Court of Appeals judge provides graduates four Cs for success
As the School of Law’s 2024 Commencement speaker, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Judge Tamika R. Montgomery-Reeves (J.D.’06) offered words of wisdom for the new graduates.
“My advice to you is to strive for Cs, four Cs,” she said. “I suspect that’s something you were not told to do in law school, but I propose that you do it in your career. The four Cs that I want to talk to you about are connect, challenge, copy and create.”
Connect: Noting that she met her husband and best friend in law school, Montgomery-Reeves said that “being in the legal profession is a blessing but it is not all smooth sailing.”
She said, “No matter what you choose to do in your legal career there are going to be some rough days. There are going to be wonderful wins and there will be tough losses. It’s important to have a network of people who can help you achieve your wins and who can help you learn from and overcome your losses. It’s equally important for you to do that for other people.”
Challenge: Montgomery-Reeves encouraged the new graduates to be open to challenges during their legal careers.
“Sometimes you get an opportunity that you didn’t expect or that you didn’t even ask for,” she said. “And in those instances, even if you’re nervous – maybe especially if you’re nervous – I urge you to challenge yourself, to step out on faith and take a bet on yourself. In the moment, you probably won’t be able to see all of the places and all of the opportunities that will flow from the challenge you’re facing. But in my experience, those are the times when life is better than anything you planned or imagined.”
Copy: She then explained that she always urges people to “emulate those who are in the positions that you strive to occupy.”
Montgomery-Reeves said, “What I mean is that you should emulate the decision-making rubric of those you admire. Don’t just dress for the job you want, but act and speak and post and Tweet as though you’re already interviewing for the position. Everything you’ve done and said and written is being examined. If you want to be a judge, with your decisions at your crossroads, ask yourself what would a judge do … and govern yourself accordingly.”
Create: Lastly, Montgomery-Reeves asked the Class of 2024 to go out and make the world a better place.
“Have the courage and the conviction to create a better community,” she said. “It’s a privilege and not a right to be an attorney. Attorneys have an immense amount of responsibility – responsibility to the bar, to their clients, to their community and to the world.”
She concluded: “Attorneys remain the protectors of the foundation of America. Justice, after all, is the guardian of liberty. … If you’re dissatisfied with something, don’t sit back and wait for someone else to solve your problems – be the hero in your own story.”
Commencement is a day for family. Julian Campbell proudly shares his day with his two daughters and (l. to r.) Andrew Fuller, Millie Campbell and Linda Fuller.
Student Bar Association President Doraly Blanton (left) enjoys meeting Law School Association President Phaedra Parks (J.D.’98) at the pre-graduation reception.
Joshua Patton (left), Matthew Gaudiosi (center) and Jonathan Fagundes check to see how things are going before the ceremony begins.
Megan Cherry shows off her diploma.
Waiting for the ceremony to begin are: (l. to r.) Shepherd Bridges, Jackson Capes, Caroline Capps, Andrew Dietz and Joshua Dillard.
All smiles on the big day are: (l. to r.) Mary Kate McLean, James McKenney, Sian Mason, Nombeko Marshall and Elena Maestas.
Class of 2024 President Jansen Killian (right) and Vice President William Gooding pose for a photo.
