Student Organizations College of Law
The Jacksonville University College of Law is part of a vibrant campus community. Law students are able to participate in the social organizations, identity groups, intramural sports, professional associations, and other activities open to the entire JU student population. At the College of Law, our students are leaders and members is organizations focused on professional development, mentoring, and law school governance.
Law Student Organizations
Student Bar Association
The Jacksonville University College of Law Student Bar Association (SBA) serves as the student government and voice of the students. The SBA is comprised of an Executive Council and Senate, and the positions are filled through annual election. The SBA serves as an intermediary between the student body and the administration, contributes to the cohesiveness of the student body, sponsors and plans educational and social events, administers an annual budget for student organizations, promotes student standards of professional responsibility, and represents the institution with the American Bar Association and other affiliate organizations.
Law Review
Students can earn positions on the Jacksonville University Law Review. This new law review was founded in Spring 2023 and plans to publish its first issue in Spring 2024. Student members develop their legal writing and research skills along with their substantive knowledge of featured topics. Members who are recognized for outstanding contributions to the Law Review may be selected to serve on the Editorial Board.
The Law Review’s first issue will be a Symposium issue. The inaugural symposium, scheduled for February 2024, focuses on Environmental Law & Impacts on Coastal Communities. The Law Review invites academics, scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders in law, social science, and related fields to submit proposals in the form of an abstract submit an abstract on topics surrounding coastal communities, including but not limited to impacts on biodiversity, climate change, natural disasters, insurance, and zoning. Accepted authors may choose to submit a draft of the full article by November for publication in the symposium issue. For more information, please email the Law Review staff, lawreview@jacksonville.edu or visit the Law Review Symposium page.
Black Law Student Association
The National Black Law Student Association is a nationwide organization formed in 1968 to articulate and promote the needs and goals of black law students and to effectuate change in the legal community. The JU College of Law is pleased to have a Black Law Student Association (BLSA) chapter affiliated with regional and national BLSA organizations. The JU chapter of the Black Law Student association is an inclusive organization that seeks to promote the goals, aspirations, and professional development of black law students, and to foster professional and social connectivity among its members and the legal community.
Affiliate Organizations
Chester Bedell Inn of Court
The Chester Bedell American Inn of Court received its charter on June 21, 1985. It was the 13th American Inn of Court, and the first Inn of Court established in Florida. The mission of the American Inns of Court is to foster excellence in professionalism, ethics, civility, and legal skills. In addition, the Inn of Court also provides valuable networking and mentoring opportunities for law students with its prominent members within the legal community. The College of Law considers it a privilege to seat two law students as pupil members on an annual basis. 2L and 3L students are eligible to apply in the spring for consideration by the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court for a one year term, including participation in organizational meetings and events, in the following year. The application requires an updated resume and a written personal statement of interest. The Associate Dean of Students receives students’ application materials and serves as the conduit of communications with the Chester Bedell American Inn of Court.
Florida Bar Young Lawyer's Division
The College of Law is proud of its recognition as an affiliate member of the Florida Bar's Young Lawyers Division (YLD). As such, our law students are invited to participate in a broad range of engaging and informative YLD activities sponsored by the Florida Bar, including local programs and events and the annual Affiliate Outreach Conference (AOC). The purpose of the YLD is to assist The Florida Bar in its purposes, to stimulate and encourage the interest and participation of YLD members in the programs of The Florida Bar, to provide a full and complete program of activities and projects designed to be of interest and assistance to YLD members, and to engage in such activities as shall tend to further the best interests of the legal profession. The section coordinates the activities of YLD members and to serve as a medium for fostering discussion and free interchange of ideas relative to the duties, responsibilities and problems of YLD members.
Jacksonville Bar Association
The mission of the Jacksonville Bar Association is to encourage collegiality and serve its members in the practice of law, aid in the administration of justice, and foster respect for the law and the legal profession. The Jacksonville Bar Association serves as the forum for the local legal profession. Activities are designed to promote the highest levels of professionalism and ethics, unselfish service to the community, positive relations between the bench and the bar, and camaraderie among members. Association membership is open to all lawyers, inspiring members to participate regularly in Bar activities. Annual student memberships are available to law students, and student participation is encouraged.
Accreditation Information
Accreditation is the hallmark of quality and high standards for legal education and admission to the Bar. The Jacksonville University College of Law is provisionally approved by the American Bar Association (Council of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, 321 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654, 312-988-6738), and, in accordance with ABA rules, will continue to pursue full accreditation. Law schools that are provisionally accredited are entitled to all the rights of a fully approved law school. Similarly, from an ABA perspective, graduates of provisionally approved law schools are entitled to the same recognition that is accorded graduates of fully approved law schools.
Jacksonville University
General Counsel
2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211
904-256-7549