Designed by College of Law Associate Dean Ruth Witherspoon, the program held its first classes during the summer of 1992. We want to acquaint these students with career options in law, to familiarize them with the law school application process and admission requirements and to expose them to the law school curriculum. In particular, the program emphasizes that the law is a literary profession and that developing strong writing skills is an essential preparation for law school. Led by FSU law school legal writing instructors, a large amount of Summer Law Program class time is devoted to writing exercises. It is taught by members of the FSU law faculty.
Students also hear from judges and lawyers and make visits to courts and law firms.
The Program has benefited from the strong support of FSU law alumni who have lectured, provided jobs for participating students and contributed financially to the program. Students who have participated in the program give it high marks. I knew I was going to law school, but the program gave me a realistic view of what to expect, what was expected of me, and how to excel as a law student. For many, the program sparks a desire to become involved in social justice issues. Students in the Summer Law Program come from all over the nation, including eleven colleges and universities in Florida.