UCI Law Commencement Ceremony 2023

Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 9:30 a.m.
UCI Bren Events Center (map)

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Keynote Speaker

The Honorable Philip S. Gutierrez
United States District Court, Central District of California

Chief U.S. District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez attended the University of Notre Dame from 1977 to 1981. He then attended the UCLA School of Law from 1981 to 1984. After graduating from law school, Chief Judge Gutierrez entered private practice. In 1988, he joined the law firm of Cotkin & Collins, where he became the managing partner of the Santa Ana offices. His practice concentrated in complex business litigation, professional malpractice liability, and
insurance coverage issues.

In 1997, California Governor Pete Wilson appointed Chief Judge Gutierrez to the Whittier Municipal Court. After the unification of the Los Angeles court system in 2000, he served as a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge. During this time, Chief Judge Gutierrez actively participated in various judicial committees and enjoyed several teaching assignments. In 2007, he was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate to serve on the United States District Court for the Central District of California. In June 2020, he assumed the position of Chief U.S. District Judge.

Other Speakers

Faculty Speaker: Professor Ji Seon Song

J.D. Class of 2023 Student Speaker: Jorge Iniguez

Global LL.M. Class of 2023 Student Speaker: Yonghyung (Thomas) Chung

Graduate Tax LL.M. Class of 2023 Student Speaker: Eddie Coronado

Commencement Information

Jennah Jones, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence
jjones@law.uci.edu

All grads must wear regalia to participate in the Commencement ceremony (the only exception is active-duty military personnel, who may wear their dress uniforms). Grads are required to purchase the regalia and then it's yours to keep.

Here is a list of the items included in the regalia sets:

JD and Grad Tax Program Graduates’ regalia sets include a tam, UCI official tassel, gown, and hood
LLM Graduates’ regalia sets include a mortarboard cap, UCI official tassel, gown, and hood
Tams may be purchased a la carte
UCI official tassels may be purchased a la carte

For questions or support, please contact Leslie Dods, Events Manager, at 949.824.0197 or events@law.uci.edu.

Regalia Pick-Up: Regalia will be available for pick-up on April 26, 27 & 28 in EDU 1121 during the times below.

1. 1. - 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    - 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Please note, you may only pick up your own regalia.

Additionally, regalia will not be available for purchase or pick up on the day of Commencement.

Detailed information about diplomas can be found here.

Graduation announcements may be purchased from CB Announcements.

You may purchase UCI Law mementos through the online UCI bookstore.

Ticket requests are due no later than Friday, April 14. Please submit your requests here. Tickets will be emailed from the Bren about a week before the ceremony and will be print-at-home.

Additionally, tickets will not be available on the day of Commencement.

There will be no rehearsal prior to the ceremony.

On the day of Commencement, graduates should arrive by 8:00 a.m., in full regalia. Follow the signs to the student check-in area where you will line up for the academic procession.
The ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. and will last 90-120 minutes.
A light reception will begin immediately after the ceremony just outside of the Bren Events Center.

All seating is first come, first served. Family and friends should be seated by 9:00 a.m. Bren Events Center staff members will be available to answer questions and direct your guests.

Seating Accommodations for Guests with Disabilities

To request reasonable accommodation for a disability, please submit your requests along with your ticket requests no later than Friday, April 14. Please submit your requests here.

During the ceremony, there will be a booth where you can purchase flowers and lei gifts for your grad. Use the link to order graduation flowers and lei gifts ahead of time to be picked up at commencement before the ceremony: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/uc_irvine/

There will be a reception immediately following the commencement ceremony which will take place just outside the Bren Events Center. The reception will feature light appetizers and beverages. Your friends and family are invited.

Directions to the Bren Events Center

Parking Details

Parking will be complimentary on Saturday, May 6 for those attending the Commencement Ceremony.
NEW THIS YEAR! UCI Transportation Services has implemented Park by Plate, an online advance parking registration system for large events. We are excited to share this new program with our Commencement attendees. We strongly encourage all attendees who need to park at the event to register before arriving on-site. Register here for parking.
Guests with disabilities parking needs - When guests arrive at the Mesa Parking Structure, they may let the attendant know they require ADA parking. They will be directed to the second level of the structure to proceed to the East Entrance of the Bren Center. Once inside, let a Bren Center staff member know that they require ADA seating, and they will be directed as appropriate.

For media information, please contact Colleen Taricani at ctaricani@law.uci.edu.

Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the ceremony to take portraits of every graduate. Photos of the graduates crossing the stage, as well as individual portraits on multiple backgrounds, will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremony.

To receive your proofs, please visit www.UCIphotos.com to fill out your contact information prior to the ceremony. You can email questions about photos to info@propicsusa.com. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. You will be responsible for payment of any photos you order.