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FIU College of Law Professors, trial lawyers H. Scott Fingerhut and H.T. Smith, have been recognized again this year among The Best Lawyers in America.

Combined, the two are noted in three criminal defense categories: White Collar Crime, General Practice, and Best Law Firm.

This is Best Lawyers “historic” 30th edition, a milestone highlighting the top 5% of legal talent in private practice throughout the United States, representative of only 0.4% of those in private practice in America. The 2024 edition is based on more than 13 million lawyer evaluations and recognizes over 65,000 attorneys in 147 practice areas.

Professors Smith and Fingerhut

“H.T. and I are blessed to do our part to propel FIU Law to new and greater heights,” Professor Fingerhut said, “and to cultivate the next generation of legal storytellers. Never before in America has there been a more important time to be excellent at what we do,” he continued. “So to lead our trial lawyers-in-residence, by example, helps to instill the importance of a consistent commitment to excellence, and the right way to win, with our Trial Advocacy Program brand: Passionate Principled Advocacy.”

For three decades now, in 70 countries, Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, earning the respect of the bar, media, and public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere.

Professor Smith is the Founding Director of the FIU Law Trial Advocacy Program and teaches Advanced Trial Advocacy and Trial Advocacy.

Professor Fingerhut serves as Assistant Director of the program and teaches Trial Advocacy, Pretrial Practice, and Criminal Procedure.

The two also lead FIU’s nationally ranked Trial Team.

To find out more about Trial Advocacy and all the program has to offer at FIU Law, visit here or call 305-348-8095.