UF College of Law ranks in top 10 for Hispanic students

September 9, 2009

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Levin College of Law has again been named one of the top 10 law schools for Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine. This marks the seventh time in nine years that the college has earned this distinction for its recruitment, retention and quality education of Hispanic students. The assessment ranked UF Law eighth overall, and fifth among U.S. public schools.

Berta Hernandez-Truyol, UF Levin Mabie and Levin professor of law and one of four tenured Hispanic faculty, said UF Law provides Hispanic students with a quality education and unique opportunities to become involved in active Hispanic organizations and programs.

“The UF College of Law has a robust and diverse Latina/o faculty producing cutting edge legal scholarship, Latina/o administrators, active Latina/o student organizations, and a sizable and diverse Latina/o student population that adds excitement to the law school community,” Hernandez-Truyol said. “We also teach numerous courses that focus on the interests of Latinas/os in the U.S. and abroad, including programs in Costa Rica and Brazil, and contacts with major universities throughout Latin America.”

Alfredo Zamora, a third year UF law student and president of the Hispanic Latino/a Law Student Association (HLLSA) said UF Law’s top 10 ranking validates the school’s reputation of recruiting, supporting and mentoring Hispanic law students.

“UF Law is an excellent school for Hispanics to begin their legal training because of the support system offered to minority students,” Zamora said. “The law school offers a minority orientation day, a diversity dinner at the dean’s house, and excellent school resources. Students also have an opportunity to become involved in a variety of Hispanic organizations, including HLLSA, the Spanish American Law Student Association (SALSA), and the International Law Society (ILS).”

Stephen Zack, a UF Law alumnus whose achievements include being a founding member of the Cuban-American Bar Association (CABA) and serving as the first Hispanic-American president of The Florida Bar and president-elect of the American Bar Association (ABA), said that UF welcomes Hispanic students and offers them an opportunity to excel in academia and in every aspect of campus life.

“My undergraduate and law school experience at the University of Florida has been the foundation for my career, as well as for my personal life,” Zack said. “UF Law has a lot to offer Hispanic students.”