Juris Doctor Degree J.D.

The Juris Doctor or J.D. program prepares students for careers in law.

Founded in 1949, re-established in 2002 and fully accredited in 2009 and again in 2014 by the American Bar Association, our programs for full-time day and part-time evening students combine a rigorous traditional curriculum with practical experience, public service, and career preparedness.


The law school offers a rigorous traditional curriculum of required and elective courses that are complemented by extensive skills training that includes an intensive three-year writing program and a strong clinical program. The College of Law’s curriculum is designed to provide students with both the intellectual and practical skills necessary to meet the demands of the modern practice of law by combining theoretical coursework with clinical and practical experiences. Through the use of elective courses and leading practitioners as adjunct faculty, students are introduced to emerging trends and developments in the law.

Academic Course Curriculum 

The Florida A&M University College of Law is fully accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education of the American Bar Association.
The Florida A&M University College of Law is fully accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education of the American Bar Association.
Why FAMU Law?

You can get anywhere from FAMU Law. At the Florida A&M University College of Law, one of the most impactful HBCUs, the study of law serves as a catalyst for social, racial, and economic justice.

Since opening its doors in Orlando in 2002, FAMU College of Law has:

  • Produced more than 2,800 graduates who are lawyers and leaders
  • Produced more than 1,700 minority graduates
  • Produced more than 1,800 licensed attorneys in Florida
  • Produced more than 1,100 licensed minority attorneys in Florida
  • Produced 10 sitting judges in Florida, Georgia and Missouri 
  • Produced one sitting State Attorney in Florida

 


What is a Rattler for Justice?

A Rattler for Justice is someone who strives to shake up the status quo to encourage growth; someone who seeks to rattle a few cages to ensure justice is served; or someone who serves as a catalyst for change while assisting others in need.


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Careers in the law

 Lawyers and other legal professionals work in a wide variety of environments, ranging from courtrooms to private practice. There are many career paths in the legal profession.

Legal careers include:

 

Administrative or Regulatory Attorney

Admiralty and Maritime Lawyer

Antitrust Lawyer

Appellate Lawyer

Arbitration, Mediation and Dispute Resolution Attorney

Banking Lawyer

Bankruptcy Lawyer

Compliance Attorney

Corporate Lawyer

Criminal Defense Attorney

Data Security and Privacy Lawyer

Education Lawyer

Elder Law Attorney

Energy Lawyer

Entertainment Lawyer

Environmental Lawyer

 

 

 

Family Lawyer or Divorce Lawyer

Health Care Lawyer

Human Rights or Civil Rights Lawyer

Immigration Attorney

Intellectual Property Lawyer

International Lawyer

Judge

Judge Advocate in Military

Judicial Clerk

Labor and Employment Lawyer

Mergers and Acquisitions Lawyer

Political Lawyer or Policy Lawyer

Real Estate Lawyer

Tax Lawyer

Trial Lawyer

And more

 

Expectations
Expectations
Law Degree Salary Expectations

In 2020, the average attorney made:

  • an average of $44.08 an hour
  • a median salary of $91,010
  • the top 25% made an average of $106,060 annually
  • the bottom 25% percent made an average of $75,360 annually

The states with the highest employment rates for Law are:

  1. California
  2. New York
  3. Texas and,
  4. Florida

Career Planning and Professional Development

The Office of Career Planning and Professional Development (CPPD) is a comprehensive resource center, designed to assist students and alumni in every phase of their career planning process. CPPD serves as a professional employment and preparation resource, offering year-round service to students, alumni and employers. More info


F.A.Q.s
F.A.Q.s

Legal Career Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 Frequently Asked Questions ( Click Here)

 

 

 

 

 


Are you thinking about pursuing a career in law? Our program prepares students to become highly-trained legal professionals.

If you are thinking about attending law school, consider what some of our Rattlers for Justice are saying about law as a career.

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Student Bar Association President

"In choosing law as my career, I am driven by a profound desire to be the voice for the voiceless, particularly those underprivileged and overlooked. I see my law degree as a potent tool to address cultural disparities, working towards a more equitable and just society. It's not just a profession for me; it's a pathway to advocate for those whose experiences are often marginalized."

student
Alumna

"As a child of immigrants, I have witnessed first-hand the disparities many immigrant families face in this country. The lack of resources and access to basic human rights plague immigrant families and I allowed my experiences to further my desire to be a pillar of hope to my community."

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Alumnus

"FAMU Law has such a rich history. Additionally, the types of connections that students can make at FAMU Law are great. Orlando is a great city for networking and job opportunities."

 

Program Faculty

Robert Abrams robert.abrams@famu.edu 407- 254-4001
Patricia Broussard patricia.broussard@famu.edu 407- 254 3293
Jeffery M. Brown jeffrey.brown@famu.edu 407 254 3253
Eunice Caussade-Garcia eunice.caussade@famu.edu

407-254-3285

Ann Marie Cavazos ann.cavazos@famu.edu                    407-254-4007  
Denise Cespedes denise.cespedes@famu.edu             407-254-4005
Kara Consalo kara.consalo@famu.edu                    407-254-3276
Markita Cooper                       marita.cooper@famu.edu                 407-254-3201
Kim Crag-Chaderton               kim.cragchaderton@famu.edu         407-254-3226
Mark Dorosin                            mark.dorosin@famu.edu                   407-254-4043
Jonathan Fineman                   jonathan.fineman@famu.edu           407-254-3202
Ronald Griffin                           ronald.griffin@famu.edu                     407-254-3223
Priscilla Harris                           priscilla.harris@famu.edu                   407-254-3269
William Henslee                        william.henslee@famu.edu               407-254-3220
Areto Imoukhuede                    areto.imoukhuede@famu.edu          407-254-4046
Darryll Jones                                darryll.jones@famu.edu                      407-254-3264
Yolanda Jones                            yolanda.jones@famu.edu                   407-254-3231
Deidre A. Keller  deidre.keller@famu.edu  407- 254-3200
Lundy Langston                           lundy.langston@famu.edu                  407-254-3246
Jeremy Levitt                               jeremy.levitt@famu.edu                      407-254-3248
Reginald Mitchell, Sr.                 reginald.mitchellsr@famu.edu            407-254-4009
LeRoy Pernell                                  leroy.pernell@famu.edu                        407-254-4034
Shiv Persaud                                    shiv.persaud@famu.edu                         407-254-4026
Cynthia Ramkellawan                    cynthia.ramkellawan@famu.edu           407-254-4003
Rhonda Reaves                                 rhonda.reaves@famu.edu                      407-254-3245
Maritza Reyes                                   maritza.reyes@famu.edu                        407-254-2470
Omar Saleem                                     omar.saleem@famu.edu                         407-254-4011
Cassandra Harris-Starks cassandra.starks@famu.edu 407-910-2590
Ali Friedberg Tal-mason ali.talmason@famu.edu  407-254-3224
Tonya Walker                                    tonya.walker@famu.edu                          407-254-3211
Marlese Wells                                    marlese.wells@famu.edu                         407-254-4045
     

Visiting Faculty

   
Christopher Carlyle     christopher.caryle@famu.edu                   407-254-3222
C. Peter Goplerud peter.goplerud@famu.edu  407-254-3254