Stetson University College of Law: A Comprehensive Overview

Established in 1900, Stetson University College of Law holds the distinction of being Florida's first law school. Over its 125-year history, Stetson Law has built a strong reputation for its emphasis on legal writing, research, and a nationally acclaimed trial advocacy program. This article delves into various aspects of Stetson Law, including its rankings, academics, admissions, library resources, and student life.

Academics

Stetson Law currently employs more than 40 full-time faculty members and has more than 900 students enrolled in its Juris Doctor (J.D.) program. In addition to the J.D., Stetson also offers a Master of Laws (LL.M.) and a Master of Jurisprudence. The J.D. degree may be combined with an LL.M or a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) with the Stetson University School of Business Administration. The J.D. degree may also be combined with an exchange program.

Stetson Law guarantees a clinic or externship for every student, providing real-world experience. The school offers a wide range of programs and courses, including clinical training, dispute resolution, environmental law, health care law, intellectual property law, international law, business/corporate law, constitutional law, and contracts/commercial law.

Rankings and Recognition

Stetson University College of Law consistently receives national recognition for its programs. The school is known for its trial advocacy and legal writing programs. Stetson Law received the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Admissions

For the class entering in 2023, Stetson Law accepted 38.39% of applicants, with 35.24% of those accepted enrolling. The median enrollee had a 158 LSAT score and 3.59 undergraduate GPA. The application deadline for the College of Law at Stetson University is May 15. The application fee is $55.

Bar Preparation and Employment

Stetson Law provides a bar preparation program. For 2023 graduates, 82.52% obtained full time, long term, Bar passage required employment.

Diversity and Inclusion

As of 2020, Stetson Law and the 11 other Florida law schools formed the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium for Racial Justice (FLSCRJ). Stetson Law is one of the four co-founding higher education institutions of the St. Petersburg Higher Education Consortium for Racial Justice. The consortium serves 36,000 students in St. Petersburg, Florida, and focuses on dismantling racial hierarchies.

Library Resources

Upon the law school's move from DeLand to Gulfport in 1954, the library collection also had to be moved. In 1955, an anonymous donor pledged $250,000 to assist in paying for the creation of a new law library and classroom building. Within one year, the law school was able to raise the money to match the anonymous donation and met its $750,000 goal. It became known that the anonymous donor was Charles A. Dana and the Charles A. Dana Foundation. Construction on the new Charles A. Dana Library began in 1957 and opened in 1958.

The Charles A. Dana Foundation provided a gift in 1971 for the purpose of doubling the law library's size. The school completed the expansion in 1973. In 2004, Stetson University College of Law opened its Tampa Law Center with a satellite library. In 2010, Stetson University College of Law renamed the Stetson Law Library and Information Center for philanthropists Frances R. "Dolly" and Homer Hand. The Dolly and Homer Hand Law Library contains physical archives including the Harold L.

Notable Alumni

Stetson University College of Law has produced many notable alumni, including:

Read also: Applying to Stetson University

Bruce Jacob (1959) - Florida Assistant Attorney General during the early 1960s and argued the case for the respondent, Louis Wainwright, the losing party in the landmark case Gideon v. Wainwright.
E. Clay Shaw Jr.
Dean Trantalis (1979) - mayor of Ft. Lauderdale.

Campus and Student Life

Stetson Law has an "amazingly beautiful campus" located right next to "one of the top beaches in the entire world" in a small beach town close to St. Petersburg and Tampa. The law school is separate from the main university campus, and "being a standalone law school, in paradise, creates a unique atmosphere." There is "a lot of diversity and positive interaction" at Stetson and "tons of organizations and activities that are inclusive to everyone." The atmosphere is "relaxing and peaceful," and there is definitely "a laid-back, almost small town feel in the school." Everyone here is "friendly and cooperative"; classes may be graded on a curve, but students are "very helpful to each other" and are "happy to answer questions if you're lost or confused."

Stetson's Student Bar Association is in charge of socials, and they always have "the greatest events planned at the perfect time to have fun with your fellow classmates." There are "tons of student socials and networking events that involve prominent community members" and almost every day around lunch time there are different clubs having a meeting or presentations on various topics being given ("and most of the time lunch is provided"); students "can go to the meetings and just listen, or can run for board positions if you want to be more involved." There are many kinds of clubs: "areas of law (such as environmental, employment, and property), political organizations, Bible study, cultural clubs," and more.

Financial Information

The full-time tuition at the College of Law at Stetson University is $54,892 and part-time: $36,704.

Read also: Stetson's Programs and History

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