Meet UF Law Student Joshua Rieger

Name: Joshua Rieger (JD 18)

Hometown: Coral Springs, Florida

Undergraduate Institution and Degree Program: University of Florida, B.A. in History, summa cum laude

Law School Involvement: Senior Articles Editor, Florida Law Review; Research Assistant to Professor Amy L. Stein; Research Assistant at UF Law’s Center for Governmental Responsibility; Logistics Chair, UF Public Interest Environmental Conference; Director of Elections, Honor Committee

 

My experience of UF Law is a tribute to how the Gator Nation works relentlessly to ensure every student’s academic and professional success. The Gator Nation started working for me almost immediately after I accepted UF Law’s offer of admission in the summer of 2015. That summer I was invited to attend the NaviGator Program at the U.S. District Court in Miami. Every summer since 2013, Senior Judge Paul C. Huck (JD 65) has hosted this networking event exclusively for UF Law students, faculty, administration and alumni.

There, I was introduced to federal and state judges, partners and associates at law firms of all sizes, past presidents of the American Bar Association and The Florida Bar, professors, Assistant Dean for Career Development Rob Birrenkott and Dean Laura Rosenbury. Before I ever opened a casebook, I had the opportunity to begin building relationships with leaders of Florida’s legal community as well as the national legal community. The advice these leaders imparted to me has been invaluable:

• Earn the best grades you can
• Join organizations or participate in activities that you’re passionate about, and become a leader in those groups or activities
• Start building a sterling reputation.

This advice may seem like common sense. However, if you put in the work to follow this advice, there is no limit to what the Gator Nation can do for you in terms of academic and professional opportunities.

There are hundreds of 1L, 2L, and post-graduation job opportunities offered by alumni on UF Law’s job database, Simplicity, and through a robust On-Campus Interview program. Earning the best grades to my ability put me in the position to secure an internship with a federal judge in West Palm Beach during my 1L summer (through Simplicity) and a summer associate position with a well-respected law firm in Fort Lauderdale during my 2L summer (through OCI). Equally important to securing these opportunities was the Gator Nation team of administrators, professors, and alumni helping me to prepare my application materials and to improve upon my interviewing skills.

Getting involved and becoming a leader in one or more of UF Law’s numerous co-curriculars, extra-curriculars, or other activities will not only improve your résumé and job opportunities, but also make three years at UF Law a fulfilling experience. I arrived at UF Law with strong interests in reading and writing. I put those interests into action by serving on the Florida Law Review and as a research assistant to Professor Amy Stein and the Center for Governmental Responsibility, which allows me to read, edit, and publish works by some of the top legal minds in our country and around the world. Some of my best memories of UF Law will be of the times I collaborated with professors and peers to address today’s pressing legal issues.

Lastly, your reputation in the legal community starts at UF Law. Build positive relationships with UF Law alumni, faculty and administration. As I mentioned, UF Law alumni include prominent judges, attorneys, public officials and business leaders. These alumni routinely visit campus and seek to hire UF Law students because UF Law has a sterling reputations throughout Florida and across the county. The foundation for this reputation is UF Law’s world-class faculty and administration which offer a wealth of knowledge and professional connections both nationally and internationally.

Following this advice has allowed me to take advantage of many great opportunities that UF Law and the Gator Nation offer. I hope this advice can help you, too, whether you’re considering applying to law school, applying to law school, deciding between law schools, or attending UF Law. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me: rieger.joshua92@ufl.edu. And as always, Go Gators!

Joshua Rieger is a 3L and a Senior Articles Editor for the Florida Law Review.