May 16, 2025

Jacksonville University College of Law Celebrates Inaugural Commencement Ceremony

News Summary

The Jacksonville University College of Law held its first commencement ceremony, honoring the ‘Fab 14’ graduates who achieved a remarkable 100% job placement rate before taking the bar exams. Dean Nick Allard commended the graduates for their dedication and readiness for the legal profession. The law school, established recently, emphasizes experiential learning and community partnerships, and has attracted a diverse student body. With significant investments and a prime location, the institution is poised for future growth and success in legal education.

Jacksonville – The Jacksonville University College of Law celebrated its inaugural commencement ceremony on May 2, 2025, marking a significant milestone for both the institution and its first graduating class, known as the “Fab 14.” This historic cohort of 14 graduates achieved a remarkable 100% job placement rate before even sitting for their bar exams, underscoring the strong job prospects for recent law school graduates in the area.

The commencement ceremony took place at the Duval County Courthouse, where graduates proudly donned caps and gowns as they walked from their campus to the venue. During the proceedings, Nick Allard, Dean of the JU College of Law, recognized the accomplishments of the Fab 14 and expressed pride in their achievements, highlighting their readiness to enter the workforce as skilled professionals in the legal field.

Established just two years prior, Jacksonville University College of Law is the twelfth law school in Florida and the first to open its doors in over two decades. Strategically located in downtown Jacksonville, the law school is within walking distance of both state and federal courthouses, which enhances the practical training for its students and significantly contributes to the high level of job placement achieved by its inaugural class.

The establishment of the JU College of Law was the result of a decade-long effort, driven by community support and spearheaded by figures like Tim Cost, who emphasized the need for local legal education. The school started with an initial class of 14 students in 2023 and has steadily grown to 86 students currently enrolled. This expansion reflects the law school’s increasing appeal, which attracts individuals from a variety of prestigious universities such as Florida State University, the University of Florida, Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Texas.

In addition to strong job placement rates, the JU College of Law prides itself on its commitment to experiential learning and community partnerships within its curriculum. The law school aims to cultivate not only competent legal professionals but also community-minded individuals engaging in pro bono work and volunteer legal services. A diverse student body enhances the educational experience, with racial and ethnic diversity reaching 29.55% among enrolled students.

The ceremony featured Alexander Wicks as the commencement speaker, who shared reflections on the challenges and milestones the graduates had overcome during their studies. U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan also delivered the commencement address, stressing the importance of ethics in the legal profession and the role the graduates play in upholding these standards.

Graduates are now set to tackle the Florida Bar Examination on July 29-30 in Tampa, eager to take the next step in their professional journeys. As the JU College of Law looks to the future, it envisions further growth and expansion, reinforcing the importance of its downtown location and the continuing development of legal education in the Jacksonville area.

The university invested $12 million into renovations for the law school building, which included $6.5 million in contributions from the city, showcasing a commitment to building a robust legal education environment. With these foundations in place, both the Jacksonville University College of Law and its students are poised for continued success in the legal profession.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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