Orange County (FL) Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell, a trailblazing legal advocate and public servant, will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2025 FAMU College of Law Hooding Ceremony. The event, honoring more than 100 graduates from fall 2024 through summer 2025, will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Orlando’s Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.
Russell, a lifelong Orlando native, brings a legacy of historic firsts and community-driven leadership to the podium. Elected in 2006 as Orange County’s youngest-ever commissioner at age 28, she later shattered barriers again in 2014 by becoming Florida’s first African American female county clerk and Orange County’s first Black clerk. Her career has centered on expanding access to justice, notably through her creation of the Lydia Gardner Self Help Center—a pioneering initiative offering free or low-cost legal guidance in family law, evictions, and small claims for underserved residents.
“Clerk Russell embodies the mission of FAMU Law: to cultivate advocates who champion equity and service,” said Interim FAMU College of Law Dean Cecil Howard. “Her innovative work in dismantling barriers to legal resources aligns perfectly with the values we instill in our graduates.”
A legacy of firsts and community impact
A University of South Florida political science alumna and Florida State University College of Law graduate, Russell has leveraged her legal expertise to transform civic institutions. During her two terms as District 6 county commissioner (2006–2014), she prioritized affordable housing, youth programs, and infrastructure improvements. As clerk, she modernized court operations while maintaining a focus on transparency and accessibility.
The Lydia Gardner Center, named after her late predecessor, has assisted over 50,000 individuals since its 2015 launch. “Justice shouldn’t be a privilege,” Russell said in a 2024 interview. “This center ensures everyone, regardless of income, can navigate the system with dignity.”
Ceremony Details and Significance
The Hooding Ceremony, a tradition marking graduates’ transition from law students to legal professionals, will recognize juris doctor (JD) and master of law (LL.M.) candidates. FAMU Law, renowned for its commitment to diversifying the legal profession, continues its tradition of selecting speakers who reflect its ethos of service. Past speakers include judges, civil rights leaders, and policymakers.
Russell’s address is expected to emphasize resilience, ethical leadership, and the role of lawyers in driving societal change.
The past spring, the FAMU College of Law saw a remarkable 18.1% year-over-year increase in its first-time bar passage rate for the February 2025 exam, climbing to 65.24%. Of the 23 graduates who took the exam, 15 passed, propelling the school to sixth place among Florida’s 11 law schools—a significant leap in statewide rankings.