Albert Einstein was onto something when he famously said, “Learning is an experience. Everything else is just information.” Universities manifest this with experiential teaching, an approach that stays with students for life. It’s especially powerful among budding lawyers who are eager to step out of their comfort zone and follow in the footsteps of former U.S. President Barack Obama; former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; or political and spiritual icon Mahatma Gandhi –– all of whom were once law students themselves.
At Stetson University College of Law — Florida’s first law school — LL.M. students are experiencing, practising, and winning their way to professional mastery. As they earn their degree, they get an inside look at the practice of law — one of the most historic academic fields in the world — in various and novel ways.
Otherwise known as a Master of Law, Stetson’s LL.M. programmes offer several pathways to specialisation for those who have already received their first law degree. You can become a full-spectrum legal advocate with the LL.M. in Advocacy; an expert in long-term care planning, guardianship, retirement, veterans, healthcare, taxes and more with the LL.M. in Elder Law; or a contender for positions in business, government, teaching and international law practice or related professions with the LL.M. in International Law.
Regardless of the path you choose, you’ll have a student organisation that fits your interest at Stetson. Over 45 student organisations can be found on its beautiful, Mediterranean Revival-style campus just minutes from Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches. Whether you join one or several, you’ll find a student organisation that will make the most of your Stetson Law experience.
Advocates for Health Law promotes equity and justice in healthcare through events and speakers. Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize winning human rights movement with over 1.8 million members worldwide. The Business Law Society connects students with industry professionals to discuss non-traditional career opportunities. Other organisations cover Entertainment and Sports Law; Food Law; Labour and Employment; Leadership Development; Mental Health Law; Space Law; Student Wellness and more.
To enhance classroom-based learning and provide real-world experience, Stetson Law offers more than 300 clinic and externship opportunities annually — 29 of which are facilitated at 60 hosting organisations. These include state and federal courts, local government, corporations, law firms, and legal aid organisations. Few law schools across the country guarantee that every student can participate in a clinic or externship course during law school — Stetson Law can.
Such exposure to real practice is effective, as can be seen from the success of students. Stetson Law students often win national and global mooting competitions — many go on to become outstanding lawyers, judges and community leaders.
It’s easy to be inspired to excel in a community as vibrant as Stetson’s. When students aren’t exercising their minds in a state-of-the-art library with a collection of nearly 420,000 volumes, or in one of the 27 study rooms, 135 study carrels, and two lounges — they enjoy events that promote diversity, inclusivity, and equity.
The theme for Diversity Week this year was “Representation and Racial Justice.” In March, the Student Bar Association conducted an on-theme challenge and several virtual programmes. They also provided readings, podcasts, and TED Talks to educate participants on the issue.
A few weeks later, Women’s Week kicked off with a panel of local women leaders discussing their career paths. Allison Miller, Public Defender in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit, discussed the bill she presented to the Pinellas County Legislative Delegation on what qualifies as a serious mental illness and will prevent those afflicted from being given the death penalty. Lisa Gorab, the managing partner and president of Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer in Woodbridge, New Jersey, discussed her career in public finance and her election as president.
Recently, Pride Month was inaugurated with a bang. The school made history this year with the raising of the Progress Pride Flag, which features additional stripes of colour representing greater inclusivity and the advancements the LGBTQ community has made in recent years.
If you seek an impactful LL.M. degree that comes with a dynamic campus experience, you’ll find it at Stetson Law. Apply here today.
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