Best Law Schools in Florida

Attending a law school is a popular way to transition into a lucrative and rewarding law career. Law schools are invaluable to prospective law students by providing a network of aspiring and established lawyers and legal workers. Law school is also necessary to familiarize students with the technicalities of national and state laws, including various specialized tracks in different areas of law.

Not all law schools were created equally, however. Law students should invest time in finding the law school that meets their criteria and provides the best programs and opportunities. Researching law schools can be time-consuming, but it is ultimately worth the effort.

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This Bold blog contains a short list of the best law schools in Florida. Students from Florida looking to stay in the state for their education can use this list to help them narrow down their choices. Out-of-state students may be attracted to Florida for the weather, location, or for the programs offered at some of the law schools in this list.

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Scholarships can be a good way for students to help finance their education. For students looking to attend law school, the additional costs of professional school may present a struggle. In addition to working part-time jobs or other means of income, students should consider applying for scholarships.

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Law school students may want to consider reputable schools like Florida International University, Florida State University, Stetson University, and more. Students should put together their own criteria when researching law schools. Budget, location, and specialized programs may all be factors students will want to consider. A student's budget and academic interests vary.

For example, students interested in tax law as a specialization should research the course offerings and programs listed at each prospective law school. Some law schools may be known for their general programs or a few niche programs. Students should take care to find out the specific strengths of each law school and their majors. Students should also remember that in-state and out-of-state pricing may differ for some public law schools. In-state students may have significant discounts depending on the college.

With respect to costs and attending an affordable law school, students should research what financial aid packages are available at the school. Read here about whether law schools give scholarships. Law schools offer demanding but ultimately rewarding career paths to students who can complete their degrees.

In addition, as workers in a respected professional field, law school graduates can expect higher-than-average starting salaries. Though it may cost more initially to attend law school, students should be able to pay off their debt with their above-average salaries.

Best Law Schools in Florida

Florida has some of the best colleges in the nation. The following list consists of  law schools in Florida known for their academic programs, specialized courses, and great on-campus facilities. After applying for your target law schools, consider applying to some law scholarships from this list of available law school scholarships.

University of Florida Levin College of Law

UF Law offers many programs, including a J.D. program, several LL.M. programs, and a joint J.D./M.B.A. program. The J.D. program is highly regarded and offers students a strong foundation in legal theory and practical skills.

UF Law also has a top-ranked tax law program and programs in environmental and land use law, intellectual property law, and more. On-campus facilities include a modern law library, several clinics and centers, and multipurpose study spaces.

Florida State University College of Law

FSU Law offers a J.D. program and LL.M. programs in business law, environmental law, and international law. FSU Law’s J.D. program offers students a strong foundation in legal theory and practical skills and opportunities for hands-on experience through clinics and externships.

FSU Law also strongly focuses on public interest law and social justice. Students can use the modern law library, several clinics and centers, and a moot courtroom to sharpen their law skills.

University of Miami School of Law

UM Law offers a J.D. program as well as several LL.M. programs, including programs in international law, entertainment law, and more. With a well-respected J.D. program, students will build strong legal theory and analysis skills.

UM Law also encourages students to use hands-on experience through clinics and externships. UM Law also has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion. Law students who identify with minority groups may want to consider UM Law and can also apply to any of the minority scholarships on this list.

Stetson University College of Law

Stetson Law offers a J.D. program as well as several LL.M. programs, including programs in advocacy, elder law, and more. The J.D. program at Stetson Law is highly reputable, emphasizing advocacy and practical skills training besides basic law theory.

Stetson Law is known for its excellent advocacy program and offers students many opportunities for hands-on experience through clinics, externships, and moot court competitions.

Florida International University College of Law

FIU Law offers a J.D. program and several LL.M. programs, including international arbitration and business law programs. Though their J.D. program is relatively new, FIU Law quickly established itself as one of the best in the state. Courses offer students a strong foundation in legal basics and their application.

FIU Law also strongly focuses on experiential learning, with many opportunities for hands-on experience through clinics, externships, and other programs. Law students looking to practice their skills in a real-world context as much as possible may want to consider this law school.

Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law

NSU Law offers a J.D. program as well as several LL.M. programs, including programs in health law, international law, and more. Its J.D. program is highly regarded and offers students a strong foundation in legal theory and practical skills, with a particular focus on health law and international law.

NSU Law also strongly focuses on diversity and inclusion, offering students many opportunities for hands-on experience through clinics, externships, and other programs.

Florida Coastal School of Law

Florida Coastal offers a J.D. program and LL.M. programs in business law and U.S. law for foreign lawyers. Their well-rounded J.D. program emphasizes experiential learning.

Florida Coastal is known for its innovative approach to legal education and offers students many opportunities for hands-on experience through clinics, externships, and other programs. Its facilities include a modern law library as well as several clinics and centers where students can improve their law skills.

Ave Maria School of Law

Ave Maria offers a J.D. program and an LL.M. program in estate planning. Students who want to focus on natural law and Catholic social teaching should apply for this reputable J.D. program.

Ave Maria is known for its strong commitment to faith and values and offers students many spiritual and personal growth opportunities. Law students who want to maintain their faith in college and uplift their communities should consider this program.

Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law

Barry Law offers a J.D. program and several LL.M. programs, including programs in elder law and entertainment law. Its J.D. program offers students a strong foundation in legal theory and practical skills and opportunities for hands-on experience through clinics and externships.

Barry Law also strongly focuses on public interest law and social justice. Consequently, this law school may be a good choice for students interested in positively impacting their communities.

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What Is the Number One Law School in Florida?

The University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of Miami are all typically ranked favorably in terms of law schools. Students can look at this list of the best law schools in the U.S. to see how Florida law schools measure up or explore other options.

The University of Florida Levin College ranked 21st among the best law schools nationally, according to the U.S. News and World Report. In addition, The University of Florida is one of the more selective schools, making graduates seem more desirable.

The University of Miami is noteworthy for its ample research opportunities on campus. With over twenty on-site research facilities, students at this law school can practice their skills in real-world contexts. This can provide invaluable experience that helps students develop into effective and knowledgeable lawyers or legal workers.

The University of Florida has well-rounded academics in a wide variety of fields, making it an ideal choice for students who aren’t sure if they want to specialize in a niche area yet. For undecided law students, read this career guide for college students to help narrow down your choices. In addition, their emphasis on business and international law provides students with a flexible law degree that can be applied to many different occupations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Law Schools

Are lawyers in high demand in Florida?

A law school degree will serve a student well in any area of the country. However, Florida is experiencing growth in the legal industry as more and more international or well-known corporations open branches in the area.

One law firm saw a 59% increase in South Florida law placements between 2018 and 2022. As companies continue to expand and new corporations seek to enter the markets in the South, demand for legal workers will continue to remain reasonably high.

Miami in particular, as one of the business hubs of the state, may offer promising opportunities to recent graduates. Expanding legal industries in the area will need legal support in a variety of business-related areas. Consequently, students who want to take advantage of this may consider a Miami school or nearby law school to start networking early.

Attending law schools in Florida can have the added bonus of helping students make connections and tap into networks. For those planning on working in Florida or nearby after graduation, this can be very useful when they begin their careers.

Does Florida have any good law schools?

There are excellent law schools in many areas of the country. Some of the best law schools in Florida provide high-quality programs and set students on track to lucrative and rewarding careers.

In general, the law schools in Florida are an excellent choice for students who want to get a law degree. Attending a law school in Florida is more desirable for students who want to work in Florida after graduation.

In addition, many law schools have certain programs that are stronger than others. For example, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law has programs that specialize in health law. Similar health law programs at other colleges may not be as high quality as this law school specializes in health law.

If the law schools in Florida do not meet your needs, consider attending law school in a different state. Check out the best law schools in Texas, New York, and California to view some options outside Florida. Students should choose the law school they want to attend based on whether it meets their interests and criteria.

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