Pleased to Admit

102 graduates sworn into bar by alumni judges

- By Gilien Silsby

More than 100 USC Law graduates returned to campus recently to participate in a swearing-in ceremony that officially marks the start of their careers as lawyers. The newly minted attorneys – who took the bar exam in July - were sworn in by the Hon. James N. Bianco '87 and the Hon. Jacqueline Chooljian '86. The Dec. 2 ceremony at USC's Town & Gown marked the law graduates' admission to the State Bar of California, the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, the U.S. Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit and the Federal Courts. "This really completes the journey you started three years ago," said USC Law Dean Robert K. Rasmussen, who hosted the event. "It also commemorates the time, support and love your friends and family have invested in you." After a bailiff convened the Los Angeles Superior Court and the 102 law graduates were officially admitted to the bar, Bianco and Chooljian offered a few words of advice. "The hardest part of your legal profession is over," said Bianco. "Another great adventure is before you. These difficult economic times will pass…. Keep an open mind and consider new possibilities." Bianco also encouraged the new lawyers to find some balance in their lives. "The practice of law can be very, very demanding. The best piece of advice someone gave me was to take vacation and find other interests outside of law." Chooljian reminisced that just 23 years ago she attended a very similar swearing in ceremony at USC after passing the bar. She encouraged them to take advantage of USC Law's strong alumni base. "You start with a tremendous advantage by graduating from USC Law," said Chooljian. "Anytime one Trojan succeeds, it reflects well on all of us. You are a diverse class and your horizons are unlimited." Chooljian urged students to get involved in pro bono work or public service because "it's the right thing to do and a good thing to do." She also said to keep the three P's in mind – be prepared, be punctual and be polite. "You can be a zealous advocate for your client and still be polite," she said. At the ceremony, graduates expressed excitement and relief at being admitted into the bar. Justin Singh '09 said he ran around the house screaming with excitement when he found out he passed last month. "That day was really stressful," said Singh, who works at Kirkland & Ellis in Los Angeles. "I made everyone leave the house, so I could be alone when I found out." Katie Woliver Insogna '09 said both she and her husband, a Loyola Law graduate, passed the bar. "It was so nerve wracking and such a great relief," said Woliver Insogna, who starts at Reed Smith in Los Angeles in January. "The swearing in was wonderful. It made it even more special to do it here at USC. I don't think it's sunk in yet."