Florida State University College of Law is launching its new Bankruptcy Law Pro Bono Clinic, providing law students with the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience working on federal bankruptcy cases.

The clinic also allows students to assist individuals who cannot afford legal representation in navigating the complexities of bankruptcy law. As total bankruptcy filings continue to rise by 14% annually across the United States, the Bankruptcy Pro Bono Clinic addresses a growing need for accessible legal services while helping fill the gap for those struggling with financial hardship. Beyond offering essential assistance to the public, the clinic also plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of skilled bankruptcy attorneys.

“This clinic is a powerful example of our commitment to providing hands-on legal education and training the next generation of lawyers who will address critical needs in our society,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of FSU College of Law. “It’s gratifying to see our students make a direct impact in the community. Our goal is to ensure that each student leaves here not only with a deep understanding of the law, but also with real-world experience that will empower them to succeed in their careers and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”

“This clinic is a powerful example of our commitment to providing hands-on legal education and training the next generation of lawyers who will address critical needs in our society.” – Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor

Under the expert guidance of adjunct professor Michael Markham, a veteran bankruptcy practitioner and FSU Law alumnus, students are given exposure to real-world legal practice. They learn key skills such as client intake, issue identification and case presentation in court. Markham, who has been practicing bankruptcy law since 1988 and currently serves as a Subchapter V Trustee, emphasizes the clinic’s vital role in preparing students for long-term success in the legal field.

“My goal in leading the clinic is two fold: to provide law students with hands-on experience in the actual practice of bankruptcy law, including opportunities for court appearances, and to support individuals in financial distress who cannot afford legal counsel,” said Markham. “I am honored to guide our students as they develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to the community.”

The clinic recently celebrated a significant milestone when third-year law student Britania Whyte became the first student to appear in federal bankruptcy court, successfully arguing a motion. Chief Judge Karen K. Specie, the only bankruptcy judge for the Northern District of Florida and an FSU Law alumna, commended Whyte for her strong presentation, underscoring the exceptional practical training and professional development that the clinic provides to its students.

“Participating in the bankruptcy clinic has been a remarkable opportunity,” said Whyte. “It provides a unique chance to gain hands-on courtroom experience, allowing me to represent clients in hearings and motions. This clinic is an invaluable resource, providing practical exposure to bankruptcy law, as well as honing essential advocacy skills.”

The Bankruptcy Pro Bono Clinic is open to all FSU Law students. For more information about the FSU Bankruptcy Pro Bono Clinic, visit law.fsu.edu.

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The Election Law Center at Florida State University’s College of Law will host a two-day conference marking the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court case Bush v. Gore. This pivotal case, which resolved the contested presidential election in 2000, remains one of the most consequential decisions in American legal history.

The Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, March 1 conference at the FSU College of Law in Auditorium 101 features an accomplished group of speakers. David Boies and Ben Ginsberg, counsel in the case, will provide the keynote address. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are thrilled the Election Law Center has assembled such an esteemed group of speakers, bringing together lawmakers, election administrators, the nation’s leading election law attorneys and prominent election law scholars from across the country,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “This conference offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who played pivotal roles in the case that reshaped American election law.

The Bush v. Gore decision, which occurred after a razor-thin election in which every vote in Florida became a focal point, has remained a popular subject of debate and analysis. The Supreme Court’s ruling stopped a manual recount of ballots in Florida and effectively awarded George W. Bush the presidency.

“The 25th anniversary is the perfect time to reflect on how the Supreme Court’s intervention in the 2000 election reshaped public understanding of the judiciary’s role in resolving election disputes, the legal standards for election recounts and the broader implications for voting rights,” O’Hara O’Connor said.

“The 25th anniversary is the perfect time to reflect on how the Supreme Court’s intervention in the 2000 election reshaped public understanding of the judiciary’s role in resolving election disputes, the legal standards for election recounts and the broader implications for voting rights.” – College of Law Dean Erin O’Hara O’Connor

The event will have panel discussions featuring more than a dozen nationally known election law professors, as well as federal and state judges and key former state and county officials who were involved in the dispute.

There will also be a special gallery during the event showcasing the original U.S. Supreme Court artist sketches, which capture the case’s drama and significance.

For more information, visit law.fsu.edu/electionlaw.

The FSU College of Law Election Law Center
The FSU College of Law Election Law Center provides objective, evidence-based analysis of constitutional, statutory and regulatory issues in election law, working with election administrators, legislators and policymakers at all levels to improve election laws, regulations and procedures. It ensures robust voting opportunities, promotes election integrity and strengthens public confidence in electoral outcomes.

Additionally, it offers unique learning experiences for FSU Law students, serves as a resource for election officials and lawmakers, develops comprehensive election law resources and hosts conferences and training sessions. It aims to position FSU College of Law as a trusted authority on election law and enhance public understanding of the electoral system.

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In honor of National Mentoring Month, the Florida State University College of Law has ramped up efforts in January to strengthen student and alumni connections through mentorship initiatives.

Research shows that having a mentor brings many benefits, like greater job satisfaction and faster career growth, with many saying a mentor helped them succeed.

“We have been working to further enhance our already extensive mentorship programming through the platform FSU Law Connect in order to ensure that all of our students can benefit from having the best possible career mentors,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “For our students, mentorship from seasoned attorneys provides invaluable guidance, offering professional advice, professional identity growth and increased personal connection to the broader legal community.”

Through FSU Law Connect, students gain access to networking opportunities within the FSU Law alumni community in Florida and throughout the U.S. Alumni mentors, in turn, benefit by helping foster the next generation of legal professionals.

FSU Law has a 97% post-graduation success rate of students entering employment or graduate studies. The increased focus on mentorship is part of a broader initiative to cultivate an engaged alumni network and provide students with the support they need to be successful.

“Joining FSU Law Connect is beneficial for both students and alumni,” said Debra Henley, associate dean for Career Services and Professional Development at FSU College of Law. “We continually hear from students how invaluable those connections are to the advancement of their careers. We also want to remind alumni that now is the time to connect with and mentor students.”

Beyond offering career advancement, mentorship also nurtures personal development. Mentors serve as sounding boards for students, helping them navigate academic pressures, refine their professional goals and hone the skills needed to succeed in a competitive field.

Mentees report higher levels of self-confidence and resilience, making them better equipped to handle obstacles in both their studies and their future careers.

“Meeting with alumnus Erika Barger allowed me to experience law school through her eyes,” said FSU College of Law student Kennedi Ray, who partnered with a mentor through FSU Law Connect. “She advised me on the reality of internships and mistakes to avoid so I could have the most positive experience while pursuing my own internships.”

According to the most recent American Bar Association employment data, FSU Law is ranked 6^th in the nation for recent graduate employment. National media outlets, including U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal and Moody’s, have ranked Florida State among the nation’s best law schools in terms of job placement.

For more information, visit law.fsu.edu.

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The Florida State University College of Law will host Mary Robinson — Ireland’s first female president, renowned climate justice advocate and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — as the 2025 speaker for the D’Alemberte & Palmer Lecture in International Human Rights.

Robinson will speak on “The Rule of Law in International Human Rights” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, at FSU Law in Auditorium 101. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are honored to welcome President Robinson to FSU Law,” said Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “I hope our students and the community will tune in to learn from her vast experience in the critical areas of human rights and climate control. We are grateful to Patsy Palmer for making this transformative series possible, which will allow us to bring international speakers to the College of Law to advance the cause of international human rights.”

Robinson is widely regarded as a pioneering leader and one of the world’s most influential advocates for human rights, climate justice and the rule of law. As president of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, she became the country’s first female head of state and reshaped the role of the presidency during a period of profound social, economic and political change.

As United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002, Robinson led efforts to bring global attention to the rights of different populations and worked to strengthen human rights frameworks worldwide. She continues to be a powerful force for justice as Chair of The Elders, a group of independent global leaders founded by former South African President Nelson Mandela, and as a tireless advocate for climate action, gender equality and sustainable development.

In her lecture, Robinson will share her insights on the intersection of climate change and human rights, drawing from her decades of experience as a leader. She will share what has contributed to the erosion of the rule of law and propose solutions for restoring justice, accountability and respect for human rights, both nationally and globally. Robinson will discuss the role of leaders in strengthening governance systems that promote peace, sustainability and human rights.

A graduate of Trinity College Dublin and Harvard Law School, Robinson is a former chancellor of the University of Dublin (Trinity College) and has taught at both Trinity College and Columbia University. She holds honorary doctorates from over 40 prestigious universities and has received numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama, who praised her as “an advocate for the forgotten and the ignored.”

The D’Alemberte & Palmer Lecture in International Human Rights is made possible by Patsy Palmer, Esq., and was established to educate the community about the critical field of international human rights, inspire FSU Law students and contribute to the global discussion on human rights issues. Previous speakers in the lecture series include Ambassador David Scheffer, the first U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues (2024), and former General Counsel of the U.S. Navy Alberto J. Mora (2023). For more information, visit law.fsu.edu/humanrightslecture.

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Florida State University College of Law has been selected as the nation’s third ranked law school for best quality of life and sixth ranked law school for best professors. The college also finished first in the country for greatest resources for women and sixth for greatest resources for minority students.

The rankings were published by the Princeton Review’s Best Law Schools for 2024 list. Data from the rankings includes surveys the publication conducted in 2024 from 168 law school administrators and surveys over the past three academic years from 18,400 students enrolled at the schools.

“We are thrilled to be ranked the nation’s third best law school in terms of student quality of life and sixth best in terms of our professors,” said Dean Erin O’Connor. “Students often tell us that our collegial atmosphere and the quality of our professors are their favorite things about FSU Law, so it is gratifying to be ranked among the nation’s top law schools in those areas. Providing our students with a positive, academically rigorous experience is key to their success in law school and beyond.”

“Students often tell us that our collegial atmosphere and the quality of our professors are their favorite things about FSU Law, so it is gratifying to be ranked among the nation’s top law schools in those areas. Providing our students with a positive, academically rigorous experience is key to their success in law school and beyond.”

– College of Law Dean Erin O’Connor

The quality of life ranking is based on student answers to survey questions about sense of community, whether differing opinions are tolerated in the classroom, school location, quality of social life and research resources.

The best faculty ranking is based on student answers to survey questions concerning the quality of professors as teachers and professor accessibility outside of the classroom.

For more information, visit law.fsu.edu.

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