Attorney at Law Magazine sat down with the leadership of the Jacksonville University College of Law Student Bar Association to discuss the organization and how its helping prepare the next generation of lawyers.
AALM: Tell us about your goals for the inaugural year.
Inaugural SBA President Sydney Schmidt: When I was elected as the inaugural SBA President, I knew that there would be too many things to accomplish and not enough time to do so. Therefore, I focused my efforts on two main goals: increasing our law students’ engagement with the local legal community and the Jacksonville community at large. I was lucky to be elected with such an incredible group of my classmates who served with me on the board, and they helped me accomplish these goals.
In our first year, we engaged with local bar organizations by increasing student attendance at Jacksonville Bar luncheons, integrating students with young lawyers in the community at the Jacksonville Bar Young Lawyers Section Annual Kickoff, Halloween Social and Holiday Party.
We also engaged the community at large by volunteering at several local organizations and events, such as Feeding Northeast Florida and the YLS Chili Cook-Off, as well as raised over $1,000 for Breast Cancer research!
In writing the Constitution for the SBA, we also consciously included a requirement for future SBAs to have at least one community service event per semester, with the hopes that involvement will only grow over time. Serving as the inaugural SBA President has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and I am hopeful for the future of SBA and the entire law school.
AALM: Tell us about your association’s collaboration with local bar associations.
Inaugural SBA Vice President of External Affairs Keiry Soto Chavez: As we began drafting the constitution for the SBA, my peers and I were very deliberate in creating a board position that would promote student attendance with our local bar and serve as a liaison between the bar associations and our student body. One of our goals this year was to improve student participation in local bar events.
In my role, I encouraged the student body to become active members in the local bar by participating in luncheons and subcommittees. We encouraged the student body to volunteer in the annual Young Lawyers Section’s Chili Cook Off and golf tournaments. Many of our members are now active participants of the Jacksonville Bar Association, Jacksonville Women’s Law Association, and the Federal Bar Association.
The inaugural board has set the foundation for the future SBA board to continue working hand in hand with the local bar associations.
AALM: Tell us about some of the events you hosted.
Inaugural Vice President of Internal Affairs Marisa Materazzi: The inaugural student bar association hosted a variety of events on campus to promote community and engagement. The SBA funded a coffee and donut event for the students before midterms to decrease stress with a sweet treat. We also hosted JU Law’s first Barrister’s Ball, ‘A Night in New Orleans.’ We all had a lot of fun dancing and enjoying Creole cuisine. More recently, we hosted a movie night at a local cinema to celebrate the end of the school year. Overall, SBA hosted a variety of events for the students to enjoy and set the groundwork for future SBAs to help enhance the students’ experience at JU Law.
AALM: How does the association support career development for students?
Inaugural SBA Secretary Andrew-Paul Griffis: Throughout our first year, we have helped students become career ready in two primary ways. First through building connections with the local bar organizations; and second, working with the College of Law Office of Career and Professional Development to encourage students to take advantage of existing opportunities to develop useful legal skills. Some of these opportunities include lunches with experts in different areas of the law, informational sessions at the federal bar, and volunteering that serves as skills development. Over spring break, JU Law students volunteered with the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid to help low-income seniors with drafting advance directives. We were able to serve our community and learn valuable skills surrounding the intake of clients and the drafting of legal documents that will aid us in the practice of law.
AALM: How can lawyers support law students through your association or university?
Inaugural SBA Treasurer Matt Majors: There are many ways lawyers can support law students. First and foremost, as countless Jacksonville Bar members have already done, being a welcoming face at area networking events goes a long way. Especially early into law school, when networking seems completely overwhelming, a simple smile and introduction can help students feel like they belong and that practicing attorneys want to see them succeed. Another important way is to support fundraisers the SBA holds and invite law students to participate in their own charitable efforts. That way, students buy into the community, and the community buys into the law school.
AALM: What are some of the concerns you and your peers have about entering the legal workforce?
2024-2025 SBA Treasurer Thomas Ross: I believe that some common concerns between me and my peers will be finding where we fit in the legal profession and deciding what area of practice to settle in post-law school. The legal field is a vast and robust profession with many niches that require special talents, and it can be a daunting task for students to learn where their unique skills and passions can best be applied. I believe that one of the most beneficial things law schools and employers can do is to provide a plethora of intentional, diverse and direct experience within the daily practice of law. Ideally, these opportunities would develop the next generation of legal professionals before graduation and enhance their ability to make informed decisions as they enter the profession.
AALM: How do you think law schools need to adapt to better prepare tomorrow’s lawyers?
2024-2025 SBA Secretary Grace Lawson: I personally believe that the best way law schools can work to prepare students to become lawyers is by working to foster relationships between students and local attorneys. It is important for all law schools to recognize that each student comes from a different background and each person’s experience level with the law is vastly different. For some students, particularly first-generation law students, their introduction to the legal community comes in law school. This leaves a lot to be learned in only three short years. By connecting students with local lawyers and allowing them to build relationships, students can learn the ins and outs of being a lawyer in a way that they cannot in a classroom. At JU, our SBA has done a great job creating opportunities for us to be involved in Jacksonville’s legal community through events and bar luncheons, and I hope to see it continue for future students.
