Virtual SIU Law School Induction Ceremony set for Tuesday, October 13

Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier will preside over a virtual induction ceremony this week for first-year law students in the Southern Illinois University School of Law.

The ceremony for the 92 students in the law school’s Class of 2023 begins at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. All of the students will participate via Zoom. This is the law school’s 20th annual ceremony.

For the Zoom link or more information on the event, contact Judi Ray, assistant dean for administration, student services, facilities and information technology support, at judiray@siu.edu or 618-453-8135.

“The induction ceremony is important for our law students as they begin their journey to become a part of the legal community,” Camille Davidson, SIU School of Law dean said. “It is a privilege to practice law; responsibility and accountability come with such privilege. In a self-regulating profession, civility and professionalism are extremely important.”

The first-year students will recite a “Statement of Professional Commitment,” an oath they draft themselves. The induction ceremony and professionalism pledge are part of a nationally recognized Professionalism and the Law course. 

The SIU School of Law is the first law school in Illinois to create the professionalism program for first-year students. Throughout the year, students participate in a series of workshops related to legal ethics and other issues. Some of the workshops include practicing attorneys and judges discussing what it means to be in the profession, expectations and common ethical considerations.