Classes at the new Downtown campus of Jacksonville University College of Law began Aug. 12 with 83 students enrolled.
The student body includes the college’s cohort of 44 first-year students, dubbed “The Forty-Foursyths AKA Nick’s Formula 44, a legal tonic made at 121 W. Forsyth St.” by Randall C. Berg Founding Dean Nick Allard.
The nomenclature is a nod to the class size and the college’s new address at 121 W. Forsyth St.
At the convocation Aug. 9 for the Class of 2027 at the Duval County Courthouse, Allard asked the first-year students to consider where they see justice.
“Do not get used to it, law school is not like this, but on this big day I will go easy on you and give you a good answer to my question,” Allard said.
“Look around you at your classmates. That is where you can see and will find justice. That is where I can, and others will see justice. We see and know it is in your minds, hearts and spirit because you have decided to learn how to use the most powerful tool humans have ever known, a legally trained mind,” he said.
The privileges and respect that lawyers earn come with responsibilities to serve the public good, Allard said.
“At present in America, we the people have arrived at an inflection point where we cannot take for granted our established democratic institutions, norms, liberties, safety and even our very existence. Answering the call, enter our aspiring lawyers, stage right and left in our real-life drama. By upholding the rule of law, practitioners, legal educators and you future lawyers can play a critical role, making both history and the future. You can help us prevent the story of our long-standing democratic republic coming to a tragic end, remain on the right side of history and keep on track for better tomorrows,” he said.
Speaking about what the aspiring juris doctor candidates would be facing in the next three years and as they begin their careers in the law, Allard offered a preview of their futures.
“Lawyers can press the great lever of progress through their daily work on matters small and large, private and public, for rich and poor, while promoting access to quality affordable legal services including spending a significant amount of time working for free. They set examples for people to emulate about how to disagree agreeably. And they can promote greater understanding about the benefit of outcomes where all interested parties gain by giving away some of what they wanted.
“It is not easy work and is not for everyone. Yet for those who have the ability, creativity and dedication to become lawyers, it can be an extremely satisfying career, a wonderful life,” Allard said.
The first class for the first-year students was Aug. 12, conducted by Allard.
He covered several topics to introduce the legal education process to the Class of 2027.
“As law students and lawyers, you will be questioning things that other people accept. This class is about forcing yourself to ask questions and then go after the answers,” Allard said.
He polled the students, asking them why they decided to enroll in law school.
“I ask so we can make adjustments. I want to make sure we cover what’s important to you,” Allard said.
One student said they like the theatrics of the court. Another said that when they were 12 years old, they determined they would be a sports attorney.
“I’ve got a big mouth, I like to argue and I want to be a lawyer for a gaming company,” another said.
Concluding the first class, Allard said the law school knows its work will come to fruition as the students mature in their legal careers.
“The concept is like when people plant trees, knowing they won’t be able to sit under their shade. The faculty and the staff, we know the future depends on you getting it right.”
After class was dismissed, Allard said he enjoys teaching.
“It is rewarding. It gives confidence and hope and faith in the future to see we are going to be in good hands. Lawyers are problem solvers and peacemakers. The students will be well prepared for that.”