FIU hosts Third District Court of Appeal

Florida’s Gay Adoption Ban Among First Cases Heard

MIAMI – The Florida International University College of Law has become temporary home to the Third District Court of Appeal through November 2009 as their main courtroom in southwest Miami-Dade County undergoes renovations.

Two cases have already been heard that have generated considerable community interest: a case related to Florida’s ban on gay adoption and a case related to the Marlins stadium.

The three-judge panel will hear about 90 cases, consisting of civil and criminal matters, in room 1000 of Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our law students to watch, and to learn from, some of our state’s most talented attorneys and judges,” said FIU College of Law Dean R. Alexander Acosta. “We are honored to be the temporary home of the Third District Court of Appeal for the next two months and we will take full advantage of their presence as an educational tool for the future lawyers and judges that attend our law school.”

Cases will be heard typically on Mondays and Tuesdays of each week, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and concluding between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., depending on caseload. To view a copy of the calendar, visit the court’s website (www.3dca.flcourts.org).

The proceedings are open to the public but seating will be limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Media interested in covering any of the court’s cases, including Wednesday’s, must call the Marshal of the Third District Court of Appeal, Dotty Munro, at 305-229-3200 ext. 3237.

Media parking also will be available this Wednesday between 7:30 a.m. and noon. The College of Law building is located on the west side of campus across from the U.S Century Bank Arena, 11200 SW 8 Street in west Miami-Dade County.

Media contact: Jean Paul Renaud, 305-348-2716

-FIU-

About FIU College of Law:
The Florida International University College of Law meets an important need in the community by providing a quality, affordable legal education for South Florida residents. The student body, while principally from South Florida, is diverse in racial, ethnic, and professional background.  FIU College of Law graduates have passed the Florida Bar Exam at rates exceeding the statewide pass rate.  At the most recent examination, in February 2009, FIU graduates passed the bar at the highest rate when compared to graduates from all law schools in the state of Florida.

About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University” and now qualifies as a “Very High Research University”.  In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in August 2009. FIU’s College of Law received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.