In it's January 2012 issue, which looked at the best schools for Public Service, National Jurist magazine listed the FAMU College of Law among the nation's top schools for job placement in the government sector. With 26 percent of graduates placed in government-based fields, FAMU is one of three Florida law schools included. The list included only 20 schools and were not ranked. “Obtaining a law degree is one of the most impactful ways to bring about transformative change through public service," said LeRoy Pernell, FAMU College of Law Dean. "I am pleased that we are recognized for placing our graduates in positions that will allow them to make a positive contribution their communities.”
According to National Jurist, roughly 6.6 percent of law students nationally enter government, which includes local, state and federal jobs. Although many of the schools on the list are located near state capitals or in Washington D.C., the state-of-the-art FAMU College of Law campus is located in the metropolitan Orlando area, just blocks from internship opportunities at state and federal buildings.
The College of Law also offers externship opportunities through its Legal Clinic Program (also nationally recognized) for public defender, prosecution and death penalty. Pro bono programs in Public Interest Law offered through the Legal Clinic also provide exposure to potential opportunities. In addition, the Office of Career Planning and Placement offers assistance to current students and alumni in job placement and interview readiness.
“We encourage our students to capitalize on every activity offered through our office,” said Elizabeth Dorworth, assistant director for career planning and placement. “It is our hope that through quality programming provided to our law students, as graduates they will be poised to make significant contributions within the legal profession.”
The office constantly posts internship and job opportunities through the Symplicity system and to FAMU law student e-mail accounts. Students also submit resumes for critical review and analysis, and participate in mock interviews, with alumni and local attorneys often evaluating their performance.
In January, the Office of Career Planning and Placement hosted representatives from the Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, among others, for brown bag workshops. The office is also planning on-campus interviews (OCI) this semester with Second Circuit, Public Defender's Office; Ninth Circuit, State Attorney's Office; Tenth Circuit, State Attorney's Office; and the United States Air Force JAG Corps.
National Jurist magazine compiled the honor roll based on the percent of graduates employed in each field, curriculum offered at the law school, the area's standard of living and loan repayment assistance programs.