Presiding over the ceremony were The Hon. Catherine C. Eagles of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, The Hon. Stephanie L. Reese of the North Carolina Superior Court and The Hon. Bill Davis of the North Carolina District Court. Graduates were presented to the court by sponsoring attorneys before being admitted to practice before the state bar, the federal bar or both.

“Today is the day you can represent people, represent clients and call yourself a lawyer,” Eagles said during the Thursday, May 21, session. “It’s your job to stand up for people and to stand up for the rule of law. It is your job to conduct yourself uprightly and according to law, and to look after our system of justice every day in everything that you do.”

The ceremony was hosted by the ’s Young Lawyers Section, one of many held across North Carolina and the nation as members of Elon Law’s Class of 2025 complete their legal studies after December graduations and successful performances on the February 2026 bar examinations. Dean of Elon Law Zak Kramer delivered remarks welcoming new attorneys, calling the ceremony “the culmination of years of work and sacrifice by our graduates and their families.”

Jonathan M. Parisi, president of the Young Lawyers Section, encouraged newly licensed attorneys to engage in the legal profession and broader community as they begin their careers.

“This is not the end of your learning journey. It’s just the beginning,” Parisi said. “Seek out mentors, get involved in your legal community, and find ways to serve.”

Davis reminded them that their professional reputation will shape their careers.

“Your reputation is your greatest tool and your greatest asset,” Davis said. “Be thoughtful about how you interact with judges, lawyers, clients and court staff. Build a reputation that will serve you well and help you succeed.”

Reese emphasized the responsibility attorneys assume when clients place their trust, livelihoods and futures in lawyers’ hands.

“You’ve shown incredible strength and character in making it to this point,” Reese told the newly admitted attorneys. “People put their very lives in your hands. From today forward, you have that responsibility, and no one else can carry it for you. You are their voice. You are their guide and their strength in the storm.”

Eagles also encouraged the graduates to pursue civic leadership beyond courtrooms and law offices.

“Lawyers are often the people making the nonlegal parts of our community work,” Eagles said. “Find your place where you can make a contribution beyond the courtroom and your office.”

Presiding over the ceremonial court sessions were:

The Hon. Catherine C. Eagles of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

The Hon. Stephanie L. Reese of North Carolina Superior Court for the 24th District

The Hon. Bill Davis of North Carolina District Court for the 24th District

Elon Law graduates admitted to federal and state court

Elon law graduates seeking admission only to federal court

Elon Law graduates seeking admission only to state court

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51±ŹÁÏÍű Elon Law

Elon Law is the preeminent school for engaged and experiential learning in law. With a focus on learning by doing, it integrates traditional classroom instruction with a required residency-in-practice field placement for all full-time students during the winter or spring of their second year. The law school’s distinctive full-time curriculum provides a logically sequenced program of professional preparation and is accomplished in 2.5 years, which offers exceptional value by lowering tuition and permitting graduates early entry into their careers.

Elon Law has graduated more than 2,000 alumni since opening its doors in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Its annual enrollment now tops 500 students. The law school is regularly featured in PreLaw Magazine’s “Best Schools for Practical Training” rankings, maintaining an A+ rating each year since 2023. Elon Law was also among schools highlighted by Bloomberg Law in 2023 for its innovative approach to student development.

51±ŹÁÏÍű has applied to the American Bar Association to open a full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program in Charlotte beginning in fall 2027. The Elon Law Flex Program, a part-time, in-person program of legal study, launched there in 2024. Designed for students balancing work, family and other commitments to earn their J.D. in under four years, it will enroll its third cohort in fall 2026.

This volume includes articles from contributors to the law review’s 2025 symposium, “Breaking News: First Amendment on Trial,” which explored emerging challenges to free speech and expression. It also features legal analysis by Elon Law graduates of the Class of 2025.

Published annually by Elon Law students, the Elon Law Review is dedicated to advancing thoughtful, practice-informed legal scholarship that engages timely and complex legal questions shaping the profession and society.

The volume continues the journal’s commitment to rigorous analysis of emerging legal issues.

“The Elon Law Review is proud to present Volume 18 to scholars, practitioners and readers interested in timely legal issues,” said Rachel Claffee L’26, the journal’s editor-in-chief. “This edition features scholarship exploring how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the First Amendment and journalism. It also includes analysis of juvenile commercial sexual exploitation courts, racial annexation in rural North Carolina, the reasonable doubt standard, and disaster resilience, including work completed by members of the Elon Law Review Class of 2025.”

Elon Law Review

• Aleezah Adams
• Trinity Barata
• Vivian Camplin
• Megan Chen
• Kali Crooks
• Samantha Davis
• Frank Deronja
• Avery Ferrigno
• Lauren Heist
• Jordan Hicks
• Isabela Latorre
• Maya Mahs
• Carson Patterson
• Bryanna Rediger
• Queen Salaam
• Alex Sarmiento
• Andrew Stark
• Baron Turner

The Elon Law Review was established in 2008 as the student-run and student-edited scholarly journal of the 51±ŹÁÏÍű School of Law. With each issue, the journal strives to advance legal education and scholarship through the contribution of intelligent discussion and analysis of the law. In addition to publishing an annual issue that examines novel and significant topics of legal scholarship, the Elon Law Review hosts an annual symposium on an emerging topic in the legal field.

Professor David S. Levine and Professor Eric Fink serve as advisors to the Elon Law Review.

We The People – Elon Law’s Constitutional Law Journal

• Madison Curtis
• Kayleigh Foster
• Jacqueline Gardner
• John Grice
• John Grosso
• Noah Jackson
• Kyla King
• Michael Maroney
• Gordon McKeehan
• Kassidy Neuner
• Grant Paramore
• Cole Payne
• Karly Pins
• John Prather
• Emily Radcliffe
• Lily Sanders
• Kaitlyn Sella
• Leah Shaw

We The People – Elon Law’s Constitutional Law Journal aspires to promote the contribution of intelligent discussion and analysis of the U.S. Constitution and constitutional law-related issues. The online journal was founded in 2022, aiming to foster healthy dialogue on timely legal issues in a respectful manner that its founders observed is often missing in contemporary debate.

Professor David S. Levine serves as the journal’s advisor.

51±ŹÁÏÍű student Amanda McGee ’26 was featured in a  article highlighting her research and community outreach efforts aimed at improving public health in Alamance County. The story focuses on McGee’s development of a wellness campaign designed to encourage healthier living through accessible, community-based strategies.

A strategic communications major and Communications Fellow, McGee created a multi-platform campaign inspired by “Blue Zones,” regions of the world associated with longer, healthier lives.

“This project has helped me recognize my calling,” McGee said. “It’s made me feel so capable and inspired to continue pursuing work in the public health field that creates change, even on a small scale.”

Her project combines social media outreach, local partnerships and interactive workshops that encourage participants to build sustainable habits related to movement, purpose, rest and nutrition.

“Completely eliminating unhealthy behaviors is often unrealistic,” she said. “A more effective approach is encouraging small, manageable changes that can be integrated into daily routines.”

McGee presented her project at Elon’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum on April 28.

Hutchinson began research shortly after arriving on campus and is working alongside Assistant Professor of Biology Efrain Rivera-Serrano to study how certain viruses interact with the immune system.

“As a nursing major, I have always wanted to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives,” he said. “My interest in cancer research became more personal after my grandmother was diagnosed with leukemia. Although leukemia was not the direct model used in my current project, that personal experience motivated me to pursue cancer-focused research more broadly.”

The article emphasizes that Hutchinson’s work is part of a broader effort to develop innovative cancer therapies that complement traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. By understanding how viruses trigger immune responses, researchers hope to create more targeted and effective approaches to fighting the disease.

Hutchinson presented his research at Elon’s Spring Undergraduate Research Forum on April 28.

The story highlights ÌęŽÇČÔÌęthe effectiveness of new NFL kickoff rules introduced in 2024. The changes, designed to improve player safety, created multiple “touchback” scenarios, situations where the ball is placed at different yard lines depending on how a kickoff ends.

“A big misconception is that moving touchbacks farther up automatically leads to higher scoring,” Guider told the Times News. “What surprised people is that starting field position didn’t have a statistically significant impact on whether a team scored or how long a drive lasted.”

Guider presented his research during the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum on April 28.

The convention brought together more than 2,000 nursing students, educators and healthcare leaders from across the country for four days of leadership development, professional networking and policy engagement. Centered on the theme “Ignite, Innovate, Lead,” the event provided students with opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills while contributing to national conversations shaping the future of nursing.

Elon was represented by senior nursing students Victoria (Tori) Whetstone, founding SNA president; Lathan Rubant; and Katherine O’Neill, along with junior executive board members Taylor Rae Spurgeon, Katie Pescatore, and Sarah Vinges. The group was accompanied by faculty advisor Professor Jeanmarie Koonts and faculty member Elizabeth Van Horn.

A highlight of the conference was Elon students’ active participation in the House of Delegates, the governing body of the NSNA. Whetstone and Rubant served as official delegates, while O’Neill participated as an alternate delegate. Together, they contributed to national discussions on policy and professional issues affecting nursing students and the broader healthcare system.

The Elon delegation authored and presented a resolution titled “Addressing Bias by Changing ‘Refusal’ Language in Clinical Documentation.” The resolution calls attention to how language used in healthcare documentation can unintentionally introduce bias and impact patient care. Rubant served as the lead author, with Whetstone and O’Neill contributing as co-authors. The students formally presented and advocated for the resolution before peers from across the nation.

In addition to presenting their own resolution, Elon delegates participated in voting on multiple proposed resolutions, parliamentary matters, and the election of the 2026–27 NSNA national executive board.

For Whetstone, the experience marked a meaningful milestone in her leadership journey and in the growth of Elon’s SNA chapter.

“It has been such an incredible honor to serve as the founding president of the Student Nurses Association, and I could not be more proud of how far we have come,” Whetstone said. “What started as a vision has grown into a thriving, passionate community of student nurses dedicated to leadership, advocacy, and service.”

Since its founding, Elon’s SNA has rapidly expanded its impact, growing to more than 70 members in its first year and engaging in a wide range of initiatives. These include professional development programming, mental health awareness efforts, community-building events, and fundraising to support organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association, and the National Black Nurses Association.

Participation in the NSNA Convention reflects Elon nursing students’ commitment to leadership beyond the classroom—engaging in policy, advocacy, and professional development at a national level while preparing to enter the nursing workforce.

As the organization continues to grow, its student leaders remain focused on advancing patient-centered care, fostering professional excellence and development, and shaping the future of nursing through advocacy and innovation.

Six judges, comprising two panels, heard oral arguments in two cases inside the law school’s Robert E. Long Courtroom on Wed., April 15. Following recess, they held an extended Q&A session with students in the courtroom where they shared lessons drawn from decades of experience on and off the bench.

Among their advice to young lawyers:

• Be willing to concede a point — then quickly move on to explain why your client still prevails.
• It’s OK to say, “I don’t know,” rather than risk your credibility. Return to your argument about why your client should win the case.
• Structure legal briefs as clear roadmaps of your argument for the Court.
• Be concise in your writing. Make your point, support it with the law and move forward.
• Use caution with AI: Verify facts and citations before submitting any work to the court. Large language models often hallucinate legal matters.

Judges hearing arguments and interacting with students were:

• The Hon. Chris Dillon, Chief Judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals
• The Hon. John Arrowood
• The Hon. Jefferson Griffin
• The Hon. Toby Hampson
• The Hon. Donna Stroud
• The Hon. John Tyson

Judges heard arguments in two very different cases.

The first, , centers on whether certain residential units should be classified as townhomes or duplexes under local building codes, a distinction with significant regulatory consequences — and now potential financial consequences for individual property owners.

The second case, , out of Forsyth County, involves the state’s appeal of a trial court’s decision to dismiss charges after testimony referenced a prior case, raising questions about prejudice and appropriate remedies.

“It was an incredible experience for our students to observe six judges from the North Carolina Court of Appeals and four highly skilled appellate advocates in action, particularly as our first-year students prepare to present their own appellate arguments in their required Legal Method & Communication course in a few weeks,” said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and professor of law. “Several of the judges visiting today consistently welcome Elon Law students to their chambers for their Residencies-in-Practice, summer internships, or full-time clerkships after graduation. It was great to have several current Residency students accompany their judges to the oral arguments.”

Elon Law students’ takeaways

Law students listened intently to judges’ lines of questioning, but also to the ways appellant litigators structured their arguments, responded to jurists’ questions and addressed the court.

“I was paying attention to everything. I could understand why this is such a complicated case — codes changing, proposals changing, multiple parties — and I appreciated the judges asking why it got to this point and where responsibility lies,” said Lamarie Austin-Stripling LF ’29. A student in Elon Law’s part-time Charlotte Flex Program, Austin-Stripling drove from her home in Concord, North Carolina, to hear arguments before returning to the Queen City for classes that night.

Greensboro law students were just as engaged.

• “What struck me most is how much of what I’ve already been doing — in the classroom, in residency, and in internships — showed up in these arguments. It reinforced that I’m learning the skills I’ll need to be in that position one day.” – Tyler Sesker L’26, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, who earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Hollins University and the University of Virginia.

•  “I was surprised by how collaborative the process is — judges discussing cases with each other and their clerks before and after arguments. It was valuable to see how the pros do it and what approaches seemed to resonate.” – Tom Desch L’27, of Cornelius, North Carolina, who earned his undergraduate degree at the University of South Carolina

• “One of the most impactful takeaways was hearing from the judges that if an attorney doesn’t know an answer, it is okay to say, ‘I don’t know.’ Being honest about the limits of your knowledge is much better than risking your credibility.” – Paulina Escobar L’27, of Ecuador, who holds a law degree from the University of the Americas in Quito, Ecuador.

Elon Law alumnus argues in his home court

For one attorney arguing before the court, the visit marked a return to where his legal career began.

Reginaldo Williams L’11, now an attorney with the North Carolina Department of Justice, presented arguments in State v. Cuadra. His path to appellate advocacy, however, was far from certain.

“I was that person wondering, ‘Why did I do this?’” Williams said following hearings, recalling his time as a law student. “I didn’t feel like I fit as a prosecutor or a public defender. But when I did my first oral argument, I knew — this is it.”

Williams credits guidance from Professor of Law Catherine Ross Dunham with helping him stay the course at a moment when he considered leaving law school altogether. That decision ultimately led him to appellate practice, where he now represents the state in criminal appeals.

“There are a lot of students who may not feel like they’ve found their place yet,” he said. “But you will. And when you do, it makes all the difference.”

The corporations, athletes and entertainers at the center of those industries generate opportunity and influence that extend well beyond the spotlight, fueling local businesses and the people around them. That broader community impact is where Schultz aims to make her mark in the legal field.

She got a firsthand look at the breadth of that work during her Residency-in-Practice this winter at Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group — a boutique firm in Charlotte that counsels clients across a range of matters, from contracts, sponsorships and endorsements to intellectual property and brand protection.

“I’ve really enjoyed knowing that the work we do has a meaningful impact,” Schultz said. “These organizations and individuals have a real connection to their communities, and being part of that has been important to me.”

Before enrolling in law school, Schultz spent nearly eight years teaching elementary school after earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Working with students and their families, she discovered a passion for advocacy that ultimately led her to pursue a legal career.

Schultz said Elon Law’s emphasis on experiential learning played a significant role in her decision to attend the school. The Residency-in-Practice Program, a cornerstone of Elon Law’s curriculum, places every second-year student in a full-time, 10-week residency with a judge or practicing lawyer, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom concepts in real legal settings.

At Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group in Charlotte, Schultz received close mentorship from the law firm’s team of attorneys working on matters ranging from document drafting to client interviewing. It was an inside look at the legal field that strengthened practical skills and confidence she will carry into her legal career.

“This has confirmed that I can succeed in this area and that I really enjoy the work,” Schultz said. “I’m full steam ahead on this path after law school.”

Below, Schultz reflects on her residency experience and what she learned while working with the Apollo team.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law, and why sports and entertainment law?

Before law school, I taught elementary school for seven and a half years, working with kindergarten, first, second and fifth graders. One of the parts of teaching I loved most was advocating for students and their families and helping them navigate challenges. Law felt like a natural next step to build on that advocacy and develop the skills and credentials to support people in new ways.

I became interested in sports and entertainment law as name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities began reshaping college athletics. Not everyone comes from financial privilege or financial security, and NIL allows student-athletes to pursue a degree while also helping support themselves and their families.

Why were you interested in completing your residency with Apollo Sports and Entertainment Law Group?

Apollo stood out to me because of the breadth of work the firm handles across the sports and entertainment industries. The attorneys work on a wide range of matters, from brand agreements and trademark issues to litigation and transactional work, and I wanted the opportunity to see how those different areas come together in practice.

I was also drawn to the firm’s boutique environment. Working with a smaller team provided the opportunity to take on meaningful assignments, receive direct feedback and better understand the reasoning behind the work we were doing. The combination of variety and mentorship made it an ideal place to learn.

What were your daily responsibilities?

Every day was different, which was one of the most exciting parts of the experience. I worked on a variety of projects ranging from reviewing employee handbooks for compliance with state and federal laws to conducting trademark clearance checks and drafting legal documents.

I also helped redline different agreements, like revenue-sharing agreements, and drafted settlement and cease-and-desist letters.

What was it like working with the attorneys at Apollo Law Group?

The mentorship was incredible. Every attorney in the firm played a role in guiding me through the work and explaining the reasoning behind different legal decisions. They were truly mentors in every sense of the word.

They trusted me with meaningful assignments, like redlining agreements and participating in client meetings, and then walked through the work with me afterward. That process helped me understand not only the legal details but also how attorneys approach problems by prioritizing the client’s best interest and overall goals.

What skills did you strengthen during the residency?

Contract drafting and redlining were two of the biggest skills I developed during the placement. Those are tools that I now feel confident using in practice.

My legal research skills also improved, especially learning how to locate information efficiently and communicate it clearly. I also became more comfortable interacting with clients and working in a professional legal environment.

What advice would you give to students searching for a residency placement?

Think carefully about the kind of legal work you want to do long-term and try to align your residency with those goals. The placement gives you 10 weeks of hands-on experience with attorneys who are committed to helping you learn. Choose a residency that will give you meaningful experience and help you grow professionally. It’s an opportunity to confirm what type of work you enjoy before you begin your career.

At Elon Law, Schultz is vice president of the Student Bar Association, a student mentor and teaching assistant. She is an active member of student organizations including the Women’s Law Association, the Sports & Entertainment Law Society, First Gen Society, and OUTLaw.

Craige traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend oral arguments in two cases — including those for a closely watched immigration asylum case — after securing tickets through the Court’s public lottery.

“It was an unforgettable experience to watch the Justices engage in real time: asking questions, testing arguments and shaping the legal issues I’ve spent the past few years studying,” Craige said.

A 2024 graduate of 51±ŹÁÏÍű with a degree in psychology, Craige’s interest in law grew from a desire to lead, advocate and serve her community. At Elon Law, she is a Leadership Fellow and member of the Moot Court Board. The daughter of a U.S. Air Force family, she spent much of her childhood on and near military bases, including in Stuttgart, Germany. Her family now lives in northern Virginia.

During her visit, the Court heard arguments in Keathley v. Buddy Ayers Construction, a bankruptcy case, and Noem v. Al Otro Lado, which centers on the rights of asylum seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border. Craige was especially struck by the immigration case. Justices closely examined the meaning of statutory language, parsing even what it means to “arrive” in the United States. The questioning, she said, revealed how minute distinctions in wording can carry significant consequences in how the law is applied.

“It was incredible to see how even small details can shape the outcome of a case,” she said.

The experience felt both familiar and surreal. Craige recognized concepts from class while watching justices press attorneys in real time.

She also experienced something impossible to capture in textbooks and manuals: The rhythm of the room.

“Seeing the justices interact, even joking at times, made it feel less abstract,” Craige said. “It reminded me these are real people behind the decisions we study.”

This spring, Craige is completing her Residency-in-Practice with the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office. She is exploring a future in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, a return to the kind of service that shaped her childhood.

“Moments like this remind me why I chose this path,” she said.