Jim McConnaughhay, From FSU Law's First Class to Generations of Leadership

For Jim McConnaughhay (’69), Florida State University College of Law is more than just an alma mater. It is the cornerstone of a family legacy stretching across generations that shaped his personal and professional life. As a proud member of the law school’s charter class, McConnaughhay’s relationship with FSU Law is deeply intertwined with the school’s history and growth.  

For McConnaughhay, being a lawyer is about more than having a successful career. It’s about giving back—and that passion is carried on by both his children and now his grandson, who is attending FSU Law.  

His bond with FSU began long before he entered the law school. Growing up in Ocala, he was raised with a deep sense of pride for the university. His mother attended FSU when it was still a women’s college, and the institution became a central part of their family’s history. “It wasn’t a hard decision,” McConnaughhay reflects. “FSU has always been my school and my family’s school.” 

When he enrolled in FSU College of Law’s first class in the late 1960s, he knew he was part of something historic—the beginning of what would become a long and proud tradition. The law school was a close-knit community, housed in just one classroom of the Longmire Building with a single cohort of students. “Everyone was very dedicated because we knew the importance of being the first class.” Their hard work paid off with a 100% bar exam pass rate, a testament to their commitment.  

McConnaughhay’s time at FSU Law laid the groundwork for his distinguished career. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Air Force as part of the ROTC program, later becoming a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer. It was in the emerging field of workers' compensation law, however, that McConnaughhay would make his greatest impact. He quickly became a recognized leader in the field and co-founded the law firm McConnaughhay, Coonrod, Weaver, and Stern, P.A., in Tallahassee, where he earned a reputation for both his legal acumen and his dedication to helping others.  

He and fellow FSU Law alumnus Steve Rissman (’72) established the McConnaughhay and Rissman Endowment for Excellence at FSU Law to support future generations of law students. The endowment funds scholarships and co-curricular activities for FSU Law students, ensuring that the opportunities that shaped McConnaughhay’s career continue to enrich the educational experiences of others.  

“I’m proud of the law school and proud to give back,” he says, emphasizing his belief in the importance of supporting the next generation of legal professionals. 

Beyond his contributions to FSU Law, McConnaughhay’s influence extends into the broader legal field. He and Rissman also co-founded the Workers' Compensation Institute (WCI), a nonprofit organization that serves as a global hub for workers' compensation professionals. WCI hosts the largest workers' compensation conference in the United States, drawing attendees from all over the world. WCI has played a pivotal role in shaping the discourse around workers’ compensation law and fostering professional development within the field. 

Throughout his career, McConnaughhay has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the legal profession. To name a few, he was honored with the FSU College of Law Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award, named one of Florida Trend's Legal Elite in 2004, and received the WorkCompCentral 2016 Comp Laude Award for his exceptional leadership in workers' compensation.