The Pre-Law Advisory Board

Some of the Pre-Law Program's Board of Advisors ponder the applications of finalists for the Pre-Law Scholarship at the Holland & Knight law firm. In the front row from left to right are County Court Judges Brent Shore, Eleni Derke and Russell Healy. The board is well-represented by members of the local judicial and legal communities, and enjoys representation from the academic community as well.

View Advisory Board Slideshow

The Pre-Law Program has an active Advisory Board which meets on a monthly basis, either at a downtown law firm, in a judges' chambers, or on campus.

The Board includes Circuit Court Judges Brian Davis, Peter Fryefield, Greg McCaulie, and Jack Schemer, and County Court Judges Tyre Boyer, Jr., Eleni Derke and Brent Shore. Local lawyers serving on the Board include Michael Bateh, Edward Booth, Sr., Tom Brown, Jason Burnett, Chris Cobb, Tom Fallis, Michael Freed, Roger Gannam, Dawn Hudson, Maria Keebler, Cindy Lasky, Lawsikia Hodges, John Letscher, Lisa Bates-Lestcher, Rutledge Liles, Jeff McFarland, Beth Ondriezek, Janet Owen, Jim Porter, Dan Smith, Greg Williamson, and Melissa Williamson. Many of the Board attorneys are UNF graduates. Also serving on the Board are Lee Clabots of the UNF Legal Studies Institute, Elaine Puri of the FCCJ Paralegal Program, and various UNF faculty members, representing different deparments within the College of Arts and Sciences. A regular Board attendee is Dr. Mark Workman, Dean of the UNF College of Arts and Sciences and Development Officer Ann Crook, also of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. David Courtright and wife Shelby enjoy a Pre-Law dinner. Professor Courtright teaches "Social Responsibility and the Law."

On many occasions, the Board invites involved students and Jacksonville's civic leaders as its guests for a "working luncheon." These highly successful and visible luncheons have also featured local guest speakers from the judicial and legal community, and have become a meaningful afternoon for Pre-Law Students.

Members of the Advisory Board make themselves available to interested students, to answer questions about seeking admission into law school, the practice of law and other law-related subjects.

Judge Eleni Derke and Professor Andrew Buchwalter, Chairman of UNF's Philosophy Department, also serve on the Board.

Nancy Soderberg, former UN Ambassador and Visiting Distinguished Scholar, addresses the Board of Advisors and students at the On-campus Luncheon in October, 2008.

Dean Barbara Hetrick and Professor Matt Corrigan, Chirman of Political Science and Public Administration listen intently to Ambassador Soderberg.

Part of the audience who attended the Board of Advisors Luncheon enjoy Ambassador Soderberg's discussion.

Program Director Edwards addresses the Board of Advisors at the McGuire, Woods Law Firm on November 5, 2008.

Dean Hetrick, College of Arts and Sciences, listens as UNF students discuss the politics of the day at the Board of Advisors Presidential Candidate Luncheon.

Part of the crowd at the Board of Advisors Luncheon listens to students discuss the 2008 Presidential Candidates.

Catherine Moore is congratulated for a job well done by former Program Assistant Peggy Baldt, now a practicing lawyer in Jacksonville Beach.

Arielle Schneider, newly elected President of the PreLaw Student Society, presents Mike Huckabee for the Presidency.

Brittani Raulerson , Chief of Staff for Student Government, discusses the Presidential Candidacy of Hillary Clinton.

Jennifer Melear , President of the Young Democrats, presents her views on Barak Obama as Presidential Hopeful.