More than 150 alumni representing class years across four decades returned to the Georgia State University College of Law on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
This event marked the college’s first class reunion since the global pandemic in 2020.
The event gave graduates an opportunity to reconnect with classmates, faculty and the College of Law community. The strong turnout reflected a desire to engage with fellow alums across generations. The graduating classes of 2016 and 2018 had the largest turnout, with 11 alumni from each class year in attendance, and 11 class years were represented by at least five graduates.
College of Law Dean Courtney Anderson welcomed alumni at the Dean’s Reception in the college’s Law Library, which serves as a hub of academic activity and a communal gathering place for students and faculty.
Ajay Jindia (J.D. ’97), Karina Deochand (J.D. ’18) Salu Kunnatha (J.D. ’93) and guests attend the 2026 Georgia State Law Alumni Reunion.
“I want to thank our alumni for staying connected to the college,” she said. “Your ongoing involvement, whether through mentoring student organizations, supporting career development or simply sharing your expertise, makes a real difference for our continued success.”
Dean Anderson also praised the college’s strength in bar exam passage rates, announced the newly established Emmet J. Bondurant Center for Constitutional Law, Practice & Democracy and congratulated the LL.M. program on their ten -year anniversary, highlighting the college’s growth.
Since its founding in 1982, the College of Law has expanded alongside the city it serves. In fall 2015, students stepped into the 85 Park Place building for the first time, and since then, the building has served as more than just a dedicated home for the College of Law. Purpose-built in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the facility reshaped how students learn, how faculty teach, and how the law school engages with the broader legal field.
But some things have stayed the same, no matter how much time passes. For alumna Stacie Kershner (J.D. ‘08), the deputy director of the Center for Law, Health & Society, the spirit of community that connects students to one another has endured through the transformation of the college.
“The collaborative, encouraging and supportive environment among the students that Georgia State is known for is still the same as when I was a law student,” said Kershner. “What is different is the physical atmosphere. Karen Johnston (J.D. ‘08) and I were in the same study group during law school, but we met off-site at coffee houses and bookstores. Now, as a faculty member, I see that camaraderie among our students here in our beautiful building, in the library, the wellness room and the atrium. As a graduate, I am thrilled to see that spirit is still the same as it was when we were students.”
Alumni were also encouraged to visit and take part in the Public Interest Law Association (PILA) Auction. This annual tradition raises funds to support students pursuing unpaid public interest and pro bono internships.
Professor Samuel Donaldson and Dean Courtney Anderson gave their support to the 2026 PILA Auction.
Proceeds from the auction offset living expenses for students who choose unpaid public legal service opportunities, ensuring they can gain hands-on experience while advancing Georgia State Law’s commitment to access to justice. This year, with the generous participation of alumni, the PILA Auction raised more than $20,000 for summer stipends.
“Law school is demanding but nights like this are a beautiful reminder that community, the law, and a little fun can coexist,” said Sable Martin (J.D. ‘28) on LinkedIn.
Holding the alumni reunion on the same evening as the PILA auction created a natural connection between the College of Law graduates and the next generation of law students. Associate Dean for Experiential Education Kendall Kerew has been a part of the faculty for 20 years, and she spearheaded the reunion planning process.
“Our students are the heart of our law school and our legacy,” said Kerew. “Seeing former students, emeritus faculty, current faculty and staff, and current students in the same space was a wonderful reminder of the solid foundation upon which the College of Law was built and what is possible in the future.”
Click here to see more photos from the reunion.