The USC Gould School of Law celebrated the Class of 2026 Graduate and International Programs graduates during its commencement ceremony, conferring 407 master’s degrees across the school’s on-campus and online graduate law programs.
Graduates were supported by family, friends, faculty and staff as they marked the completion of their studies and joined USC Gould’s global alumni network.
In her remarks, USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson reflected on the milestone graduates had reached and the opportunities awaiting them.
“Be excited for what lies ahead, even if you may not know exactly what lies ahead,” Tolson said. “Because there is a sense of adventure and empowerment in your unfinished path.”
Tolson noted that the graduating class represented 11 academic programs and encouraged graduates to approach the future with curiosity, courage and a commitment to lifelong learning.
The keynote address was delivered by Nicolai Schwarz-Gondek (LLM 2005), partner at Sidley Austin and a member of the USC Gould Board of Councilors. Reflecting on his own experience as an international student in USC Gould’s LLM program, Schwarz-Gondek recounted his path from Germany to Los Angeles and the professional opportunities that followed.
“The uncertainty was the progress,” Schwarz-Gondek said. “When I moved here, I thought I had a plan. In reality, I was making decisions one step at a time, often without knowing where they would lead.”
Drawing on his career in corporate law, Schwarz-Gondek encouraged graduates to remain open to unexpected opportunities, recognize the value of professional relationships and approach their careers with confidence even when the path ahead is not fully clear.
Student speaker Ellen Hoang, who graduated with a Master of Laws (LLM) in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity, reflected on the diverse experiences represented within the graduating class. She spoke about the willingness of students to take professional and personal risks in pursuit of new opportunities and highlighted the Trojan values that shaped their time at USC Gould.
Hoang also discussed the importance of adaptability, intellectual curiosity and ambition, encouraging graduates to apply those qualities as they move forward in their careers.
The ceremony included the presentation of candidates and acknowledgement of degrees by Associate Dean Misa Shimotsu. The Class of 2026 represented the 24th class for the Master of Laws; ninth class for the Master of Studies in Law, LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution and the Master of Dispute Resolution; sixth class for the LLM in International Business and Economic Law; fifth class for the LLM in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity; fourth class for the Master of International Trade Law and Economics; and second class for the Master of Laws in Business, the Master of Laws in Media and Entertainment Law, and the Master of Science in Innovation Economics, Law and Regulations.
For more photos from the day, click here. To watch the ceremony livestream, click here. To read about the JD and Undergraduate Class of 2026 commencement, click here.
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