It is a name that everyone in America today unfortunately knows by heart–George Floyd. In May 2020, George Floyd was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after suspicion that Floyd had used a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill. In what turned out to be one of the nation’s most striking civil rights cases, Mr. Floyd and his family were finally awarded justice in 2021 when Mr. Chauvin was convicted of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

On Tuesday, February 18, Blair students will get the rare privilege to hear from a key attorney who represented Mr. Floyd’s family in recovering the $27 million dollar civil settlement, Blair alum, Jeff Storms ’98. In his first Skeptics event, Mr. Storms plans to discuss his career as a civil rights lawyer, including his experience working on high-profile cases that have garnered international attention, such as the death of George Floyd, his unique personal journey, growing up as the child of a police officer, and the critical role that civil rights litigation plays in shaping and sustaining American society today.

“Not a day goes by when I don’t reflect on an experience from Blair,” shared Mr. Storms in a pre-event interview. “If listening to my talk leaves a lasting impression on even one student and motivates them to achieve a personal goal, that would be incredibly fulfilling.”

After graduating from Blair in 1998, Mr. Storms went on to earn a bachelors of arts in sociology from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina. He later earned his juris doctor from the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, graduating magna cum laude.

“I decided to attend law school after stepping away from an interest in screenwriting,” shared Mr. Storms, who is just as passionate about the industry as he is in law, today. “After excelling in law school, I began my career at a large corporate firm. However, I realized my true passion lay in representing people rather than companies. This realization led me to a smaller firm where I started practicing civil rights litigation.”

“Though I became a partner ahead of schedule, I ultimately left to pursue my own path. Starting my own firm allowed me to choose the relationships I build and the cases I take on, which also enables me to align my work with my personal values and goals.”

Wielding the power of choice helped Mr. Storms to shape the life and professional journey he always envisioned. Furthermore, it afforded him the opportunity to build a successful practice dedicated to helping individuals in need. The cases he and his team take, he believes, helps to amplify the voices of those too often overlooked in society.

“I want students to know that you can do good while also doing well. It’s important to have the courage to pursue what you believe in, even when failure is a possibility. Success often comes to those willing to take that leap of faith,” advised Mr. Storms. “Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Life moves quickly, and it’s too short not to pursue work that is both rewarding and meaningful.” All are welcome to hear Mr. Storms speak in the forum of the Chiang-Elghanayan Center next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

History of Skeptics 

The Society of Skeptics was established as a forum for students and faculty to discuss and debate important global issues; it has grown to become one of the premier high school lecture series in the United States. Each week, speakers from the political, social, scientific, economic and literary arenas share their unique perspectives with students, who are encouraged to engage with presenters, asking questions and debating points of view.

The program, which is funded in part by the Class of 1968 Society of Skeptics Endowment Fund, is an outgrowth of the Blair International Society, begun in 1937. Forty years later, former history department chair Elliott Trommald, PhD, Hon. ’65, established the modern Skeptics program as a regular forum for student discussion and debate; history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, took over in the mid-1980s and molded the program into a weekly lecture series, one that has since continued without interruption. Under the tutelage of Dr. Miller and his successor, history department chair Jason Beck, Skeptics has featured a wide variety of speakers who are thought-provoking, engaging, accomplished in their respective fields and often controversial. For a listing of upcoming Skeptics programs, please visit Blair’s website.