, or balloons are allowed in the arena.
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the arena where light refreshments will be served. The UO Duck will be on hand to help us celebrate our graduates!
