Alumni Weekend 2026 unites reunion classes and beyond in celebration of Law School community
For the first time in ten years, William & Mary Law School classes ending in 1s and 6s gathered in person to celebrate their reunion milestones during Alumni Weekend.
Their last reunion, held in April 2021, was hosted virtually. Five years later, the classes of 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 were eager to come together in person once again.
Dean A. Benjamin Spencer shared in that joy, as this year’s Alumni Weekend marks a special milestone in his tenure as dean of the Law school. 
“This group, the 1s and 6s, represents the first group I welcomed at a reunion in 2021 as dean, although it was on Zoom. I’ve now been here long enough for the 1s and 6s to come back a second time, and this is the first time we’re together in person, so this is really an honor and a privilege, and I’m really happy to be here to celebrate these milestone reunion years with all of you,” Spencer said at Saturday’s Reunion Dinner.
More than 270 alumni enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Williamsburg, reminiscing with former classmates and learning about the state of the Law School today. Alumni Weekend opened Friday afternoon with an intimate champagne toast for the Class of 1976 in the Penney-Young Courtroom. Class members reflected on their favorite memories from Law School—some academic, some not—and how their lives and careers were shaped by their decision to attend William & Mary 50 years before.
Debra Prillaman, reunion committee member for the Class of 1976, proposed a toast to “learning to think like a lawyer, write like a lawyer, find fast friends and establish a good foundation to become a citizen lawyer, which William & Mary does so well.”
On Friday evening, alumni from all classes congregated in the Penny Commons, within the Hixon Center, for a Welcome Reception. Saturday morning started with an early-morning History of William & Mary Law School Walking Tour through Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary’s historic campus, led by Professor Thomas J. McSweeney ’01. Legal students had an opportunity to network with alumni over coffee and pastries during Briefs & Brews, followed by a special appreciation brunch for members of the class reunion committees and the Dean’s Council. During the brunch, attendees heard Law School updates from Dean Spencer and had the opportunity to ask questions.
Saturday afternoon was devoted to open house sessions with members of faculty, including a tour of the McGlothlin Courtroom with Professor Fred Lederer and classroom sessions exploring the AI revolution and generative AI by Professor Margaret Hu and Professor Laura Killinger, respectively.
Alumni Weekend closed with a dinner for members of the ten reunion classes at Kingsmill Resort. Along with a last opportunity to fellowship and reminisce, the dinner featured recognition of the classes that had the most participation in reunion giving, the highest giving total and the most participation in Alumni Weekend.
This year’s winner of the Red-Hot Reveley Award for giving participation was the Class of 1986, with 33% of all class members making a gift during the reunion year. They also had the highest giving participation of individual alumni at 51 members, and the most class members in attendance at Alumni Weekend. 
The Class of 1981 achieved the most total giving, raising an impressive $3,066,377, and all classes combined raised over $4.5 million for the Law School.
As of October 28, six classes have exceeded their reunion giving goal. For those who have not yet made a gift, there is still time to help your class! All gifts made before Saturday, October 31, 2026, will count toward this year’s goals. Visit the Reunion Giving page to contribute to your class gift.
The Office of Advancement would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the members of the Class Reunion Committees, who dedicated their time throughout the year to engage their classmates and ensure a successful Alumni Weekend.
1976
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1981
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1986
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1991
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1996
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2001
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2006
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2011
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2016
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2021
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