60th anniversary photo gallery
Florida State University College of Law is celebrating 60 years since welcoming its first students in 1966, marking six decades of leadership in public legal education, scholarship and service.
FSU Law began with a bold vision: to expand access to high-quality legal education and prepare graduates to serve Florida and the nation with integrity and excellence. From its early days in the historic Longmire Building, the college has grown into one of the nation’s leading public law schools.
FSU Law welcomed its inaugural class of about 100 students under the leadership of founder Dean Mason Ladd. With a small but dedicated faculty, the young law school quickly established a reputation for academic rigor, public engagement and student-centered learning.
Over the decades, successive leaders — Joshua Morse III, L. Orin Slagle, Talbot “Sandy” D’Alemberte, Don Weidner, and current dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor — guided the college through expansion, innovation and national recognition.
“As we mark FSU Law’s 60th anniversary, we honor a legacy of excellence in scholarship, teaching and public service that has shaped generations of lawyers and strengthened communities across Florida and beyond,” said O’Hara O’Connor. “Our story is one of growth, innovation and an unwavering commitment to student success. While we proudly celebrate our past, we are also building momentum for the future as one of the nation’s top law schools.”
“Our story is one of growth, innovation and an unwavering commitment to student success. While we proudly celebrate our past, we are also building momentum for the future as one of the nation’s top law schools.”
– Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of FSU Law
Over the past 60 years, the institution has evolved, growing from a single building into a law school campus that includes two academic buildings, four historic houses, a student lounge, specialized research centers and robust academic programs.
FSU Law’s reach extends well beyond Tallahassee through nationally recognized centers and clinics, as well as an international study-abroad program at the University of Oxford in London.
FSU Law has produced leaders in the judiciary, government, private practice, public service, and academia. Its graduates serve as judges, legislators, advocates, entrepreneurs, and community leaders throughout Florida and around the world.
FSU Law’s faculty has earned national and international distinction for their scholarship, teaching and public engagement. Faculty members are regularly cited by courts, policymakers and the media, publish in leading law reviews and academic journals, and shape legal discourse in fields ranging from constitutional law and environmental policy to business regulation, technology and public interest advocacy.
Through their work in the classroom and beyond, FSU Law professors mentor students, advance knowledge and contribute meaningfully to the development of law and policy.
To commemorate the 60th anniversary milestone, the College of Law will host a yearlong celebration featuring special events, programming, alumni engagement opportunities and historical exhibits highlighting the people and moments that have shaped the College of Law.
For more information on FSU Law’s 60th anniversary, visit law.fsu.edu/60th.