
“Do not shy away from your authentic self,” Attorney Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour (J.D. ‘06) encouraged graduates of the Georgia State University College of Law December Class of 2024. “The richness of your lived experiences makes you a better lawyer.”

Attorney Adwoa Ghartey-Tagoe Seymour (J.D. ‘06) addressed graduates of the Georgia State University College of Law December Class of 2024.
Seymour addressed the 28 graduates who completed their legal education at the College of Law’s December Commencement and Hooding Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, witnessed by their family and friends.
Seymour’s remarks were drawn from personal struggles with academic probation and a learning disability. When she applied to Georgia State Law, the admissions committee saw a candidate earnestly overcoming obstacles and committed to growth.
In 2006 Seymour graduated from the College of Law with honors. She went on to become a Fortune 100 legal executive and former AmLaw 100 partner, and she currently serves as vice president of litigation for Albertsons Companies, Inc.
As Seymour pursued an imperfect path to success, one lesson from her experience guided her professional journey. “Reputation is everything in our field. I learned this early as a paralegal, interacting with lawyers who treated me differently because I wasn’t yet their peer,” she advised. "Your professionalism will distinguish you in moments of tension and remind others of the higher standard we uphold.”
The December 2024 graduating class includes two students who have earned pro bono and public service distinction, completing a minimum of 50 hours of service over the course of their studies, and eight students graduating with academic honors.
Kierra Ross (J.D. ‘24), graduated cum laude and was selected by her fellow graduates to speak as a member of the graduating class. During her speech Ross advised her peers to carry the lessons they learned in school forward into their careers. She urged them to balance preparation with adaptability, to value the community they had built with one another, and to remember that their words matter.
“Whether drafting a memo or making an argument, we’ve seen the power of language to create change, seek justice and inspire hope,” she said. " People inherently trust the words you say simply because you’re a lawyer. Choose your words wisely. Say what you mean and mean what you say.”

Kierra Ross (J.D. ‘24) graduating cum laude, beams as she is hooded by L. Lynn Hogue Professor of Law Corneill Stephens.
Ross got involved at the College of Law from the beginning, serving as the 1LP class representative for the Student Bar Association and later as treasurer. She served as a graduate administrative assistant for the College of Law’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations, the Donor Relations and Alumni Outreach Committee for the Black Law Students Association, and she participated in the Health Law Partnership Legal Services Clinic, all while balancing her studies and a full-time role as a public health analyst for the CDC. Ross graduated with honors and a Certificate in Health Law. Next up she will join Baker Hostetler as an associate attorney.
As the graduates looked ahead to the next steps of their careers, Ross left them with words of encouragement. “The world is full of challenges, and the law is often messy and complex. But we are ready. The journey ahead won’t always be easy, but if law school has taught us anything, it’s that we are capable of far more than we imagined,” she said.
Interim Dean Courtney Anderson conferred degrees on the graduates and congratulated them on their achievements. “Today is not just the end of your academic journey but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to justice, advocacy, and the pursuit of a better world,” she said, reminding them of the road ahead.
“As you move forward, remember that the legal profession is not just a vocation; it's a powerful force for positive change. Use your skills to amplify the voices of the marginalized, to challenge injustice, and to contribute to the betterment of our global community.”