Jacob Hurst is University Librarian, Director of the St. Thomas University Law Library, and Associate Professor of Law Librarianship and Technology. Professor Hurst oversees the STU Library system, including the University Library and Law Library’s staff of librarians and support specialists who provide resources and facilities to the students and alums of STU Law. Professor Hurst was appointed Director of the Law Library in January 2020 after serving more than eight years in various public services roles within the Law Library. He was appointed University Librarian and began overseeing a transformational change in STU Libraries. STU Libraries have become integrated across campus, created efficiencies, and reimagined spaces and offerings to provide the STU community with access to the libraries of the future. Professor Hurst teaches legal writing and courses focused on legal research and advises and guides students in completing research papers. He has taught legal research courses at STU Law and Florida International University School of Law, given lectures in countless other courses, and advised many students to write law review comments. Professor Hurst’s research interests include effective writing, equitable access to government information, environmental law, election law, and constitutional law issues, particularly those where government powers are at issue. Professor Hurst is a member of the Dean’s Leadership Team and works closely with other administrators to leverage initiatives and resources to contribute to the evolving strategic goals of the law school.

Professor Hurst obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from The University of Utah, graduated cum laude from St. Thomas University School of Law, and received a Master of Library and Information Sciences from the University of South Florida, graduating magna cum laude. While a law student at STU Law, Professor Hurst was an editor of the St. Thomas Law Review, a member of the student government, and had the honor of serving two prominent Florida jurists: the Honorable Judge Adalberto Jordan as an intern at the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida; and the Honorable Justice James E.C. Perry as an intern at the Florida Supreme Court.

Before attending law school, Professor Hurst was employed in the banking industry in his native Utah. He was active in several civic and professional organizations, including the Rotary, and participated in many political campaigns and volunteered with organizations focused mainly on environmental issues, supporting his love of the rural areas and National Parks in his native Utah and the American West more broadly. Jacob loves animals, is an avid camper, hiker, backpacker, and river-rafter, and is slowly visiting all U.S. National Parks.