At the Ave Maria School of Law Annual Commencement Exercises, prospective graduates cross a threshold, shifting from efforts dedicated to preparing to become a member of the legal profession to the opportunity to apply that knowledge. The events not only recognize the completion of the educational program, they provide an opportunity for our graduates to reflect upon their accomplishment and acknowledge the support of their family and friends.
Ave Maria School of Law is pleased to announce Justice Carlos G. Muñiz , as the 2026 Commencement Speaker Justice Carlos G. Muñiz was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Governor Ron DeSantis on January 22, 2019, becoming the 89th Justice since statehood was granted in 1845. Justice Muñiz was elected by his colleagues to serve as Florida’s 57th Chief Justice beginning July 1, 2022. Prior to joining the Court, he served on the staff of Secretary Betsy DeVos as the presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed general counsel of the United States Department of Education.
In addition to working as an attorney in the federal government and in private practice, Justice Muñiz had an extensive career in Florida state government. He served as the deputy attorney general and chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi; as deputy chief of staff and counsel in the Office of the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives; as general counsel of the Department of Financial Services; and as deputy general counsel to Governor Jeb Bush.
Justice Muñiz is a graduate of the University of Virginia and of Yale Law School. After law school, he clerked for Judge José A. Cabranes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and for Judge Thomas A. Flannery of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Justice Muñiz grew up in the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Katie Muñiz, and their three children.
Lillian Kennedy, daughter of Kevin and Jean Marie Kennedy, is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Lillian earned her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history and psychology, from the University of Scranton.
During her time at Ave Maria School of Law, Lillian earned the St. Thomas More Academic Scholarship, served as a Dean’s Delegate, and held the position of Managing Editor for the Law Review. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for Legal Writing I, Legal Writing II, and Commercial Law. Lillian had the opportunity to intern at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania—and for Becker & Poliakoff. After Lillian takes the Bar, she will be clerking at the 2nd District Court of Appeals in Wisconsin.
Lillian is eternally grateful to God for His guidance throughout her legal studies and thankful for the unwavering support from her family, professors, and classmates. She is endlessly appreciative of Ave Maria School of Law for the dedication its faculty has to its Catholic mission, which has fostered in her true faith and instilled the Catholic values she intends to carry throughout her legal career.
Graduation Fair
The Graduation Fair is scheduled for Friday, February 6th, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Prospective graduates will receive an appointment time to be photographed and order regalia and other graduation-related merchandise. The Commencement Information Form and Bar Course Commitment Form will be collected, including ticket reservations for the Commencement Exercises.
Commencement Tickets
Guests attending the 2026 Commencement Exercises are required to present a ticket for admission to the Artis-Naples this year. Tickets are free and must be reserved in advance. Seating is not assigned. Wheelchair seating is available. Candidates for graduation may request up to six (6) guest tickets using the Commencement Information Form at the Graduation Fair on February 6. Children who are less than 30 inches tall do not need a ticket but must sit on an adult’s lap during the ceremony without obstructing the view of other guests.
Additional ticket requests will be maintained by Mendy Martinez at mmartinez@avemarialaw.edu. Candidates who anticipate they may use fewer tickets than they reserved on the Commencement Information Form are encouraged to notify Ms. Martinez. so that those tickets can be made available to others. Commencement tickets may not be sold or copied.
Tickets will be distributed during cap and gown (regalia) distribution.
Regalia Pickup and Return
Candidates will pick up their regalia from reception in the Administration Building, 1st floor. Hoods will be presented during the Commencement Exercises.
All regalia must be returned following the Commencement Exercises to the designated area at Artis-Naples.
Wearing Regalia
Candidates should report for both the Baccalaureate Mass and the Commencement Exercises in regalia. The tassel should be worn on the right front of the cap. Students will be hooded as they cross the stage during the commencement exercises.
Baccalaureate Mass Instructions
Students of all faiths are encouraged to attend. Participants should report no later than 5:30 p.m. to St. Agnes Catholic Church. Do not bring valuable items as there will be no place to secure them during Mass. Mass begins at 6 p.m. During the Baccalaureate Mass, men should remove their caps at the end of the Opening Hymn and replace them at the end of the Mass at the beginning of the Recessional Hymn.
Commencement Exercises
The doors to the Artis-Naples open at noon on Sunday, May 16. Candidates for graduation should report no later than 12:15 p.m. (45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony). The Marshals will arrange candidates in alphabetical order and distribute name cards to be handed to the announcer before crossing the stage. Do not bring valuable items as there will be no place to secure them during the ceremony.
The Marshals will lead candidates to reserved seating in the auditorium. Candidates remain standing until after the Invocation. Men should remove caps during the National Anthem, the Invocation and later during the Benediction.
When it is time for each candidate to approach the stage, the Marshal will indicate when a particular row is to stand. Candidates proceed to the stage, hand the name card to the announcer, cross the stage to the hooding table, and exit the stage down the stairs.
At the end of the ceremony, the faculty will exit first. The Marshals will lead the candidates from the auditorium.
Graduation Announcements, Class Rings, and Diploma Frames are available for purchase. Orders can be placed at the Graduation Fair as well as other times of the year. A sample diploma frame is on display in the Bookstore.
Cap and Gown Rental
Graduates are required to wear graduation regalia consisting of a Doctor of Law gown, tam, and hood with our school colors. Students will order their regalia online from Herff-Jones at www.herffjones.com/college/graduation
The regalia is a rental unit and must be returned following the Commencement Exercises to the designated area at Artis-Naples. Graduates may keep the tassel and tam as a souvenir.
Graduation Announcements
Graduation Announcements are personalized with the graduate’s name and degree incorporated into the body of the announcement text. All personalized announcement orders will be shipped via UPS. Allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.
Class Rings
Among the traditions of graduating is the right to wear the official Ave Maria School of Law ring, which symbolizes years of achievement, pride, and hard work. The Ave Maria School of Law ring is an all gold signet ring featuring the official school seal. The ring may be customized with the graduate’s degree and year of graduation on the sides of the ring. If preferred, the sides of the ring may be left plain.
Diploma Frames
A line of custom-quality diploma frames that elegantly and distinctively combine the elements of aesthetics and preservation are available to graduates of Ave Maria School of Law. The frame allows your diploma to be removed and replaced at any time with ease. Mounting takes only minutes with the enclosed, simple-to-follow instructions.
Students may order from http://avemarialaw.universityframes.com
or
www.herffjones.com/college/graduation
A posed photograph of each student in graduation regalia and business attire is taken at the Graduation Fair. The photograph in regalia attire is used in the composite photograph of the graduating class. Students have the option to purchase photos. Orders should be placed and paid for at the Graduation Fair. Please contact: info@paradisephotonaples.com.
Baccalaureate Mass
Friday, May 15, 2026 – 6 PM
St. Agnes Catholic Church 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. Naples, Florida
Directions from the Law School:
Proceed North on Vineyards Blvd to Vanderbilt Beach Road, turn right (east) 3 miles to the church entrance, just past Collier Blvd on the left.
Commencement Exercises
Saturday, May 16, 2026 – 1 PM
Artis-Naples 5833 Pelican Bay Boulevard S. Naples, Florida
Directions from the Law School:
Proceed north on Vineyards Blvd. to Vanderbilt Beach Road, turn left (west) 4.6 miles to US-41 (Tamiami Trail), turn left (south) 2.2 miles to Pelican Bay Blvd., turn right.
The following information is provided to facilitate arrangements for hotel accommodations for you and your guests on Commencement Weekend.
Best Western Naples Inn & Suites
Alternative Hotels within 10 Miles of Ave Maria School of Law:
Best Western Naples Plaza Hotel, 6400 Dudley Drive, Naples, FL (239) 643-6655
Courtyard by Marriott, 3250 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL (239) 434-8700
Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL (239) 430-4900
La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL (239) 597-3123
Naples Grande Beach Resort, 475 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL (239) 227-2182
The Ritz Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, FL (239) 598-3300
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