Please rank Florida Law Schools for me. Forum

[orm518]

he packed his shades for sunny Florida.

I take it back if he's got like congenital blindness or something....

[TOMaHULK]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

So you're a graduating law student? Are the rankings you give about fairly common views among others you know? As far as you can say...?

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

So you're a graduating law student? Are the rankings you give about fairly common views among others you know? As far as you can say...?

1. 1L

2. I don't know many people who are looking in the Florida market, since i'm at school in Georgia, and the ones I do know don't really have a knowledgeable view of the Florida hiring market.

3. I honestly think those are correct rankings, with obviously a value statement put on each of the tiers. Mistergoft and Rad Law two other posters on this site who have a good idea what the Florida market is like right now, and I think they would agree with me, but who knows.

4. If you're an FSU UG, E.J and company are going to absolutely tear it up. I'm thinking 10-2 this year and a BCS bowl win.

[TOMaHULK]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

So you're a graduating law student? Are the rankings you give about fairly common views among others you know? As far as you can say...?

1. 1L

2. I don't know many people who are looking in the Florida market, since i'm at school in Georgia, and the ones I do know don't really have a knowledgeable view of the Florida hiring market.

3. I honestly think those are correct rankings, with obviously a value statement put on each of the tiers. Mistergoft and Rad Law two other posters on this site who have a good idea what the Florida market is like right now, and I think they would agree with me, but who knows.

4. If you're an FSU UG, E.J and company are going to absolutely tear it up. I'm thinking 10-2 this year and a BCS bowl win.

I'm a USF Grad. But I'm also a FSU ticket season holder. Yes SRS. Looking forward to solid season. We've paid our dues and it's time.

[EricBerry]

I'm a USF Grad. But I'm also a FSU ticket season holder.

Jenn Sterger? Is that you??

[Fred_McGriff]

1. UF
2. FSU / Miami depending on North / South Florida distinction
3. Stetson for Tampa St. Pete
4. All the others

[CanadianWolf]

Florida & FSU are probably the top two law schools in the state. Stetson & Miami seem to be tied. Does one place notably better than the other ? Or is it that Miami places well in South Florida whereas Stetson does well in the Tampa Bay area ?

[Aberzombie1892]

Not taking into account tuition costs and only taking into account placement:

1. U Florida/U Miami
3. Florida State U
4. Stetson
5. Florida Coastal/Florida International
7. Barry/St Thomas/Nova Southeastern
10.Florida A & M
11.Ave Maria

[TOMaHULK]

I'm a USF Grad. But I'm also a FSU ticket season holder.

Jenn Sterger? Is that you??

Jenn's busy with the Favre attorneys...

Non of whom went to a FL school.

[Cupidity]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

Yes, there are about a half-dozen corporate firms that are 100+

Akerman
Foley Lardner
Baker Hostetler
Carlton Fields
Holland and Kinght

and my personal favorite,

lowndes, Drosnick, Doster, Kantor & Reed

There is also a thriving large-scale shit-law scene. nearly fifteen 50+ firms that do auto-accidents and wrongful termination suits.

[Cupidity]

Not taking into account tuition costs and only taking into account placement:

1. U Florida/U Miami

No.

[TOMaHULK]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

Yes, there are about a half-dozen corporate firms that are 100+

Akerman
Foley Lardner
Baker Hostetler
Carlton Fields
Holland and Kinght

and my personal favorite,

Lowndes, Drosnick, Doster, Kantor & Reed

There is also a thriving large-scale shit-law scene. nearly fifteen 50+ firms that do auto-accidents and wrongful termination suits.

I think these would be called boutique firms...no?

[Aberzombie1892]

Not taking into account tuition costs and only taking into account placement:

1. U Florida/U Miami

No.

The 2005 placement chart had them at peers and there is no indication anywhere that things have changed. Not in the 2009/2010/2011 placement charts, not in the federal clerkship data, nowhere. Granted it is likely that U Florida dominates the state with the exception of Miami, due to U Miami. If this is true, I still stand by my ranking because Miami is the most desirable job market in Florida.

I do agree that U Miami tuition costs make it less desirable than U Florida. But that doesn't change what the data shows.

[TOMaHULK]

Not taking into account tuition costs and only taking into account placement:

1. U Florida/U Miami

No.

The 2005 placement chart had them at peers and there is no indication anywhere that things have changed. Not in the 2009/2010/2011 placement charts, not in the federal clerkship data, nowhere. Granted it is likely that U Florida dominates the state with the exception of Miami, due to U Miami. If this is true, I still stand by my ranking because Miami is the most desirable job market in Florida.

I do agree that U Miami tuition costs make it less desirable than U Florida. But that doesn't change what the data shows.

May I ask why Florida Coastal comes about Stetson? Just curious, no debate attempt.

[CP2323]

I would disagree with Miami being the most desirable market.

Tampa gives you access to a large market and is close to Orlando as well. Plus cost of living is significantly lower then Miami.

[nodummy]

UMiami (Because it has a better reputation with big firms around the country.)
UF (Only thing going: cheaper than UMiami.)
FSU (Regional)
Stetson (Regional)
The rest...

Miami places a lot of grads in top markets outside of South Florida. It has a bad reputation on TLS and other law blogs/forums that are primarily written/commented on by angry morons who won't make it with or without a law degree. These people, for the most part, are unhappy with expensive law schools in general, and UMiami is expensive compared to similarly ranked schools. That said, it's what you make of it that matters and UMiami will open more doors than most people on here think.

(Not trolling, just telling you what I've learned from speaking with people currently practicing, who don't have time for blogging.)

[Fred_McGriff]

At least in terms of lay prestige, I know a lot of successful people who went to the U for undergrad, business, and law school.

[FeelTheHeat]

If you have to put that you aren't trolling at the end of your message, yeah, you're trolling. Tell the rest of the adcoms I said hi, though. Your office was very nice on the phone the other day.

[nodummy]

If you have to put that you aren't trolling at the end of your message, yeah, you're trolling. Tell the rest of the adcoms I said hi, though. Your office was very nice on the phone the other day.

Read my other posts dating back 1.5 years...

I said it because people like you immediately discount your opinion as "trolling" if it goes against common TLS knowledge.

[FeelTheHeat]

Give me any factual basis for your claims about Miami and I will gladly change my stance.

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

Yes, there are about a half-dozen corporate firms that are 100+

Akerman
Foley Lardner
Baker Hostetler
Carlton Fields
Holland and Kinght

and my personal favorite,

Lowndes, Drosnick, Doster, Kantor & Reed

There is also a thriving large-scale shit-law scene. nearly fifteen 50+ firms that do auto-accidents and wrongful termination suits.

GreyRobinson?
Broad and Cassel?

Those are the two 150+ firms that are actually headquartered in Orlando, also, there are a decent number of midsized (30-40 person) firms in Orlando that do not-shitlaw work. and then there's the great powerhouse- Morgan & Morgan: for the people.

[CP2323]

If this was 30 years ago I would say Miami would have better lay prestige around the country. Today though University of Florida is a much better respected school. It is also higher ranked. You have better access going to UF.

I would say FSU if you were looking to go into Government work due to the location.

[TOMaHULK]

Mickey-

Is there any semblance of a legal market in Orlando? I'll be heading to FSU this fall and while I love south Florida, I've always enjoyed my time in Otown.

Haha, I'll be able to tell you a lot more clearly in about 5 months after I OCI, because that's the main place i'm trying to hit. But there is definitely a semblance of a legal market. There are about a 10ish "biglaw" offices in Orlando, and after the crash they went from hiring 10-12 SA's a year to 3-4. There are also a good handful of midlaw firms in the area. But it's going to be near impossible without good grades and significant contacts to the area (it's a small enough city that contacts do tend to matter).

Yes, there are about a half-dozen corporate firms that are 100+

Akerman
Foley Lardner
Baker Hostetler
Carlton Fields
Holland and Kinght

and my personal favorite,

Lowndes, Drosnick, Doster, Kantor & Reed

There is also a thriving large-scale shit-law scene. nearly fifteen 50+ firms that do auto-accidents and wrongful termination suits.

GreyRobinson?
Broad and Cassel?

Those are the two 150+ firms that are actually headquartered in Orlando, also, there are a decent number of midsized (30-40 person) firms in Orlando that do not-shitlaw work. and then there's the great powerhouse- Morgan & Morgan: for the people.

Morgan and Morgan is in Tampa.

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

UMiami (Because it has a better reputation with big firms around the country.)
UF (Only thing going: cheaper than UMiami.)
FSU (Regional)
Stetson (Regional)
The rest...

Miami places a lot of grads in top markets outside of South Florida. It has a bad reputation on TLS and other law blogs/forums that are primarily written/commented on by angry morons who won't make it with or without a law degree. These people, for the most part, are unhappy with expensive law schools in general, and UMiami is expensive compared to similarly ranked schools. That said, it's what you make of it that matters and UMiami will open more doors than most people on here think.

(Not trolling, just telling you what I've learned from speaking with people currently practicing, who don't have time for blogging.)

Aww, that's cute.

[Mickey Quicknumbers]

Morgan and Morgan is in Tampa.

They've expanded to Tampa, but they're from Orlando.