In a recent article by The Florida Bar News, Megan E. Davis features FIU’s LawBridge Program, which combines elements from a medical school residency and a business school entrepreneurial incubator into a two-year program for recent graduates who have passed the Florida Bar Examination.

FIU’s LawBridge gives graduates a hand up

By Megan E. Davis

In January, half a dozen new law school graduates hung their own shingles and opened practices in an office suite on Brickell Avenue in the heart of Miami’s financial district.

Less than a year later, all six firms are operating in the black, but that’s not all, said Alex Acosta, dean of Florida International University’s College of Law.

Thanks to the school’s LawBridge program, the young practitioners are also becoming well-versed in ethical and professional standards central to practicing law and in their responsibilities to the public as members of the profession, he said.

Traditionally, new law school graduates take jobs with established law firms or clerkships with judges to learn those skills not taught in law schools — how to actually practice law and run a firm, said Tony Santos, the director of the LawBridge program.

But many of those opportunities for new lawyers have dried up in the past two decades, and the economic downturn has accelerated that trend in recent years, he said.

Acosta articulated the problem facing new graduates by repeating a question on the lips of many throughout the profession: “Where are tomorrow’s lawyers going to be trained?”

Seeking to answer that question for its graduates, Florida International launched LawBridge, a legal residency program, this year.

Mirroring similar components of a medical school residency and a business school entrepreneurial incubator, the program targets recent graduates seeking to establish their own firms, Santos said.

This year, one of those new lawyers was Gregorie Dolce.

“One of the reasons I was very interested in a solo practice was because, as the mother of three young children, I wanted to have more control in my work-life balance,” she said.

Read more at floridabar.org»

Pictured from left to right: Coach Matthew L. Baldwin, Coach Anthony C. Hevia ‘07,  Joseph P. Glace (3L), Nisha Mohammed (3L), Marc Schmulian (4L),  Julian V. Stroleny (4L), Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, and Professor H.T. Smith.

This past weekend in Washington, D.C., the FIU Law Trial Team – composed of students Joe Glace (3L), Nisha Mohammed (3L), Marc Schmulian (4L), and Julian Stroleny (4L) – won first place at the 16th Annual National White Collar Crime Mock Trial Invitational, sponsored by Georgetown Law and the Georgetown University Law Center Barristers’ Council.

From 20 of the top trial advocacy programs across the country, the FIU Trial Team won all five rounds in the competition, defeating the University of Houston, Fordham University, and Barry University in the preliminary rounds. They entered the semi-final round undefeated and as the second-ranked squad, where they defeated the University of Houston once again, and then William & Mary in the final round.

This year’s tournament featured allegations of straw contributions, illegal money orders, a mayoral campaign, and the candidate’s alleged honest services fraud in accepting a bribe to change her position to favor a casino referendum on the same ballot.

This was FIU Law’s first appearance and very first invitation to this prestigious tournament.

“Without question, our students fought like champions. But more importantly, they advocated with passion and principle — our Program hallmarks — and demonstrated to themselves, and to the nation, the deep sense of restorative justice and personal empowerment, on behalf of client and cause, that is FIU’s very special brand, as we continue to cultivate the next generation of great legal storytellers,” said Professor H.T. Smith, Director of the Trial Advocacy Program.

The White Collar Trial Team was coached by FIU Law and trial team alumnus Anthony Hevia ‘07 (former Miami-Dade prosecutor, and now an associate at Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A.), Matthew Baldwin (also a former Miami-Dade prosecutor and now an associate with Ver Ploeg & Lumpkin), and Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, Assistant Director of the Trial Advocacy Program.

Pictured, from left to right: Igor Hernandez, Jose Lorenzo, Megan Mackintosh, Caridad Garcia, Alejandro Carrasco, Denita Jones, Gregory Pierre, and David Baroff. Not pictured: Saulo Perez.

The FIU Law Trial Team recently won second place at the Hon. E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition held in Tampa and sponsored by the Florida Justice Association.

The squad composed of Alejandro Carrasco (3L), Denita Jones (3L), Saulo Perez (4L), and Gregory Pierre (4L) demonstrated powerful legal storytelling and entered the championship round as the lone undefeated squad out of a field of 14.  Along the way, these student-advocates defeated perennial powerhouse Stetson University, Nova Southeastern University and the University of Miami, before being edged out by the University of Florida in the finals.

Congratulations are also in order for the team composed of Caridad Garcia (4L), Igor Hernandez (3L), Jose Lorenzo (3L), and Megan Mackintosh (3L), who represented FIU Law with poise and professionalism during their preliminary rounds.

“These students’ passionate principled advocacy has added luster to the FIU Law brand,” said Professor H.T. Smith, Director of the Trial Advocacy Program.

The Zehmer Team was coached by FIU Law alumni and former Trial Team champion David Baroff ’09, who led by example with his tireless work ethic and consistent commitment to excellence.

Pictured, from left to right: Judge Andrea R. Wolfson, Senator Rene Garcia, Senator Dwight Bullard, and Senator Oscar Braynon.

MIAMI, FL  -  On Nov. 27, the FIU College of Law hosted a local swearing-in ceremony in honor of the 2013-2014 Miami-Dade Delegation.

Judge Andrea R. Wolfson, of the Miami-Dade County bench, administered the oath of office to 24 members of the Florida House and Senate.

Taking the oath of office surrounded by family members, friends and colleagues, were Rep. Frank Artiles; Rep. Michael Bileca; Senator Oscar Braynon; Senator Dwight Bullard; Rep. Daphne Campbell; Rep. Jose Felix Diaz; Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr.; Senator Miguel Diaz De La Portilla; Senator Anitere Flores; Rep. Erik Fresen; Senator Rene Garcia; Rep. Joe Gibbons; Rep. Eddy Gonzalez; Senator Gwen Margolis; Rep. Kionne McGhee; Rep. Jeanette Nuñez; Rep. Jose Oliva; Rep. Sharon Pritchett; Rep. Holly Merrill Raschein; Rep. David Richardson; Rep. Jose Javier Rodriguez; Rep. Cynthia Stafford; Rep. Carlos Trujillo; and Rep. Barbara Wilson.

The Miami-Dade Delegation was officially sworn in on Nov. 20th in Tallahassee, FL.

On January 16, the Florida International University Health Law and Policy Clinic hosted over 200 FIU nursing and social work students for a workshop entitled “Identifying Legal Issues that Affect Health.” Third-year law students Jonathan Abramson and Ingrid Benson-Villegas, and staff attorney Natalie Castellanos led the successful workshop in the College of Law’s large courtroom.

The Health Law and Policy Clinic is a medical-legal clinic partnered with the FIU College of Medicine’s Green Family Foundation (GFF) NeighborhoodHELP program. Law students enrolled in the Health Law and Policy Clinic provide crucial health-related legal services to families and individuals living in medically-underserved Miami-Dade neighborhoods, including the neighborhoods of Miami Gardens, Opa Locka, Little Haiti, Hialeah, Miami Lakes and Sweetwater. In addition, law students work on policy advocacy projects, provide health-related community education, and host workshops for the health partners participating in GFF NeighborhoodHELP.

The workshop was a part of the Health Law and Policy Clinic’s effort to train aspiring health professionals to understand how legal issues can affect patient health, and the importance of connecting patients to legal resources.

Nisha Mohammed (3L) coaching her group on how to develop a theory and theme for the hypothetical case.

Students from Broward County’s Plantation Middle School’s Mock Trial Team visited the FIU College of Law to learn the art of legal storytelling. The program began with a welcome from Professor H.T. Smith, director of the FIU Law Trial Advocacy Program. Professor H. Scott Fingerhut, assistant director of the Trial Advocacy Program, then explained to the students the importance of developing a case theory and theme, and gave them the facts of a hypothetical case on cyber bullying.

Following the presentation, the group of twenty students were divided into smaller groups. Igor Hernandez (3L), Joanna Hernandez (3L), Denita Jones (3L), Daniel Masvidal (2L), and Nisha Mohammed (3L), all Trial Team members and competition veterans, coached their respective groups on how to develop a theory and theme for the hypothetical case.

“The students were all very excited and eager to learn,” said Mohammed. “I believe they walked away having experienced a bit of what it means to be a passionate, principled advocate.  It was great to share that experience with them.”

The two schools plan to collaborate again in the future. “The Trial Team was so touched by the kids and how much they appreciated the event that we will become involved with their school in the near future,” said Igor Hernandez.

After developing their theory and theme, the groups reconvened and presented their story. “Stimulating young minds to think of legal cases not just as facts on paper but more of stories about people helps them to understand the art of persuasion,” said Professor Smith. “In other words, trial lawyers are in the business of helping people.”

Professors Smith and Fingerhut developed the case so it would be relevant to school-aged children. “The scenario showed us how bullying can affect a person emotionally,” said one Plantation Middle School student. “We really enjoyed ourselves, and we learned that in order to win a case, your story has to be believable, not only to you, but to the jury.”

“It was wonderful having the students here today,” said Senior Associate Dean, Michelle D. Mason. “Events like this make FIU Law a special place.”

At the close of the event, each student was presented with a certificate of completion in Case Analysis and Storytelling.

MIAMI (Feb. 18, 2013) – The Florida International University College of Law is pleased to announce a new graduate degree in law, the LL.M., a one-year residential course of study for attorneys holding their first law degree from outside the United States.

The LL.M. provides an introduction to and in-depth study of the law of the United States.  Students will gain a general, conversant level of understanding of U.S. legal institutions, substantive law, and practice.  This program at FIU Law, housed in Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall, offers an academically demanding education to students who seek additional training to advance their scholarly or practical work as lawyers.  The course of study is tailored to the individual needs and interests of the student.

As South Florida’s only public law school, FIU Law is known for its diverse faculty and students, its emphasis on comparative and international law, and its service to the public.  In keeping with Miami’s business and community, many of its faculty members work in international areas or have international experiences.  FIU Law has received numerous awards and recognitions including most recently being ranked as the No. 1 school for Hispanics and the third most diverse law school by The National Jurist.

The American Bar Association acquiesced in the LL.M. at FIU in May 2011.  Final approval for the LL.M. was granted by the Board of Trustees last June and by the Board of Governors of the State University System of Florida last month.

“We have a superb place to study law.  It will be great to share it with students from around the world.  And as an intellectual community, we will all benefit from these students,” said M. C. Mirow, founding Director of LL.M. Programs.

The first class of students will enroll in the fall semester of 2014.  FIU Law is delighted to welcome qualified applicants to join our group of bold and precise thinkers, active scholars, exacting teachers, and dedicated students.  For more information see FIU Law’s website www.law.fiu.edu/llm or contact Julie Beineke at 305-348-7595 or jbeineke@fiu.edu.

This past Monday, the FIU College of Law marked the 17th anniversary of the attack by the Cuban Air Force on two small, unarmed civilian aircraft, by hosting a vigil for the victims’ families and friends.

Four men — three of whom were United States citizens — were shot down and killed by Cuban fighter planes on Feb. 24, 1996, while flying over the international waters of the Florida Straits. Carlos Costa, Armando Alejandre, Mario de la Peña, and Pablo Morales, flying with the Brothers to the Rescue organization, were on a volunteer mission to spot potential rafters at sea.

The incident led to various international organizations condemning the shoot down and in 2003, the United States indicted the Cuban Air Force general that relayed the immediate order to shoot the planes and the two pilots who executed the order.

Monday’s ceremony began in the FIU Law C.A.M.P. 4 Justice Courtroom, named in honor of the fallen pilots (Carlos, Armando, Mario and Pablo), where guests viewed “Shoot Down,” a documentary that chronicles the events that led to that fateful day.

A moment of silence was then observed from 3:21 p.m. to 3:27 p.m. around the FIU Graham Center fountain; marking the times the two aircrafts were shot down.

“The vigil, to me, made me reflect on what the some people must pay to achieve a more just world. We started with four pilots that set out to help those in dire need and we end up with four martyrs that died by trying to lend a helping hand,” said Jose Campins, law student and recipient of The C.A.M.P. 4 Justice Scholarship.  “The vigil, at its core, the way they died, it was about why they died and how their story has inspired the movement to change how we view and deal with human rights abuses in a country only 90 miles away.”

Alexander Kopf will be joining the Florida International University College of Law as a visiting researcher from Feb. 20, until July 19, 2013. He will be working with Professor Hannibal Travis.

Mr. Kopf holds a first degree in law focusing on commercial and intellectual property law from Friedrich-Schiller-University in Jena, Thuringia, Germany.  He is currently a doctoral candidate at Martin-Luther-University in Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany studying the cross-border enforcement of domain claims.  Mr. Kopf’s research will focus on the legal aspects of U.S. domain law, examining the different possibilities and requirements for jurisdiction and enforcement of claims.

The cross-border enforcement of domain-claims deals with the relation of national jurisdiction and international arbitration Systems for Domains (UDRP and ADR) for the enforcement of trademark and name right related claims against the infringing use of domains. Mr. Kopf will give special consideration to how the problems resulting from the territorial character of protection rights can be avoided by arbitration panels. The related issues of international jurisdiction the cross-border enforcement demand a detailed analysis of intellectual property and international procedural law.

The Honorable José M. Rodríguez, Circuit Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida leads a mock class for local high school students.

It is never too early to provide young students interested in the law with support at the FIU College of Law. On Feb. 25, the college hosted its annual DiscoverLaw High School Visit Day for four local high schools: Hialeah Law Academy, Coral Reef Senior High, Law Enforcement Officers Memorial High, and COPE Center North.

With over 100 high school students from underrepresented and diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds in attendance, students were exposed to the various aspects of a legal education.

The program, held in the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall, featured a video presentation from current law students discussing why they chose to attend law school; a mock class taught by the Honorable José M. Rodríguez, Circuit Judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida; an interactive law student panel; and a tour of the building with current law-student ambassadors.

Students were also presented with information about the DiscoverLaw organization, a pipeline program created by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), to serve as a resource for high school students interested in pursuing a career in law.

“We aim to encourage and support students interested in the law and in their pursuit of a legal career,” said Roxanna Cruz, Associate Director of Recruitment & Marketing. “The DiscoverLaw program is an excellent resource and we work closely with them to ensure that we connect with as many as students as possible to effectively promote their initiatives, as well as, our mutual commitment to diversity.”

Pictured above: Professor George Knox leads the participants through a series of exercises.

On Feb. 27, 2013, the FIU College of Law Center for Professionalism and Ethics, together with The Florida Bar Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism, hosted a symposium at the FIU College of Law titled Professionalism Matters.

At the event, led by George Knox, director of non-litigation advocacy programs within the Center for Professionalism and Ethics, and with contributions from various guest speakers, participants explored the fundamental ideals and values that underlie the meaning of professionalism. The event was ultimately designed to provide the tools and motivation that stimulate personal and professional growth and development.

With a series of panel discussions, participants were invited to share their ideas regarding the pursuit and practice of professionalism in the legal profession. Subsequent discussions considered wellness and how incorporating mindfulness techniques can decrease levels of stress, increase productivity and improve mental health.

“We are pleased to host events such as the symposium, and to collaborate with the Florida Bar in presenting programs that enrich and enhance the image and stature of the legal profession,“ said Knox. “This event was a successful ‘coming together’ of students, lawyers, judges, and Bar leaders who joined in a common purpose to connect, and commit to the idea that Professionalism Matters!“

FIU Law Review Editor-in-Chief Courtney Walter (on left) and Executive Symposium Editor Erin Auble introduce the panelists.

Why is there a strong presence of women in higher education, but the highest positions of power and prestige in law firms and corporations are still occupied by men?

When asked about the significance of the symposium, and specifically regarding the panelists, Professor Kerri Stone said,”We were thrilled to bring so many nationally renowned scholars to the College of Law to have this very important and timely conversation. I can’t tell you how many of them have expressed to me just how impressed they were with our students, in terms of their enthusiasm for employment law, the thoughtfulness and incisiveness of their questions and comments, and their professionalism as hosts.”

Panelists hailed from such institutions as the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, University of Richmond School of Law, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Boyd School of Law of the University of Nevada, Saint Louis University School of Law, and the Florida International Univeristy College of Law, among others.

“The goal was to have a high level of scholarly discussion coupled with our law students’ enthusiasm, and we were able to exceed all expectations.  Our upcoming issue will be a true testament to this symposium’s legacy,” said Walter.

The FIU Law Review is a student-run organization responsible for producing a journal of scholarly legal works. As a symposium-based law review, there issues are composed of articles addressing a particular area of the law with authors often participating in a live symposium before publication.

Photos from the symposium can be viewed here

MIAMI (March 12, 2013) – In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 edition of Best Graduate Schools, the Florida International University College of Law has risen to 105 among top law schools – up from 113 last year, an eight point rise.

In just four years, FIU Law has ascended from unranked (below 150), to 132, to 113, to their present ranking of 105. This represents an increase of more than 44 spots since 2009.

At 105, FIU Law is tied with long-established schools such as Mercer University, Texas Tech University, and Wayne State University.

“I try not to put too much stock in rankings, particularly because I believe that they have had an unfortunate impact on the law school admissions process. U.S. News rankings, however, are part of our reality, and many people take them seriously. I am of course very pleased by our jump to 105,” said College of Law Dean R. Alexander Acosta.

In other rankings, FIU Law also ranked 54^th among top part-time law schools. Part-time law schools provide working professionals the opportunity to balance a career with evening or weekend courses.

“The Rankings reinforce what we have been saying for years: we are doing really, really well. We bring world-class faculty and high-caliber students to FIU Law and cultivate professional, practice ready attorneys,” said Acosta. “Our rise in the rankings year after year is the product of staying true to this goal. I am very proud of our students, alumni, faculty and supporters, whose accomplishments and efforts are reflected in today’s ranking.”

Selection criteria

The U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of 194 law schools fully accredited by the American Bar Association are based on a weighted average of 12 factors that include LSAT scores, bar passage rates and job placement after graduation. Data were collected in fall 2012 and early 2013. Access the complete methodology.

In December of 2012, the FIU Family and Education Law Clinic filed three State Complaints with the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) against the Miami-Dade County School District.

The complaints, lead by Visiting Assistant Professor Laverne Pinkney, were filed on behalf of three siblings alleging violations of State and Federal Law pertaining to children with disabilities or suspected of having a disability.

Fourth year law student Doreen Rubio, former Staff Attorney Ilana Bonan, and law school Graduate Assistant Sandra Eschaverry assisted Pinkney with the complaints.

In a decisive victory for the clinic, the FDOE, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services recently issued a Finding of Noncompliance against the School District on March 1, 2013.

The finding indicated that there was evidence that the School District violated the requirements related to conducting an evaluation of the students and other related issues.

“Evaluation is an essential beginning step in the process that helps parents and schools determine whether a child has a disability,” said Pinkney, director of the clinic. ”Under the law, a child with a disability is one who qualifies for special education and related service.  The information gathered through evaluation determines whether a child has a disability and determines educational needs.  There are specific guidelines and laws that determine what must be done by the School District when a parent requests an evaluation of their child. If the guidelines are not followed, the child’s academic performance and behavior will likely deteriorate.  If the guidelines are followed, a timely decision is made as to whether the child has a disability and whether related services are necessary.”

She believes the decision and corrective actions issued against the District should prevent a repeat of the ongoing identified violations.

“This decision is important to the clients represented by the clinic and all children and parents in the District who have been denied evaluations without the proper procedures being utilized,” Pinkney clarified. “A new set of guidelines must be followed not only by the schools involved in the complaints but all schools in the entire District.”

Pictured above (l to r): Kimberlee Martin (3L), Guest Speaker Will Potter, and Ashley Gruber (3L)

When third-year law students Kimberlee Martin and Ashley Gruber founded the FIU Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund with alumna Aleksandra Sikorska ’12, they wanted to focus on educating the community on animal rights issues.

Staying true to their mission, SALDF hosted its Second Annual Animal Rights Panel on Saturday, March 30, in the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall. With students and community members from all over South Florida in attendance, the panel featured three leading authorities on animal rights – Will Potter, Sherry Schlueter, and Richard “Kudo” Couto.

“Currently, many states are introducing ‘ag-gag’ bills that would criminalize whistle blowers and journalists for documenting and exposing animal abuses. This not only threatens animal rights, but raises constitutional concerns and food safety issues,” said Martin, president of SALDF. “We thought these three speakers could really shed some light on a lot of animal rights issues that are going virtually unnoticed.”

Potter, an award-winning independent journalist, discussed “Ag-gag” bills and how these laws would criminalize whistleblowing on factory farms that raise animals for food.  Even though such bills differ from state to state, they share a few common elements including criminalizing the taking of pictures or video at these farms without authorization. As a result, Americans are kept in the dark about where their food is coming from.

Gruber, co-president of SALDF, echoed their sentiment. “While recent media attention has raised awareness of illegal slaughterhouses in South Florida, many people do not know the extent of the problem, or understand why those slaughterhouses absolutely need to be shut down.”

Couto and Schlueter, two individuals passionate and dedicated to animal rights, discussed their successes as activists. They illustrated how laws that prohibit activism are dangerous and could jeopardize everything they had diligently fought for.

Couto, founder of the Animal Recovery Mission, is well-known for his undercover investigations and work with the Miami-Dade State Attorney in shutting down nearly a hundred illegal slaughterhouses operating in South Florida.

Schlueter, a retired Broward Sheriff ‘Animal Cop’ and current executive director of the South Florida Wildlife Center, has extensive experience in the area of animal abuse investigation and prosecution, and has a profound knowledge of wildlife issues.

At the close of the event, Martin and Gruber received numerous compliments and even saw an increase in both student and community membership.

“The turnout alone was impressive,” said Schlueter. “I am comforted in the knowledge that intelligent, thoughtful students who care about social issues of great import to this society and its victimized inhabitants, will be leading this country one day soon as law professionals. It bodes well for all of us.”

With each event, the organization hopes to inspire responsible activism and it appears they are reaching this goal.

SBA Secretary Samah Abukhodeir and Professor Christine Rickard

In a night where the FIU Law community dressed in their finest attire, and enjoyed a masquerade ball, Professor Christine Rickard was selected as “Professor of the Year” for 2012-13.

She was selected in recognition of her “excellence in teaching” and her “devoted commitment to the students of the Florida International University College of Law.”

“I am very honored and humbled to be the Professor of the Year,” said Rickard. “I love being a professor and this job means so much to me because I get to teach students how to make a difference every day through the law.”

The award was presented by the Student Bar Association at the annual Barristers’ Ball on April 6, at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel. Some 400 people were in attendance.

During her speech, Rickard thanked Dean R. Alexander Acosta and Director Marci A. Rosenthal for their support. She especially thanked her students. “This award will always have a special place in my heart because it came from such an amazing group of future lawyers.”

Professor Rickard teaches Florida Law and Procedure for graduating 3L students. She has been teaching Florida Law and Procedure since 2010.

SBA Secretary Samah Abukhodeir and Professor Christine Rickard

In a night where the FIU Law community dressed in their finest attire, and enjoyed a masquerade ball, Professor Christine Rickard was selected as “Professor of the Year” for 2012-13.

She was selected in recognition of her “excellence in teaching” and her “devoted commitment to the students of the Florida International University College of Law.”

“I am very honored and humbled to be the Professor of the Year,” said Rickard. “I love being a professor and this job means so much to me because I get to teach students how to make a difference every day through the law.”

The award was presented by the Student Bar Association at the annual Barristers’ Ball on April 6, at the Eden Roc Renaissance Hotel. Some 400 people were in attendance.

During her speech, Rickard thanked Dean R. Alexander Acosta and Director Marci A. Rosenthal for their support. She especially thanked her students. “This award will always have a special place in my heart because it came from such an amazing group of future lawyers.”

Professor Rickard teaches Florida Law and Procedure for graduating 3L students. She has been teaching Florida Law and Procedure since 2010.

The ability to consult with other recent law graduates who are experiencing similar challenges and to share expertise by co-counseling on cases, are some of the biggest perks Daniel Izquierdo, a second-year LawBridge resident, sees in FIU’s LawBridge program.

LawBridge participant Dan Izquierdo

FIU’s legal residency, LawBridge, was established in January of 2012 to give inexperienced lawyers the necessary tools to launch their solo practice. The program combines elements from a medical school residency and a business school entrepreneurial incubator in a two-year program, designed for recent graduates who have already passed the Florida Bar Examination. Today, LawBridge’s 10 participants benefit from the program’s career guidance, mentorship and continuing legal education, with the help and leadership of FIU’s College of Law faculty.

“The first few years of a lawyer’s career are crucial. As part of the LawBridge program, we have guest lecturers every couple of weeks to help and guide our recent law graduates in making their law practice financially self-sufficient,” said Tony Santos, director of LawBridge at FIU. “The idea is that by the time they complete the LawBridge program, they are making healthy incomes. We usually see them be cashflow positive within three months.”

Most recently, two-year resident attorney Dan Sarfati, who specializes in corporate law, caught the attention of a larger firm and was offered a position with South Florida-based Morales Law Group.

“Without Tony’s guidance and the Law Bridge curriculum, I firmly believe that I wouldn’t be as professional, competent, and confident,” Sarfati said. “The priceless tools this program has provided me were instrumental in my success as a beginning sole practitioner, and I will carry these tools with me as I grow as an attorney.”

In fact, Izquierdo credits the LawBridge program with helping him implement tactics that have helped him establish his practice and create a predictable and steady growth trajectory.

“It is tough to be a solo practitioner right out of law school, but LawBridge provides us with the mechanics of running a practice,” said Izquierdo. “From LawBridge, I learned that it is important to inform friends and potential clients about the opening of my firm; to continually market my firm; and to stay in touch with referral sources, colleagues and other contacts to foster long-lasting relationships that will help me grow my business.”

To learn more about LawBridge, visit here or call 305-965-9845.

During the College of Law’s 9^th commencement ceremony, 168 degrees were conferred to a new class of lawyers.

Addressing the graduates was keynote speaker U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz – who represents Florida’s 23rd Congressional district.

During the ceremony, several graduates were honored for their academic excellence. Some of them spoke with the FIU News team to reflect on their time in law school.

Join the FIU News team in congratulating these exemplary graduates and the rest of the Class of 2013 on their remarkable achievement.

Danilo Castillo, director of finance and administration at the Florida International University College of Law, is the recipient of the 2013 Rising Star Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

NACUBO, a membership organization representing chief business and financial officers of more than 2,500 colleges, universities and higher education service providers across the globe, acknowledges up-and-coming professionals in higher education with their Rising Star award. Recipients are identified as future leaders who have not yet reached the chief business or financial level, and have made meaningful contributions to the efficiency of their institution.

R. Alexander Acosta, dean of the FIU College of Law, said Castillo has been integral to the success of the College.

“Mr. Castillo’s leadership style reflects an understanding that solid financial planning, management and execution are integral to institutional success,” Acosta said. “The practices and procedures put in place by Mr. Castillo have greatly contributed to the College’s efficiency and progress.”

Castillo’s “unfailing competence,” he added, allows the faculty and administration to focus without distraction on providing a learning environment that is nurturing, supportive and academically rigorous.

Kenneth A. Jessell, FIU’s senior vice president and chief financial officer, who nominated Castillo for the award, congratulated Castillo on this recognition. “We are all proud of what he has accomplished,” he said.

Castillo serves as the administrative principal for the business, finance and administration of FIU Law. As director, he is tasked with the challenge of establishing an ethical business and administrative environment that supports the College’s constituents, and is charged with the primary fiduciary responsibility for meeting all standards of compliance.

“I am honored to receive the NACUBO Rising Star Award,” Castillo said. “I am particularly grateful to Dean Acosta and Dr. Jessell for their nomination. I look forward to continue to add value to the College of Law and FIU.”

The award will formally be presented to Castillo at the organization’s annual meeting in Indianapolis, on July 14.