小蓝视频

Dean 鈥淣ick鈥� Allard joined 小蓝视频 as the Founding Dean of the College of Law. He previously served as Dean of Brooklyn Law School (2012 - 2018) where he also concurrently served as President (2014-2018 and Professor of Law (2012-2020). 

Nick is a distinguished attorney, having held leadership positions in some of the most highly regarded firms in the world. Most recently, Dean Allard has been Senior Counsel based in the Washington, D.C., office of Dentons US LLP, the largest law firm in the world. He has received recognition as a leading lawyer and awards as a 鈥淰isionary鈥� for his work in public policy and counseling clients in the fields of privacy, telecommunications, advanced broadband networked communications, technology, health, energy, environmental law, compliance, and higher education.

Nick has been a member of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Government Affairs, chaired its Communications Committee, and currently chairs its Standing Committee on the Law Library of Congress. Dean Allard holds prominent volunteer leadership positions at Princeton University, Oxford University, the Rhodes Scholarship Trust, Cambridge University, Catholic University of America, and is a long-time Trustee of the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. He received his JD from Yale Law School and holds a BA from Princeton University鈥檚 School of Public and International Affairs.

He is a Rhodes Scholar and holds an MA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Oxford University. Dean Allard鈥檚 legal education continued during clerkships with the late U.S. Chief District Judge Robert F. Peckham (N.D. CA) and the late U.S. Appellate Judge Patricia M. Wald (D.C. Cir.).

Margaret Dees, Esq. is a 小蓝视频 alumna and has served the university as a member of the Board of Trustees and in key senior leadership positions. Dees serves as Vice Dean, overseeing business operations, accreditation, legal community, and governmental relations for the College of Law. She additionally serves as the lead on external relations for the University. Previously, Dees served as Senior Vice President of Economic Development & External Engagement where she managed Jacksonville University鈥檚 external relationships with state and local government and acted as liaison to both public and private economic investment entities, community grant-making agencies, and institutes. In an earlier role, Dean Dees served as head of Enrollment Management & Communications for the University, overseeing admissions, financial aid, international recruitment, and marketing & communications. Dees served as Director of Institutional Advancement for Florida Coastal School of Law before returning to her alma mater to serve under President Tim Cost. Dean Dees began her career in law with nearly ten years at Holland & Knight, LLP, practicing in employment, higher education, government relations, and litigation. In her community, she has served on numerous boards and initiatives, including the 小蓝视频 Board of Trustees. Dean Dees is a member of Leadership Jacksonville Class of 2007 and a past recipient of the Jacksonville Business Journal Women of Influence Award. She received a JD from the University of Florida and a bachelor's degree in music from 小蓝视频.

Dr. Courtney Barclay joined the faculty at JU as professor in the Department of Communication, specializing in  media law. With an interdisciplinary focus, she holds a joint faculty appointment in Communication and Law. Dr. Barclay's research analyzes First Amendment implications of law and policy impacting the emerging uses of technology and new media platforms, including chat bots, online data tracking, drones, and social media. Her work is published in law reviews and has been presented at national and international conferences. Dr. Barlcay is the author of "Commercial Speech in a Social Space," a chapter in the third edition of Social Media and the Law (2023).

Before joining the faculty at JU, Dr. Barclay taught media law at Syracuse University.

Professor Lauren Knight began her legal career practicing in Jacksonville, Florida, and served as the Chief Operating Officer for a law firm in Savannah, Georgia. As a law professor, she has taught and tutored law students and undergraduate students in academic success, LSAT and Bar preparation, criminal law, legal writing, professional responsibility, and remedies. Professor Knight’s research centers on the student experience in law school and legal training. She previously taught at Mercer University School of Law, Savannah Law School, and South University.

Katie Griggs, Esq. serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Development & Practice. Dean Griggs received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida and her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law. Her prior experience includes serving as a prosecutor, corporate contract negotiator, and higher education professional. Prior to joining 小蓝视频, Dean Griggs worked at two legal higher education institutions in the areas of academic success, bar preparation, experiential learning, and career services.

Tom Taggart serves as the Associate Dean of Students at the College of Law, and he enjoys advising, supporting, and mentoring law students throughout their academic journey. Dean Taggart has 16 years of experience in higher education administration, and he currently manages all student support services, student organizations and affiliations, and serves as a direct conduit to campus resources for all student needs. In addition, he provides guidance and support with bar applications, character and fitness processes, and bar licensure.

He also serves as Associate Vice President of Student Experience for students on the main Arlington campus. In that role, he serves as student ombudsman, advocate, and problem-solver for all undergraduate and graduate students. He actively promotes student success, engagement, leadership, and service opportunities for students. In an earlier role, Dean Taggart served as Chief Admissions Officer for the University, overseeing recruitment, admissions, and student matriculation. Before joining the administration at JU, Dean Taggart served as Associate Dean for Student Affairs at Florida Coastal School of Law where he oversaw student services, student life, diversity and inclusion, disability accommodations, and bar licensure processes. Dean Taggart earned a B.S. in Chemistry and an M.S. in Engineering from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Colleen Skinner has been a law librarian since 2008. In that role, she has provided research support in many areas, including immigration and externship clinics, foreign and international law, and being an embedded Librarian for administration and faculty research needs. She also has extensive research skills in Westlaw, Lexis Nexis and teaching research workshops. Ms. Skinner enjoys sharing her skills with students and helping them become expert researchers. She earned her B.A. in Criminology from Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, her Masters of Information Science from Florida State University and her Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Missy Davenport, Esq. is a Florida licensed attorney with many years of experience in higher education administration, academic success programming, and bar exam preparation. She is a proud Dolphin with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from 小蓝视频 and a Juris Doctor degree from Florida Coastal School of Law. Before joining the Jacksonville University College of Law, Ms. Davenport was the Pro Bono Director at Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, served as a prosecutor in the 4th Judicial Circuit, practiced family law, and was the Director of Academic Success and Bar Preparation at Florida Coastal School of Law.

Virginia serves as the Director of Major Gifts for the College of Law. Prior to joining JU, she served as Chief Development Officer for a literacy-focused non-profit and also as Director of Government Relations and Community Engagement for Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ). Before moving to Jacksonville, Virginia served as Appointments Director to Governor Rick Scott as well as Finance Director for Let's Get to Work PC. She currently serves as chair of the Jacksonville Public Library Board and is a member of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation.

Virginia received her bachelor's degree from Auburn University and her MBA from the University of West Florida.

Office Phone: (904) 256-8868
Email: rdeis@ju.edu