No, not the Miami Dolphins; this is about the Jacksonville University Dolphins. JU is my alma mater. I earned my B.S. there more years ago than I care to consider. With a beautiful campus on the St. Johns River and small class sizes, it was perfect for me. Add in the benefits I had in working for the President, Dr. Fran Kinne, in her office and meeting her special friends (https://magnusinsights.com/2015/11/dr-frances-bartlett-kinne/), as well as the opportunity to photograph those distinguished visitors and other JU events, I consider my JU years to be valuable. The current president, Tim Cost, has done a great job continuing the JU legacy and growing the university. I was very excited to learn that JU will open a College of Law in fall, 2022. The College of Law is the 4th College within the University – a sign of the importance of this program. Almost everyone to whom I have mentioned this development has been excited. I say almost because 1 person, who happens to be a lawyer, said something like, “Do we need more lawyers?”. Well, apparently so. JU has done its homework in identifying the need. And, Jacksonville is currently the largest city in the United States without a law school. I think the program will be wonderful for those who want to study law and especially for people who live in north Florida but are unable to leave jobs or family to study in another city. And, the opportunities for those students in Jacksonville are far greater than the opportunities in many other cities with law schools in Florida. So, it should be a win win. I see it as growing new potential clients! Melissa and I were honored to be on the host committee for the recent kick off reception hosted by Mike Freed, Esq. of the Gunster Law Firm in Jacksonville. Stay tuned for future developments! And, go Dolphins!
I will echo David’s cheer. Go Dolphins! Jacksonville University’s decision to open a College of Law is momentous, not only for the university, but for Jacksonville and the state of Florida. JU has always been described as a small university with big plans and having a law school is definitely a big plan! David and I are thrilled to have served on the host committee for the kick off reception that announced the law school. We were delighted to see many of our clients and former clients (who are now judges) at the reception. Everyone in attendance was as excited as we are to be part of history in the making! The City of Jacksonville is committed to having a law school and is generously supporting JU in its endeavors. The need for the law school is proven by the hundreds of applications that have already been received for fall admission. The law school will be located in downtown Jacksonville, to allow law students the opportunity to interact with attorneys on a frequent basis. (JU’s main campus, while lovely, is located in a suburban environment that is not close to downtown, where “the action” is.) David and I are continuing to serve on the host committee as its only non lawyers. We hope that our different perspective will help get things off to a great start for JU’s new College of Law. I wish all the best for the success of Florida’s newest law school!
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