FAMU’s College of Law sets the national standard in diversity. Recognizing that fact, one of the nation’s largest law firms is partnering with FAMU to bring more minorities to its employment roster.
Joseph W. Hatchett, a FAMU alumnus who chairs Akerman Senterfitt’s appellate practice group and diversity committee, is leading a minority pipeline project that aims to place more FAMU law gradutes at the organization’s 13 national offices.
“A diverse profession benefits clients, the profession itself, and the population that it serves,” said Hatchett, the program’s creator. “This partnership will be instrumental in helping Akerman realize its diversity goals in addition to increasing the number of first-year associates, senior partners and of counsel who are minorities across the state.”
Hatchett has decades of experience in serving as an advocate for social justice and diversity. He made history in 1975 when then-Gov. Reuben Askew selected him for the Florida Supreme Court. Later, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter appointed Hatchett to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama).
The pipeline program is part of an initiative by the American Bar Association's Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession that aims to increase the number of people of color on track to becoming lawyers. Currently, minority lawyers make up only three percent of Florida’s attorneys.
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by the National Law Journal in number of lawyers and is one of the largest firms in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the firm serves clients in major business centers throughout the United States, including Miami, New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
Joseph W. Hatchett, a FAMU alumnus who chairs Akerman Senterfitt’s appellate practice group and diversity committee, is leading a minority pipeline project that aims to place more FAMU law gradutes at the organization’s 13 national offices.
“A diverse profession benefits clients, the profession itself, and the population that it serves,” said Hatchett, the program’s creator. “This partnership will be instrumental in helping Akerman realize its diversity goals in addition to increasing the number of first-year associates, senior partners and of counsel who are minorities across the state.”
Hatchett has decades of experience in serving as an advocate for social justice and diversity. He made history in 1975 when then-Gov. Reuben Askew selected him for the Florida Supreme Court. Later, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter appointed Hatchett to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Alabama).
The pipeline program is part of an initiative by the American Bar Association's Presidential Advisory Council on Diversity in the Profession that aims to increase the number of people of color on track to becoming lawyers. Currently, minority lawyers make up only three percent of Florida’s attorneys.
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by the National Law Journal in number of lawyers and is one of the largest firms in Florida. With more than 500 lawyers and governmental affairs professionals, the firm serves clients in major business centers throughout the United States, including Miami, New York, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles.
This program will definitely increase the FAMU law school's job placement rates and help it attract even better students.
ReplyDeleteFAMU gets a stonger applicant pool. The grads get good jobs. And the law firm gets bright new lawyers. Everybody wins!
Graet connect in Mr. Hatchett. Way to go Alum! Let's Go Rattler Law Students!
ReplyDeleteFirst you guys have to pass the bar instead of only getting 52.3% on the last bar.
ReplyDeleteFAMU will get more than 52 pecent of its students to pass the bar. Since you know so much about how it is to study for the bar and pass the first time, why don't you call FAMU COL and tell them how it's done. Some of the other law schools have been up and running for many many years and yet only 60 percent of their students are passing the first time. FAMU has a long road ahead but is doing well. By the way, I graduated from FAMU with a BS, MS, and a JD and I PASSED THE BAR THE FIRST TIME!!!!!
ReplyDelete