Professor John Gross, J.D. candidates Savannah Ahluwalia and Justin Davis, and LL.M. candidate Zhaoruo Li have been named speakers for University of Wisconsin Law School’s 2026 Hooding Ceremony.
They will join keynote speaker Michelle Behnke ‘88 in addressing Law School graduates, family and friends at the event, which will take place at 1 p.m. Friday, May 8, at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center Exhibition Hall, 1 John Nolen Drive, Madison.
At the ceremony — a special recognition for students receiving law degrees — faculty members place the hood over the head of the graduate to signify their success in completing their law degree. The hooding event is in addition to, and does not replace, the university-wide commencement.
Gross is a clinical associate professor and director of the Public Defender Project at University of Wisconsin Law School. Since arriving at UW Law in 2020, he has taught Introduction to Substantive Criminal Law, Defense Function, Ethical Issues in Criminal Defense and Trial Practice.
Gross began his legal career in 1999 as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society in New York City. After eight years as a public defender, he joined the faculty of Syracuse University College of Law as a practitioner in residence and subsequently became director of the Criminal Defense Clinic.
In 2011, Gross took the role of Indigent Defense Counsel for the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, where he worked on reforms and authored a series of reports documenting the failings of indigent defense delivery systems. Three years later, he joined the faculty at University of Alabama School of Law, where he directed the criminal defense clinic for several years. Before joining UW Law, he worked briefly as the Defender Association of Philadelphia’s director of policy and practice.
Gross’ academic research focuses on the structure of indigent defense systems, criminal defense, and police policies and practices regarding the use of force. He is sought after on a range of issues relating to criminal prosecution and defense, trial procedure and standards of judicial conduct.
He has shared his expertise as a criminal law expert extensively, appearing in dozens of media sources and writing several op-eds. Earlier this year, he was interviewed by the Minnesota Star Tribune, NPR, ABC News and the CBC regarding the fatal use of force by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol.
Gross holds a bachelor of arts degree from Georgetown University and a J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law.
Submitted by Law School News on April 21, 2026
This article appears in the categories: Faculty, Features, Students
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