In a class that has seen countless 鈥渇irsts,鈥� the College of Law鈥檚 inaugural class completed its final 鈥渇irst鈥� as a group 鈥� crossing the stage at graduation.
In the same place they took their oath of professionalism at convocation and began their law school careers, the 13 members of the Class of 2025 ended their law school journey at the Duval County Courthouse on May 2.
鈥淭heir law school鈥檚 successful launch and accomplishments were in very real senses as much in their hands as in ours,鈥� said Randall C. Berg Jr. Founding Dean Nick Allard. 鈥淔or that reason, and because their example is an encouraging beacon for others in our great city, throughout Northeast Florida and beyond, they will always be remembered in a special way.鈥�
More than 200 family members, judges, dignitaries, law school supporters, faculty and staff gathered at the courthouse to celebrate the inaugural class. They will sit for their state鈥檚 respective bar exams this summer.
鈥淎ttending JU Law has been one of the highlights of my life, and being part of the inaugural JU Law graduation is a wonderful culmination of all the hard work we have all put into making this school what it is today,鈥� said Sydney Schmidt, who received the college鈥檚 Academic Excellence Award as the top student in her class.
Every member of the inaugural class has accepted a job and will be heading to work this summer. Many will stay local, working at firms as associates, assistant state attorneys, staff attorneys while others will head to places like New York City or Miami to begin their careers.
As the first students at a new law school, the inaugural class was tasked with creating a student culture, clubs, organizations and traditions for those who will follow them. One of those traditions is selecting a commencement speaker. The class chose Alex Wicks as the Class of 2025 speaker.
鈥淚t seemed like the entire 抖阴视频 community embraced us, eagerly awaiting our response to this pressure. How did we respond? We did amazing,鈥� Wicks said. 鈥淲e accomplished so much in three years. We started a law review, moot court and mock trial teams. We started the JU Student Bar Association.鈥�
The Honorable Timothy Corrigan, senior judge for the U.S. District Court鈥檚 Middle District of Florida, was the commencement speaker.
鈥淲hat an opportune time for each of you to become a lawyer. Now, more than ever, we need professionals dedicated to the rule of law,鈥� Corrigan said. 鈥淯pon becoming a lawyer, you will take an oath to support the Constitution and the rule of law. That will not always be easy or popular, but it is fundamental to the practice of law.鈥�
The College of Law launched in August 2022 and became provisionally accredited by the American Bar Association in spring 2024. It will welcome its fourth class this fall. Applications are still open for the fall 2025 cohort.
