Celebrating the Classes of August and December 2025 & May 2026
We are proud to honor the achievements, perseverance, and growth of the Classes of August and December 2025 and May 2026 as they reach this important milestone. Commencement marks not only the completion of an academic journey but also the beginning of exciting new opportunities.
We are excited to celebrate our graduates, their accomplishments, and the bright futures that await them at Balboa Theatre on May 17, 2026. Graduates have received information regarding the ceremony; if you have any questions, please contact abandyopadhyay@tjsl.edu .
We proudly congratulate our graduating students who have earned Academic Honors in recognition of their outstanding scholastic achievement.
JD Graduation Speaker – Mr. William Denny
Mr. Denny completed the online juris doctorate program at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in May, 2026. The online program was a natural fit for him because he also works at Grace Law in San Diego and is married with two children. Mr. Denny received his bachelor of arts degree from Ohio University, having majored in Sociology.
Guest Speakers
We are honored to welcome distinguished guests who will inspire and address our graduates:
Commencement Speaker – Michelle Gastil (Senior Counsel for the California Department of Toxic Substances Department)
Michelle Gastil (born Hoskinson) was born and raised in San Diego, California. In 2005, Ms. Gastil graduated cum laude from San Diego State University with a degree in criminal justice administration and minors in music and sociology. In 2009, she graduated cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Ms. Gastil was the 2025 president of the San Diego County Bar Association (SDCBA), the second president of Asian descent in the organization’s 127 years. Prior to being elected to serve as president, Ms. Gastil served in many roles, including as Chair of the SDCBA 125th Anniversary Task Force. She led this task force toward producing an anniversary event at the SDCBA’s newly designed Bar Center building.
Throughout her legal career, Ms. Gastil has found passion, joy, and purpose through volunteering. She served on the board of Think Dignity, a homeless advocacy group, from 2011 through 2019. She also served as chair of an environmental task force based in Orange County from 2017 to 2019. She served on the board of the Filipino American Lawyers of San Diego from 2020 to 2023 and is a member of Pinay Powerhouse. Ms. Gastil also participates as a presenter and facilitator for the California Judges Association’s Wellness & Ethics program presented to law students around San Diego and California.
Alumni Welcome Address – Ashley Salas (Alumni Association President and Adjunct Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law)
Ashley L. Salas grew up in San Diego, California. She earned a Bachelors at the University of California at Berkeley in 2008, an Associates at San Diego Mesa College in 2012, and a Juris Doctor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2015. Later in 2015, she opened a solo general practice. Less than one year later, she joined The Utility Reform Network (TURN) as a consumer advocate attorney, where she has successfully advocated before the California Public Utilities Commission, California legislature, and California Appellate Court and California Supreme Court for safe, affordable, and reliable phone and internet services. In 2023, Ms. Salas achieved one of her dream jobs as an Adjunct Legal Writing Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, teaching Legal Writing I and Intra-school Moot Court Competition. Later in 2023, she founded a non-profit organization, Public Programs Foundation, to address an unmet community need regarding awareness of public programs. Ms. Salas currently serves on the Board of Directors for Global Conservation Force, Inc. (GCF), a wildlife conservation non-profit, and Pan Asian Lawyers of San Diego (PALSD), a local affinity bar association. Ms. Salas initially served on the Board of Directors for the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Alumni Association in 2018 and 2019, and then re-served starting in 2025. In 2026, she was elected the President of the Alumni Association. Outside of the legal field, Ashley is a native bee hobbyist, an avid reader, and travels with her mom.
