On Tuesday, October 1, we were honored to welcome the Honorable Darrin Gayles to the law school through our Jurist in Residence Program. Judge Gayles currently sits on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and was previously a circuit court judge on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, after serving on the county bench in Miami-Dade County. Judge Gayles received his JD from George Washington University in 1993 and has a BA from Howard University. A former state attorney and assistant United States attorney, Judge Gayles was extremely engaging and encouraged students to ask him questions.

During his day with us, Judge Gayles joined Professor Sevier as he taught his evidence class and met with our student law review and journal members. He also spent time with faculty members comprising our Judicial Clerkship Committee. The entire 1L class was able to hear from the judge and ask him questions during a combined Legal Writing & Research class. The judge talked to the students about his journey to the bench, the value of judicial clerkships in learning the judicial process and procedures as well as in observing the attorneys coming before the court and effective advocacy techniques. He also told the 1L class that it is fine if they don't have it all figured out right now in terms of their legal career path and shared the differences in practicing before state and federal courts. Judge Gayles also visited with members of BLSA and the Business Law Society in a relaxed atmosphere during a dessert reception.

It was very nice to be able to welcome Judge Gayles to campus and to have him interact with our law students. We are grateful to the many judges who have participated in our Jurist in Residence Program over the years and look forward to hosting more judges on campus in the future.