Four graduates of Elon Law鈥檚 Class of 2019 were sworn into the practice of law on Tuesday in a Zoom ceremony hosted by the Hon. Teresa Vincent, chief judge of the North Carolina District Court in Guilford County.
A global pandemic wasn鈥檛 about to stop four Elon Law alumni from taking the final step this month in their journey to the legal profession.
An online swearing-in ceremony on June 16, 2020, led by the chief judge of the North Carolina District Court in Guilford County officially brought recent graduates Savannah Eliseo, Aysha Johnson, Stephanie Keller and Myles Owens IV into the practice of law.
鈥淪omething I was telling my family after the event was over is that I had been planning to become an attorney since I was in middle school,鈥 Owens said. 鈥淭he feeling of finally being sworn in as a licensed attorney is something that is surreal.鈥
The quartet were among those who graduated from Elon Law鈥檚 2.5-year program in December before passing the February 2020 North Carolina Bar Exam.
鈥淵ou will have an opportunity to engage in a legal system that guards and protects the rights of our citizens. I hope you find that to be inspiring,鈥 Chief Judge Teresa Vincent told graduates while also congratulating their families and friends. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful for your taking the time to support the newly licensed attorney that you鈥檙e here for today.鈥
The ceremony included additional remarks by Lisa Arthur, president of the Greensboro Bar Association, Hillary Kies of the GBA鈥檚 Young Lawyers Division, and Lisa Johnson-Tonkins, the Guilford County Clerk of Court.
All three congratulated the Elon Law graduates and encouraged them to take advantage of resources available through their respective organizations. 鈥淲e all have vivid memories of our swearing-in dates, and I know it鈥檚 a very special time,鈥 Arthur said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge accomplishment for all of you, but it鈥檚 also an accomplishment you share with family and friends.鈥
Also present for the swearing-in was the Hon. Marcus Shields, a North Carolina District Court judge who has worked with Elon Law students in recent years and has been a part of several presentations at the law school.
鈥淚 have been involved with you all since you came to Elon Law so it鈥檚 very special to see you at this once-in-a-lifetime moment,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 hope you embrace it and enjoy it despite the circumstances because you only get sworn in once.鈥