Joel Holt Tells University of Richmond Law School Graduates Not to be Afraid of Losing
May 10, 2004
Joel Holt, who played a leading role in the development of the highly touted legal system in the Virgin Islands, today told the graduating class at the University of Richmond School of Law not to be afraid of losing. "You've got to lose cases. Don't be afraid of losing or of making mistakes," he said.
He also urged the graduates to work hard and learn to deal with problems. When working on a case, "neutralize the worst fact in the case, try to remain calm and always be in control," he said.
Holt, a 1977 graduate of Richmond School of Law, applied for a clerkship in the U.S. Virgin Islands on a whim. The judge offered him a position, and Holt moved to St. Croix. Two years later, he opened his own firm there, building it into a prosperous practice focused primarily on personal injury and commercial litigation. He won a multi-million dollar judgment in one of the first major asbestos cases.
Holt said when he left the university, he had the same things today's graduates have--"a degree, a good education and an opportunity." He told the graduates they each had the ability to achieve as much or more than he has. "Every single one of you can do it," he said.
Brent Timberlake of Heathsville, Va., spoke on behalf of the graduates, first asking all active and retired military, fire, rescue and police personnel in the audience to stand for an ovation by the audience. These are the people, he said, "who make the law we study worth something."
The university awarded 147 juris doctor degrees and announced several awards. Scott Stovall of Richmond, Va., received The Charles T. Norman Award as the best all-around graduating student.
The Cudlipp Medal, presented to the member of the graduating class who had the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the second year of study, went to John D. McPhaul II of Spartanburg, S.C. A similar award, for the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the third year of study, will be announced in October at the annual law weekend. Five graduates are in contention for the award, which will be decided after final grades are calculated.
Benjamin Barlow of Montezuma, Va., received the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Student Advocacy Award and the Family Law Award. Meredith Moldenhauer of Annapolis, Md., won the National Association of Women Lawyers Award, while Brian Teague of West Boylston, Mass. received the T.C. Williams Law School Scholarship Award as the student who made the most significant contribution to overall legal scholarship.
The university also held graduation for the School of Continuing Studies today and will hold its main graduation at 2 p.m. May 9 in the Robins Center.