2014 Convocation

OU Law celebrated the graduation of 153 juris doctorate and 20 master of laws students on Saturday, May 10th at the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall.  
 
Serving as the keynote speaker for the convocation was United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Judge Robert E. Bacharach.  President Barack Obama nominated Judge Bacharach January 4, 2013, when the set was vacated by Robert Henry.  The United States Senate confirmed his nomination February 25, 2013 and he received his commission February 28, 2013.  Before serving on the United States Court of Appeals, Judge Bacharach was a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court in the Western District of Oklahoma.  
 
Judge Bacharach graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 1981, and graduated from Washington University School of Law with his Juris Doctorate degree in 1985.  Following graduation from law school, Judge Bacharach served for two years as a law clerk to the Honorable William J. Holloway, Jr., of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.  In 1987, Judge Bacharach joined the Oklahoma City law firm of Crowe & Dunlevy, P.C. as an associate, later becoming a shareholder in 1994.  During his twelve years with the firm, Judge Bacharach focused his practice on commercial litigation, appearing  frequently in state and federal courts, and also served as an adjunct professor with The University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he taught civil pretrial litigation.

In his address, Judge Bacharach told the students one of the biggest factors to success is staying true to who they are.  “Be yourself.  Never try to be something you are not.”  He continued, “Realize you are different than everyone else in this room.  You need not be anyone else.  Embrace that.”

“We are truly honored to have Judge Bacharach as our featured Convocation speaker,” said OU Law Dean Joe Harroz.  “His remarkable judicial career demonstrates his commitment to public service and this is a value we instill in our students from day one.  Judge Bacharach is an incredible example of the impact one person can have on many.”