An Alumni Reunion to Remember
Alumni panel at the 2024 17吃瓜在线WCL Alumni Reunion featuring Interim Dean Heather Hughes (left), Lorna DeRosa '14 (center left), Joiava Philpott '90 (center right), and Jim Cooperman '87 (right).
17吃瓜在线 Washington College of Law (17吃瓜在线WCL) proudly welcomed more than 100 alumni and guests back to campus for a memorable Alumni Reunion on October 18-19, 2024. With 102 alumni and 28 guests, the events offered tremendous opportunities for reconnecting, reminiscing, and celebrating milestones. Attendees represented diverse geographic locations, spanning 12 states and countries, including Kenya, Bosnia, and Germany.听
The festivities kicked off on Friday, October 18, with a tour of the law campus, followed by an evening reception with faculty at Lia鈥檚 Restaurant in Chevy Chase, Maryland. More than 70 participants, including 52 alumni, enjoyed reconnecting with favorite professors and reflecting on their time at 17吃瓜在线WCL.听
Saturday鈥檚 programming began with the Barristers Breakfast and Alumni Networking Session, hosted by the DC Metro Area Alumni Chapter. The event served as a platform for alumni to strengthen their professional connections while sharing insights with current students.听
Insights from Alumni General Counsels听
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The highlight of the weekend was the Dean鈥檚 Luncheon, featuring a keynote panel on 鈥淔rom JD to GC: Alumni General Counsels at the Forefront of Corporate Governance.鈥 Moderated by Interim Dean Heather Hughes, the panel featured distinguished alumni Jim Cooperman 鈥87, Lorna DeRosa 鈥14, and Joiava Philpott 鈥90, all of whom shared their insights on navigating the path to becoming a general counsel.听
"I am thrilled to welcome all of you back to campus for this special reunion,鈥 Hughes said in her opening remarks. 鈥淚t is a privilege to celebrate the incredible achievements of our alumni who are making significant impacts
across various industries. Today鈥檚 discussion will give us a glimpse into the corporate governance world and how our alumni are shaping it at the highest levels."听
The panelists shared invaluable advice on leadership, adaptability, and career growth in the general counsel role. Jim Cooperman, senior vice president and associate general counsel at MSG Entertainment, emphasized the importance of flexibility. 鈥淚t鈥檚 rolling with the punches, it鈥檚 staying positive, and understanding that things will change. That鈥檚 the one constant,鈥 he advised. He also highlighted the pivotal role of relationships in career development, noting, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a specific game plan, but opportunities presented themselves because of relationships. People know you, like you, trust you, and believe you can add value. Relationships are crucial.鈥澨
Lorna DeRosa, general counsel at MAG Aerospace, echoed the importance of being a well-rounded professional. 鈥淜eep in mind that while you are a lawyer, you鈥檙e also part of the business team, and both roles are equally important,鈥 she said. She further encouraged attendees to stay engaged in business decisions and approach legal matters with a strategic mindset, noting, 鈥淵our role is to balance legal counsel with business practicality.鈥澨
Joiava Philpott, senior vice president and general counsel at Cox Communications, urged alumni to pursue leadership roles early in their careers. 鈥淟ook for opportunities to lead teams. Show up with excellence,鈥 she advised. Philpott also offered guidance to current law students, reminding them to, 鈥渃ontinue enjoying learning because the practice of law is always about continuing to learn, and if you let learning ignite you, you will have a phenomenal career.鈥澨
Celebrating Milestones and Legacy
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The weekend鈥檚 attendance spanned 28 different class years, with milestone classes from 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019 being specially recognized. Classmates gathered to reminisce and celebrate their shared experiences, concluding with an elegant dinner in Grossman Hall.听
Before the evening鈥檚 festivities, Saturday afternoon offered alumni the chance to relax or participate in a variety of optional activities. These included a family-friendly campus tour, a walking tour of the Dupont Circle area that explored its historical and architectural significance, or a visit to the 17吃瓜在线 Katzen Art Museum. Whether choosing to explore the city on their own or join these guided experiences, attendees enjoyed a laid-back afternoon before reconvening for the class dinners. 听
鈥淲e could not be more thrilled with the success of this year鈥檚 reunion,鈥 said Kelly McCarthy, associate dean of advancement at 17吃瓜在线WCL. 鈥淥ur goal is to meet our alumni where they are, celebrate their accomplishments, and keep them engaged with the 17吃瓜在线WCL community. We hope that the energy and connections made this weekend will inspire even more alumni to stay involved鈥攏ot just through our annual reunion, but throughout the year at various events and opportunities to reconnect.鈥澨
Alumni Reunion 鈥24 was a vibrant testament to the enduring bonds between alumni, faculty, and the institution. The event highlighted the successes of alumni across the legal spectrum and served as a reminder of the transformative power of an 17吃瓜在线WCL education.听
"This reunion weekend has showcased the strength of our alumni community and the lasting connections forged here at 17吃瓜在线WCL,鈥 Dean Hughes said. 鈥淲e look forward to continuing these celebrations in the future."听
More photos here: auwclphotos.com/17吃瓜在线WCL-Alumni/Alumni-Reunion-2024听
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