Milestones, Momentum & Myths Debunked | | |
Hello Jordan,
The tassels have turned, the confetti has settled, and yet—the energy of this community keeps building!
In this issue, we’re celebrating more than a graduation. We’re spotlighting our global community that only continues to grow, adapt, and thrive. You’ll meet new alumni, hear from current students making the most of the online format, and get a last-minute boost if you’re preparing for the July bar exam. We’re also honoring two remarkable members of the Dayton Law community whose decades of service have helped shape what this program is today.
Whether you're just starting out or reflecting from afar, there's something here to spark your pride—and remind you of all the places this degree can take you.
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Sincerely,
Margaret Ioannides, J.D., M.S.F.S.
Assistant Dean for Online LL.M. Programs
University of Dayton School of Law
| | Celebrating the Class of 2025! | | |
On May 10th, another incredible class of Online LL.M. graduates turned their tassels—and turned the page to their next chapter.
With cheers from around the world, this year's grads reminded us that the strength of our program isn’t just in its flexibility or curriculum—it’s in the people who make it global, personal, and powerful.
From first steps into the legal world to seasoned professionals expanding their reach, our grads continue to inspire and uplift—on campus and across continents.
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Congratulations to Our Graduates!
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Agnes Chessman Levy-Gamarra
Ahmed Mallah
Andrea Belfiori Viana
Angie Solorzano
Beatriz Lopez-Escalante
Carmel Absolon
Casandra Viñuela Beato
Clara Castillo
Daniels Nuesiri
Dayane Dziekaniak
Eliana Hernandez Albarran
Fernando de Vasconcellos
Iker Echeverria
Jean Caceres
Jiwon Lee
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Juan Carrizo Romero
Karin Morris
Kavita Sumsion
Kwangho J. "John" June
Layla Fabel Gontijo Maisa Neiva Lourenco Morais
Mara Roma-Tagi
Marylya Van Sickle
Sabrina Pociello
Seonjeong Lee
Socratesse Djemba
Tania Molina Frantoff
Victor Cruz
William Campbell
Yunus Canevi
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Alfonzo E. Rangel Suarez
Alice Rossi
Anuar Munoz Limia
Bianca Castro Santos
Christian N. Guillen Bautista
Daniel Amoruso Massini
Ellen Bergland
Hongjoon Choi
Hyeon Kyun Lee
Jae Won Kong
Jei-Won Hwang
Ji-Young Lee
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Jiwon Kang
Jorge Galvis Lopera
Jung Pyo Seo
Luciana Gil Jorge Mayr
Maria C. Carbon Attanasio
Nathalie M. Eroshin
Onsun Cho
Seoan Shin
Thais U. do Amaral
Woo Chul Jung
Yesica A. Bertadyn
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Whether they’re seeking bar eligibility, career growth, or a global legal perspective, students from around the world are choosing our Online LL.M. program for its accessible, flexible, and rigorous curriculum.
With the launch of the summer semester, we’re proud to share that our Online LL.M. program has welcomed students from 54 countries!
| | The world is watching—and our students are leading the way! | | Putting the LL.M. in Action | |
Dispelling LL.M. Myths — What Our Alumni Have to Say
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There are plenty of misconceptions about what an LL.M. can (or can’t) do.
While a J.D. is the right path for many, the LL.M. is often a more practical and powerful option—especially for foreign-trained attorneys looking to expand their credentials, sit for the bar, or build a global legal career.
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What people think about LL.M. degrees vs. what actually happens:
❌ Too hard to manage? → ✅ “The flexibility and format made all the difference.”
❌ Not career-changing? → ✅ “It helped me pass the bar on my first try.”
❌ Not worth the investment? → ✅ “One of the best educations I ever received.”
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“An LL.M. is more valuable than a J.D. for foreign-trained lawyers like me. It was specifically designed to help us penetrate—and even excel at—the U.S. bar exams.”
—Alum Janette Mae Joplo Dillomes-Dixon, Immigration Law Attorney & Co-Founder of Fil Am Law Firm
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“I work on transactions between Czech and U.S. lawyers. Because of the LL.M., I can translate not just the language but the legal logic. That makes me incredibly valuable.”
—Alum Milo Poplar, Czech Republic–based attorney now running his own firm, Fellow, in California
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“The program was thoughtfully structured, the professors were incredibly supportive, and it helped me pass the bar on my first try.”
— Alum Cynthia Azor, Nigerian attorney now licensed in the U.S. working at Epiq
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Want to hear more stories?
Read the full article & discover how an LL.M. can not only benefit your career but help you take it to whole new levels → “The Truth About LL.M. Degrees”
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Wherever life leads, the degree goes with you!
Interested in our program? Our program isn’t tied to immigration status—students have the freedom to continue and complete their degree from anywhere in the world.
| | Congratulations to Our Bar Passers | | Congratulations to our most recent bar passers! We're so proud of all you've accomplished and can't wait to see what you do next. | | |
California
Diana Stepanyan
Kevin Salatti
D.C.
Andrea Belfiori Viana
Chan Woo Cho
Elena Sulhan
Sang-Jin Kim
Seongmu Bak
Seungyun Back
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Missouri
Caroline Lowery
Texas
Socratesse Djemba
Washington
Juliana Serna Guerrero
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| Did You Miss These Essential Bar Prep Resources? | | The July bar exam is fast approaching—but don’t panic. If you missed these essential resources from our Director of Bar Preparation, Tommy Sangchompuphen, now’s the time to catch up: | | Don’t let the final stretch stress you out—let it sharpen you! | | | | |
Current student, Matthijs Alberts, who was recently featured in the Spring Edition of National Jurist (page 29!), shared how the flexibility of the online format is what makes his legal education possible.
It allows him to remain in Europe with his family while expanding his career into the U.S. legal field. Albert's advice to students considering an LL.M.? "Get rid of the doubts and just do it."
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"You'll always find excuses. But at the end of the day, when you commit to it, you will be able to find time, and it will pay itself out double."
—Matthijs Alberts, Assistant General Counsel ESG Regulatory at Honeywell & current Online LL.M. student
| | | | This summer, we bid a heartfelt farewell to two dedicated members of our Dayton School of Law community: | | | | Assistant Dean Tim Swensen, Director of the Career Services Office, retires after 21 years of guiding students and alumni toward meaningful legal careers. His impact on generations of Dayton Law graduates is lasting and profound. | | |
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Professor Susan Elliott, Director of the Zimmerman Law Library and proud UDSL alumna, retires after more than 30 years of service. Her leadership, mentorship, and deep commitment to the law school have shaped the academic experience for thousands. | | Their unwavering commitment to our students and community will be felt for years to come. Please join us in celebrating their impact and wishing them all the best in this next chapter! | | |
We love celebrating the achievements of our Online LL.M. community ... and that means you too! Our prospective students, current students, alumni, and faculty have all expressed interest in knowing more about our community's successes and accomplishments.
If you have a new position, accolade, or professional achievement you'd like to share, please let us know by emailing us directly.
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| The priority scholarship deadline for the Fall Semester is fast approaching—June 27th. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure a guaranteed partial tuition scholarship—take the next step in your legal education and apply now! | | |
Share With Your Network
Know someone who could benefit from our Online LL.M. program? Share the program with them and help them explore the advantages of studying with us at the University of Dayton School of Law! Copy and paste this link into an email and send it to a colleague - https://bit.ly/43pa8dc - or share through social media.
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