Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center 2012 commencement

Number of graduates

215 law degrees, 1 master of laws, 1 master of laws in U.S. Legal Studies and 1 dual degree: juris doctor and master's in business administration

Commencement speaker

Judge Leon Lazer, 90, visiting professor of law and a 1948 Touro graduate

"Each of you is a unique human interest story. This is, of course, a transformative moment for you as you achieve postgraduate degree and you're all doctors of jurisprudence. . . . Within a couple of months, you're going to sit down and you're going to pass the bar examination. . . . This is a profession where if you have talent, you're going to make it. . . . Your abilities at human relations are going to be tested. You are going to succeed with a client. You are going to maintain your equanimity. You are going to treat lawyers you deal with the same way you want them to treat you. And if they don't treat you that way. And if they don't treat you that way, you will decide how you want to handle it but you will not lower yourself to that level. ... The profession somehow knows if you're trying to wing it. ... The profession will present you from time to time with significant ethical problems." "It's not just say no -- those cases are easy."

Student speaker

James Tsimis from Hicksville, law degree

"We have all traveled different paths to get here but what we all share is most sacred. We have one life to live. With that, we decided to procure for ourselves a legal education. Arguably, the most personal degree Sallie Mae can provide. . . . Today represents the culmination of three of the most academically arduous and sometimes even intellectually stimulating years of our scholastic careers to date. . . . Law school is an emotional experience and we have experienced them all. From crying after the evidence final, to laughing after a funny gchat conversation in class, to the frustration brought from grappling with the Blue Book, law school is a quintessential emotional roller coaster. . . . I can confidently say that we have been among the most prepared of law school graduates this year."

The graduates

Whitney Montgomery, 28, Rosedale, corporate law

"Touro law is a great school. Everyone knows each other, it really does feel like family. It's a school where you can go to the library, take your shoes off and no one will look at you or anything."

Supin Jarith, 29, from Huntington, business law

"Most of my job applications are saying 'we're not taking you until you pass the bar.' That's what it comes down to right now." "They gave us a lot of good career advice."

Jamie-Lynn Burns, 31, Coram, outgoing student bar president

"It was challenging and very rewarding at the same time. . . . It's absolutely a celebration. This moment was very long time coming and it's a very exciting day for everyone." "They are so into the practical knowledge of being a lawyer."

Maurice Williams, 45, from Los Angeles, lives in Central Islip

"Touro is a school that's into public interest and so am I. . . . I have been helping friends of mine with their immigration issues in one way or another even before I came to law school."