Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland Welcomes New Bowen Law Students at Pinning Ceremony
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 20, 2026) — The UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law officially welcomed its newest Juris Doctor students during the annual Pledge of Professionalism and Pinning Ceremony held Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Arkansas Supreme Court Associate Justice Cody Hiland, a 1998 Bowen graduate, delivered the keynote address and encouraged students to begin building the habits and character that will shape their legal careers.
Hiland emphasized hard work, resilience, civility and integrity as qualities that students will need throughout law school and in practice. He reminded students that achievement alone will not determine their success and encouraged them to approach their legal education with consistent effort.
“Your effort matters,” Hiland told the students, noting that employers look not only for legal ability, but also for evidence of hard work, character and integrity.
He also encouraged students to develop resilience as they encounter challenges and setbacks. Not every academic or professional goal will unfold as expected, he said, but learning to respond constructively to disappointment is an important part of becoming a lawyer and a leader.
Hiland urged students to have confidence in their ideas while maintaining civility and respect for others. Law school, he said, gives students an opportunity to learn how to make thoughtful arguments, engage differing viewpoints and advocate effectively without sacrificing professionalism.
Dean Colin Crawford also addressed the incoming students, emphasizing that their professional reputations begin on their first day of law school. He encouraged them to be thoughtful about the choices they make, including how they present themselves in public and online, and reminded them that professionalism is a skill developed over time.
Crawford introduced Hiland as an example of Bowen’s commitment to public service and professionalism, noting his distinguished career in law and service to Arkansas.
Hiland then led the students in reciting Bowen’s Pledge of Professionalism, through which they committed themselves to respect for the law and legal institutions, service without prejudice, integrity without compromise, and civility and professionalism in their interactions with others.
Following the pledge, students received Bowen pins as a visible reminder of the responsibilities and values they accepted as they began their legal education.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the students’ journey into the legal profession and reinforced Bowen’s commitment to preparing lawyers who are ready to serve clients, communities and the justice system with skill and integrity.
Through hands-on learning, mentorship from experienced legal professionals and direct connections to Arkansas’s legal system, Bowen students develop the knowledge, judgment and professional skills needed to build legal careers with purpose and make a meaningful difference wherever the law takes them.