Coastal Law Viewbook - 2013-14

THE THREE-YEAR

EXPERIENCE a t F L O R I D A C O A S T A L S C H O O L O F L AW

2013-2014

VIEWBOOK

There are a number of ways in which publications and websites attempt to rank law schools. Some focus on peer assessments, others on LSAT scores, student-faculty ratios, volumes in the library or other information. At Coastal Law, we make it our business not to expend valuable time and resources on “gaming� these ranking systems. Rather, we believe our reputation and the quality of the curriculum and services we provide should be measured by annually benchmarked feedback we collect from those who know us best: our students.

With this feedback, we have created a student-centered law school that is dedicated to developing individuals into lawyers, not law students, who are leaders in the legal community prepared to provide their clients with the highest quality ethical and professional service.

DENNIS STONE President, Florida Coastal School of Law

TABLE OF

7

5

Jacksonville

7

Your First Year Campus Curriculum Faculty

17 Your Second Year

17

Experiential Learning Extracurriculars Coastal Culture Dual Degrees

29 Your Third Year

Academic Support Career Services Alumni Network

37 Student Perspectives

29

39 Exclusives 40 What is the LSSSE? 3

YOUR NEW HOMETOWN

Coastal Law is in Jacksonville, Florida, a metropolitan center of nearly 1,000,000 people, including one of the youngest populations in Florida. Boasting 68 miles of ocean coastline, 300 miles of riverfront, and one of the largest park systems in the country, it offers an outstanding array of outdoor activities. Home to unique neighborhoods and restaurants, exceptional arts and culture, and a variety of entertainment options, and professional sports - including NFL, PGA Tour, LPGA, ATP Tennis, and baseball.

Jacksonville is also an active part of the national legal community. The Jacksonville Bar Association serves as a forum of the legal profession which cultivates innovative ways to better serve the public in law-related community issues. A division of The Jacksonville Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Section, provides an array of programs and projects to benefit lawyers thirty-five and under as well as all members of the bar and community.

Jacksonville will provide you with the idyllic setting for a legal education while you enjoy warm winters and beach-filled summers.

To learn more about all that Jacksonville has to offer, please visit fcsl.edu/blogs/jax

5

1L

YOUR

GETTING STARTED At Coastal Law, we are unmatched in the continuous investment we make in our students and our curriculum that prepares graduates to be immediately ready to succeed in the modern legal marketplace. As a first-year law student (also known as a 1L) you will be introduced to a campus, curriculum, and faculty that will challenge you, excite you, and immerse you within the most compelling aspects of today’s legal environment.

Our 2012 incoming class profile:

41 States represented as well as

D.C., Virgin Islands, Canada, Japan Georgia, Nigeria, and Ghana.

54.8%

Female

Gender Ratio

45.2%

         

Male

37.9%

24

Median Age

Minority Representation

7

1L

THE ATRIUM

Many important campus events take place in the Atrium including, The Starting Line (shown above,) an educational event exclusively for 1Ls where our students speak with a diverse group of attorneys about their unique career paths.

YOUR

Our lake-front campus boasts 220,000 square feet of state-of-the-art learning technologies. From fullyfunctioning trial and appellate courtrooms, to our podcasting capabilities and wireless technology, the tools available at Coastal Law make us one of the most sophisticated legal facilities nationwide. Go on a virtual tour of our campus at fcsl.edu/blogs/tourguide Our Library and Technology Center is a key resource for students, faculty, and the community. Comprising more than 47,024 square feet, the library houses the majority of study rooms and research resources for students, including a computer lab.

9

1L

JURIST-IN-RESIDENCE As part of our Jurist-In-Residence program, students met with Circuit Judge Gerald Bard Tjoflat of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to learn about his four decades as a member of the federal judiciary. The Jurist-In-Residence program brings in distinguished members of the judiciary to discuss special topics in small groups with students and faculty.

ENHANCED

The new Florida Coastal School of Law curriculum, titled JD Plus, includes elements that reflect best practices in legal education and allow for each student to customize his or her experience from before the first day of class through graduation.

Coastal Law students learn by “doing” and, at graduation, are better positioned and more prepared to enter the legal profession with a comprehensive portfolio of work that will include contracts, trial and appellate documents and more.

CERTIFICATES A certificate program is a formal course of study within law school curriculum that allows students to pursue more concentrated areas of study. Earning a certificate both represents significant learning, as well as dedication to particular practice area to employers.

BUSINESS LAW

INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

RESEARCH, WRITING AND, DRAFTING

FAMILY LAW

LAW PRACTICE TECHNOLOGY

COURSE CONCENTRATIONS In addition to our certificate programs, students may also choose a specifically designed course concentration in practice areas including: CRIMINAL LAW

CORPORATE TRANSACTIONAL PRACTICE

FAMILY LAW

PROBATE, ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW

HEALTH LAW

COMMERCIAL PRACTICE

SPORTS LAW

REAL ESTATE PRACTICE

TAXATION

TRAIL ADVOCACY

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM As a first-year or second-year student, you may also elect to study abroad during your summers, as part of our program with the University of Auvergne in ClermontFerrand, France. Learn more at fcsl.edu/content/summer-in-france

11

1L

THE DECK Our campus was designed to provide students with an open, welcoming, and stimulating place to learn. One of the most popular areas is the back deck, which serves as a great common space for students and faculty to relax, socialize, and study in Jacksonville’s warm weather.

PRACTICED

At Coastal Law, the faculty-student relationship is a true partnership that is based on an open forum for discussing assignments, ideas and career plans. Together, our students and faculty create a supportive and intellectually rich environment for learning and practicing the law.

Each member of our faculty contributes to our rigorous and stimulating academic environment, and as former judges, government officials, in-house counsel, corporate executives, and attorneys in private practice, they provide our students with real-world perspectives to the issues concerning the law every day. Learn more at fcsl.edu/faculty

BY THE NUMBERS The results below compare some of Coastal Law’s 2012 LSSSE survey results* with the average of all other participating ABA accredited law schools: Worked with other students on projects during class 95% more often Worked with other students on projects outside of class 58% more often

95%

87%

Received prompt feedback 47.9% more often 42% 58%

48

%

29%

Discussed assignments with faculty 42% more often 41% 52%

Received help in coping with non-academic responsibilities 87.3% more often Discussed ideas from reading or classes with faculty members outside of class 52.1% more often Received support they needed to succeed in their employment search 42.5% more often Discussed career plans or job search activities with a faculty member or advisor 29.8% more often *Find out more about the LSSSE Survey on page 40

13

2L

YOUR

GETTING INVOLVED Beginning in your second year at Coastal Law, you will be able to significantly build upon the foundational knowledge acquired in your first. We strongly encourage students to continue in their pursuit of experiential learning opportunities, participate in activities including law review, moot court, and mock trial, and customize areas of study to reflect long-term career goals.

1

2

3

4 3.8

LEGAL CLINICS

3.6

EXTERNSHIPS PRO BONO WORK SKILLS COURSES

3.3 3.2

This chart shows the average “usefulness� rating for common experiential opportunities in preparing for the practice of law on a scale of 1 to 4. The ratings were determined by the National Association of Law Placement, who surveyed approximately 1,200 practicing lawyers in a wide array of professional and nonprofit fields.

15

2L

ROSA DUBOSE As Associate Dean of Experiential Learning, Rosa Dubose focuses on providing our students with the most comprehensive legal education possible. She seeks engaging experiential opportunities in northeast Florida and around the country.

EXPERIENTIAL

Experiential learning - hands-on legal skills training outside of the classroom - is the most marketable attribute a law school graduate can possess. These opportunities provide skills and knowledge which can immediately add value to a hiring firm or legal organization, as well as an appreciation for the ethical demands of the legal profession.

Currently, Coastal Law offers a number of in-house legal clinics including the Family Law Clinic, Immigrant Rights Clinic, Criminal Defense Clinic, and the Disability and Benefits Clinic in addition to judicial and non-judicial externships across the country,

and various pro bono opportunities. We also offer unique programs like our skills labs where students work more closely on a pro bono case with a licensed attorney, the Public Interest Research Bureau where students can volunteer to provide research service to lawyers working in public interest and poverty law, and the shadow program where students observe the daily decorum of state and federal attorneys. To find more information on any of these opportunities, please visit fcsl.edu/experiential-learning

BY THE NUMBERS

215

number of externships and legal clinics completed by our students in 2012.

39,000 Number of pro bono hours committed to community service by the class of 2012.

Top 15 Law Schools for Public Interest, National Jurist (2012)

81.2%

FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW OTHER LAW SCHOOLS

65.8%

81.2% of Coastal Law third-year students participated in Volunteer and/or Pro Bono work in 2012. Other participating law schools only reported 65.8% participation from their third-year students in 2012.* *Find out more about the LSSSE Survey on page 40

17

2L

SPOHRER DODD As a member of the Coastal Law Mock Trial team, Sharmila Bhagwadeen competed in the 2012 Spohrer Dodd Trial Advocacy Scholarship Competition, which provides students opportunities to compete for prestige and scholarships.

EXTRACURRICULAR

Simulation-based extracurriculars provide students with exceptional opportunities to engage in real-world litigation and appellate proceedings in a comfortable learning environment. In Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions students develop strong oral advocacy skills, intellectual instincts, the ability to function well under pressure, and the self-confidence necessary to grow as an individual and as an attorney.

Coastal Law has consistently been active and successful in national Moot Court and Mock Trial competitions. In addition, students who participate in Law Review are able to edit and publish forward-thinking articles submitted by legal scholars and practitioners that influences and engages the legal community.

Learn more at fcsl.edu/content/mock-trial or fcsl.edu/law-review

BY THE NUMBERS

2

SINCE 2005

nd 29

RANKED

2013 Moot Court National Championship standings.

82

National Moot Court Championships Best Advocate and Best Brief Awards

7 NATIONAL MOOT COURT

CHAMPIONSHIPS IN 2013

MOCK TRIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

$1,000

1 ST 2ND

A first for any law school in the country.

3RD

$500 $250

19

2L

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW SOCIETY For the past four years, the Environmental Law Society has hosted the Sea Oats Annual Planting, an event where students volunteer to plant sea oats on Jacksonville’s coastline. These plants are a critical for soil stabilization and are a defense strategy against hurricanes. In 2012, they planted $4,000 worth of sea oats.

COASTAL

Coastal Law has many student organizations that provide opportunities to develop skills, work as part of a team and, of course, have fun. Collectively, they plan programs and events held on campus each year, including concerts, lectures, special events, spirit rallies, cultural and social events, and conferences. Coastal Law students can also make

use of our on-campus fitness center to help balance the workout of their minds and bodies. As you grow at Coastal Law, you will discover the more involved you become, the more you will benefit from your educational experiences.

Learn more at fcsl.edu/student-organizations

OUR ORGANIZATIONS American Bar Association

Coastal Law Republicans

Italian American Society

Animal Law Society

Criminal Law Society

Jewish Law Students Association

Asian Pacific American Law Students Association

Entertainment Law Society

Law Students Against Violence

Association of Trial lawyers of America

Environmental Law Community Action Team

Pro Bono Project

Black Law Students Association

The Federalist Society

Southeastern Conference Society

Christian Legal Society

Hispanic American Law Students Association

Sports Law Society

Coastal Association of Public Interest Law

International Law Society

The Rainmaker - Student Newspaper

Coastal Law Democrats

Irish American Law Society

Women law Students Association

21

2L

CAROLINE KUBOVY Caroline completed the Jacksonville University and Coastal Law joint JD/MBA program in 2011. She cites her participation in the program as “one of the smartest decisions I could have made.�

DUAL

Coastal Law and Jacksonville University have created two joint degree programs through which qualified students may simultaneously pursue a Juris Doctor(JD) and either a Masters of Business Administration(MBA) or a Masters of Public Policy(MPP). In addition to participating in the academic and social life of both

schools, students will be able to obtain both diplomas in four years, as compared to the five years required if pursued separately. Students with a baccalaureate degree in any field may apply. Applicants must meet the requirements for both Coastal Law and Jacksonville University to be enrolled. Learn more at fcsl.edu/academics/dualdegrees

OUR PROGRAMS

JD/MBA

JD/MPP

The JD/MBA program is designed for students who want to pursue careers in law firms, corporate counsel offices, investment and accounting firms, nonprofit agencies and government institutions. “Bloomberg Businessweek� reports dual JD/MBAs can command higher median salaries - $104,000 - when compared to a regular MBA median starting salary of $82,000. As an added advantage, we offer the Business Law Certificate, which complements the MBA curriculum, as it spans the established spectrum of business-related practices, including tax, intellectual property, corporate law, and the business aspects of sports.

Featuring courses in economics, political science, statistics, quantitative analysis, ethics and leadership among others, the JD/MPP program provides training in essential skills for lawyers interested in shaping public policy, either as advocates for clients or as elected or appointed public officials. A distinctive feature of the program is its seamless blend of law and public policy coursework, which can provide a better understanding of how policy is constrained and enabled by law. The Coastal Law and Jacksonville University program is the first JD/MPP in the state.

23

3L

YOUR

GOING FORWARD Between preparing for graduation, taking the bar exam, and entering the legal workforce, your final year of law school will be full of many exciting opportunities and challenges. To make your transition from law student to lawyer as successful as possible, we have developed multiple departments to help you, including Academic Affairs, Academic Success, and the Career Services Department. Each of these departments provides the individual attention necessary to give our students the best advantage in their educational and career goals.

PRACTICAL PREPARATION FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW

OTHER LAW SCHOOLS

78.5%

57.9%

78.5% of Coastal Law third-year students reported acquiring job or work-related knowledge and skills. Other participating law schools only reported 57.9% from their third-year students in 2012.*

Top Law Schools for Bar Exam Preparation, PreLaw Magazine (2012) ABA Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award Recipient (2010)

*Find out more about the LSSSE Survey on page 40

25

3L

JASON GRAY “Law school is challenging and competitive, but the school provides a lot to support the students, especially outside of class. Meeting with my academic success counselor made the transition into the school as smooth as possible and they kept me on track to graduate and pass the bar.�

ACADEMIC

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

STUDENT AFFAIRS

Our Academic Success Department provides students with the guidance, support, and resources necessary to achieve success in law school. Services they provide include extensive bar coaching programs, writing assistance, individual appointments with our Academic Success Counselors, and a variety of workshops.

Learn more at fcsl.edu/academic-success

The office of Student Affairs is here to support you from orientation to graduation. It is our goal to partner with every student in developing leadership, professionalism, and character, as well as maintaining physical and emotional wellbeing. To support this goal, we offer individual counseling and services to support multicultural affairs. Learn more at fcsl.edu/content/student-affairs

BY THE NUMBERS 81%

HIGH INVOLVEMENT LOW INVOLVEMENT

71 %

Coastal Law graduates with a high level of participation in bar coaching before they took the February 2013 Florida Bar Exam had a pass rate of 81.3%.*

86%

Coastal Law had an 86% minority bar pass rating for the February 2013 Florida Bar Exam.

FLORIDA COASTAL SCHOOL OF LAW

OTHER LAW SCHOOLS

58%

31 %

58.1% of Coastal Law third-year students reported receiving the support they needed to thrive socially whereas the national average was only 31.2%.* *Find out more about the LSSSE Survey on page 40

27

3L

REP. BRIAN STRICKLAND Georgia State Representative, District 111 Class of 2009

CAREER

JO-ANNE YAU ‘04 Visiting Professor, Florida Coastal School of Law & Former Magistrate for the State of Florida, Fourth Judicial Circuit

LINSAY WARREN ‘07 Assistant General Counsel, Wounded Warrior Project

DANIEL COHN ‘12 Associate, Bowles Rice LLP

Our Career Service Department (CSD) is committed to providing our student and alumni clients with the support and resources needed to pursue successful careers beyond that of a typical law school through detailed and comprehensive counseling and educational programs. Our counselors are prepared to provide each student with the individual attention necessary to succeed in today’s competitive legal job market. Learn more at fcsl.edu/careerservices

COASTAL LAW’S CAREER SERVICES DEPARTMENT THE TYPICAL LAW SCHOOLS’ CSD Individual career counseling

• Job search and networking strategies • Resume and cover letter preparation

Counselors are licensed attorneys with practice and recruitment experience.

Counselors work collaboratively with students to develop highly customized job search strategies.

Counseling resources

Counselors are responsible for researching hiring trends, developing employer contracts, and identifying job opportunities in assigned areas of practice.

Career readiness programs

CSD works collaboratively with experiential learning and academic success to provide hands-on experience and integrated counseling advice.

• Publications and newsletters • Web sites and portals • Panels, presentations and events • Mock interview

On-campus and off-campus interview programs

The CSD presents weekly educational programs that have topics ranging from the business of law firms to alternative careers. Our programming includes:

• An introduction to the profession called the “starting line” • Online curriculum for 1Ls • A check-in for 2Ls called the “50 yard line” • “3L Boot Camp” • A webinar series for recent graduates

The CSD manages Networking Clubs in targeted markets where our graduates work with students to teach networking skills and develop relationships in the legal community.

29

3L

WHERE WE ARE The Coastal Law Alumni Association is comprised of thousands of graduates in a wide variety of practice areas located in 49 states and countries around the world.

126-1000+ 51-125 26-50 9-25 3-8 1-2

ALUMNI

ALUMNI CHAPTERS

ALUMNI MENTORING

There are 13 Alumni Chapters across the country that provide a local presence and opportunities for alumni to stay connected to each other and to their school.

Alumni Chapters regularly plan networking and social events during the summer or while current students are home for the holidays so they can attend and network with local attorneys. Chapter leaders travel back to campus once a year or are present via Skype to host small group events with students and answer any questions about practicing in their area.

Students have full access to an online Alumni Directory and may also make an appointment with the Alumni Relations Office to connect with a graduate who can answer any questions they have about practicing in a particular geographic region or practice area. Alumni regularly meet with students or recent graduates and help them acclimate to their new legal community. Alumni also host mentoring events for first-year students on campus or at their firm to answer any questions they may have about how to succeed in law school and what they can do as students to ensure post-graduate success.

ALUMNI ADMISSIONS REFERRAL SCHOLARSHIP Florida Coastal recognizes the valuable role alumni can play in helping prospective students learn more about law school and the legal community. Whether it is through a friend, family member or co-worker, we encourage prospective students to take the time to get to know our graduates and ask them questions.

We will offer the Florida Coastal Alumni Admission Referral Scholarship to all prospective students who have a Coastal Law alumnus complete a scholarship recommendation form on their behalf. This Scholarship is a one-time $2,000 award available to all incoming full or part-time students.

31

STUDENT

“From my first day as a student at Coastal Law, I was impressed with the accessibility and commitment of the faculty. My professors were not just focused on the fundamentals - they were also really invested in teaching the practical skills necessary to become a successful attorney.”

MAKISHA LESTER Hometown: Jacksonville, FL Class of 2012

“Through the networking events and workshops put on by the Career Services Department and Alumni Relations, I was able to gain connections and experience in the legal community before I even graduated. At Coastal Law, I always felt informed and connected to current issues and that helped prepare me for my job as an Associate Attorney at Roselli and Associates. ”

JOHN DALY

Hometown: Miami, FL Class of 2012

“My “Mywork workasasa aLegal LegalExtern Externininthe the4th 4thJudicial Judicial Circuit CircuitPublic PublicDefender’s Defender’sOffice Officewas wasextremely extremely rewarding. rewarding.Working Workingwith withlive liveclients clientswas wasa a completely completelynew newexperience experienceforforme. me.I was I wasable able totolearn learnfrom fromdistinguished distinguishedand andinfluential influential attorneys attorneysininour ourcommunity communitywhile whileusing usingthe the skills skillsI had I hadpracticed practicedininclass.” class.”

CHRISTINA ROUTON CHRISTINA ROUTON Hometown: Carrollton, GA Hometown: Carrollton, GA Class of 2012 Class of 2012

33 37

COASTAL LAW

ASSURED OUTCOMES PARTNERSHIP

PART-TIME EVENING

Coastal Law is committed to enhancing the relationship with our students and proud to offer a unique partnership that shares accountability for their success in and out of law school. We are the first law school in America to offer a program that provides assurances of First-year academic success, Experiential learning opportunities, and Bar passage.

Florida Coastal School of Law now offers a part-time evening program that is designed for students who are unable or prefer not to enroll full time. For many working professionals, this program presents a financially feasible and flexible way to earn a law degree. PTE students will have convenient access to full-time student amenities, including academic success and bar exam support, as well as career counseling, library services, and experiential learning opportunities. Learn more at fcsl.edu/part-time

Conditions of the program include following a more stringent attendance policy, attending writing workshops, and being highly engaged in the school’s Bar Coaching Program. Students interested in the Assured Outcomes Partnership will be asked to sign an agreement to confirm their participation.

The Assured Outcomes Partnership is completely voluntary and is available at no extra cost. Learn more at fcsl.edu/blogs/aop

CENTER FOR LAW PRACTICE TECHNOLOGY Coastal Law now offers The Center for Law Practice Technology (CLPT), a focused unit within the school that will offer certificates in legal technology and law practice management. The CLPT is designed to ensure students graduate with the technological competence all lawyers need in light of the demands of the profession, namely how to leverage technology to serve clients more effectively and efficiently.

Learn more at digital-lawyer.com/home

YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM The Yellow Ribbon program is designed to help students avoid up to 100 percent of their out-of-pocket tuition and fees associated with education programs that may exceed the Post 9/11 GI Bill tuition benefit. The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program is a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. Coastal Law matches the maximum amount allowable such that eligible veterans may enroll and attend classes tuition free.

Learn more at fcsl.edu/admissions/yellow-ribbon

JD FAST TRACK In addition to the traditional three-year course of study, Coastal Law also offers the JD Fast Track, a program that allows participating students to complete their legal studies in only two years. Students in the Fast Track program complete the same number of credit hours as traditional threeyear JD students, but are able to reduce living expenses by a third.

While this accelerated program means students have a more set schedule of classes, they also have opportunities to select from the full-range of electives and can participate in experiential learning opportunities. To learn more about this program, please visit fcsl.edu/jd-fast-track

HONORS SOCIETY Florida Coastal School of Law is proud to offer an Honors Society that is designed to reward the top 30 percent of our students with a number of amenities after their first year in law school. Honors Society features include opportunities for preferred legal work experience, summer living stipends for students pursuing experiential learning opportunities in communities outside of Jacksonville, and enhanced scholarships.

WHAT IS THE

THE LAW SCHOOL SURVEY OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT There are a number of ways in which publications and websites attempt to rank law schools. Some focus on peer assessments, others on LSAT scores, student-faculty ratios, volumes in the library or other information.

At Coastal Law, we make it our business not to expend valuable time and resources on “gaming” these ranking systems. Rather, we believe our reputation and the quality of the curriculum and services we provide should be measured by the annual feedback we collect from those who know us best: our students.

The Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) asks students about their law school experience how they spend their time, what they feel they’ve gained from their classes, their assessment of the quality of interactions with faculty and friends, and about important activities. Extensive research indicates that good educational practices in the classroom and interactions with others, such as faculty and peers, are directly related to high-quality student outcomes.

The LSSSE is one of the largest contemporary databases of legal education. Unlike many law schools, Coastal Law participates in the survey every year. As you continue on your search for the right law school for you, we encourage you to ask other law schools for their LSSSE results.

BY THE NUMBERS

179 More

than

Law schools have participated in the LSSSE across the country.

140,000

law students have participated.

50

%

Approximate percentage of Coastal Law students that participate in the LSSSE survey annually.

2010

The year in which the Council for Advancement and Support for Education recognized Coastal Law for using the LSSSE to promote and enhance student services every year.

DECIDE FOR

We feel the best way to choose a law school is by experiencing it in person. We welcome you to come by our school to get a tour, meet our faculty, talk to students, and immerse yourself in our community.

To schedule an appointment, please visit fcsl.edu/admissions/schedule-tour

37

Office of Admissions 8787 Baypine Rd Jacksonville, FL, 32256 904.680.7710 admissions@fcsl.edu www.fcsl.edu/apply

FOR DETAILS about our school’s on-time graduation rates, job placement rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, student tuition and other costs please visit https://www.fcsl.edu/jd-program-glance.