The first graduates of Jacksonville University College of Law were in Tampa July 29-30 taking the Florida Bar examination, the final hurdle to cross to secure their license and begin the practice of law.
The results of the exam will not be known until late September. Though on pins and needles, our graduates are not waiting to thank many people.
The support for our groundbreaking first class of law students from Jacksonville University, the bench, Bar and all of Jacksonville has never been in doubt. Thank you.
As our 2025 graduates prepared to take the Bar examination, we asked them about the experience.
Even a small sample of their responses conveys the difficulty of what was expected of them, as well as their determination, strength of character and personalities.
After months of grueling preparation for the test, one graduate conceded, “My brain is a little fried right now. I dedicated my kitchen table as a ‘war zone’ to prepare.”
The most common advice they offered was: Start early.
They also recommend balance: “Pace yourself. Work steadily. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Don’t burn out.”
One said, “As a consistent night owl, I found that working through the dead quiet hours of the night was most productive.”
A solo studier reported, “The toughest thing about studying for the Bar was the isolation. Especially studying alone after attending a new law school with classmates and building such camaraderie over three years.”
Preparation included what to wear during the two-day test. One Bar fashionista reported, “Knowing that I am among the first law graduates from JU and that I will be in a room with fellow future Florida lawyers, I wore a JU College of Law shirt with either a Jumbo Shrimp or Jaguars sweatshirt.”
For three years, one student made a fashion statement by wearing a Chicago Bulls No. 23 basketball jersey, because “I want to be the champ of finals.” He did not disappoint in Tampa last week. He wore his Michael Jordan uniform.
Many expressed how well prepared they felt and referenced all of their professors for consistently reaching out and providing moral support.
In particular, Academic Success Dean Lauren Knight and Dean of Students Tom Taggart were singled out for praise. One credits Dean Knight for “Herding a group of high strung overachievers and procrastinators through the highest-stake exam of their lives.”
Another said Dean Knight made the Bar exam itself so familiar it felt like another practice session.
Many expressed appreciation for spouses, children, family and friends including, “To my father – for always encouraging me to push myself and never give up on my goals” and to classmates, “We are so close we will be friends for life.”
When asked to pick just one word to describe the Bar examination experience, one of our first juris doctors chose three: endurance, caffeinated and coined the word “scited” (scared and excited).
Another chose “Voluminous. There is a tidal wave of material from a multitude of different practice areas.”
Consider two candid and perspectives following Bar exam preparation: “These past two months have probably been some of the most monotonous and boring of my life, and I cannot wait to get the exam behind me. Bar prep is awful and I am praying that I never have to go through this again.”
Two of our grads were overheard telling the hotel check-in clerk, “This is the worst vacation plan we ever made.”
After completing the exam, several asked, “What am I going to do with my time now?” The simple answer is they are going to begin meaningful careers serving clients and the public.
The legacy of a law school is written in the success of its students. By that measure, our first graduates, of whom we could not be more proud nor love more, will be the authors of a great storied college of law.