TALLAHASSEE—Hispanic Business magazine has named Florida State University College of Law the fifth best law school in the nation for Hispanics. This is the fifth year in a row that the law school has been named in the top ten and the highest ranking ever for Florida State Law. 

The magazine surveyed law schools accredited by the American Bar Association and based its ranking on a variety of factors, including the percentage of full-time Hispanic faculty, services for Hispanic students, Hispanic recruitment efforts and retention rates, the percentage of Hispanic students enrolled, and quality of education and reputational ranking as reflected in U.S. News & World Report. 

Florida State Law’s Summer for Undergraduates Program is one example of an academic program offered to Hispanic students and others historically underrepresented in the legal profession. Students selected to participate receive scholarships to attend the month-long, annual program, which familiarizes students with the American legal system and introduces them to minority and Hispanic role models in the legal profession. 

Hispanics made up 7 percent of the law school’s student body enrollment and received 20 of the 233 law degrees (9 percent) awarded to the class of 2007. More than ten percent of our full-time faculty was Hispanic. 

“Although other law schools have more Hispanic students than Florida State, a significant Hispanic presence in the faculty and administration has helped us to climb in the Hispanic Business rankings,” said Dean Don Weidner. “Our excellent academic reputation and dedication to the success of students from all backgrounds elevates us above other law schools.”