Law News Releases
FAMU Law Announces Attorney Daryl Parks as 2024 Hooding Speaker
|
For Immediate Release
March 18, 2024
ORLANDO, Fla – Attorney Daryl Parks will be the keynote speaker for the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law’s 2024 Hooding Ceremony. The ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, May 11, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando, Florida.
Parks is an accomplished lawyer and businessman who received dual bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Florida A&M University and a juris doctor from Florida State University. He is the managing partner at Parks Law, L.L.C.
A longtime supporter of the College of Law, its student organizations and programs, Parks helped to endow one of the first scholarships at the law school. He will deliver words of inspiration to more than 90 graduates from fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024.
Through his dedication to civil rights activism and his commitment to community, attorney Parks has represented families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and Corey Jones. The national reputation gained by attorney Parks and his firm has led to his appearances on numerous national television broadcasts which include ABC, MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN.
Parks is also a distinguished local and national leader who epitomizes a commitment to service. He has shared his business acumen, financial expertise, and leadership qualities locally with organizations such as the Sickle Cell Foundation, the Bethel Community Development Corporation, Tallahassee Airport Advisory Committee and recently became a board member of the Bond Community Health Center in Tallahassee.
The Tallahassee native has also provided his service to the Florida Bar, serving as a member of both the Florida Bar Foundation Board and the Florida Bar Student Education and Admissions to the Bar Committee. He currently serves as a trustee to the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society. Attorney Parks has also served his alma mater as vice chair of the FAMU Board of Trustees and chairman of the Board of Directors for both the FAMU Foundation and the FAMU Boosters.
As a national leader, Parks is a lifetime member of the National Bar Association (NBA) and has served in national leadership positions to include national president, general counsel, vice president of finance, regional director of Region XI, and president of the Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter of the National Bar Association. In 2011, Parks was elected as the 69th president of the NBA. He continues his service to the National Bar on the Bar’s Board of Directors of the National Bar Institute. He was elected to serve as the Minority Caucus chair for the American Association for Justice and to leadership positions with the Florida Justice Association, including serving on the Board of Directors.
Former United States’ Senator Bill Nelson appointed Parks to the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Northern District of Florida, and former Florida Governor Charlie Crist appointed him to the Judicial Nominating Commission for the First District Court of Appeals for Florida. In 2017, attorney Parks was named the national general counsel for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Parks’ philanthropy and civic engagement reveals his unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others locally, nationally, and internationally. In addition to his outstanding community service, Parks partners with other persons of goodwill to sponsor medical mission trips to Africa to provide medical treatment and supplies to the people of Africa. In addition to his personal commitments, his firm is equally committed to investing in the community. His firm also funds endowed scholarships at Florida A&M University, Livingston College, Bethune-Cookman University and Florida State University.
Media Contact: Stephanie Strong, 407-784-1554, stephanie.strong@famu.edu