Nancy Pelosi, Democratic leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, will deliver the commencement address for the 2013 graduating class of the University of California, Davis, School of Law.

Pelosi will speak to a gathering of law degree candidates, faculty, guests, administrators and UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on the UC Davis campus on Friday, May 17, at 4 p.m.

From 2007 to 2011, Pelosi served as speaker of the House, the only woman in American history to do so. She first made history in November 2002 when House Democrats elected her the first woman to lead a major political party in Congress. Pelosi has led House Democrats for a decade and previously served as House Democratic whip. Pelosi is focused on strengthening America's middle class through job creation, reforming the political system to create clean campaigns and fair elections, enacting comprehensive immigration reform, and ensuring safety in America’s communities, neighborhoods and schools.

“I am delighted that Leader Pelosi has agreed to give the commencement address,” said Kevin R. Johnson, dean of UC Davis School of Law. “Our graduates will benefit greatly from hearing her perspective as a groundbreaking leader on the national stage. I want to thank Leader Pelosi for addressing the 45th graduating class at UC Davis School of Law as our graduates prepare to launch their legal careers. I know she will deliver a powerful and inspiring message.”

Previous commencement speakers at UC Davis School of Law include California Gov. Jerry Brown, former CIA Director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, former U.N. Ambassador and Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, Chief Justice of California Tani Cantil-Sakauye ’84, California Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg ’84, and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King — the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for whom the law school building is named.

About UC Davis School of Law

UC Davis School of Law welcomed its first entering class in 1966. Today, the School of Law — housed in Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall on the UC Davis campus — ranks among the country’s leading law schools, known for its outstanding ranking, small size, and dedicated faculty of internationally-renowned scholars. The law school’s mission is to be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the development and dissemination of legal knowledge, as well as the training of students to become socially responsible lawyers committed to professional excellence and high ethical standards. Please visit http://www.law.ucdavis.edu to learn more about the excellent record of scholarship, teaching, and service at UC Davis School of Law.