Levin College of Law in Florida Law Schools
📚 Levin College of Law – Overview
Location: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Established: 1909
Type: Public law school
Accreditation: ABA-accredited
Degrees Offered: JD, LLM, Master’s programs, Joint degrees (JD/MBA, JD/MPH, etc.)
Levin College of Law is widely respected for its rigorous academics, strong faculty, and diverse clinical and experiential programs.
Internal Academic Structure & Policies
1. Curriculum
1L Core Courses: Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Property, Legal Research & Writing
Upper-level Electives: Intellectual Property, Environmental Law, Health Law, Constitutional Law, Trial Advocacy, etc.
Clinics and Externships: Multiple practice-based learning experiences that allow students to work on real cases under supervision.
2. Academic Performance & Progression
Students must maintain a minimum GPA to remain in good standing.
The College has a formal Academic Review Committee that reviews student progress, probation, and dismissal.
The school also supports students through academic counseling and remediation programs.
Internal Legal Framework
Honor Code and Student Conduct
Levin College of Law enforces a strict Honor Code governing academic integrity, professional conduct, and ethical behavior. Violations such as cheating, plagiarism, or misrepresentation are addressed by an Honor Court or disciplinary panel.
Processes:
Allegations submitted confidentially
Investigation and hearing
Right to counsel and to present evidence
Sanctions range from warnings to suspension or expulsion
Hypothetical Internal Case Law Examples
To illustrate how Levin College of Law’s internal policies might be applied through internal “case law,” here are some constructed examples:
⚖️ Case #1: Student on Academic Probation Appeals
Facts:
Student E was placed on academic probation after a semester GPA below 2.5. Student E argues that personal health issues affected performance and seeks removal from probation.
Internal Rule:
Students may appeal academic probation within 14 days, submitting medical documentation.
Outcome:
The Academic Review Committee reviews the appeal and grants probation removal with a requirement for regular meetings with an academic advisor.
Principle:
The school’s academic policies incorporate procedural fairness and accommodations for extenuating circumstances.
⚖️ Case #2: Honor Code Violation for Unauthorized Collaboration
Facts:
Student F was accused of collaborating on an individual take-home exam without authorization.
Process:
An Honor Court hearing was convened, with Student F given the chance to respond and submit evidence.
Ruling:
The Honor Court found a violation of the Honor Code and imposed a grade reduction and mandatory ethics training.
⚖️ Case #3: Clinic Admission Dispute
Facts:
Student G applied for the Family Law Clinic but was denied admission based on limited seats and selection criteria emphasizing prior experience and motivation statements.
Internal Policy:
Clinic admissions must be transparent and based on merit and interest.
Resolution:
After Student G’s grievance, the clinic revised its application to include clearer selection criteria and introduced feedback letters for unsuccessful applicants.
Governance & Student Rights
The Dean’s Office, Faculty Committees, and Student Bar Association oversee policy creation, student welfare, and dispute resolution.
Students have formal appeal rights for academic decisions.
Disciplinary and grievance procedures are documented in the Student Handbook and the Honor Code.
Summary
Levin College of Law functions with a robust internal legal system centered on:
Academic Standards: Maintaining performance with clear probation and dismissal procedures
Honor Code: Enforcing academic and professional integrity through hearings and sanctions
Clinical Programs: Fair, transparent admissions and grievance handling
Student Governance: Opportunities for appeal and involvement in policy formation
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