fiu law viewbook 2015-2016

Quality. Opportunity. Value.

Quality. Opportunity. Value. 2 WELCOME

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QUALITY Administration & Faculty Curriculum Academic Programs International Studies

14 OPPORTUNITYCareer Planning & PlacementExternships Clinics

22 VALUEPathways to the Profession Academic Excellence

28 JOIN USClass ProfileTuition Scholarships & Financial Aid Application Checklist

Where do you want to be?

Wel

com

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2

Welcome.The Florida International University College of Law

provides students with entry to the legal profession

through a high-quality, dynamic, and affordable legal

education.

FIU Law offers an accomplished faculty, modern

curriculum, and dedicated students. Located in

the largest legal market in Florida, we provide

our students with a wide array of academic and

experiential learning opportunities, enhancing

their education and allowing them to hone their

professional skills before obtaining their degrees.

We are the only public law school in South Florida.

Our graduates enter the profession with a first-

rate legal education, less burdened by debt. This

provides them with the financial flexibility to pursue

their career goals on their own terms.

At FIU Law, students are immersed in an intimate

learning environment. They develop lasting bonds

with their peers and a faculty of teacher-scholars

dedicated to helping students succeed.

Read on and discover why you should be here, too.

Start your journeylaw.fiu.edu

Welcom

e

3

FIU Law is a diverse, rapidly ascending institution of

academic excellence. Since 2009, we have risen more

than 60 spots in U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of

the nation’s top law schools. No other law school I know

of has advanced so quickly in such a short period of time.

Other national magazines have recognized us as among

the most diverse and best value law schools in the

nation. But rankings only tell part of the story.

Seven years ago, I left my position as U.S. Attorney to

come to FIU Law because I believe this is a place of

promise. We are committed to providing a first-rate

legal education, which we couple with a robust set of

experiential learning programs. From seven in-house

clinical offerings to judicial, criminal, and civil externship

programs, our students apply what they learn in the

classroom to real legal work. This gives our students

an advantage when entering the legal marketplace and

allowed our 2014 graduating class to rank in U.S. News’

top 45 law schools for full-time, long-term legal jobs.

We are a close community. We emphasize quality over

quantity and we treat our students like individuals.

Our faculty wholeheartedly supports our students

and is committed to helping them become successful,

professional, practice-ready attorneys. We will do

everything we can to help you achieve your individual

goals.

I encourage you to visit FIU Law. We truly are a different

kind of law school with much to offer.

The only thing missing is you.

R. Alexander Acosta, Dean of the College of Law

“Our faculty wholeheartedly supports our students and

is committed to helping them become successful,

professional, practice-ready attorneys.”

— DEAN R. ALEXANDER ACOSTA

Where do you want to be?Q

ualit

y

Where

trumps quantity

4

WHAT YOUR CLASSMATES ARE SAYING:

“At FIU Law, you will learn inside the classroom, gain experience outside

the classroom, and enter the legal profession in a position to chart your own

course on your own terms.”

25Average 1L

evening division class size

126Average 1L

day division class size

SMALL ENTERING CLASS SIZE

Quality

5

At FIU Law, you and your goals matter. Our small

class sizes allow you to leverage the resources

available to you and maximize your opportunities to

succeed. We welcome creative thinkers and driven,

entrepreneurial-minded professionals.

We don’t settle, and neither should you.

Qua

lity

Qua

lity

80+Over 80 course

titles offered beyond the foundation

curriculum

Angelique Ortega FridmanLegal Writing

Charles C. JallohComparative Law, Contract Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, International Human Rights, International Law

Charles R.P. PouncyBanking, Capital Markets & Securities, Commodities Law & Regulation, Civil Rights/Social Justice, Corporate Finance, Professional Responsibility

Christyno L. HayesComparative Law, Legal Writing

Cyra Akila ChoudhuryCivil Rights/Social Justice, Comparative Law, Family Law, Feminist Theory/Gender, International Labor & Migration, International Human Rights, Islamic Law, Jurisprudence

David D. WalterAppellate Litigation, Arbitration/Mediation

Dionne AnthonLegal Writing

Ediberto RománAntitrust, Civil Rights/Social Justice, Contract Law, Immigration & Nationality Law, Indigenous Peoples & the Law, International Human Rights, Poverty Law, Remedies, Constitutional Law, Civil Law, Civil Rights

Elizabeth Price Foley Bioethics, Civil Litigation, Constitutional Law, Federal Courts, Health Law, U.S. Supreme Court

Eloisa C. Rodriguez-DodComparative Law, Elder Law, Real Property, Trusts & Estates

Eric R. CarpenterCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, Evidence, Feminist Theory/Gender, Military Justice, National Security

H.T. SmithCivil Litigation, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, Trial Advocacy

H. Scott FingerhutCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, Trial Advocacy

Hannibal TravisAntitrust, Comparative Law, Entertainment & Sports Law, First Amendment, Intellectual Property, International Human Rights, Internet Law, Media Law

Howard M. WassermanCivil Litigation, Entertainment & Sports Law, Evidence, Federal Courts, First Amendment, Media Law

Ila KlionAppellate Litigation, Legal Writing

J. Janewa Osei-TutuContract Law, Intellectual Property, International Law

Jerry W. MarkhamBanking, Capital Markets & Securities, Commodities Law & Regulation, Corporate Finance

Joëlle A. MorenoAlternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Arbitration/Mediation, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, Evidence, Scientific & Forensic Evidence

John F. Stack, Jr.Administrative Law, Conflict of Laws, Florida Constitutional Law, National Security

Jorge L. EsquirolComparative Law, International Business Transactions, International Law, Jurisprudence, Latin American & Caribbean Law

6

Faculty & AdministrationRead more about or faculty’s work:law.fiu.edu/faculty

Quality

Quality

José GabilandoBanking, Capital Markets & Securities, Civil Rights/Social Justice, Contract Law, Corporate Finance, Cuban Legal Studies, Feminist Theory/Gender, Taxation

Juan Carlos GomezClinical Legal Education, Immigration & Nationality Law, Poverty Law, Professional Responsibility

Kalyani RobbinsAdministrative Law, Natural Resources Law, Land Use, Biodiversity & Ecosystems Management, Energy Law, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Environmental Law, Real Property

Kerri L. StoneContract Law, Employment Discrimination, Feminist Theory/Gender, Labor & Employment Law

Laverne PinkneyEducation Law, Family Law

Leonard P. StrickmanConstitutional Law, Education Law & Policy, Legal Education

Louis N. Schulze, Jr.Legal Education, Educational Psychology, Criminal Law

Mary GundrumImmigration Law, Family Law

M.C. MirowComparative Law, International Law, Latin American & Caribbean Law, Legal History, Real Property, Trusts & Estates

M. Michele AngladeCivil Rights/Social Justice, Feminist Theory/Gender

Marci A. Rosenthal Legal Writing

Manuel Gómez Arbitration/Mediation, Civil Litigation, Comparative Law, Cuban Legal Studies, International Litigation & Arbitration, International Law, Judicial Reform, Latin American & Caribbean Law

Megan A. FairlieCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, International Human Rights, International Law, Professional Responsibility

Michelle D. MasonClinical Legal Education, Health Law, Legal Education

Noah WeisbordComparative Law, Criminal Law, International Law

Phyllis KoteyCriminal Law, Evidence, Florida Constitutional Law, Judicial Ethics

R. Alexander AcostaCivil Litigation, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, Education Law & Policy

Raul RuizBar Preparation

Rosario SchrierLegal Writing

Ryan B. StoaEnvironmental Law

Scott F. NorbergBankruptcy, Contract Law

Stanley FishConstitutional Law, First Amendment, Jurisprudence, Media Law

Stephen K. HarperCriminal Law, Criminal Procedure & Litigation, Death Penalty

Tawia Baidoe AnsahInternational Law, Law & Literature

Teresa C. StantonLaw Library

Thomas E. BakerConstitutional Law, Federal Courts, First Amendment, U.S. Supreme Court

Victor M. Uribe-UranIndigenous Peoples & the Law, Judicial Reform, Latin American & Caribbean Law, Legal History

7

Joint DegreesLaw students interested in interdisciplinary studies

may take advantage of FIU Law’s Joint Degree

Program. Those pursuing a joint degree will have the

opportunity to study both law and another discipline

in a way that allows each to enhance and complement

the study of the other. Joint degree candidates may

obtain both degrees in less time than it would take to

obtain them individually. Joint degrees offered include

master’s degrees in:

« Business Administration « Construction Management« Criminal Justice« Environmental Studies « International Business« Latin American & Caribbean Studies« Psychology« Public Administration« Social Work

Center for Professionalism & EthicsLawyers owe a duty to their clients, the courts, and

opposing counsel to act professionally and in an ethical

manner. FIU Law recognizes this duty and stresses

professionalism and ethics throughout its curriculum.

Through the Center for Professionalism & Ethics,

students are introduced to the concepts of

professionalism and ethics required for the effective

practice of law. The Center sponsors programs

designed to reinforce these concepts and to

complement the lawyering skills students learn in class.

The Center embraces and models accountability and

civic responsibility, and strives to ensure that each

student becomes an ethical member of the Bar.


“Before class, I spend time reviewing and discussing the material with

classmates. A great thing about FIU Law is that students here are friendly.

We are competitive, but not hyper-competitive. It is easy to build a support system and friendships

with classmates.”

Qua

lity

Intellectual Property CertificateFIU Law offers a certificate in intellectual property law.

IP law is a vibrant and growing area of practice. According

to a 2012 U.S. Department of Commerce report,

IP-intensive industries supported 40 million jobs, and

merchandise exports of IP-intensive industries accounted

for $775 billion, or 60.7% of total U.S. exports. IP law is

relevant to business and global trade, and intersects with

a number of other fields, including human rights, public

health, and global development.

To obtain the certificate students must:

« Earn at least 15 credits from the Intellectual

Property course list;

« Take at least two courses or seminars from the

Entrepreneurship course list; and

« Take the Intellectual Property Survey Course

8

Quality

Curriculum

Day Division

During the first two semesters, day division students

will complete all 31 credits of the Foundation

Curriculum. The day division is divided into two

sections: A & B. Students in these sections take

courses in the morning and afternoon.

Evening Division

During the fall and spring semesters of the first year

and the fall of the second year, evening students will

complete all 31 credits of the Foundation Curriculum.

FIU Law also offers summer courses for evening and

day division students.

Hybrid Option

The hybrid option allows day-division students

to plan their schedule so courses are taken in the

mid-afternoon and early evening. The curriculum is

otherwise identical to the day division.

Full Time (Day) Division Foundation Curriculum

FIRST YEAR / FallConstitutional Law...............................................4Contracts....................................................................4Torts...............................................................................4Legal Skills & Values I..........................................3Total............................................................................15

FIRST YEAR / SpringCivil Procedure.......................................................4Property......................................................................4Criminal Law.............................................................3Intro to Int’l & Comp. Law................................3Legal Skills & Values II.........................................2Total............................................................................16

UPPER-LEVEL REQUIRED COURSESProfessional ResponsibilityLitigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (2 courses)International & Comparative LawLegal Skills & Values IIIGraduate SeminarPro Bono Practice

Part Time (Evening) Division Foundation Curriculum

UPPER-LEVEL REQUIRED COURSESProfessional ResponsibilityLitigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (2 courses)International & Comparative LawLegal Skills & Values IIIGraduate SeminarPro Bono Practice

FIRST YEAR / FallContracts...................................................................4Torts..............................................................................4Legal Skills & Values I..........................................3Total...........................................................................11

FIRST YEAR / SpringCivil Procedure......................................................4Property.....................................................................4Legal Skills & Values II........................................2Total...........................................................................10

SECOND YEAR / FallConstitutional Law..............................................4Criminal Law............................................................3Intro to Int’l & Comp. Law................................3Total...........................................................................10

9

Academic ProgramsAppellate Advocacy (Moot Court)Students, working in two-person teams, prepare an

appellate brief and deliver an appellate oral argument in

competition format as a means of making the Moot Court

Team. Students receive substantial classroom instruction

in persuasive brief writing, oral advocacy, and in the

relevant appellate rules and procedures.

Negotiation & MediationStudents selected as members of the Negotiation &

Mediation Team work in teams to prepare and then

mediate an agreement on multiple issues with opposing

counsel. Students receive substantial classroom

instruction on a variety of negotiation and mediation

techniques and strategies.

Trial Advocacy ProgramThe Trial Advocacy Program is an intensive course

of study that includes Trial Advocacy and Advanced

Trial Advocacy. Students learn the legal mechanics and

human dynamics of trying a lawsuit, including how to

develop a case theme and theory, present a persuasive

opening statement and closing argument, conduct

direct and cross examinations, introduce exhibits,

make objections, and understand the dynamics of

jury selection. In lieu of a written final exam, students

participate in a mock jury trial before a sitting judge

and experienced trial lawyers.

Qua

lity

Runner-Up 2015 ABA NationalNegotiation Finals

ABA

10

FIU Law ReviewThe FIU Law Review is a student-run organization

responsible for producing a journal of scholarly legal

works. As a symposium-based law review, issues are

composed of articles addressing a particular area of the

law, with authors often participating in a live symposium

before publication. The FIU Law Review is committed

to facilitating FIU Law’s growth and impact in the legal

community.

FIU Law Review membership is contingent on the

successful completion of the Foundation Curriculum

and the annual write-on competition. The write-on

competition consists of a written case note and Bluebook

examination. First-year academic performance is also

considered when extending invitations.

The write-on competition takes place immediately

following the conclusion of spring semester exams for

traditional first-year students; evening division students

are eligible to participate in the exam following their

second spring semester. Transfer students may also

be eligible for Law Review membership once they

are enrolled.

Legal Skills & Values (LSV)Students learn the keys to effective lawyering through

a series of three required courses focusing on legal

analysis, research, writing, oral communication, and

professionalism. These courses simulate legal problems

which teach students how to recognize and address legal

issues from inception through resolution. Throughout the

courses, faculty members emphasize the importance of

professionalism to being an effective attorney.

In LSV I, students learn to locate, read, understand, and

apply primary and secondary sources of law. Students

continue to develop their research, analytical, and

communication skills in LSV II, as they shift their focus

from objective communication to persuasive writing and

oral advocacy. The LSV III curriculum builds upon the

research, analysis, and communication foundation that

students developed in the first two courses. Assignments

in LSV III include cover letters and resumes, contracts,

client and attorney correspondence, negotiations, and

pretrial motions and memoranda.


“I was able to perform well as a law clerk because of the training I received at FIU Law. The three-

semester Legal Skills & Values requirement, allows students to

develop advanced writing and research skills.”

11

Quality


“The FIU LL.M. program for international lawyers attracted my attention because

it takes place in Miami, a gateway for international law and business, and it

provides its students with great professors, scholars, and successful international

lawyers while still providing the best value around.”

International StudiesInternational & Graduate Studies

The practice of law is becoming increasingly global. The

Office of International and Graduate Studies offers

a variety of programs to introduce students to the

international aspects of law and legal practice, including:

« Advanced-standing J.D. for foreign lawyers (JDAS)

« LL.M. post-graduate program for foreign lawyers

« Study abroad programs

« Student exchange programs

« Visiting researcher and professor opportunities

Advanced-Standing J.D. The J.D. with advanced standing program allows students

to receive up to 30 hours of credit towards their J.D. for

prior legal studies in another country. If the maximum

amount of credit is applied towards the J.D. at FIU Law,

students may complete their J.D. in approximately two

years of full-time study. Students may also receive credit

towards the J.D. for coursework completed as part of

a graduate degree in law, such as a LL.M., in the United

States at an ABA accredited law school.

Summer Study AbroadThe capital of the Southern province of Andalusia, Spain,

Seville has both historical weight and modern relevance.

With three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the third-

largest Old Town in Europe, it is simply a beautiful place to

learn. FIU Law partners with Universidad de Sevilla each

year for the summer abroad program to bring students a

real understanding of Spanish legal culture.

Faculty from both sides of the Atlantic teach intensive

courses in both U.S. and Spanish law. Classes emphasizing

comparative studies examine the laws of both nations and

utilize Seville’s historical connections to the world.

Courses are taught in English. Knowledge of the Spanish

language is useful, but not necessary. The program is open

to all students from ABA-accredited law schools who have

completed at least one year of study.

Qua

lity

12

Quality

LL.M. for Foreign LawyersThe LL.M. is a post-graduate course of study for

lawyers who have completed their first law degree

in another country. It is composed of 24 credits and

is based entirely on coursework that runs one

academic year: from August to May. It does not have

subject specialties, and the courses taken by LL.M.

students are determined on an individual basis.

13

Learn more atlaw.fiu.llm

Opp

ortu

nity

Where do you want to be?

Where

waits at every turn

14

Opportunity

EMPLOYMENT SUCCESS

79%Of our 2014 graduates secured full-time, long-term legal jobs.*

#42 in the nation

*Bar pass required & J.D. advantage; excludes positions funded by law schools

WHAT YOUR ALUMNI ARE SAYING:

“FIU Law has been able to recruit some of the most renowned practitioners in

their respective fields as professors. The practical experience they provided,

coupled with the academic training and qualifications of a remarkable faculty, prepared me for the practice of law.”

Getting a quality legal education in Miami—the

largest legal market in Florida and a gateway to

the global marketplace—helps maximize your

employment prospects after graduation. Why?

Because you will have the opportunity to gain real

legal experience while here.

Many of the nation’s largest law firms have a

presence in Miami. There are more than 250 judges

in Miami-Dade and Broward counties combined,

and the criminal law bar in South Florida is the

largest in the state.

Opportunities like these allow you to connect

with a vast network of legal professionals and

gain valuable experience while you study. The

opportunity—and the work—is out there.

Go get it.

15

Opp

ortu

nity

Career Planning & PlacementThe Abraham S. Ovadia 09’ Career Planning &

Placement Office (CP&P) is focused on placement.

The Office provides students and alumni with the

services and resources necessary to discover the legal

career that fits them best.

CP&P has cultivated outstanding relationships

with leading law firms, public service employers,

federal agencies, and courts throughout Florida and

across the nation. On-staff attorney/advisors who

themselves have extensive practical experience,

provide students with comprehensive and

personalized career counseling.

A variety of resources help students identify and

obtain positions, and the Office offers a robust

on-campus interview program in both the fall and

spring. CP&P also facilitates student participation in

numerous job fairs to ensure they find the career that

is perfect for them.

CaliforniaFloridaGeorgiaMarylandMassachusettsMichigan

Our graduates practice from coast to coast, including in these jurisdictions:


“Serving as a judicial law clerk opened the door to many professional development opportunities. I was able to create a network of professionals in the legal field who have helped in the

development of my legal career. Today, I am able to serve as a mentor to others

who are pursuing the same path.”

New JerseyNew YorkNorth CarolinaPennsylvaniaTexasWashington, D.C.

16

Opportunity

38Since 2009, FIU Law alumni

have accepted 38 federal or state appellate clerkships, including 6 at the U.S. Court of Appeals.

17

Become Practice ReadyLegal Externship ProgramOne of FIU Law’s greatest strengths is its Legal Externship

Program. Students in this Program earn credit and gain

practical legal experience, making them better prepared

for the practice of law. Additionally, students are able

to build relationships with employers and expand their

professional networks.

The following are the available externship options:

Criminal

South Florida has some of the of the largest state

attorney and public defender offices in the county. This

affords FIU Law students a tremendous opportunity.

The Criminal Externship Program helps students gain

a better understanding of criminal law and the criminal

justice system. Externs work alongside prosecutors and

public defenders, learning the criminal justice system from

the inside, and develop their legal skills by representing

defendants or the State of Florida in actual criminal cases.

Civil

The Civil Externship Program allows students to explore

careers with governmental, public interest, or corporate

entities. This is a program for those interested in in-house

counsel positions, governmental agencies, administrative

agencies, nonprofits, and legal services.

Judicial

There are more than 250 judges in Miami-Dade and

Broward counties. Through the Judge Aaron B. Cohen

Judicial Externship Program, students work with judges

and magistrates, draft memoranda of law and other

documents in chambers, and participate in day-to-day

court operations.

34Alumni Named Rising Stars by Super Lawyers

Magazine in 2014

18

Opp

ortu

nity

Opportunity


“When I entered FIU Law, my ultimate goal was to pursue a leadership position within the federal government. I am honored to be amongst a group of brilliant future leaders. Being a Justice Honors Program Fellow is

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity which I am confident will launch my career.”

Expand Your Skill Set and Build Your Professional ReputationEXTERNSHIPSCriminal

Civil

« Finance

« Environmental

« Child Welfare

« Public Interest

« Federal

« Compliance

Judicial Judge Aaron B. Cohen Judicial Externship Program

CLINICSCarlos A. Costa Immigration & Human Rights Clinic

« Immigrant Children’s Justice ProjectDeath Penalty ClinicMedical-Legal Partnership Clinic

« Domestic Violence Project

« Neighborhood HELP Project

« Veterans ProjectSmall Business Clinic

ADVOCACY PROGRAMSBoard of AdvocatesAppellate Advocacy (Moot Court)Negotiation & Mediation ProgramTrial Advocacy Program

ACADEMIC OFFERINGSAcademic Excellence Program Intellectual Property CertificateInternational & Graduate Studies Pathways to the Profession

Joint Degrees - Masters in:

« Business Administration

« Construction Management

« Criminal Justice

« Environmental Studies

« International Business

« Latin American & Caribbean Studies

« Psychology

« Public Administration

« Social Work

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Opp

ortu

nity

Clinical Programs:Helping the Community While Gaining ExperienceFIU Law offers students the opportunity to work as lawyers under the supervision of licensed attorneys through its legal clinics program. Like a law firm within the law school, these clinics allow upper-division students to represent individuals and community organizations in need of legal assistance.

Carlos A. Costa Immigration & Human Rights ClinicAssists individuals who are seeking asylum because of political persecution, relief under country-specific immigration legislation, and immigrant worker victims of wage theft. Within this program, the Immigrant Children’s Justice Project assists unaccompanied minors who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected.

Death Penalty ClinicAssists court-appointed defense counsel in gathering documents, interviewing witnesses and clients, analyzing discovery, investigations, legal research, drafting pleadings and memoranda, assisting with strategic decisions, and in developing integrated theories of defense in death penalty cases.

Medical-Legal Partnership Clinic In partnership with the FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, assists families in four Miami-Dade County neighborhoods with health-related cases. The clinic also undertakes policy advocacy projects to improve client access to health care and features our Neighborhood HELP, Veterans, and Domestic Violence Projects.

Small Business ClinicProvides basic corporate legal assistance to for-profit small businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations that cannot afford to pay market rates for legal services.

20


“FIU Law equipped me with the training and experience that I need to succeed in the legal industry. The College’s proximity to county, state,

and federal courts, along with its location in Florida’s largest legal market, gives students access to a wide variety of opportunities. I am very happy I chose FIU Law. It was

a truly rewarding experience.”

21

Opportunity

Valu

eWhere do you want to be?

Where

comes in many forms

22

Value


“The faculty at FIU Law provides encouragement and support to the students. They are there every step

of the way and are committed to helping us succeed.”

As the only public law school in South Florida,

your education will not only be exceptional, but

affordable as well.

Our unrivaled value gives you the financial

flexibility to pursue your career goals on your

own terms and enhances your post-law school

quality of life.

In an era where the cost of legal education is

rising amidst an evolving professional landscape,

FIU Law’s core mission – to provide access to

the legal profession through a contemporary,

high-quality educational program – resonates

more loudly than ever.

Are you listening? 40One of the Top 40 Best Value

Law Schools in America PreLaw Magazine

23

Valu

e

24

Academic ExcellenceAcademic Excellence Program FIU Law’s Academic Excellence Program (AEP) provides students with resources to help them succeed in law school, conquer the bar examination, and develop strong practice skills. Starting the first semester, the AEP acts as an extended orientation, detailing academic expectations and introducing students to the methods used on law school examinations. Applying lessons from the science of educational psychology, the AEP integrates contextualization, self-regulated learning, and formative assessments to allow students to hone personalized study skills so that they can fully maximize their academic results.

The AEP’s extensive offerings reflect our commitment to your success, and is one way of ensuring that you have everything you need to thrive in law school and beyond. The following AEP offerings take students from their first day of class through the bar exam:

Fall of 1L Year: In Introduction to the Study of Law, class meetings are held weekly and are coordinated with each section’s doctrinal professors. This class focuses on developing fundamental law school skills such as briefing cases and outlining, legal analysis skills, and exam preparation.

Spring of 1L Year: In Academic Excellence, students take the fundamentals they learned in Introduction to the Study of Law and focus on exam performance. Students meet intermittently throughout the semester to experience “miniature” law school exams set in the context of students’ doctrinal classes, and often include guest appearances by doctrinal faculty.

2L Year: Coupled with the popular and bar-tested Evidence course, students may take Legal Analysis, a two-credit course designed to expand students’ analytical skills in ways that assist them in doctrinal classes and on the bar examination. Students receive extensive, personalized feedback on essays and multiple choice questions focused on the law of Evidence (a recommended co-requisite).

3L Year: Students may take the U.S. Law and Procedure class for four credits. Taught by a team of experienced bar examination preparation experts and available in students’ final semester of law school, this class teaches students how to succeed on the bar examination. One day of the class each week focuses on the Multistate Bar Examination (multiple choice questions), and the other day focuses on the state portion (essays, performance tests, and multiple choice questions).

Post-Graduate Resources: Through FIU Law’s Bar Exam Success Program (BESP), graduates studying for the bar exam have as additional resources a faculty or alumni bar exam mentor, regularly-scheduled bar preparation workshops, continual logistical support, and access to personalized feedback on bar exam preparation essays.

Value


“Like many students at FIU Law, I am working during my 3L year. The law

school has an evening division, which allows students, including day-division students like myself, to build a flexible

class schedule. This flexibility allows me to put what I learn in the classroom to

use in the real world.”

63%Of students receive

scholarships or grants

25


“FIU Law does so much to help students transition into the legal profession. FIU Law keeps the class sizes small, which means you

get a lot of personal attention. It also provides students with a wealth of opportunities to

gain practical experience. In my final year I am participaing in a clinic where I work on

real cases under the supervision of a licensed attorney. In today’s legal market, getting

practical experience while in law school can make a huge difference in the world, and every

student at FIU Law who wants that sort of experience can get it.”

Valu

e

There’s a law school for that.And it’s right here, right now.

26

Think Differently?

Pathways to the ProfessionIn what areas of law do you want to practice? What types of clients do you want to serve? What fundamental skills do you want to build during your law school years to achieve those professional goals?

Answering these questions lays the framework for developing a coherent plan for your law school experience. FIU Law’s Pathway to the Profession Initiative is designed to help guide you to your chosen career goals. The program begins the summer prior to entering FIU Law, and continues after you graduate. The faculty, administrators, and alumni at FIU Law are here to help you plan your own individualized strategy.

Your journey into the practice of law will include course work designed to provide you with the requisite legal knowledge to be a lawyer. Your journey will also include programs to help you develop the other skills necessary to being a successful, professional, and ethical member of the bar.

Pathways offered include:« Alternative Dispute Resolution

« Bankruptcy Law

« Business Law

« Citizenship & Migration

« Civil Litigation

« Commercial Law

« Criminal Law

« Environmental Law

« Estate Planning & Probate

« Family Law

« Health Law

« Intellectual Property

« International & Comparative Law

« Labor & Employment Law

« Public & Regulatory Law

« Real Estate Law

Value

27

11:1Student-to-faculty

ratio

Join

Us

28

Join Us

Top 5 Reasons Your Classmates Are Here

1 Small class sizes and a dynamic, cooperative academic environment

2 Alumni reputation in the profession for being hard-working and adept

3 An Academic Excellence Program that helps students thrive from orientation through the bar exam

4 Our location in Miami, Florida, a vibrant intenational city with a robust legal community

5 Faculty who are both brilliant legal minds and engaging legal educators

29

Success in law school and beyond requires more than intellectual ability and a strong work ethic. It requires students to take control of their studies and their career paths.

You must learn to take a proactive approach to building relationships with members of the faculty and your peers, and must take steps to cultivate your professional networks. The administration, faculty and staff at FIU Law are committed to helping you find your path in law school and beyond.

Tuition

Annual (In-State)Day $21,407

Evening $14,501

Student Fees $399 (per year)

Annual (Out-of-State)Day $35,651

Evening $24,151

Student Fees $399 (per year)

Per Credit HourIn-State $690.54

Out-of-State $1,150.03

GPA

3.14(25%)

3.76 (75%)

3.63MEDIAN

LSAT151(25%)

158 (75%)

156MEDIAN

*As of 9/14/15; excludes LL.M. Candidates

* *

67%

2419

117

136

5511,887

*2015

Join

Us

Scholarships & Financial AidFIU Law offers a wide variety of financial aid

opportunities to help our students finance their

legal education. Applicants must complete the Free

Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be

considered for federal loans and our institutional

need-based grants. Visit fafsa.ed.gov and apply

as early as January 1 using the FIU School

Code 009635.

Merit Scholarship Program

Full-time applicants are automatically considered for

merit scholarships at the time of application review.

Merit scholarships are awarded based on undergraduate

GPA and LSAT score. Scholarship offers are presented

to admitted students in their admissions offers. Priority

consideration is given to eligible candidates who apply

for admission by March 15. Merit scholarships are

renewable each year.

Graduate Need Grant

Awards are based on financial need and are available

to both full-time and part-time students. You must

complete a FAFSA to be considered. Funds are limited

and it is strongly recommended that you submit your

FAFSA as early as January 1 and before the FIU Law

priority deadline of February 15. Students must be

registered for no fewer than 9 credits to qualify.

Transfer StudentsIf you are currently attending a law school accredited by

the American Bar Association (ABA) then you may apply

for a transfer to FIU Law. You must have completed at

least one full-time semester or two part-time semesters,

be in good standing at your current institution, and have

a class rank (if applicable) in the upper one-third of your

first-year class.

30

67%Diversity in 2015

incoming class

Join Us

Application ChecklistTo apply for admission, you must create an account

with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC)

at lsac.org and submit the following documents

before the application deadline of May 1:

« Application for admission

« Application fee ($20, non-refundable)

« LSAT score(s)

« Official transcripts from all undergraduate

and graduate institutions attended

« Personal statement (three pages, double-spaced)

« One letter of recommendation (optional)

« Résumé (optional)

31

Florida International University College of LawOffice of Admissions & Financial Aid

Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall | 11200 SW 8th Street, RDB 1055 | Miami, FL 33199T (305) 348-8006 | F (305) 348-2965

law.fiu.edu

@fiulaw FIU College of Law

“We truly are a different kind of law school.”

fiu law viewbook 2015-2016

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