Paul Riley '26: Betting on yourself

Paul Riley '26 didn't always imagine himself becoming a lawyer. The future public defender describes his path to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's School of Law (UMass Law) as "nontraditional," shaped by an agricultural high school education, years working in elections administration, and plenty of self-doubt along the way.

Three years later, as the student commencement speaker for the UMass Law's Class of 2026, Riley reflects on the people, experiences, and community that helped him find confidence in himself — and his future in public service.

"You're not just a number here. Within weeks, my professors knew my name and knew who I was as a person. That sense of belonging matters. UMass Law is small, but it's mighty."

What inspired you to go to law school?

"Honestly, I didn't think I was smart enough for law school. I graduated during the COVID pandemic and spent three years working in elections administration before my friends finally convinced me to apply. At some point, I had to ask myself, ‘Is this all I have, or can I give a little bit more?'"

Why did UMass Law feel like the right fit?

"The Public Interest Law Fellowship made law school possible for me. In exchange for committing to public service work after graduation and community service while I'm here, the fellowship covers 50% of tuition and fees. Without that support, I would not be in law school."

What does the mission of UMass Law mean to you?

"I was raised in a family that believed strongly in public service and being involved in your community. UMass Law, being the only public law school in Massachusetts, aligned with my values. It felt like the perfect fit."

You've accepted a position as a public defender. What excites you about that work?

"I believe everybody deserves high-quality legal representation regardless of their ability to pay. The opportunity to work with indigent defense clients who might not otherwise have someone advocating for them feels incredibly meaningful to me."

How did your upbringing shape that perspective?

"My family worked really hard growing up. My parents had multiple jobs raising five boys. We didn't have a lot, but we always had what we needed. I think those experiences shaped how I view fairness, opportunity, and access to legal representation."

What has surprised you most about yourself during law school?

"The fact that I stuck with it. Academic success didn't come naturally to me in high school or undergrad. I spent a lot of nights during my first semester wondering what I had gotten myself into. But I kept working, and people here kept supporting me."

What makes the UMass Law community different?

"You're not just a number here. Within weeks, my professors knew my name and knew who I was as a person. That sense of belonging matters. UMass Law is small, but it's mighty."

You've taken on several leadership roles during law school. What has that experience meant to you?

"I've always believed that if you have something to give, you have a responsibility to give it. I served as executive vice president of the Student Bar Association and editor-in-chief of UMass Law Review because I wanted to help make the school an even more welcoming and supportive place for students coming after me."

What advice would you give incoming law students?

"Don't put limitations on yourself. Be patient with yourself, especially during that first semester. If you think you might love this work, take the risk and bet on yourself."

What are you most proud of?

"I'm proud that the kid I was in high school would look at me now and be proud of the man I became. Back then, graduating high school itself sometimes felt like a reach. Becoming a lawyer feels like something that version of me never could have imagined."

What does commencement mean to you?

"It puts a bow on three years of really hard work. I graduated college during the pandemic and never got a real graduation ceremony, so having the chance to celebrate this moment together with my classmates means a lot."

One word to describe UMass Law?

"Home."

Paul Riley '26: Betting on yourself

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