Justice Liu Tells UC Law SF Graduates That Their Courage Will Shape the Future

With humor, humility, and a powerful call to action, California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin H. Liu urged the UC Law San Francisco Class of 2025 to meet this moment with courage, even when the path is difficult or unpopular.

“You are advocates. You are defenders. You are officers of the court, guardians of the rule of law—with the fate of our democracy in your hands,” Liu told 410 graduates at UC Law SF’s 144th Commencement Ceremony, held May 12 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.

Liu’s keynote speech balanced humor and gravity. After declaring straight-As for the class and issuing pardons for any past or future crimes, he inspired more laughter from the graduates and near-capacity crowd when he discussed his own challenges with bar exam prep 27 years ago.

“That July was the least fun I’ve had in a long time,” he said, “but I did get my act together and passed the exam.”

Then he pivoted to a serious and important message: “This is a challenging time to become a lawyer. But there is also no better or more important time to be a lawyer.”

A Legacy of Courage

Liu reminded graduates that history is shaped not just by those in power, but also by courageous lawyers who stood up when it mattered most—from John Adams defending British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, to Clara Foltz, the women’s rights advocate and champion of public defense, to Thurgood Marshall, who risked his life challenging Jim Crow laws in the Deep South.

He encouraged graduates to follow in that tradition of defending “unpopular people or causes on the principle that independence of the legal profession is vital to the fair and impartial administration of justice.”

“That principle is under threat today, and you must stand strong and defend it,” he said.

Liu’s own path underscored the power of legal education. The son of Taiwanese immigrants, he grew up in Sacramento attending public schools, earned degrees from Stanford, Oxford (as a Rhodes Scholar), and Yale Law School, clerked for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, taught constitutional law, and was appointed to California’s highest court in 2011.

A Day of Celebration and Recognition

The potential for legal education to transform lives echoed across the Class of 2025, where 22% of graduates were the first in their families to graduate from college and attend law school, underscoring UC Law SF’s commitment to expand opportunity, excellence and access to the legal profession.

Family and friends filled the auditorium and cheered on the graduates who exemplified this commitment by completing UC Law SF’s Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Laws (LLM) Master of Studies in Law (MSL), or Master of Science in Health Policy and Law (HPL) programs.

Many graduates didn’t wait until commencement to put their legal training to use. Together, the Class of 2025 logged more than 11,000 pro bono hours—valued at over $1 million in free legal services—to help clients seek asylum, fight evictions, and more. Ninety-two graduates were recognized for reaching pro bono milestones, and 41 received honors for outstanding achievement in pro bono.

“We hope that this spirit of pro bono is a commitment all our graduates will continue to live up to throughout their professional lives,” said Chancellor & Dean David Faigman.

Faigman also honored Khaleed Rasheed, a student who died in 2023 after his 1L year, by presenting his father with a certificate of academic achievement and announcing a new scholarship funded by McManis Faulkner, where Rasheed worked before law school. The award supports UC Law SF students who, like Rasheed, earned undergraduate degrees from San Jose State University. 

Lessons From Law School

Valedictorian Judy Shamshikh ’25, who will practice corporate law at Latham & Watkins post-bar, celebrated the relationships, mentorship, and intellectual challenges that defined her law school experience in a speech to graduates. She reminded classmates that despite their varied paths, they leave united.

“We all share a common thread in that we’ve been shaped by the same education—an education that taught us to think critically, to look at problems from every angle, and to never accept easy answers to complex questions,” she said.

LaJeanné Shelton ’25, elected to speak at commencement by fellow JD graduates, spoke about the definition of success. She shared how, early in law school, she believed success meant following a rigid formula: good grades, impressive internships, and prestigious roles. But that definition changed after a tough moment during her summer at the Alameda County Public Defender’s Office.

After a motion she had poured her heart into was denied, Shelton broke down in the courthouse bathroom. Her supervisor followed her, offered encouragement, and shared advice that stuck with her: “If you spend your whole career measuring success in motions granted or denied, guilty or not-guilty verdicts, you will burn out. You are the only one who can define your success.”

From that point on, Shelton said she began to see success differently. For some, it might mean stepping into a courtroom to fight for someone who’s never had a voice. For others, it could be shaping policy, paying off student loans, or supporting family members. For her, it looks like working in a field she loves, graduating alongside close friends, and beginning to repay her father, who worked graveyard shifts to support her through law school.

“Let it be measured not only by what you accomplish, but by who you become in the process,” said Shelton, who plans to pursue a career as a public defender. “Let it be rooted not in comparison, but in conviction. And let it be something you choose, not something you chase.”

Paolo Maggisano LLM ’25, chosen to speak at commencement by fellow LLM graduates, reflected on the personal courage it took to pursue an advanced law degree far from home. Born and raised in Rome, Maggisano came to UC Law SF with a goal of building a career as an international lawyer working across global legal systems. But arriving in a new country, learning a new legal system, and speaking a second language, he admitted, came with fear and uncertainty.

He shared how growth often begins at the edge of one’s comfort zone, and that real change happens when we say yes to new experiences—especially the ones that scare us.

“The only thing standing in our way, most of the time, is our fear,” he said. “But today, as we celebrate this milestone, we’re also proving that we can push through it – and that we’re ready for whatever comes next.”

A World of Challenges Awaits

Professor Karen Musalo, director of the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at UC Law SF, offered advice to graduates: Stay true to your values, be kind to yourself and others, and remember the people who helped you along the way. 

“Have confidence that you have what it takes to succeed,” Musalo said. “Work hard, but maintain balance. Remember to take care of and to believe in yourself.”

Musalo, who was selected as the faculty speaker by the graduates, also used examples from her work and scholarship in asylum law, urging graduates to always remember the importance of facts and research in the quest for justice.

As they begin their next chapters, UC Law SF’s newest alumni join a worldwide network of more than 23,000 graduates leading in law, government, business, and public service.

Liu left the graduates with a final charge.

“In the days ahead, you will be tested,” he said. “But your clients and our nation are counting on you. My hope, and my plea, is that you stand firm. Have courage. And seize the opportunity to honor your oath. When you do, you will protect the very soul of our democracy.

“UC Law San Francisco Class of 2025: you make me proud to be a member of this profession, and as they say, I’ll see you in court.”