FAMU has appointed Simone Marstiller, a former appellate judge and longtime Florida government official whose career has spanned the judiciary, state agencies and private legal practice, as dean of the FAMU College of Law, effective July 1, 2026.
Marstiller most recently practiced law at Gunster, one of Florida's oldest law firms. But her professional career has largely been defined by public service, including leadership positions under governors from both political parties.
"Her distinguished record of leadership, public service and commitment to advancing legal education made her an exceptional choice," university leaders said in announcing the appointment.
Marstiller's résumé reads like a tour through Florida government. She has served as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration and Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice under Governor Ron DeSantis. Earlier in her career, she held several senior positions under Governor Jeb Bush, including Secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Interim Secretary of the Department of Management Services and State Chief Information Officer.
She also served as Associate Deputy Attorney General under former Attorney General Bill McCollum and as Executive Director of the Florida Elections Commission.
Perhaps most notably, Marstiller spent six years on Florida's First District Court of Appeal after being appointed to the bench in 2010 by Governor Charlie Crist, giving her experience in all three branches of government — executive, judicial and regulatory.
Marstiller's appointment was immediately heralded by Florida Board of Governor Chair Alan Levine.
Born in Monrovia, Liberia, Marstiller immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Stetson University in 1988 before receiving her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law in 1996.
Her appointment comes during a period of renewed momentum for the College of Law.
Since February 2024, the school has operated under the interim leadership of Dean Cecil Howard, who guided the institution through a period of significant progress but chose not to pursue the permanent position. Under Howard's stewardship, the College of Law experienced measurable improvements in Bar passage rates, operations, student support and retention.
Marstiller now inherits a law school that has sought to strengthen its standing among legal institutions while remaining committed to the mission that has defined it since its reopening in 2002: expanding access to the legal profession and producing lawyers dedicated to public service and social justice.
Her extensive experience navigating complex public policy issues, university leaders believe, positions her to lead the next chapter of the college's development.
Marstiller is expected to begin meeting with faculty, students, alumni and community stakeholders immediately following her arrival this summer.