Announcements

Announcing the 2025 Grand Marshals:

Announcing the 2025 Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipient:

�������� is proud to announce that distinguished trial lawyer and Southwestern Alum Walter M. Yoka ’80, founding partner of YOKA | SMITH, will deliver the keynote address at the law school’s 110th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the profession and to Southwestern, Yoka will also receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws at the ceremony. 

Announcing the 2025 Student Speaker:

First‑generation graduate Hailey S. Roknipour ’25 will deliver the student address. Enrolled in SCALE, Southwestern’s accelerated two‑year J.D. program, Roknipour has combined rigorous academics with broad service: she mentored peers as a SCALE Ambassador and Peer Mentor, served on the Honor Code Committee, led the Video Game Law Society, served on the First Gen Board, and clerked for both Justice Thomas Delaney of the California Court of Appeal and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s White‑Collar Crime Division. Her advocacy earned Distinguished Performance and Best Brief awards in Southwestern’s Legal Analysis, Writing, and Skills II course. She also has served as TA, RA, student editor on JIMEL, student clinician in the Immigration Law Clinic, and member of the Negotiation Honors Program. “I am truly honored to represent the Class of 2025,” Roknipour said. “Law school has been the best decision of my life, and I’m excited for this next chapter.” 

Announcing the 2025 Commencement Singer...

Part-time evening graduate Piper A. Hinson ’25 will sing the national anthem. Before law school, Hinson built a multifaceted career as a vocalist, violinist, and actor, performing with artists such as Stevie Nicks and Mick Jagger and releasing her own music on major platforms. At Southwestern, she led the Southwestern Law Review as Editor‑in‑Chief, served as Academic Chair of the Moot Court Honors Program, won multiple Best Brief awards. Following the bar exam, she will join the appellate firm Horvitz & Levy LLP. “I’m beyond excited to sing at commencement,” Hinson said. “It feels like the perfect hand-off from my past in entertainment to my future in law—and a chance to represent the part-time evening section.”