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University of Florida Levin College of Law

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The University of Florida Levin College of Law (UF Law) is the law school of the University of Florida located in Gainesville, Florida. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest operating public law school in Florida and second oldest overall in the state.

University of Florida
Levin College of Law
Established1909
School typePublic
Parent endowmentIncrease$2.379 billion (2021)[1]
DeanMerritt McAlister[2]
LocationGainesville, Florida, U.S.
Enrollment662 (2023)[3]
Faculty85 (2023)[3]
USNWR ranking28th (tied) (2024)[4]
Bar pass rate80.6% (Florida bar exam, July 2023 first-time takers)[5]
Websitelaw.ufl.edu
ABA profileStandard 509 Report

For every entering class in its three-year J.D. program, the law school has approximately 200 students.[6] The first-year class is broken into three sections of approximately 50-70 students who take most first-year classes together. According to the college's official 2023 ABA-required disclosures, only 4.1% of Class of 2023 graduates were "underemployed," with 93.6% of graduates obtaining employment in either bar-passage-required or JD-advantage employment within 9 months of graduation, the highest rate of any Florida law school. 88.24% obtained bar-passage-required employment (i.e., as attorneys) within 9 months of graduation.[3] This ranked Levin second to Florida State for Florida job placement of recent law graduates in bar-passage-required employment.[7][8]

William R. Thomas Hall, home of the College of Law from 1909 to 1914
Nathan P. Bryan Hall, home of the College of Law from 1914 to 1969

History

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The College of Law was founded in 1909 with Albert J. Farrah as its first dean.[9] It was first housed in Thomas Hall, and then in Bryan Hall from 1914 to 1969.

The school excluded African Americans. Virgil D. Hawkins was denied admission because he was African American in 1948. He appealed to the Florida Supreme Court and then the U.S. Supreme Court for relief. The college finally desegregated in the wake of his fight on September 15, 1958, and admitted an African-American student,[10] and its faculty was desegregated shortly thereafter.[citation needed]

In 1969, the college moved to its current location in Holland Hall, which is named after the former Florida Governor, U.S. Senator, and alumnus Spessard L. Holland (LL.B. '16).[11] Holland Hall is located in the northwest section of the university's campus. In 1984, Bruton-Geer Hall, named after the parents of alumnus Judge James D. Bruton (LL.B. '33) and his wife Quintilla Geer Bruton, was added to the law school complex.[12]

The College of Law was renamed the Levin College of Law in 1999 after prominent Pensacola trial lawyer and alumnus Fredric G. Levin (J.D. '61),[13][self-published source?] who donated $10 million to the college, a sum that was matched by a $10 million grant from the state of Florida to create a $20 million endowment.

The College of Law underwent a major renovation between 2004 and 2005, creating new academic space and expanding the law library, which was named the Lawton Chiles Legal Information Center after the former Florida Governor, U.S. Senator, and alumnus Lawton Chiles (LL.B. '55).[citation needed]

In September 2012, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at the College of Law.[14][self-published source?]

A new courtroom facility was completed in 2009. The facility, which was made possible by an additional $2 million donation from the Levin family,[15] is named the Martin Levin Advocacy Center in honor of UF Law alumnus Martin H. Levin (J.D. '88), and son of Fred Levin.[16] The facility is 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2), two stories tall, and includes a state-of-the-art courtroom.[17][self-published source?] The new courtroom is designed to incorporate new technology to allow students to understand the role of technology in modern practice. Construction began on the second phase of the building (the second floor) in Fall 2010 and was completed in Fall 2011. The second floor includes offices and meeting/seminar rooms.[18][self-published source?]

 
Fredric G. Levin College of Law & Spessard L. Holland Law Center

Campus

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The architectural style of Bruton-Geer Hall, completed in 1984, is best classified as brutalism; concrete features prominently in its design. The renovation of Holland Hall was completed in 2005 at the cost of $25 million and features brick and concrete.[19]

The grounds of the College of Law contain several pieces of artwork. The newest additions are three metal sculptures by Jim Cole of the Rhode Island School of Design representing the three branches of government: The Legislative and The Executive (installed 2005) and The Judiciary (installed 2006). These sculptures also function as benches. The lobby of the law school library contains a sculpture made by Cole in the form of a chair entitled The Lobbyist.

Also contained on the grounds of the college are a series of large, intertwined metal rings, which have the appearance of being partially underground. They are known as "the Cheerios".

Academics

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The Levin College of Law offers a three-year, full-time program leading to a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. It also offers advanced law degrees, including Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree programs in taxation and international taxation, in addition to a Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) in taxation.

Rankings

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According to the 2024 U.S. News & World Report law school rankings, the Levin College of Law ranks tied for 28th overall among American law schools and 11th among public law schools. It places third in Tax Law among all law schools and first among public law schools, tied for No.85 in Clinical Training, tied for No.68 in Intellectual Property Law, and tied for No.66 in Legal Writing. The U.S. News & World Report ranks the Levin College of Law as the best law school in the state of Florida.[4]

Admissions

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For the class entering in 2022, the school accepted 681 (16.94%) of applicants, with 189 of those accepted enrolling, a 27.75% yield rate. Seven students were not included in the acceptance statistics. The class consists of 196 students. Of scores reported, the median LSAT score was 169 and the median undergraduate GPA was 3.90. Its 25th/75th percentile LSAT scores and GPA were 162/170 and 3.52/3.97. Eight students were not included in the LSAT calculation and seven not included in the GPA calculation.[20] 33% of the incoming class are racially or ethnically diverse students, and 45% are women. The college currently only offers admission for the fall semester.

Coursework and programs

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Required first-year courses are torts, criminal law, contracts, legal research and writing, constitutional law, civil procedure, property, introduction to lawyering, and appellate advocacy. Students are also required to take legal drafting and are recommended to take courses in evidence, estates and trusts, corporations, and trial practice.

Students can choose to pursue their J.D. in conjunction with another graduate degree, including a master's degree, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), or Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in one of the university's dual-degree programs. Students can also complete specific requirements in addition to those required for the J.D. and earn a certificate indicating specialization in estate planning and trusts, family law, criminal law, intellectual property law, environmental and land use law, or U.S. law.

The College offers nine-month programs leading to the LL.M. degree in taxation or international taxation. The LL.M. in international taxation is open to graduates of both U.S. and foreign law schools. The College of Law also offers an S.J.D in taxation.

Centers

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The Levin College of Law hosts five university-wide academic centers.[21] In 1988, Law School professors Sharon Rush and Kenneth Nunn founded the Center for the Study of Race and Race Relations.[22] Staff directors and professors from across the university advise the center and collaborate with law professors to research the intersection of race and the law.[22] The Levin College of Law also hosts the Center for Government Responsibility, the state's oldest legal and public policy research institute.[23] Former dean and emeritus professor Jon Mills founded the center in 1972 to study Richard Nixon's cut in funding to public housing and civil rights programs.[24] The Levin College of Law also hosts centers on Children and Families, Estate Planning, and a Race and Crime Center for Justice.[21]

Bar examination passage

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In 2023, the overall bar examination passage rate for the law school’s first-time examination takers was 81.94%. The first-time passage rate for the Florida bar examination was 80.6%. The Ultimate Bar Pass Rate, which the ABA defines as the passage rate for graduates who sat for bar examinations within two years of graduating, was 92.83% for the class of 2021.[25][5]

Employment

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According to the University of Florida's official 2019 ABA-required disclosures: 80.6% of the Class of 2018 obtained full-time, long-term JD-required bar-passage-required employment (i.e. as attorneys) nine months after graduation. In addition, 7.5% obtained full-time, long-term employment where a J.D. is an advantage; 3.75% enrolled in graduate degree programs (predominantly in UF’s LL.M. program, which is ranked third in the country by U.S. News & World Report); and 0.9% had their employment start date deferred or were unknown or not seeking employment.[26] University of Florida's Law School Transparency under-employment score is 10.9%, indicating the percentage of the Class of 2018 unemployed, pursuing an additional degree (a large number of UF Law graduates pursue LL.M. degrees), or working in a non-professional, short-term, or part-time job nine months after graduation.[27]

According to UF Law's official disclosures to the American Bar Association, nearly 85% of the Class of 2019 successfully obtained employment as attorneys licensed to practice law.[28]

Costs

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The 2019-20 semester per credit hour tuition/fee for continuing law students who matriculated before fall 2018, is $743.31 (30 hours = $22,299.30) for Florida residents and $1,296.80 (30 hours = $38,904.00) for non-residents. The 2019-20 semester per credit hour tuition/fee for students who matriculated in fall 2018 and beyond will be part of the block tuition system. The rates are $21,803.76 for Florida residents and $38,039.47 for non-residents.[29]

Student life

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Publications

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The College of Law publishes the following law reviews:

Student organizations

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The College of Law has over 40 active student organizations, including:

  • Organizations devoted to interest in a specific area of law (art law, criminal law, military law, business law, public interest law, tax law, immigration law, real estate law, etc.)
  • Political and social organizations (Law School Democrats, Law College Republicans, National Lawyers Guild, American Constitution Society)
  • The Federalist Society at the College of Law is considered one of the preeminent chapters in the nation. The chapter hosted the Federalist Society's 33rd Annual National Student Symposium in the Spring of 2014.[30]
  • The John Marshall Bar Association (JMBA) was founded in 1909 and is one of the oldest organizations at the University of Florida.
  • The Board
  • Community service organizations for law students to use their legal skills to help the community (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
  • Organization for students with a common background (Asian-Pacific American Law Student Association, Hispanic and Latino/Latina Law Student Association, Black Law Students Association, Jewish Law Students Association, Christian Legal Society, St. Thomas More Society, Lambda Legal, Law Association for Women, Spanish-American Law Students Association).

The College of Law has a mock trial team, which competes nationally. Additionally, it has six moot court teams:

  • The Florida Moot Court Team, governed by the Justice Campbell Thornal Executive Board. It competes every semester in state, regional, national, and intramural competitions.
  • The Tax Moot Court Team, which competes annually in multiple LL.M. and J.D. national and international Tax Moot Court Competitions.
  • The Jessup Moot Court Team, participating in international law competitions
  • The International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Team, competing in international arbitration
  • The Corporate & Securities Moot Court Team, which focuses on securities regulation, corporate governance, and fiduciary duties in business law.
  • The Environmental Moot Court Team competes annually at the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition at Pace Law School.

Notable alumni

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Main article: List of Levin College of Law graduates
 
Lawton Chiles

The Fredric G. Levin College of Law has produced numerous United States Senators, fifteen members of the United States House of Representatives, many state governors, and a couple of United States Ambassadors. In the past forty years, four presidents of the American Bar Association were graduates of the college, more than any other law school for that period. Since 1950, over sixty percent of Florida Bar Association presidents were graduates of the college. Numerous alumni have served as judges on the federal bench, and five have served on the United States Court of Appeals. Seventeen graduates have served on the Florida Supreme Court, fifteen of them as chief justice. Eleven graduates have served as presidents of a college or university.[citation needed]

Deans

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Years Dean
1909–1912 Albert J. Farrah[31]
1912–1915 Thomas Hughes[32]
1915–1947 Harry R. Trusler[33]
1948–1958 Henry A. Fenn[34]
1959–1970 Frank E. Maloney[35]
1971–1980 Joseph R. Julin[36]
1981–1988 Frank T. Read[37]
1988–1996 Jeffrey E. Lewis[38]
1996–1999 Richard A. Matasar[39]
1999–2003 Jon L. Mills[40]
2003–2014 Robert Jerry[41]
2014–2015 George L. Dawson (Interim)[42]
2015–2023 Laura Ann Rosenbury[43]
2023–Present Merritt McAlister (Interim)[44]
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  •  
    Entrance
  •  
    East side of Holland Law Center
  •  
    Northeast corner of Holland Law Center
  •  
    Plaza within Holland Law Center
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    Chiles Law Library
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    "Cheerios" sculpture
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    College of Law sign
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    Bruton-Geer Hall
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    Levin Law Advocacy Center

References

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  1. ^ As of June 30, 2021. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2021 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY20 to FY21 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. 2022. Retrieved December 17, 2022.
  2. ^ "Professor Merritt McAlister Named Interim Dean", University of Florida News
  3. ^ a b c "Florida, University of - 2022 Standard 509 Information Report". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "University of Florida (Levin)". Best Law Schools. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Press release July 2023 supremecourt.flcourts.gov
  6. ^ "Entering Class Profile". University of Florida Levin College of Law. University of Florida. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  7. ^ "2023 Graduate Job Outcomes, Aggregated and by School". Law School Transparency. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Employment Summary for 2023 Graduates" (PDF). University of Florida Levin College of Law. University of Florida. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Albert J. Farrah Will Be Dean of Law School". Gainesville Daily Sun. 5 July 1909. p. 2. Retrieved 8 November 2023.  
  10. ^ Collier, Bert (September 16, 1958). "First Negro At UF; Orlando Vet In Law School". Miami Herald. p. 1A-2A. Retrieved May 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Lawrence, D.G. (January 12, 1969). "Kirk Wants Law School Named For Holland". Orlando Sentinel. p. B-3. Retrieved May 16, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Justice Rehnquist Speaks Saturday At Bruton-Hall Dedication". Independent Florida Alligator. September 11, 1984. p. 8. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  13. ^ University of Florida, About UF Law, Fredric G. Levin Archived 2013-11-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  14. ^ FlaLaw Online, Justice Thomas: Stay upbeat, focused in law school Archived 2016-06-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  15. ^ "UFF Press Release: 2/21/2006 - Gifts to fund $5.2 million advocacy center of UF law school - University of Florida Foundation". Uff.ufl.edu. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  16. ^ "Attorney Profile - Martin Levin". www.levinlaw.com. Levin Papantonio. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  17. ^ "Facilities Planning & Construction - Project Pages". Facilities.ufl.edu. 2010-03-12. Archived from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved 2011-01-24.
  18. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on June 3, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ "Law school raises the bar". The Gainesville Sun. 19 August 2005. p. 1. Retrieved 8 July 2023.  
  20. ^ "Florida, University of - 2022 Standard 509 Information Report". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Centers at the Levin College of Law". ufl.edu. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  22. ^ a b "CSRRR". ufl.edu. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  23. ^ "CGR". ufl.edu. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  24. ^ "CGR History". ufl.edu. Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  25. ^ "Levin College of Law | Bar Passage". abarequireddisclosures.org. American Bar Association. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Employment Statistics » Levin College of Law". www.law.ufl.edu. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  27. ^ "University of Florida Profile". Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  28. ^ "REPORT 14: EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY FOR 2019 GRADUATES" (PDF). University of Florida Levin College of Law. University of Florida. Retrieved 5 September 2020.
  29. ^ "Costs and Financial Aid » Levin College of Law". www.law.ufl.edu. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  30. ^ "UF Law selected to host Federalist Society Student Symposium". ufl.edu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  31. ^ "Albert J. Farrah (Dean, 1909-1912) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  32. ^ "Thomas Hughes (Dean 1912-1915) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  33. ^ "Harry R. Trusler (Dean, 1915-1947) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  34. ^ "Henry A. Fenn (Dean, 1948-1958) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  35. ^ "Frank e. Maloney (Acting Dean and Dean, 1959-1970) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  36. ^ "Joseph Richard Julin (Dean, 1971-1980) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  37. ^ "Reading List". ufl.edu. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  38. ^ "Jeffrey Lewis (Dean, 1988-1996) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  39. ^ "Richard A. Matasar (Dean, 1996-1999) » Levin College of Law » University of Florida". Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved August 22, 2013.
  40. ^ "Mills named distinguished alumnus - Levin College of Law Levin College of Law". Law.ufl.edu. 2012-05-18. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  41. ^ "Robert H. Jerry, II". ufl.edu. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  42. ^ "George L. Dawson". ufl.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  43. ^ "Rosenbury Named UF Law Dean". 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2016-04-23.
  44. ^ "Professor Merritt McAlister named Interim Dean". 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
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