Barry Law School celebrates 10th anniversary

It has been 10 years since the Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law opened its doors in Orlando. To commemorate a decade of educating and equipping the lawyers of tomorrow, the school celebrated its 10th anniversary Nov. 20 at its Orlando campus. More than 300 faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters of the Law School attended the event, including Bishop Thomas Wenski of the Diocese of Orlando who delivered remarks as well as the opening prayer.

During the anniversary celebration, Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin, OP, PhD, former president and now chancellor of Barry University, was honored for her visionary leadership in getting the school started in 1999 and receiving provisional ABA accreditation in 2002. She, along with Barry University President Sister Linda Bevilacqua, OP, PhD, and then Executive Vice President Sister Peg Albert, were instrumental in helping the school receive full accreditation in 2006.

Orlando attorney Joel H. Sharp was honored with the inaugural “Joel H. Sharp Chief Advocate Award.” Sharp, an attorney with the Orlando office of Baker & Hostetler, LLP and longtime leader in the Orlando community, became involved with the law school at its beginning and played a crucial role in helping the school through its transition from the Orlando School of Law to Barry. Additionally, in recognition of its 10th anniversary, Barry Law School established the Charles Modica Mentor Award. A symbol of gratitude to Modica for his mentorship and counsel to the Law School and his efforts on behalf of students, the award will be given each May to a graduating student who has demonstrated care and compassion by sharing time and expertise with other students.

Also honored were all alumni who graduated from Barry Law School in or before 2002. The celebration featured the unveiling of the new Alumni Pioneer Garden, placed permanently at the entry of the Law School, which contains the names of those former students whose faith and loyalty made the Barry University School of Law a reality. These students, who believed in Barry before provisional accreditation was granted, rose to an incredible challenge and became the centerpiece of the school’s history. These “pioneers” have their name on a brick in the garden.

“None of these things would exist had it not been for the key individuals who believed in Barry from the start and who gave their time and talent to make the hope of an Orlando law school a reality. I make it a priority each day to recall the efforts of those who made this possible, and to honor them with everything I do,” said Barry Law School Dean Leticia Diaz. “As we prepare to steward the Law school through its next decade, we again look to our students, alumni, and community supporters to be the heart of our development.”

Today, Barry Law School is thriving thanks to the dedication of its faculty, staff, students and alumni. A small faculty of only 11 has grown to a robust 32. Enrollment has more than doubled to 753, the majority of which are full time students. Class offerings have increased from 58 in 1999 to 165 today. The school is home to national championship trial and team and moot court teams, three thriving and nationally recognized clinical programs, two centers for study and advocacy, and award-winning student programs.