Florida International University College of Law

The law school's curriculum focuses on preparing student for the general practice of law, community service, and international comparative law. This focus is exhibited through both the core curriculum and the following four specialty programs: the Legal Skills and Values Program, the International and Graduate Studies Program, the Clinical Program, and the Community Service Program.

As a required three-semester program, the Legal Skills and Values Program focuses on traditional instruction in the areas of legal research and writing but also touches upon other crucial skills ranging from interviewing to professionalism.

Central to the curriculum at FIU College of Law is the study of international and comparative law. All first-year students are required to complete an Introduction to International and Comparative Law course, while upper level students have access to a variety of related classes and seminars. Extra-curricular offerings in the areas of international and comparative law include the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, the International Law Students Association, the International Arbitration Society, as well as international moot court and arbitration competitions. Additionally, the Office of International and Graduate Studies provides information on internships and externships in the area of international law. Student exchange programs, summer study abroad programs, visiting researcher and professor opportunities, and other international study opportunities are also available.

Clinical program offerings include the Community Development Clinic; the Consumer Bankruptcy Clinic; the Education Advocacy Clinic; the Health Education, Law, and Policy (HELP) Clinic; the Immigrant Children's Justice Clinic; and the Investor Advocacy Clinic. Externship programs consist of judicial, civil, and criminal opportunities. FIU College of Law further requires all students to complete a minimum of 30 hours of community service, defined as pro bono legal service.

The law school boasts 21 student organizations including the Student Bar Association, the Federalist Society, the Sports and Entertainment Law Society, the Cuban-American Law Society, and the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.

FIU College of Law's Dean, R. Alex Acosta, is a Miami native who has practiced law at Kirkland and Ellis, taught at George Mason School of Law, and served as a law clerk for Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. when he was a judge on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He has served as a Senate-confirmed member of the National Labor Relations Board, Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice, and US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. Acosta earned his JD from Harvard Law School and completed his undergraduate studies at Harvard College.