FIU College of Law dean named among 100 most influential hispanics in U.S.

MIAMI – R. Alexander Acosta, dean of the Florida International University College of Law, has been named one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in the country by Hispanic Business magazine.

This is the second time Acosta, the former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, is listed among the 100 most influential Hispanics.

“I am honored to be listed among such accomplished Hispanic men and women,” Acosta said. “Reflecting South Florida’s diverse population, FIU educates a higher percentage of Hispanic attorneys than any other law school in the nation. Access to quality education changed my life, and I hope that at FIU we can do the same for others.”

Before joining the College of Law in July 2009, Acosta served four years as South Florida’s chief federal prosecutor.  Under Acosta’s leadership, the Southern District prosecuted a wide variety of historic matters, including the prosecutions of Jack Abramoff for fraud, of Jose Padilla for terrorism, of Charles Taylor Jr. for torture, the first torture case of its kind in the U.S., and of Cali Cartel founders Miguel and Gilberto Rodriquez-Orejuela for importation of 200,000 kilos of cocaine, which resulted in a $2.1 billion forfeiture.

Acosta has received several professional recognitions, including the American Bar Association’s Council on Legal Education’s Legacy Award for efforts on diversity; the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s Excellence in Government Award and the D.C. Hispanic Bar Association’s Hugh A. Johnson Jr. Memorial Award.

For further information and to view Hispanic Business’ complete list, click here.

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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.

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, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. 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.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.