Law News Releases
Attorney Daryl Parks Encourages FAMU Law Graduates to Make a Difference(Change the Moment)
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For Immediate Release
May 15, 2024
ORLANDO, Fla. Attorney Daryl Parks is well known for his high-profile cases such as representing the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Corey Jones. He earned a much-deserved reputation as a civil rights fighter. As the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law Hooding speaker, Parks encouraged the graduates to do the right thing as lawyers.
“Lawyers, you all can make a difference,” said Parks. “I urge all of you to be that lawyer in the room that changes the moment. Make sure you are the lawyer in the room who makes right prevail.”
The Haines City, Florida native talked about several tragic cases where after the verdict there was still important work to do. He worked to improve crib safety for infants, pushed for head counts to help prevent children from being left inside of hot daycare vans, changed an ordinance to prevent drownings and worked with former Governor Jeb Bush to end juvenile boot camps.
“Our state of Florida needs your passion, your engagement and your participation in civil discourse.”
The 90 College of Law graduates listened attentively as attorney Parks shared his wisdom with them.
“You are receiving a juris doctor. It’s a degree that opens doors, windows, and in some cases, makes the ceiling rise so that you may go through.”
A longtime supporter of the College of Law, its student organizations and programs, Parks helped to endow one of the first scholarships at the reestablished law school. 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.
FAMU Law Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Interim Dean Cecil Howard presided over the ceremony. Other platform guests included FAMU Trustee Deveron Gibbons, FAMU Trustee Loryn May; FAMU Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Allyson Watson; and FAMU Law faculty.
Rev. Dr. Robert Spooney, pastor of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Ninth Judicial Circuit Judge Emerson Thompson, Jr., and a host of other guests filled the room along with nearly 2000 family and friends of the graduates.
The Hooding Ceremony was held on Saturday, May 11, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando, Florida.