1984 Graduate to Give Commencement Address

Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth A. McClanahan ’84 will return to the University of Dayton School of Law to deliver the commencement address during the 2012 graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 5.  

The ceremony begins at 9 a.m. in the University of Dayton Arena. A reception for graduates, family and friends will follow in Keller Hall.  

The Class of 2012 includes 181 graduates: 176 J.D. recipients, three LL.M. recipients and two M.S.L. recipients.  

Justice McClanahan joined the Virginia Supreme Court last fall, receiving a 12-year term.  

Previously, she served on the Virginia Court of Appeals since 2003, and was in her second term in that post when she was elected to the Supreme Court. She also served as the chief deputy in the Virginia Attorney General’s office.  

Prior to entering public service, she was a partner at the law firm Penn, Stuart and Eskridge in Abingdon, Va. She is an expert in natural resources law focusing on natural gas, coal and oil issues.  

She is a former chair the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and served as vice rector of the College of William and Mary, where she earned her undergraduate degree.