American Bar Association Concludes Site Visit at FAMU College of Law

A seven-member team of legal and education experts concluded their visit at Florida A&M University, College’s of Law on Wednesday, October 31, as part of an accreditation site evaluation by the American Bar Association (ABA).

During the four-day visit, the ABA Site Evaluation team met with students, faculty, staff and administrators from the law school, as well as law school alumni and community supporters. In addition, the team met with University officials, including the president, provost, legal counsel and chief financial officer. The team reviewed the law school’s programs and its progress toward compliance with each of the ABA’s Standards for Approval of Law Schools.

The Site Evaluation team was complimentary of the progress made by the law school.

“We are committed to ensuring that the FAMU College of Law becomes fully accredited,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We must ensure that the College of Law continues its mission of producing excellent legal professionals for the state of Florida and the nation.”

The ABA evaluation was the full site visit while the College of Law is in its provisional status and before it will make its application for full accreditation. The ABA granted the FAMU College of Law provisional approval in August 2004.

According to the ABA, a law school that is provisionally approved is entitled to all the rights of a fully approved law school. Similarly, graduates are entitled to the same recognition afforded graduates of fully approved schools.

The team will compile a report to be submitted to the Accreditation Committee and Council that will outline other issues for the school to take under consideration as it pursues full accreditation status. The report will be shared with the University and the law school in 2008.