St. Thomas Law School turns 25

By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

PHOTO COURTESY October 24, 2009 Miami Father Patrick O�Neill, second from right, who founded St. Thomas University's law school 25 years ago, poses with his plaque alongside the law school's dean, Alfredo Garcia, far left, Msgr. Franklyn Casale, president of the university, and Archbishop John C. Favalora, far right. Father O'Neill was recognized during the law school's silver anniversary gala Oct. 24.

MIAMI � Much has happened since the founding of St. Thomas University�s School of Law 25 years ago � all of it good.

The school carved a unique niche for itself with its extensive human rights initiatives, including its Intercultural Human Rights Law Review and highly respected Human Rights Institute.

This year, the school was ranked as the eighth best environment for minority law students by The Princeton Review, and tied for fourth place in U.S. News & World Report�s Law School Diversity Index. Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine also ranked it first in the United States for conferring degrees upon Hispanic students.

�Since its founding, St. Thomas University School of Law has been committed to helping those most in need in our community,� said Dean Alfredo Garcia, the first Cuban to be dean of a U.S. law school. �The incredible effort being undertaken by the Human Rights Institute, and the support of the entire St. Thomas community, including students and alumni who have volunteered their assistance, is a testament to the depth of our concern and commitment to human rights, justice and dignity for all persons.�

At the law school�s anniversary gala Oct. 24, Garcia and the St. Thomas community honored the law school�s founder, Father Patrick O�Neill, for his vision in establishing the first Catholic law school in south Florida. St. Thomas remains one of only two accredited Catholic law schools south of Georgetown University�s School of Law in Washington, D.C.

Father O�Neill was president of St. Thomas from 1980 to 1988 and currently directs the archdiocese�s Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

Other 25th anniversary activities included a continuing legal education seminar featuring Michael Franzese, a member of the Columbo family once dubbed �The Prince of the Mafia�; and the launching of the 2009-2010 Distinguished Speaker Series with a talk by renowned Harvard Professor Jorge I. Dom�nguez on �How to Think About the U.S. Embargo on Cuba�.

On Nov. 6, the law school held its fifth annual Symposium on Immigration Detention in the United States, hosted by The Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. The symposium brought together scholars and immigration experts to discuss their research, findings and experiences in immigration law and human rights policy, especially with a view toward creating safeguards to avoid arbitrary detentions.

For more information on St. Thomas University and its law school, go to www.stu.edu.

COURTESY PHOTO Father Patrick O'Neill, who founded St. Thomas University's law school 25 years ago, receives a plaque of recognition from the law school's dean, Alfredo Garcia, during the anniversary gala Oct. 24. Present at the gala were judges � including some from Florida's Supreme Court � and law school alumni who have become leaders in the legal profession.