(L to R) Barry Cotton, Central Florida District Director for U.S. Senator Rick Scott; Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis, Florida House of Representative District 40 & FAMU Law Grad; Cecil Howard, Associate Provost & Interim Dean of the College of Law; Jamesia Jackson, 2024-2025 Student Bar Association President; Dr. Lisa Nored, UCF Department Chair of Legal Studies:, Ava Doppelt, Dean’s Advisory Council Chair; Jamal Sowell , FAMU Vice-President Of Governmental Relations. 

 

 

For Immediate Release 
November 21, 2024

ORLANDO – The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law hosted its annual State of FAMU College of Law Address, which featured a Fireside Chat platform with Student Bar Association President Jamesia Jackson and Associate Provost for Academic Programs and Interim Dean of the College of Law Cecil Howard sharing key updates that highlighted the college’s trajectory of growth and innovation. Held Nov. 20, the discussion centered on five strategic focus areas: admissions, bar preparation, climate, marketing and communications, and recruitment and retention.

A major highlight of the day was the update on the college’s recent acquisition of property at 301 Robinson Street, adjacent to the current campus. This expansion underscores FAMU Law's commitment to extending its footprint and enriching the student experience.

The site has been cleared for parking and commercial use following comprehensive environmental and property surveys. The College of Law is actively exploring multiple development possibilities for the property, including a parking garage, a bookstore, additional office space, and new offsite clinics. Each of these potential projects is designed to enhance student life, support faculty and staff, and improve access to critical resources, Howard shared.

“I am pleased to report that the State of FAMU College of Law is sound and strong,” said Howard. “This development with the property marks a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to support our students, ensuring they have the resources and convenience they need to excel.”

Admissions
Looking ahead, Howard said the College of Law is poised to expand its recruitment pipeline, with a strong emphasis on engaging FAMU undergraduates through its Legal Scholars pre-law program on the main campus. This effort will be complemented by initiatives designed to expose prospective students in Tallahassee to the unique academic and co-curricular opportunities available at the Orlando-based law school.

Plans include increasing the coordination of undergraduate visits to the law school and arranging for law students and faculty to visit the main campus more frequently. These strategies aim to inspire more FAMU undergraduates to consider pursuing their legal education within the FAMU family.

Bar Preparation
Howard said the College of Law has partnered with BARBRI, a leading provider of bar preparation resources. This partnership aims to strengthen students’ bar readiness, offering tools and support that begin in the early stages of their law school journey and continue through the post-graduation bar preparation period. Training has also been extended to faculty, ensuring they can effectively integrate these resources into their instruction.

Climate
In addition to the plans for the property north of the campus, Howard shared that the College of Law fosters a supportive student environment by acquiring 200 additional parking spaces in the Zora Neale Hurston garage west of campus.

Marketing and Communications
Howard announced that the College of Law has a committed group of students, known as the Law Communications Liaisons, who are collaborating with students from the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication to launch a podcast. This initiative will address hot topics and other important issues, offering a platform for engaging discussions and showcasing the dynamic voices within the FAMU Law community.

Recruitment and Retention
To ensure a robust academic foundation, the College’s faculty hiring committee is actively recruiting qualified full-time faculty for foundational courses, upper-level electives, Legal Research and Writing (LRW), and Introduction to Analytical Skills (IAS). These efforts aim to strengthen the instructional quality and ensure students have access to a diverse and experienced faculty team.

The State of the College Fireside Chat served as a reminder of FAMU College of Law’s enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement. With ambitious plans for the newly acquired property and initiatives to support students from enrollment to graduation, the College of Law continues to make strides in securing its legacy as a leader in legal education.

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