Jim Leano '89

When Jim Leano came to St. Johns in first grade, he remembers looking over on the other side of the quad with wonder. He finished his St. Johns career as the Student Council President and made morning announcements alongside Headmaster Stephen Russey. He recalls St. Johns being a fun place to go to school with every student being on the same campus. He practiced analytical thinking, time management, and reading comprehension in a safe and fostering environment. 

Through various School leadership roles, Jim learned how to make himself significant and confident all while experiencing how organizations develop and grow. Jim knew even then that those leadership opportunities would not have been available to him at a larger school. 

After graduating from St. Johns, he continued on to the University of North Florida, where he was pre-med. He graduated, took the MCAT, and then discovered that his desire to go to medical school had changed. While working a handful of jobs, Jim decided to return to UNF and pursue his masters in business administration. After taking his first and only business class, business law, Jim knew he’d found his new career path and before he knew it, he was off to Stetson Law School in St. Petersburg.

Now a Stetson Law graduate, Jim and his family live in Miami where he has his own personal injury practice. “I am always on the side of the little guy going up against the insurance agencies,” Jim said while describing his current job.  

Throughout his twelve years at St. Johns, the School was preparing Jim Leano ‘89 for a leadership role much bigger than he ever would have realized.