Alumni Profile: Rosann Spiegel ’05

Rosann Spiegel

First law school graduate fulfills dream of becoming attorney

Simply stated: “I wanted a new challenge.”

This is how Rosann Spiegel, FIU's first law school graduate to pass the bar exam, describes her recent career move.

One of 53 students in FIU's 2005 inaugural law class, Spiegel accelerated through the program finishing a semester ahead of her classmates. In February, she passed the bar exam on her first try. Less than a week later, she became an assistant public defender for Miami-Dade County .

Spiegel is 45, and after a 25-year nursing career, she decided to go back to school and become an attorney. “It takes a lot of commitment and perseverance, and she has both,” said Leonard P. Strickman, dean and professor of the law school.

In order to attend law school, Spiegel completed her bachelor's in nursing at FIU. She took the LSAT exam, applied to the University of Florida 's law school and was accepted.

“My grandfather was a lawyer and even though I became a nurse, it is something I always wanted,” said Spiegel.

Relocating to attend UF did not fit well for Spiegel. Recently married and originally from Pittsburgh , Spiegel lived in Palm Beach and had moved to Miami in 1998. In a legal writing course she took as an elective, Spiegel sat through a few lectures by future law school professors and Dean Strickman. Their professionalism influenced her decision to choose FIU.

“I have to say, hearing Dean Strickman speak is what convinced me,” said Spiegel. Staying close to home was also an incentive. “I didn't know what to expect but now I'm impressed.”

After taking a huge risk, Spiegel says she is pleased with the decision she made.

During her time in law school, Spiegel was a participant of the Wechsler National First Amendment Moot Court Competition, became the first Student Bar Association president and was a Dean Scholar, earning a merit-based full tuition grant. But it was at a mock trial that served as the final exam for professor H.T. Smith's trial practice course in which Spiegel decided she wanted to a become a trial lawyer.

“The Public Defender's Office is known for having excellent trials and representation of clients. Hopefully I'll improve my trial skills and learn the law and how I can help my clients,” said Spiegel, who works in the Domestic Representation Unit.

-- Adriana Pereira

| back |