Steve Clemens Announced as 2025 Commencement Speaker

Steve Clemens Announced as 2025 Commencement Speaker

St. Davids, PA: Eastern University is pleased to announce Steve Clemens as the May 2026 commencement speaker. Steve Clemens is a 1991 graduate of Eastern where he earned a B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude. He then graduated from Harvard Law School in 1994 with a J.D., magna cum laude.

Following law school, Steve clerked for the Honorable Judge Arnold Raum at the United States Tax Court in Washington, D.C. Steve subsequently entered private practice and is now a partner in the New York office of Goodwin Procter LLP.

Steve's practice focuses on the tax aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts. He often represents private equity funds in matters related to fundraising, acquisition, dispositions, and management compensation. He also has extensive experience in public company mergers and acquisitions transactions.

Steve has been recognized as a Top Rated Tax Attorney by Super Lawyers and was listed in Euromoney/Legal Media Group's Tax Expert Guide series. He is regularly recognized by The Legal 500 US for Tax: U.S. non-contentious tax, where he was recently described as an "excellent tax advisor who is willing to explore and discuss options to aid in resolving the matter at hand." Chambers USA has also highlighted his "incredibly practical and commercially sensitive tax advice" on domestic and cross-border M&A, bankruptcies, and fund formation in its America's Leading Lawyers for Business list. Additionally, Steve was named a Law360 MVP of the Year for Tax Law in 2013.

Steve lives in Larchmont, NY with Cathy, his wife of 33 years. Cathy is a 1992 graduate of Eastern. They have two daughters: Emily, who graduated from Holy Cross College in 2023 and is a first-year student at Boston College Law School, and Ashley, a fourth-year student at the University of Virginia.

Steve and Cathy have remained deeply involved with Eastern and were even named Alumni of the Year for 2026. Steve has served on the Eastern University Board of Trustees since 2004 and has chaired the board since 2017.