There was a palpable effervescence in the Louise H. Keelty and James Keelty Jr. Atrium on the evening of January 23, as 15 recent graduates of Catholic Law gathered together, along with their family and friends, to be sworn in as members of the D.C. Bar. Alumni, who just the year before were studying hard, joyfully reconnected with faculty and staff before entering the Walter A. Slowinski Courtroom to start the ceremony.

Bryan McDermott ‘12, Director for Academic Affairs, welcomed the group and noted, “it’s great to see so many of you back here. And a little less stressed than you were the last time I saw you.” McDermott then introduced Dean Stephen C. Payne to make a few introductory remarks. Dean Payne was particularly excited to see the group, as their class is one that represents a rising tide in bar passage rates for Catholic Law. Dean Payne also thanked the Office of Academic Affairs and McDermott for the supportive programs that make success like this possible.

The Honorable Lee F. Satterfield stepped forward then to address the room and administer the oath. He reminded each inductee that in taking the oath, they would not just be members of the bar, but officers of the court. That with this comes the presumption of credibility and honor, and that they should strive always to present themselves with integrity. He then asked the 15 individuals to stand, raise their right hand, and take their oath to be sworn into the D.C. Bar. For those who had entered the school in 2016, the oath marked a full-circle moment in their law careers as it was Judge Satterfield who administered the induction pledge on their first day at Catholic Law.

Following the ceremony, attendees gathered once again in the atrium to celebrate the occasion together—reinforcing the supportive, community nature that defines the school.

D.C. Bar Inductees: Evan Berlanti, Willie Burden, Andres Cruz, Gabriella Giannini, Ashley Greaf, Sean Grafton, Katherine Heise, Katelyn Holbrook, William Holloway, Jeremy Kelly, Alessandra Marsico, Jordanne Miller, McKenzie Miller, Gordon Snow, Robyn Warner