TALLAHASSEE —The Florida State University College of Law’s Student Bar Association (SBA) has won the American Bar Association (ABA) Law Student Division’s 2010 Public Interest National Achievement Award. The student-led organization received the award for its community service efforts throughout the past year. According to the ABA, the award recognizes law students and law schools who have made outstanding contributions to underrepresented groups or public interest causes outside the law school and/or in public service at the law school. Florida State was one of 15 schools nominated for the honor. 

“This award exemplifies our student body's commitment, not only to academic excellence, but also to giving back to our community and the legal profession,” said Andrew Fay, who served as the 2009-2010 SBA president. 

During the 2009-2010 academic year, SBA created the Volunteer Law Student Project, a program that allows Florida State law students to work directly on pro bono cases that have been assigned to local attorneys. SBA raised funds to benefit the American Heart Association, ALS research, children in Sierra Leone and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The group also donated to the community more than 150 items obtained through its winter clothing drive and more than 100 pounds of canned food. 

“We are thrilled to be recognized for the service of our Student Bar Association,” said Dean Don Weidner. “Congratulations and thanks go to the entire SBA board and especially to its president, Andrew Fay, for bringing this honor home to Florida State.” 

This is the third year in a row the Florida State SBA has won a national award from the ABA Law Student Division. In 2008 and 2009, the group named Florida State’s Student Bar Association the “SBA of the Year.” 

The ABA presented the award to Florida State during its annual conference in San Francisco on Saturday, August 7. One-hundred-fifteen law schools attended the conference.