Master’s graduate in Information Technology Law Vahur Verte: we are grateful to the School of Law professors for challenging us and refusing to accept mediocrity – your guidance has been invaluable

Vahur Verte, a graduate of the School of Law master’s curriculum in Information Technology Law, said in his speech at the graduation ceremony in the University of Tartu assembly hall:

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty, proud family members, and above all – my fellow graduates, 
On behalf of the cohorts of the Human Rights and International Law and IT Law programmes, I welcome you all! 

Today, we have gathered to celebrate a group of young lawyers who have dared to venture into the uncharted territories of modern law. Graduating from the University of Tartu School of Law is not just an academic achievement; it is a declaration that we are ready to tackle the wild, always-developing legal frontier. Compliments on surviving this journey! It has not been easy. 

My fellow masters, it is a field where the only constant is change, where yesterday’s innovation is today’s old news, and where we, the graduates of the School of Law, are expected to keep up with an ever-shifting landscape. We have mastered not just the law but also the art of flexibility, the skill of critical thinking, and the knack for seeing beyond the obvious. We have mastered the ability to look beyond the letter of the law and read recitals as well. 

My fellow graduates, our time here in Tartu has been spent grappling with issues that sound like they are straight out of a sci-fi novel – data privacy, cybersecurity, digital rights, artificial intelligence, internet cables, and more. We have debated the applicability of artificial intelligence, the boundaries of digital surveillance, and the intricacies of patent law. 

And now, we are armed with the knowledge and the spirit to make sense of it all. Now, as we – young lawyers – step out into the wide world, remember this: the legal landscape is as unstable as it is thrilling. We are about to enter a realm where the rules are still being written, where our knowledge can shape the future. 

My fellow masters, being a lawyer is not just a job – it’s a mission. We are not just lawyers; we are pioneers, adventurers in a digital age. So, let’s buckle up. Brace ourselves. Expect challenges. Expect the unexpected. 

My fellow masters, technology will throw us off balance, and the law will sometimes lag behind. But that’s the excitement of it, isn’t it? To be at the forefront, to navigate uncharted waters. We are here to make sense of the chaos, to bring order to the digital wild west. 

My fellow masters, remember to stay curious. In a field that evolves daily, our greatest asset is our ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Stay informed, stay agile, and keep questioning. The answers one seeks today might change tomorrow, and that is perfectly okay. Embrace the uncertainty. This is where the true magic happens. 

And let us not forget to thank those who supported us along the way. To our families and friends who cheered us on – we salute you. To the professors who challenged us, who refused to let us settle for mediocrity – your guidance has been invaluable. 

And to paraphrase one of our dear professors, ius est ars boni et aequi.

My fellow masters, today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. So, let’s go out there, let’s be bold, let’s be brave and above all, let’s be the pioneers we were meant to be.