Key Facts
Key Information
About
The Florida International University College of Law (FIU Law) is the law school of Florida International University and the only public law school in South Florida. Located in University Park, Miami-Dade County, Florida, it is accredited by the American Bar Association and focuses on legal education with a strong commitment to public service, diversity, and global perspectives. FIU Law ranks as the third highest law school in Florida and has achieved the highest July bar exam passage rate in the state consecutively from 2015 to 2023. The school supports a vibrant community with over 30 student organizations covering interests from animal rights to sports law, offering panel discussions, mentorship, and social events. It also provides robust career services through the Abraham S. Ovadia Career Planning and Placement Office, fostering connections to the legal community and aiding in employment for students and alumni.
Established amid efforts dating back to 1986 under President Modesto A. Maidique, FIU Law overcame resistance from the Florida Board of Regents to become a reality, opening to address the need for accessible legal education in the region. One of its pioneering initiatives is the Loan Repayment Assistance Program, implemented in 1990, which has awarded over $2.4 million in loan forgiveness to graduates pursuing public interest careers. The curriculum incorporates globalization of law, including international and transnational business, preparing students for both local and global practice. FIU Law hosts an institutional repository, eCollections, archiving faculty and student scholarship, law reviews, symposia, and special collections like the Mario Diaz Cruz Collection on Caribbean law. It also offers an LLM program for international attorneys, as evidenced by visits from students to the Third District Court of Appeal in 2022.
FIU Law is recognized for its diverse faculty and student body, with admissions considering factors beyond academics, such as leadership, public service commitment, and overcoming obstacles like economic hardship or discrimination. The school promotes inclusivity, aiming to increase minority representation in the legal profession proportionate to population demographics. Its faculty includes founding members like Thomas E. Baker, who have contributed to reflections on law schools' roles in higher education. Overall, FIU Law positions itself as a leader in public legal education, with active engagement in scholarly activities and professional development.