Dear Friend,

Walking out of my office at the Law School the other day, a window-framed view of the New York City skyline stopped me in my tracks. I’ve lived in a few cities. But, after spending the last several months out and about, meeting many of you at events and gatherings, I can say that this city truly stands apart—just like our Law School that calls it home.

Joining the vibrant, warm, and welcoming St. John’s Law community is already a highlight of my career in legal academia and institutional leadership. As we look forward to marking the Law School’s 100th anniversary next year, I’m delighted to serve as your 10th dean and to welcome alma mater’s next century of excellence, prominence, and impact.

From the time I’ve spent with alumni, I know you take great pride in the educational excellence that propels
St. John’s Law graduates into successful careers. I’m eager to work with our faculty and administrators to build on that foundation of excellence by investing in curricular and co-curricular offerings that distinguish us from other law schools.

Those offerings include in-house and partner clinics, academic centers, innovative courses, and competition teams that provide unmatched opportunities for students to gain practical knowledge and skills in and beyond the classroom. It’s the perfect time to spotlight those offerings, foster excitement around them, and showcase the Law School’s prominence.

Whether I’m in the building or out in the field, it’s clear that St. John’s Law is a school of tremendous impact. Since our founding in 1925, we’ve transformed lives by opening the legal profession’s doors to a diverse student body that includes many first-generation college and law students. Guided by St. John’s Vincentian mission, our students learn to use their vocations to better society and care for their communities. I look forward to leading the Law School as its impact on our students and the legal profession continues to grow.

The opportunities for that growth are manifest in this year’s accomplished 1L class. The 246 students hail from 24 different countries and 22 different states and, within the group, 104 students speak 37 different languages. The class boasts a median LSAT score of 162 and a record-high median GPA of 3.74. Our most diverse class ever, 42% of the 1Ls identify as students of color and 19% identify as LGBTQ+. Coming together as St. John’s Law classmates, 29% of the 1Ls share the experience of being first-generation college students. This application cycle was our most competitive yet, and I can't wait to see all the amazing things this incoming class will do.

After just months on the job as dean, I already feel very much at home at St. John’s. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly, and for extending that warm welcome to my husband and our three young children as we settle into the rhythms of life in a new community. If you see me out in your neighborhood, please say hello. And don’t be shy about making restaurant recommendations. My family and I are big foodies!

I look forward to seeing you soon and appreciate your generous support of St. John’s Law.

Very truly yours,

Jelani Jefferson Exum
Dean & Rose DiMartino and Karen Sue Smith Professor of Law

Note: By opting out of this email, you are opting out of all email communications from St. John's Law, including upcoming event emails, newsletters, and giving opportunities. If you would just like to be removed from dean's update communications, please email hallk1@stjohns.edu.