John Knechtle [pronounced connect-lee] is president of the American and Caribbean Law Initiative, director of international programs and a professor at Florida Coastal School of Law.
WHAT SUBJECTS DOES HE TEACH?
United States Constitutional Law, International Law, Comparative Law, and Comparative Constitutional Law. Now in his seventh year with the faculty, he was promoted this year from the associate professor level.
WHAT IS COMPARATIVE LAW?
“It introduces students to various legal systems around the world. We are part of the common law system, coming from England. That system is in the minority. Civil law is the largest and has a number of variations. There’s also Jewish law, Islamic law, some Hindu and Indian law, some Tibetan and Buddhist law, and of course, tribal law in certain regions of the world. Every country is unique.”
THE CARIBBEAN CONNECTION
As an ongoing program of the American and Caribbean Law Initiative, a partnership of six law schools that collaborate to strengthen the legal development and institutions in the Caribbean, the Caribbean Law Clinic functions to assist developing countries with their legal problems. Of the six participating schools, three are situated in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. “I thought the Caribbean was a logical place because of its proximity.”
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
“The attorney generals from the Bahamas, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago refer legal questions. Students then, under faculty supervision, research written memorandums on the problem. Once a semester we visit the country to present their findings. It allows students to develop collaborative relations with other law students in the U.S. and in other countries.”
SPREADING THE WORD
“Prior to coming to Florida Coastal, I worked for the American Bar Association’s Central and East European Law Initiative (CEELI). CEELI continues to be the U.S. government’s primary vehicle for exporting legal knowledge about democracy and a free-market economy. It was formed after the collapse of the Berlin Wall for countries that wanted to change their legal and economic systems. It is funded primarily by the U.S. government.”
IN THE TRENCHES
“Before CEELI, I was in private practice, handling international trade and domestic law in Washington, D.C. Before that, I worked for a presidential campaign. And before that, I clerked for a judge in Atlanta.”
FOR WHICH PRESIDENT DID HE CAMPAIGN?
“I worked on President Bush’s 1988 campaign.”
LAW SCHOOL
Emory University in Atlanta.
WHAT ABOUT HIS UNDERGRADUATE WORK?
Wheaton College in Illinois is where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science. “I have a natural interest in political issues, particularly international issues. That led me into studying and teaching international law.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING?
“To make the material understandable and interesting to my students. I am naturally interested in the subjects I teach. I realize that some students are required to take some my courses and may not be naturally interested in it. I try to convey my excitement for the law so they can see the applicability to their lives and their work.”
WHAT DOES HE FIND MOST REWARDING?
“I enjoy learning. I find that when you teach, you learn the most because you have to really know the material. Plus, I enjoy the interaction with students in the classroom.”
HOME STATE
Connecticut.
WHY GO TO LAW SCHOOL?
“I didn’t want to go to law school because I wanted to practice law. I went to law school because I thought it would give me the best training. I didn’t care if I practiced a day in my life. I liked the rigors of law school, the way it challenged me.”
WHERE DOES HE LIVE?
Atlantic Beach is home to Knechtle, his wife Heather and their infant daughter, Lily. He likes to stay active by sailing, bicycling, swimming, jogging and playing the bagpipes. The bagpipes are due to the influence of his mother’s Scottish family.
— by Monica Tsai