JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University’s College of Law has gone from a bold idea to bustling downtown campus in just a few years—and its founding dean says the momentum is only building.
Dean Nick Allard told Kent Justice on "This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition" that the project’s rapid progress has been driven by long-range vision and careful execution.
“We started with a bold idea, but every success to date is responsible for not only the support of the city… but [for] the careful prudent planning,” Allard said, crediting JU President Tim Cost and community partners for helping bring the school to life.
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Allard says the school has already secured initial (provisional) accreditation—an important milestone that allows students to qualify for key opportunities.
“We’ve got an accreditation, provisional accreditation… [and] our students… have all of the rights and privileges of a fully accredited,” he said.
He also described JU Law’s approach as intentionally innovative - built with quality and career readiness as the core focus.
“The key is having a curriculum that your students are not a guinea pig in, but they’re actually more like test pilots,” Allard said, noting an emphasis on professionalism, ethics, practical training, bar preparation and technology.
As AI changes industries, Allard says the legal field will be central to sorting out what responsible use looks like.
“With some of these major developments in technology, say AI, it’s gonna keep lawyers busy for many decades,” he said.
And he argues JU Law’s downtown Jacksonville location gives students daily access to courts, law firms, and “serendipitous learning.”
“It’s like rocket fuel, it’s the right place to be,” Allard said.
Allard’s longer-term goal: graduates who stand out nationwide not only for competence, but character.
“When people encounter a graduate… they are going to be impressed… [by] the quality of those people,” he said.
Hear the full conversation on “This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition.” New episodes drop Thursdays at 9 a.m. wherever you get your podcasts.