FAMU finally wins a lawsuit

With former General Counsel Elizabeth "Liz" McBride long gone, FAMU has finally won a lawsuit.

Albeit it was one filed by a FAMU law student last October who claimed the law school skirted its own rules when it academically dismissed him. Orange County Circuit Judge Thomas W. Turner dismissed Clayton Hallford's suit last week. Law suit victories at FAMU had been so few and far between, under the Castell Bryant regime that the victory against the law student prompted a written response from new law dean LeRoy Pernell: "FAMU is proud to have honored its obligation to the people of Florida by successfully defending against and defeating this baseless lawsuit."

Hallford's claim, which drew support from many current and former students, involved an allegedly botched exam in a Torts II class, which resulted in his GPA dropping below the minimum 2.0 . Hallford sought to be readmitted to the school in good standing.

Richard E. Mitchell, the attorney representing FAMU, said the school intends to recover attorney's fees and costs from Hallford, which he estimated in the $15,000 to $20,000 range. "It's time for Mr. Hallford to pay the fiddler," said Mitchell, with the firm of GrayRobinson. "We believe his entire story was a fairy tale."