Hosted by Merritt McAlister, Dean of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Serious About Law offers candid and engaging conversations on legal education, legal practice, and the evolving landscape of law schools today. In this inaugural episode, Dean McAlister sits down with Joe Mandernach, UF Law’s Senior Associate Dean and Chief of Staff and a proud University of Minnesota Law School graduate, to explore leadership lessons, the value of legal education beyond practicing law, and the unique challenges and opportunities in higher education administration. They dive into topics such as emotional intelligence in lawyering, the impact of AI on legal education, the importance of authentic relationships in professional success, and the future outlook for UF Law. The conversation balances serious insights with a light-hearted and app ...