Twenty-five years young and yet so established.

• Author: Fonseca-Nader, Jessica
• Position: St. Thomas Law Review 25th Anniversary Issue

I am honored to be a part of the St. Thomas Law Review's 25th Anniversary celebrations.

I always knew the Law Review was very important to me, but writing this piece, I realize just how it has all come full circle. I have had the unique opportunity to be a part of the Law Review as its Editor-in-Chief and most recently as its faculty advisor. Looking back at the Law Review's many accomplishments, I am honored to have been a part of such a wonderful organization, and I am grateful to have shared in the growth of St. Thomas University School of Law. For me personally, the Law Review was so much more than a resume builder; my colleagues and peers were my family for that period of my life.

Believe it or not, some of my most memorable law school experiences are attributed to the Law Review. I gladly gave up weekends to discuss potential articles for upcoming issues, edit articles, and plan for an upcoming symposium because I worked with such wonderful people who I am happy to still call friends.

I watched the Law Review grow from a two-issue journal to a three-issue journal. More importantly, I have watched the Law Review leave its mark on the legal community with excellent symposia in Intercultural Human Rights (1996-2000), Criminal Law (1996-1998, 2011-Present), Bush v. Gore Anniversary (2010), and Media and the Law (2012). The St. Thomas Law Review has forged great relationships with The Florida Bar, particularly, the Criminal Law and Elder Law sections. This coming year, it will host the Ninth International Conference on Contracts, once again helping to put St. Thomas University School of Law on the map.

In its short existence, the Law Review has even hosted the National Conference of Law Reviews ("NCLR"). The NCLR has been instrumental in shaping law reviews and journals across the county. I know we implemented a number of policies and brought back many ideas from our experience at the NCLR. In 2010, I sat through several of the sessions of the NCLR and was impressed with the caliber program the Law Review provided. I am certain that other journals took some ideas back with them.

I met and continue to maintain contact with some of my greatest friends, who I met through Law Review. Who would have thought that those late nights and weekends in the Law Review office would be the start to some very special friendships?

One of the greatest honors an institution can bestow on a student organization is confidence. Professor Daniel Gordon, and the...