Elaine A. Carlson ’79, South Texas College of Law Houston’s Stanley J. Krist Distinguished Professor of Law, presented “Carlson’s Rules for the Practice of Law and Life” May 11 at Commencement during what she called her “final lecture” to the May 2024 graduating class.
President and Dean Michael F. Barry — in introducing Prof. Carlson as “a mentor, colleague, and friend, one who breaks barriers and leads the way” — announced she is retiring from the law school after more than four decades of teaching, leadership, and service.
“Prof. Carlson has influenced generations of South Texas graduates,” Barry said. “She has set an example of professionalism, leadership, and excellence as an attorney and a distinguished law professor. And when it comes to Texas civil procedure, she literally wrote the book on it.”
Some of Prof. Carlson’s guidance for graduates included believe in yourself; live up to your profession, which includes the important societal role of ensuring the rule of law is followed; get involved and give back; set high standards, but always remain humble; keep your eye on the ball [in your career], but remain flexible to opportunities; listen well; be prepared and know your opponent’s case better than your own; develop a filter (“you can think whatever you want, but you can’t say whatever you think”); integrity is everything; form your village because you can’t do this alone; and enjoy life.
“Life is not a dress rehearsal,” Prof. Carlson said. “Go out into the crazy, big, wonderful world and make us proud. More importantly, make yourselves proud.” She received a standing ovation from the entire crowd, including the faculty on stage, when she completed her speech.
STCL Houston bestowed Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degrees upon 235 graduates during the ceremony at the George R. Brown Convention Center. They joined more than 16,000 South Texas Law alumni serving Houston, Texas, and the nation with distinction.
Valedictorian Elena J. Smith ’24 reflected on “impact” across many areas in her remarks, including a reference to the “enormous” impact Prof. Carlson had on her life and career.
“In reflecting on the past three years of law school and looking past today, I find myself coming back to one topic: impact,” Smith said. “The impact our family and friends had on us since before we entered law school… the impact we’ve had on one another in our time at South Texas… the impact our professors had on us in our classes and extracurricular activities… the impact attorneys and judges had on us in our clerkships, internships, and jobs… and the impact we will all have on the legal profession at large when we graduate and move into the next steps of our careers and our lives. The impact of this school is all around you. We now have an immense privilege and responsibility, class of 2024. There is much to do, so do it well!”
Jennifer Stogner ’06, president of the STCL Houston Alumni Association board of directors, took a moment to recognize her dad and fellow alumnus Michael P. O’Brien ‘74, who graduated nearly 50 years prior from South Texas. She noted he is still practicing, handling wills, trusts, and probate.
“I told my dad I wanted to go to law school, and he encouraged me to come to work with his firm first,” Stogner said. “That experience had a huge impact on my life and my career. I want to share two lessons I learned from him. First, your word is your bond. And second, your work product represents you and your family. Do it well. Don’t accept ‘good enough.’ ”
Caitlin McDuffee ’24, president of the Student Bar Association and chair of the State Bar of Texas Law Student Division, presented the class check to Dean Barry.
In her brief remarks, she encouraged students to “be present” — and remember to “stop and watch the grass grow.”
To watch a recording of the ceremony, click here: STCL Houston Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony
For more information about Commencement, click here: stcl.edu/commencement
