William H. Rehnquist, chief justice of the United States, will address Law School graduates during their commencement ceremony May 28.

Rehnquist accepted the invitation to speak at the ceremony, in part because of close ties with GW Law School Dean Michael Young. Young served as a clerk to Rehnquist before he was appointed chief justice.

A graduate of Harvard University and Stanford University School of Law, Rehnquist also served as a clerk to Justice Robert Jackson from 1952-53. He practiced law in Phoenix, Ariz., before being appointed assistant attorney general by President Richard Nixon in 1969.

He was sworn in as associate justice by Nixon in 1972 and as chief justice by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

The Law School will hold its graduation May 28 at 1:30 p.m. in the Smith Center.

Obviously, we are more than pleased to have the chief justice of the United States as our speaker for the Commencement, said John Jenkins, associate dean of the Law School. I think our students are equally pleased. He is, after all, the premiere lawyer in the country.

A reception will be held in the Quad following the ceremony for all graduates and their guests.

-Kristi May