When Mike DiBella talks about his experience at DePaul University’s College of Law, one of the first things he mentions is that his sister and brother are fellow students there. But more than just classmates, Mike DiBella, Gina DiBella and Joe DiBella are simultaneously realizing their lifelong dreams of becoming lawyers. Two of the siblings will graduate from the university this spring. Mike describes it as “DiBella to the fourth power.”

The “fourth” is the siblings’ father, Frank DiBella, an attorney who graduated from DePaul’s College of Law in 1973. The elder DiBella will “hood” Mike, 26, and Gina, 25, at the school’s graduation ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on May 16, at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive. Joe, 30, who is set to graduate with a law degree next year, will join his dad on stage.

“Hooding” is when a faculty or family member places the hood, a large collar of fabric, over the head of each student at the end of the ceremony. The hood, which then drapes down the back of the graduation gown, is symbolic of students receiving their doctorate degrees. DePaul invites immediate family members of its law students to take part in the hooding part of the ceremony if they also have graduated from its College of Law, according to Diana White, College of Law assistant dean for student affairs. “It’s a beautiful tradition not only for the school, but for the individual families as well,” she said.

Mike DiBella describes his Northboork family, as “tight,” and said the three siblings formed a pact to attend law school together when they were much younger.

“Joe and I decided to work after getting our bachelor’s degrees and then start law school when Gina finished her undergraduate work,” he said. “Then we all applied to DePaul, were accepted and began this challenging, yet wonderful experience together.” Mike and Gina became full-time law students, and Joe became a part-time student while working as a certified paralegal for the Chicago law office of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.

Frank DiBella was always hopeful that his children would become attorneys and attend DePaul’s law school. “My father routinely involved us in his legal work since we were young children,” Mike said. “We did things like help carry his exhibits into the Daley Center and go to court to watch his trials. And of course, my dad would include us in discussions about his day at work during dinner.”

Mike said that he, his brother and sister have three different approaches to the law. However, their styles and opinions often gel into a “really unbelievable end product.” Does this mean a firm of DiBella DiBella, DiBella & DiBella is in the offing? “You bet,” said Mike, who is going straight into his father’s firm upon passing the bar exam. “It is starting already. Joe and Gina intend to join the troops further on down the line.”

The DiBellas will not represent the only on-stage family celebration at commencement. Betsy Lane, another member of DePaul’s 2004 law class, also will have family members hooding her at the ceremony. Lane’s older siblings, Kathleen Lane, DePaul law class of 1994, and Kevin Lane, DePaul law class of 1996, will be on stage for the special presentation.

“You could say they inspired me,” Betsy said. “I choose DePaul for law school because they went here and had a good experience.” She said it helps when you have another sibling that has been through law school and can guide you down the right path. The youngest of six children, Betsy, 29, said she expects a large family contingent at the ceremony. After graduation, the Evanston resident said she hopes to join her sister, Kathleen, in practicing real estate law.

Note to editors: Reporters wishing to cover the commencement ceremony should contact Valerie Phillips, DePaul Media Relations, at 312/362-5039 or 312/330-3155.