2025 Public Interest and Pro Bono Graduation and Reception

We are so excited to honor and thank graduating Berkeley Law JD and LLM students who have demonstrated a commitment to public interest, pro bono, and social justice work with our annual Public Interest and Pro Bono Graduation! This year’s ceremony will be held in Pauley Ballroom from 12:00pm-1:45pm, followed by a reception until 3:00pm (more details on this below.)

We invite graduating students who have done any one of the following to celebrate with us!

• Completed the Pro Bono Pledge;
• Completed two summers of public interest or public service work;
• Served as a leader for a Student-Initiated Legal Services Project (SLPS) or a Berkeley Law Alternative Service Trip (BLAST);
• or, Met the requirements for the Public Interest and Social Justice Certificate or the Race and Law Certificate.

Can’t make the event in person? Join in our livestream! 

The following awards will also be announced at the Public Interest and Pro Bono Graduation: The Francine M. Diaz Memorial Award, the Pro Bono Champion Award, the Eleanor Swift Award, the Kathi Pugh Award, ​the Brian M. Sax Prize for Excellence in Clinical Advocacy and Sax Prize Honorable Mention​, the CLEA Outstanding Clinical Student Award, and the CLEA Outstanding Externship Student Award.

On Location and Timing:
The celebration will start with a ceremony from 12pm-1:45pm, to be held in Pauley Ballroom. Because we are celebrating so many incredible graduating students this year, we are moving our event outside of the Law School. The ceremony will be followed by a reception on the Pauley Ballroom Terrace until 3:00pm.

On Guests & Ticketing:

• Ceremony: We wish we could welcome honored students and all of their loved ones for this special celebration. Due to capacity, each graduate can register up to two guests to attend the ceremony. RSVP here. 

• Reception: No additional guests will be welcomed for the reception. While we do not require RSVPs for the reception, we recommend one or two guests per student.

This event is hosted by the Public Interest Working Group, made up of the Advanced Degree Program, the Career Development Office, the Clinical Program, the East Bay Community Law Center, the Field Placement Program, the Financial Aid Office, the Pro Bono Program, and the Thelton E. Henderson Center for Social Justice.