In this new season of Serious About Law, Dean Merritt McAlister is joined by Dean Sabrina Lopez, Senior Associate Dean for Students. Together, they discuss the evolving landscape of legal education and what it truly means to build a student-centered law school experience.

Dean Lopez shares her vision for UF Law’s innovative "One Student Support Team" initiative—a holistic framework integrating Academic Affairs, Student Wellness, Career Services, and Bar Prep into a seamless support network for students from 1L orientation to post-graduation bar passage. Drawing on her unique background as a former K-12 teacher, Greenberg Traurig real estate attorney, and law professor, Dean Lopez highlights the strategies that led to record bar exam pass rates year after year.

Whether you're an incoming 1L, a current student, or part of our global alumni network, this conversation offers actionable advice on navigating law school and the legal profession, and the profound impact student support can make during your time at law school.

In this candid and inspiring conversation about growth, grit, and Gator pride, Dean Merritt McAlister chats with Emma Towler, now a UF Law alumna and proud “double Gator.” They discuss Emma’s journey from UF undergrad mascot to law student and future litigator at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York.

Emma reflects on her deep connection to UF, balancing academics with involvement, and the supportive Gator community that shaped her experience. She also shares advice for future law students and insights from unique programs like the Inside Out clinic.

In this episode of Serious About Law, Dean Merritt McAlister sits down with UF Law mental health counselor Ritzy Ettinger for a conversation about wellness, resilience, and the realities of law school. Ritzy shares her journey from Honduras to becoming a counselor and advocate for students in Florida, reflecting on how her own experiences shaped her passion for helping others and supporting students through the challenges of legal education.

The conversation explores the pressures law students face — from cold calls and finals to imposter syndrome and the increasingly competitive job search process — while offering practical strategies for managing stress, regulating anxiety, and maintaining balance. Dean McAlister and Ritzy also discuss the importance of creating a supportive law school environment where students feel comfortable asking for help and are reminded that they earned their seat at the table.

Throughout the episode, the two highlight UF Law’s culture of care, collaboration, and community, emphasizing how mentorship, connection, and wellness support can help students thrive both during law school and throughout their legal careers.