Reinventing Howard's Law School - Alice Gresham Bullock, Dean

Black Issues in Higher Education, April 12, 2001 by Gwendolyn Glenn

It is too early to identify which law schools FAMU will compete with at this time. As the law school establishes its identity in the years ahead, it will be possible to determine which law schools we are competing with for students.

BI: Do you see any particular challenges facing Black law students today? For example, Howard is working on trying to increase the bar passage rate of its students.

LUNEY: The bar passage rate has always been a concern for African American and other minority students. This is true whether they attend historically Black or White law schools. For example, African Americans taking the law school admission test have a lower median score than White test takers. In general, one day of each state's bar examination consists of a standardized test and African American students as a group have not fared as well on this test as their White counterparts.

BI: What challenges do you see facing today's new Black attorneys when they begin practicing, especially given such is, sues as youth violence and racial profiling?

LUNEY: The challenge for new Black attorneys is to be able to graduate from law school and then be able to afford to open up a private practice in the Black community or be able to afford to work for the lower starting salary of a law finn in the Black community. Black law students generally start law school with less financial resources than their White counterparts. Many have significant debt from student loans from undergraduate school. No law student can afford to open a law practice in any community with significant student loan debt. Most new law students who have borrowed money for undergraduate school and law school are facing debt repayment of from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on whether they went to a public or private law school.

BI: Will the law school offer any unique services, such as dispute resolution clinics or other community services?

LUNEY: FAMU law school will have a very strong clinical program designed to meet the legal needs of the Orlando community. Mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution will be emphasized.

BI: Do you envision the law school having a particular niche or specialty?

LUNEY: It is too early to discuss a niche or specialty for this law school. At this point in time, our primary goal will be accreditation. After accreditation, the law school faculty can then decide how to allocate resources to develop a niche or specialty. Given the area of Orlando, one such specialty might be areas of law associated with hospitality and tourism.

BI: How will the FAMU law school market itself?

LUNEY: The initial focus of our marketing efforts will be residents of central Florida and FAMU students and alumni. At the same time, we shall also reach out to students at all colleges and universities in the state of Florida.

BI: How will you handle the fact that you are coming to FAMU when the president and provost are both leaving, and the university's leadership is in question?

LUNEY: I look forward to working with the current president and provost, and the new president and provost. I am a team player and will function accordingly in the new administration.