Graduates Recognized at 91茄子 Dedman Law 2025 Hooding Ceremony
From left to right: Jada I. Wyrick, Alejandro J. Cantu, Johanna Pang, Lisa Silveira
At this year’s commencement, 91茄子 Dedman School of Law recognized several outstanding members of the Class of 2025 for their academic excellence, leadership, resilience, and service to the law school community.
Jada I. Wyrick Named 2025 Valedictorian
Jada Wyrick graduated from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, as a first-generation college student, majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science while also competing in the heptathlon for the university’s track and field team.
During her time at 91茄子 Dedman School of Law, Jada was a member of the International Law Review Association and served as a student attorney and chief counsel in the Criminal Justice Clinic. Beginning in the spring of her 1L year, she worked as a research assistant for Professor Hillel Bavli, and she competed on various moot court teams, earning second place at the 2024 National Criminal Procedure Moot Court Competition.
Following the Bar exam, Jada will join the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office and subsequently clerk for the Honorable Karen Gren Scholer, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas.
John E. Kennedy Memorial Award Recipients
The John E. Kennedy Memorial Awards, named in honor of longtime faculty member Professor John Kennedy, are presented to J.D. graduates who exemplify service to the law school community. Professor Kennedy, who served on the faculty with distinction for 20 years until his passing in 1989, was known for his deep commitment to the law as a service profession.
The first recipient is Alejandro J. Cantu. Throughout law school, Alejandro was highly involved in student leadership, serving as President, Mentor Director, Chair of the Wellness Committee, and 2L Representative for the Student Bar Association. He was also a Rowling Scholar, Diversity Council Chair for the Hispanic Law Students Association, and Vice President of 91茄子 OUTLaw. In addition, he served as On-Campus Director of the 91茄子 Board of Advocates and participated in the Corporate Counsel Externship Program. After graduation, Alejandro will join Wood Smith Henning & Berman as an associate in the firm’s Dallas office.
The second recipient is Johanna Pang, Thomas W. Luce III Centennial Dedman Law Scholarship Recipient. Johanna served as Associate Managing Editor of the Journal of Air Law and Commerce, Constitutional Criminal Procedure Research Assistant to Professor Jenia Turner, Lord Chief Baroness of the Barristers, and a Squire Patton Boggs Public Policy Fellow. She achieved multiple advocacy honors, including Champion, Best Brief in Region, and Best Speaker in Region 11 at the National Moot Court Competition, where her team finished tenth nationally. As a 2L, Johanna won the National Championship at the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition, and this year placed in the top 16 and was named the third-best oralist in the nation. She was also recognized as an Academic All-American Advocate by the National Association of Legal Advocacy Educators. Johanna externed for The Honorable Catharina Haynes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and interned with the Texas Supreme Court Children’s Commission. After graduation, she will join the Dallas office of Akin before clerking for the Honorable Michael Truncale of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Sarah McQuillen Tran Award Recipient
The Sarah McQuillen Tran Award honors the legacy of beloved faculty member Professor Sarah Tran, recognizing students who have demonstrated exceptional resilience in overcoming personal challenges while contributing meaningfully to the law school community.
This year’s recipient is Lisa Silveira, who has excelled academically while taking on significant leadership roles. She served as President of both the Association for Public Interest Law and the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law Society, while also holding leadership positions in If/When/How and the Student Bar Association. Lisa participated in an externship with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of Legal Services, and served on the 91茄子 Science and Technology Law Review. Notably, she spearheaded a successful auction that raised over $25,000 to fund summer public interest stipends for 1L and 2L students. After graduation, Lisa will join Lloyd Gosselink in Austin as an associate practicing environmental law.