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
WELCOME Within the pages ahead, you will find information about Florida Coastal School of Law and, more specifically, what you can expect to experience over your three years of study with us. Law school presents a new set of exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth and, at Coastal Law, each year is designed to directly complement the year before it. Very recently, we launched JD Plus, our new curriculum that provides a more customized approach to individual learning styles, while also ensuring more and better opportunities for experiential learning from the very beginning. In later years, there are extracurricular opportunities and, ultimately, the support and amenities that will help our students successfully transition from law students to legal leaders who provide clients with high quality ethical and professional services.
TABLE OF
7
5
Jacksonville
7
Your First Year Campus Curriculum Faculty
15 Your Second Year
15
Experiential Learning Extracurriculars Coastal Culture Dual Degrees
25 Your Third Year
Academic Support Center for Professional Development Student Perspective Alumni Network
25
35 Exclusives
3
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.
YOUR NEW HOMETOWN
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
GETTING STARTED At Coastal Law, we are unmatched in the continuous investment we make in our students and in our program 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 2014 incoming class profile:
Students from across the United States as well as Canada, Croatia and Kuwait.
57.7%
Female
Gender Ratio
42.3%
Male
52%
27
Median Age
Minority Representation
7
1L 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.
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.
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
FACULTY PARTNERSHIPS At Florida Coastal, we foster an environment where faculty-student relationships develop into meaningful, long-term partnerships during law school and following graduation. With faculty experiences ranging from state and federal judges, to government officials, in-house counsel, and private attorneys, Coastal Law students begin their legal career in a supportive environment.
ENHANCED
The new Florida Coastal School of Law curriculum, titled JD Plus, includes elements that reflect best practices in legal education.
COURSE CONCENTRATIONS
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.
In addition to our certificate programs, students may also choose a specifically designed course concentration in practice areas including: CRIMINAL LAW
CORPORATE TRANSACTIONAL PRACTICE
CERTIFICATES
FAMILY LAW
PROBATE, ESTATE PLANNING AND ELDER LAW
HEALTH LAW
COMMERCIAL PRACTICE
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 a particular practice area to employers.
SPORTS LAW
REAL ESTATE PRACTICE
TAXATION
TRIAL ADVOCACY
BUSINESS LAW
INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
RESEARCH, WRITING AND DRAFTING
FAMILY LAW
LAW PRACTICE TECHNOLOGY
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
PRACTICED
Professor Rod Sullivan
Professor Roger Groves
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.
Professor Ericka Curran 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 95.0% more often Worked with other students on projects outside of class 58.0% more often
95%
PROFESSOR NATALIE TUTTLE
87%
Received prompt feedback 47.9% more often 42% 58%
48%
29%
Discussed assignments with faculty 42.0% more often 41% 52%
Professor of Professional Skills, Director of the Family Law Clinic *The Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) is a national survey published annually by Indiana University.
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
13
2L
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 require 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
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 in addition to judicial and non-judicial externships across the country, and various pro bono opportunities.
We also offer unique programs like 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.
BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURIAL LAW Professor Annette Ritter leads Florida Coastal’s new Business and Entrepreneurial Law Clinic which serves a dual purpose: Giving law students exposure to real-life issues that confront startup companies and providing startups with high-quality legal help.
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.* *The Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) is a national survey published annually by Indiana University.
17
2L
EXTRACURRICULAR
Simulation-based extracurriculars provide students with exceptional opportunities to engage in 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 selfconfidence 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 influence and engage the legal community. Learn more at fcsl.edu/ content/mock-trail or fcsl.edu/law-review.
BY THE NUMBERS
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.
1
RANKED
st
2014 Moot Court National Championship standings.
SINCE 2005
29 82
National Moot Court Championships Best Advocate and Best Brief Awards
14 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
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
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 critical for soil stabilization and are a defense strategy against hurricanes.
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
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
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.”
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
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 Center for Professional Development. 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.* *The Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) is a national survey published annually by Indiana University.
Top Law Schools for Bar Exam Preparation, PreLaw Magazine (2012) ABA Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award Recipient (2010)
25
3L
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
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.�
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%.*
72.9
%
Coastal Law had an 72.9% bar pass rating for the February 2014 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%.* *The Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE) is a national survey published annually by Indiana University.
27
3L
PROFESSIONAL
LINSAY WARREN ‘07 Wounded Warrior Project (Assistant General Counsel)
MICHAEL ORR ‘05 Partner, Dawson Orr, PA
DANIEL COHN ‘12 Bowles Rice LLP (Associate)
Our counselors are prepared to provide each student with the individual attention necessary to succeed in today’s competitive legal job market. Likewise, our Center for Professional Development (CPD) 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. Learn more at fcsl.edu/cpd.
COASTAL LAW’S CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THE TYPICAL LAW SCHOOLS’ CPD Individual career counseling • Job search and networking strategies • Resume and cover letter preparation
REP. BRIAN STRICKLAND ‘09 Georgia State Representative, District 111
Counseling resources • Publications and newsletters • Websites and portals Career readiness programs • Panels, presentations and events • Mock interview
Counselors are licensed attorneys with practice and recruitment experience.
Counselors are responsible for researching hiring trends, developing employer contracts, and identifying job opportunities in assigned areas of practice.
The CPD 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
CPD works collaboratively with experiential learning and academic success to provide hands-on experience and integrated counseling advice.
The CPD manages networking clubs in targeted markets where our graduates work with students to teach networking skills and develop relationships in the legal community.
Counselors work collaboratively with students to develop highly customized job search strategies.
On and off-campus interview programs
29
STUDENT
“Coastal’s commitment to a practical and innovative legal education equipped me with the tools to excel in my internship opportunities in law school. During my time at Coastal I was able to intern at law firms, companies, and as a judicial clerk. The combination of practical legal education and real life skill preparation made all the difference.”
KIMBERLY MORANT Hometown: Mt. James, St. Andrew, Jamaica Class of 2014
“As a legal clinician in the Immigrant Rights Clinic at Coastal, I handled cases with actual live clients whose lives were at stake. The clients treated me as an attorney and they expected to see results. I gained valuable and practical experience at the Coastal Experiential Learning Program. Moreover, I learned that being an attorney is much more than researching and applying the black letter law.”
SHIMPEI KAWASAKI Hometown: Gunma, Japan Class of 2014
“As President of the Student Bar Association, I worked with the 33 student organizations on campus as well as externing through the Center for Professional Development, I have been able to network with practicing attorneys and gain vital experience in the legal field. Taking a hands on approach to practicing law, Florida Coastal has given me the ability to not only be prepared in the classroom but also be prepared for the court room.”
SARAH THOMAS Hometown: Burkesville, Ky Class of 2015
“As the President of the Student Bar, and a member of Mock Trial and Moot Court, I have learned life is not where you start but how you finish. I have had the opportunity to create policy, compete against the best schools in the nation and win, and learn that this is where I belong. Being a student leader has enabled me to advocate on others behalf while effectively networking and making connections for my future.”
JUSTIN NORMAN Hometown: Atlanta, Ga. Class of 2014 31
3L
ALUMNI
GRADUATES IN PRACTICE 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 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.
33
COASTAL LAW
ASSURED OUTCOMES PARTNERSHIP
PART-TIME EVENING
JD FAST TRACK
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 fulltime student amenities, including academic success and bar exam support, as well as career counseling, library services and experiential learning opportunities.
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 three-year JD students, but are able to reduce living expenses by a third.
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-layer.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.
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. 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.
35
Office of Admissions 8787 Baypine Rd Jacksonville, FL, 32256 904.680.7710 admissions@fcsl.edu www.fcsl.edu/apply
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 take a tour, meet our faculty, talk to students, and immerse yourself in our community. To schedule an appointment, please visit fcsl.edu/admissionssions/schedule-tour.
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.
Fully Accredited by the ABA