Ben Fernandez Obituary, GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida Levin College of Law community is mourning the loss of Professor Ben Fernandez, a respected educator, attorney, and mentor whose passing has left colleagues, students, alumni, and members of the legal profession grieving.
Fernandez served as a Master Lecturer and Master Legal Skills Professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. During his time at the law school, he taught Legal Drafting (Contract Drafting), Legal Writing, and Legal Writing II – Persuasive Writing, helping students develop the research, analytical, writing, and advocacy skills required in the legal profession.
His teaching career extended beyond the University of Florida. Before joining the Levin College of Law faculty, Fernandez taught at Florida Coastal School of Law, where he instructed students in Legal Methods, Legal Research and Objective Writing, Lawyering Process for Litigation Practice, and Transactional Drafting. He also served as an adjunct professor at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston and taught Business Law at Cape Cod Community College.
Fernandez also had more than 25 years of legal experience outside academia. His practice included representing financial institutions, government housing finance agencies, nonprofit organizations, homebuyers, sellers, and other clients in commercial and residential real estate matters. His work included mortgage loan closings, affordable housing finance transactions, and residential real estate development projects.
For a decade, Fernandez operated his own law practice in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Before establishing his private practice, he spent 15 years practicing law in Boston, including work as in-house counsel for a state-sponsored affordable housing finance agency, management of the business department of a prominent minority-owned law firm, and positions as an associate at two major Boston law firms.
Throughout his career, Fernandez combined practical legal experience with legal education and mentorship. His work as an educator gave students an opportunity to learn from an attorney with extensive experience in transactional law and legal writing, while his professional background informed the instruction and guidance he provided to aspiring lawyers.
The University of Florida law community is remembering Fernandez for his commitment to students and his dedication to legal education. His influence extended beyond individual courses through the guidance and professional preparation he provided to students pursuing careers in law.
The circumstances surrounding the accident that claimed his life have added to the grief surrounding his passing. Details about the accident, including its specific circumstances, were not provided in the available information.
As the University of Florida Levin College of Law community remembers Professor Ben Fernandez, his career as an educator, attorney, and mentor remains an important part of his legacy. Condolences are extended to his family, friends, colleagues, former students, and all who were touched by his work.
