Apply Now
With a little ingenuity and a lot of flexibility, some of the newest Florida lawyers are sworn in!
ORLANDO, Fl- Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law 2019 graduate Matthew Bryan put on his suit and tie and prepared for an exciting moment in his life-the Oath of Admission to the Florida Bar.
Matthew Bryan follows in his dad’s father’s footsteps to become a lawyer. The Pembroke Pines native is a 2019 graduate of Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law
He called his parents for some encouraging words before walking into his Winter Park living room, pulling out his laptop and dialing up the link. Soon Bryan was greeted on the screen by Judge Faye Allen of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court who administered the bar oath to Bryan and seven other Rattlers for Justice in the first ever virtual ceremony for FAMU Law.
“This was different, but the times are different. We are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic right now and that calls for finding creative ways to move forward in life while stopping the spread of the coronavirus,” said Bryan. “The virtual oath was definitely the best option and I am proud to officially be admitted to the Florida Bar.”
While there is a Stay at Home order underway in Orange County and other parts of the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders at FAMU Law and Judges at the Ninth Judicial Circuit became very creative and coordinated a virtual Florida Bar Oath Ceremony that could be administered without stepping outside of the home.
Normally, oaths must be taken in-person and the College of Law usually holds a Bar Oath ceremony in the Moot Courtroom; however, given the social distancing orders, the Florida Supreme Court has lifted this requirement, which allows judges to perform the swearing-in ceremony remotely.
“We’re thankful to the judges of the Ninth Judicial Circuit for providing this virtual opportunity for our graduates,” said Interim Dean Nicky Boothe Perry, JD. “This is a special, once-in-a- lifetime memory for new lawyers that they’ll never forget.”
For new lawyers like Bryan, the virtual option is just another step in making his dream to become a lawyer come true.
“I’m following in my dad’s footsteps. My dad has his own law firm in Fort Lauderdale,” said Bryan. “This moment is very important to my family and friends and since the bar oath was virtual, my mom invited 80 of our family and friends to join in while I gave my oath. It was fantastic. This Rattler for Justice is ready to strike.”
Media Contact: Stephanie Strong, stephanie.strong@famu.edu, 407-784-1554
