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Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, FL [By Judith Earley] Based upon a foundation of Judeo-Christian values, Florida’s first law school, the Stetson University College of Law, was founded in 1900 with the goal of preparing students “to competently, professionally, ethically, and compassionately engage in the practice of law, serve in related professions, and pursue public service.”
Once located on the main campus of Stetson,
required to complete both academic classes
of statutes, court reports, journals, and
the college of law is now situated on a 21-
based on traditional legal theory and analysis
treatises. Additionally, students have access
acre Spanish Revival campus in the town of
and clinical and practical courses. The school
to subscriptions to LexisNexis, Westlaw, and
Gulfport, Florida. It also has a campus in
offers J.D.s with certificates of concentration
other online computer-assisted research
Tampa which shares space with the Florida
in advocacy, elder law, higher education law
systems. A member of the American
Second District Court of Appeal. Darby
and policy, and international law, a J.D./
Association of Law Schools since 1931, the
Dickerson serves as Vice President and Dean
M.B.A. dual-degree program, and an LL.M. in
Stetson College of Law is accredited by the
of Stetson University College of Law.
International Law.
American Bar Association.
Well-trained and distinguished professors
As the school has been a pioneer in the
During the 2004-2005 academic year, a team
teach students selected from among the most
development of trial practice, the lawyering
from Stetson’s law school defeated a team
qualified college and university graduates
process is fundamental to Stetson’s
from the University of Vienna and captured
around the country. Many law students at
educational philosophy. Substantive law
a world title at the 12th Annual Willem C. Vis
Stetson enroll after success in various other
must be augmented with in-depth instruction
International Commercial Arbitration Moot
fields, including education, private business,
in criminal and civil procedure, client
Competition. The team received the Frederic
or government service. As a result, many
counseling, drafting legal papers, trial
Eisemann Award (as the prevailing team in
are over the age of 30, many are married
practice, and the actual representation of
orals) and was the first U.S. law school to
with children, and the majority of them are
clients. These hands-on, internship-style
have won since 1996.
women. The law school’s ethnic diversity
activities are completed under the supervision
reflects the makeup of the state of Florida;
of a faculty member. Students can observe
minorities are represented in chapters of
and evaluate themselves by using the college
the Black Law Students Association and
of law’s courtrooms, which are equipped with
Stetson University College of Law
the National Hispanic Bar Association, and
closed-circuit video systems.
www.law.stetson.edu
Stetson students can be confident that they
Willem C. Vis International Commercial
will receive a balanced, comprehensive legal
Arbitration Moot
Stetson students are taught based on the
education. Opportunities are provided for
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_C._Vis_Moot
platform that the law forms not only the
students to develop their leadership skills,
backbone of society but also serves as its
and they are expected to become active
Gulfport, FL
moral compass. Stetson has been called a
members of the community.
www.ci.gulfport.fl.us
On the Net
accommodations are provided for disabled students.
“lawyer’s law school.” The education that students receive is a practical one, as Stetson
The school’s law library contains more
University College of Law students are
than 394,000 volumes, including collections
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