Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Cumberland School of Law recognized 157 graduates during spring commencement ceremony May 2 in Pete Hanna Center. Jeff Sessions, former U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney General, delivered the keynote address.
An Alabama native, Sessions graduated from Huntingdon College and the Â鶹ÊÓƵ of Alabama School of Law. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, attaining the rank of captain, and held several key public service roles, including U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, Alabama attorney general and U.S. Senator for 20 years. He became U.S. Attorney General in 2017 and served 21 months.
Sessions encouraged graduates to remain steady and committed as they begin their legal careers, even in the face of uncertainty.
“If your future feels uncertain, stay at it,” he said. “Be confident it will work out.”
He advised new attorneys to develop expertise in a complex profession and prioritize continual growth.
“As you gain experience, things get easier and quicker,” Sessions said. “The temptation is to ease off and stop improving, but don’t plateau. You want your firm, the judges, the bar and your clients to know they can count on your knowledge and judgment.”
Emphasizing integrity and accountability, he encouraged young lawyers to address mistakes directly.
“If you mess up, admit it early—tell the judge, tell opposing counsel, apologize to your client,” he said, noting that honesty often leads to better outcomes.
Sessions urged graduates to commit to lifelong learning—reading key cases and staying informed—and to approach inevitable challenges as opportunities for growth.
“When problems arise, work through them and get better. Don’t get bitter,” he said.
Shifting to a broader perspective, Sessions reflected on the nation’s approaching 250th anniversary, describing the United States as the beneficiary of a rare and hard-won tradition of law, freedom and self-governance. Drawing on his experience, he said stable republics are difficult to build and sustain, requiring not only written constitutions but also a deep cultural and civic commitment to their principles.
He highlighted the nation’s legal foundations—from English common law to the U.S. Constitution—and emphasized that the American system depends on an engaged citizenry and a strong legal profession. Lawyers, he said, play a critical role in preserving that system.
Calling on graduates to serve as “guardians” of the Constitution, Sessions said upholding principles and would ensure its legacy for future generations.
The ceremony included the presentation of degrees by Samford Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs David Cimbora and the conferral of degrees by President Beck A. Taylor.
Cumberland School of Law’s Class of 2026 included 146 Juris Doctor graduates, including 15 who earned joint degrees, along with seven Master of Studies in Law graduates and four Master of Laws graduates.
Third-year class president Josh Quattlebaum reflected on the class’s journey, noting that their accomplishments were hard-earned and shaped by challenges that fostered growth and resilience. He credited Cumberland with preparing graduates for the legal profession and emphasized that the class leaves not only with law degrees, but also with lasting friendships and a strong support network.
Encouraging classmates to carry those relationships forward, Quattlebaum echoed U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch’s observation that “the great thing about the legal profession is the many ways in which you can use your knowledge to make such a large and positive public contribution.”
Cumberland School of Law Dean Blake Hudson presented the Daniel Austin Brewer Professionalism Award. Established by former Alabama governor Albert P. Brewer in honor of his father, the award recognizes a student who exemplifies the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in the legal profession. This year’s recipient was Tristan T. Gardner.
A national Marshall-Motley Scholar, Gardner distinguished himself through leadership, advocacy and a deep commitment to service. He served as president of the Student Bar Association, a leader within the Black Law Students Association and an admission ambassador. Gardner was also a member of Cumberland’s nationally recognized trial team and participated in opportunities with the Legal Defense Fund, Equal Justice Initiative and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham.
In January 2026, Gardner received honorable mention on The National Jurist’s Law Students of the Year list.
Before the ceremony, the law school hosted a reception for graduates and their families.