UH Law Center Welcomes Record-Setting Incoming Class
A group photo of the 212 new UHLC law students in the J.D. program this semester with UH Law Dean Leonard M. Baynes and guests taken at the 2026 Professionalism Dinner.
Sept. 9, 2026 - From a former U.S. Navy aircrewman who supported nuclear command-and-control communications for national defense operations to a journalist covering the Houston Rockets, the University of Houston Law Center’s entering J.D. class this year arrived with a wide range of experiences, ambitions and perspectives. Together they also represent the strongest academically credentialed 1L cohorts in the Law Center’s history.
The 2026 incoming class has an overall median LSAT of 165, and median undergraduate GPA of 3.79, the highest combined credentials recorded by UHLC in more than four decades. The new cohort of 212 students includes 22 part-time students and 24 transfer students ranging in age from 19 to 61.
Nearly 81% are first-generation law school students, and 22.2% are first in their families to attend both college and law school. To support their success, the Law Center awarded $622,500 in scholarships to 45% of the new 1Ls.
UH Law also welcomed 50 new LL.M. students, representing 21 countries and a myriad of backgrounds: including active-duty Judge Advocates (JAG) to educators and a chef.
Over the course of more than a week, students participated in orientation programs and activities to prepare them for academic challenges, professional expectations, and service opportunities that are part of a well-rounded legal education.
The incoming J.D. class gathered during the 2026 Professionalism Dinner.
From Law School to A Life of Possibilities
Welcoming new students, UH Law Dean Leonard M. Baynes encouraged them to view orientation not as the start of law school but as the beginning of their professional journey, filled with possibilities.
“This school is a special place where dreams can come true,” Baynes said. “Dreams that you may not even imagine now, dreams that you can’t even foresee, dreams that will come to you as you progress in your career.”
To illustrate his point, Baynes shared the stories of two trailblazing UHLC alumni whose careers reflect the transformative power of legal education. One was the late John M. O’Quinn, who grew up in a single-parent household and was raised by a father who pumped gas for a living before graduating first in his class at UH Law. O’Quinn went on to build one of the nation’s most successful plaintiffs’ practices, earning billions in legal fees and giving the gift that helped make the award-winning John M. O’Quinn Law Building a reality.
Baynes also highlighted the late Ruby Kless Sondock, who entered law school in an era when opportunities for women in the legal profession were sharply limited, and she aspired to be a legal secretary. One of just five women in her graduating class, Sondock graduated first in her class and became the first woman to serve on the Texas Supreme Court. She forged a groundbreaking legal career that foreshadowed modern flexible work arrangements for working parents and inspired generations of lawyers.
“That’s the power of legal education here,” Baynes said.
Dean Leonard M. Baynes
He reminded students that their future will not be determined by where they started.
“It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter where you come from. This law school is for you,” Baynes said. “We’re here to make sure you have the same opportunities as John O’Quinn and Ruby Kless Sondock. We accepted you because we believe in you. We believe that everyone who’s here can be successful.”
UH Law Dean Leonard M. Baynes welcomes the incoming class with inspiring alumni stories and encouragement.
Building a Foundation for Success
Orientation programming focused on helping students navigate academic demands, career development, work-life balance and wellness during their law school years. Sessions covered everything from practical advice from alumni, faculty and students to a fashion show and networking opportunities.
“What will make this law school journey worth it for you?” asked Tiffany Tucker, assistant dean of career development, before adding “Because everybody is different, we want you have all the information you need to make the right choices for you.”
Students also learned about UH Law’s nationally ranked Part-Time Program, No. 5 in the nation, which allows working professionals, parents and career changes opportunity to pursue a law degree while balancing careers, family responsibilities and other commitments.
Alumni Julia Harriman (J.D. '25) and Alexia Rauen (J.D. '25) shared their experiences navigating law school while maintaining demanding professional roles during the Part-Time Orientation.
Rauen, co-executive director of Advocates for Immigrant Survivors, studied in the part-time program while heading a nonprofit that serves immigrant survivors. She encouraged students to approach their legal education with purpose and discipline.
“Treat it like a job. Take it really seriously,” Rauen said. “I'm investing in myself. I have enrolled in this program. I want to take it seriously.”
Harriman, now an associate at Latham & Watkins LLP, began in the part-time program before transitioning to full-time studies. She credited the evening program with providing a strong support system and opportunities that paved the way to a Big Law career.
“The friends that I have to this day and the experiences that I had in the part-time program were incredible,” Harriman said. “UH has a great part-time [law] program.”
Beyond academics, the panel highlighted the opportunities available to part-time students, from journals and student organizations to networking events, pro bono work and career development support.
"[We’re] happy to accommodate our part-time students however we can and however we need to," said Panel moderator and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Monica Mensah, adding that success in both the part-time and full-time programs often comes down to discipline, planning and communication.
Meet some of our new 2026 1Ls
Four incoming students share the experiences that brought them to law school and why they chose the University of Houston Law Center.
John Vann
“I just retired from the military after 33 years and my passion while I was in the military was helping soldiers and so now I want to help soldiers through the legal field.”
Vann said a campus walkthrough and the people he met during the process made him comfortable choosing UH Law. “I enjoy how the staff prepare the students for future success of being lawyers or whatever career they go into afterwards.”
Kristen Reid
“There are places, especially in Texas, where there are just no legal resources. They're legal deserts, you could say.”
Reid worked as a deputy county clerk in Hamilton County, handling matters ranging from criminal court and probate to property records and elections. She said UH Law Center’s focus on service helped convince her that the Law Center was the right fit.
Cole Younkers
“I've always felt like I could help more people, be more impactful, and help people in just bigger and better ways.”
After studying music and becoming an elementary music teacher, Younkers felt called back to law. UH Law’s proximity, part-time option and Houston location allowed him to pursue that goal while staying near his family.
Catherine Huang
“Law school would allow me some flexibility on topics while letting me [focus on] the core skills, which is reading, writing, research, and problem solving.”
Huang studied psychology, human communication and linguistics. She said UH’s health law program, proximity to the Texas Medical Center and positive feedback from attorneys about UHLC students drew her to the Law Center.
Focus on Service and Professionalism
While much of orientation focused on academic and professional success, it also emphasized the legal profession’s broader responsibility to serve others and selfcare.
Students participated in community service projects across Houston, volunteering at the Houston Food Bank, BakerRipley Citizenship Forum and the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Veterans Clinic. Others joined two on-campus activities, including the Native Seed Packing Project led by Professor Lauren Simpson and a Build Your Own Community, a wellness workshop hosted by Director of Wellness Alexis Williams and Director of Student Advisement Leslie Harrison Williams.
The climax of the 2026 orientation week was the annual Professionalism Dinner, bringing together full-time, part-time and transfer students for an evening of connection, reflection and a shared commitment to the legal profession.
Keynote speaker Armin Salek (J.D. '16), president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association encourages students to make the most of their time in law school, prioritize self-care and embrace the legal profession's responsibilities.
Keynote speaker Armin Salek (J.D. '16), president of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, reflected on his own journey and the impact the institution had on his life. Salek recalled nearly abandoning his plans to attend UH Law shortly after orientation when he learned of mental health challenges affecting family members. Concerns about the pressures associated with the legal profession made him question his decision.
"I'm so grateful that I stuck around," he said. "I'm so grateful that I'm part of the UH family, because it has had a transformative effect on my life."
A longtime advocate for legal education and public service, Salek credited UH Law Center's experiential learning opportunities with shaping his career. As a student, he participated in the Street Law program, teaching legal concepts to Houston ISD students. After graduation, he established Austin's first high school legal aid clinic, earning recognition as Austin ISD High School Teacher of the Year and Texas Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year. He later earned a master's degree in education from Harvard University and returned to Texas to expand access to legal education.
Salek encouraged students to embrace the profession's obligation to address unmet legal needs and help those who lack access to legal representation. He noted that roughly one in three Texans qualifies for civil legal aid services, but only about 8% of eligible Texans receive adequate legal assistance.
"You are the solution to these gaps," Salek told the incoming class. "You are going to be empowered to transform your lives, and not just yourselves, not just your families, but also your communities."
Armin Salek (J.D. '16)
He pointed to the examples of UH Law alumni whose careers have focused on expanding access to justice, including Lone Star Legal Aid CEO Paul Furrh (J.D. ’78), Texas Immigration Law Council’s Founding Executive Director Ann Chandler (J.D. ’98), and Youth Justice Alliance’s Legal Internship Director Gavriella Roisman (J.D. ’20). Together, he said, they represent the enduring impact of the UH Law community.
Salek closed with a reminder that success in law school should not come at the expense of their well-being.
"You are worthy before you got here, you are worthy now, and you are worthy in the future," he said. “This place will not only teach you about the law…[but also] teach you how to serve others well, how to support yourself, while also maintaining your health, your relationships, and a balanced life. Because someday you're going to be the reason somebody has a roof over their head. You're going to be the reason why somebody escapes violence. You're going to be the reason why somebody has their benefits…. We need you for every step along the way.”
The evening concluded with a professionalism pledge led by UH Law Center alumna Chief Justice Darlene Byrne of the Third Court of Appeals of Texas. Standing together, the incoming students committed themselves to the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct, marking the end of orientation and the beginning of their journey into the legal profession.
Highlights of UH Law Center Community Service Day 2026
Highlights of UH Law Center Community Service Day 2026
