Cole McLellan

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Attending law school and becoming an attorney has been a life goal of mine since I was a kid. As a Florida State alumnus, my great undergraduate experience put FSU at the top of my list for law school. The fact that it is now tied for the top-ranked law school in Florida certainly helped as well. Further, my supportive peers, the brilliant faculty, and its capital city location makes FSU Law standout above others.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

The vast majority of my work in 2025 has been focused on high-level legal research and writing, primarily through my roles as a Gubernatorial Fellow, my research assistantship, and my summer associate position at a litigation firm. As a FSU Law research assistant, I'm currently involved in the beginning stages of my professor's new law review article. My assistantship offers me the unique opportunity to help shape the analysis from the ground up. This past summer, I worked at Hand Arendall Harrison Sale in Panama City, where I authored numerous motions, interrogatories, civil complaints, notices, municipal code analyses, and other legal documents. As a Florida Gubernatorial Fellow, I am splitting my fellowship between FDLE's Cyber Division and its Office of General Counsel. In my Cyber Division position, I write intelligence briefs, products, and policy memos for FDLE members and the broader law enforcement community. This split framework provides me the perfect balance, combining my undergraduate background in cyber criminology with my future career in IP and privacy law.

Career aspirations

Upon admission to the Florida bar, I plan to practice patent law, with a particular interest in either patent litigation or serving as in-house counsel within a government agency.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

It's important to establish a disciplined schedule early on each semester that prioritizes school, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, and regular exercise. Beyond grades, focus on building a strong support system by creating genuine relationships with other students and professors who can offer guidance and support. Maintaining a high undergraduate GPA is also important for admission purposes. Lastly, don't forget to call your mom, she misses you!

Accomplishments during graduate career

Several personal accomplishments stand out: my selection for the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program, my research at FDLE focused on protecting Florida's children, and serving on the executive board of the business law journal within our school's A+-ranked business law program. I am also proud that since my class was admitted, our law school has jumped ten spots in the national rankings. The Gubernatorial Fellowship is especially meaningful because it is such a prestigious honor, and being selected was concrete validation of my hard work and commitment.