AN INVITATION FROM THE DEAN
As you consider the pursuit of a legal education and a career in law, the first major decision you will face is the choice of a law school. The basic curriculum and the traditional three-year time period required for legal education have remained constant for more than a century. However, it is more important than ever that a law school take maximum advantage of this limited time to prepare its graduates to enter the profession well equipped. Since its founding, Florida Coastal School of Law has placed the student at the center of the institution’s focus. Here, the study of law blends acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of the law and the legal system with developing the critical thinking and practical skills essential to its practice. Ensuring the proper balance of each of these components is an integral part of the educational process we deliver. We believe the essential hallmarks of a successful legal education include: rigorous academic coursework, innovative use of technology in the classroom, infusion of skills training and multi-culturalism into traditional courses, frequent student and faculty assessment with opportunity for feedback, and valuing student needs by listening and responding to them. We further believe that this approach is essential to success on the bar exam and will better position our graduates to be successful and inspirational in their legal careers. The Coastal Law experience is also fostered by the commitment of the faculty to mentoring and a climate of collegiality. We believe this is the basis for the student/faculty partnership in legal education. Our faculty is enthusiastic about shaping and guiding students’ careers. All of our faculty members have “real world” experience that they bring to the classroom and to the rest of the environment. We believe Coastal Law provides a unique opportunity for a quality legal education. But rather than just telling people how we are doing things differently, we are committed to making it obvious that we are successful in preparing students for entry into the profession. We welcome visitors and encourage you to visit and tour our campus. Talk with our students, graduates, faculty and staff about their experiences and whether Florida Coastal School of Law is the right law school for you.
C. Peter Goplerud III Dean and Professor of Law