PUBLIC INTEREST RESOURCE CENTER MIAMI SCHOLARS PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAM
“The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program represents dedicated and extraordinary students at Miami Law. Their passion for justice, intellectual curiosity and motivation drives them to effectuate change in agencies and communities near and far.� ~Marni Lennon, Esq.
Assistant Dean for Public Interest and Pro Bono Director, HOPE Public Interest Resource Center Lecturer in Law
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
MIAMI SCHOLARS PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAM Established in 1997, the Miami Scholars Public Interest Program brings exceptional students with a passion for public service and social justice to the University of Miami School of Law. Miami Scholars are selected based on their outstanding academic credentials and demonstrated commitment to public service and advocacy. The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program offers its students exclusive opportunities for legal advocacy training and advising from the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center team of attorneys, including individualized curriculum advising and career planning assistance. Miami Scholars receive mentoring by upper-class Scholars and public interest and pro bono attorneys. Miami Scholars are awarded an annual scholarship and are provided with a stipend for public interest work that is performed during their first or second year summer. Tuition awards are automatically renewed if the scholar remains in good standing.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2015
LINDSAY ADKIN
Lindsay Adkin is a Miami Scholar who is passionate about incorporating public service into her time at law school as well as into her legal career. As an undergraduate, Lindsay spent much of her time working with the immigrant community. She taught English to Spanish-speakers as well as interned at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County to submit VAWA and U-Visa applications on behalf of her clients. As a 2L, Lindsay continued her commitment to the immigrant community as an intern in the Immigration Clinic. She is serving as a fellow in the Immigration Clinic during her 3L year. During the summer of 2013, Lindsay interned for U.S. Magistrate Judge Dave Lee Brannon in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. During her 2L summer she worked for a law firm in West Palm Beach, FL. Additionally, Lindsay serves as an Admissions Ambassador, the Chair of the Public Interest Leadership Board, and the Symposium Editor for the University of Miami Law Review.
NEJLA CALVO
Nejla Calvo graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Political Science. At Miami Law, she is a Miami Scholar, a legal intern with the Historic Black Church Program's Civil Rights Project, research assistant to Professor Jennifer Hill, member of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board, staff editor on the Race and Social Justice Law Review and President of the Society of Bar & Gavel. During her 1L summer, Nejla was a legal intern at Florida Justice Institute, a nonprofit civil rights firm dedicated to improving the administration of justice for all Floridians in cases dealing with prisoner's rights, housing, and disability discrimination. During her 2L summer, Nejla served as a HOPE Fellow and an Ella Baker Fellow with the Community Justice Project of Florida Legal Services, which provides legal support to grassroots community organizations in Miami's low-income communities, working on local campaigns to: resist anti-immigrant legislation; pass local "wage theft" ordinances; preserve low-income mobile home parks; confront "slumlords" in low-income housing; and improve working conditions for taxi-drivers.
KATHERINE (KATIE) CLEMENTE
Katie Clemente is a Brooklyn native and graduated from New York University in 2010. After a brief stint in the media industry, Katie worked as a Legal Assistant for the ACLU Women’s Rights Project from 2010 to 2012. There, she crafted a “Know-YourRights” campaign for middle and high school students dealing with gender-based violence and harassment. At Miami Law, Katie is a Miami Scholar and Senior Notes & Comments Editor for the University of Miami Law Review. Katie has also served as a Legal Intern/Student Attorney for the Human Rights Clinic, where she received a CALI Award, and President of the Student Organization for Human Rights. During her 1L summer, she interned for the Honorable Jose E. Martinez at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Following her 2L year, Katie was a Summer Associate at Greenberg Traurig, where she worked on various litigation, appellate, and pro bono matters.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2015
TREY DAHL
As both a Division 1 NCAA baseball player and an Honors College Scholar at the University of South Florida, Trey brought a wide-range of accomplishments to the Miami Scholars program. His work experience at Marshall Thomas Burnett Law Firm, where he assisted lawyers and paralegals in compiling, organizing, and drafting case files, helped him gain an insider’s view of the litigation process. Additionally, it allowed him to hone in on his desire to spend his time at Miami Law working towards a career that benefits those less privileged. In pursuing a legal education, Trey has focused on addressing the inequalities and exploitative institutions that do not represent people, especially minorities, fairly. While at Miami Law, Trey has served as a HOPE Fellow in Bolivia, working on environmental policy issues, and he took part in the Environmental Justice Project through the Center for Ethics and Public Service. He is also active with the Insightful Mind Initiative, dedicated to bringing mindfulness to legal education and practice.
JENNA FELDMAN
Throughout her undergraduate experience at Tulane University, Jenna Feldman focused on graduating in three years so that she could work to effect positive social change in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. After graduating cum laude with a B.S. in Public Health and a minor in Spanish, she participated in Teach for America, where she served as a lead teacher for 20 low-income prekindergarten students. During college, Jenna also held a summer internship at a small nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., where she advocated for childhood obesity prevention and urban food justice. At Miami Law, Jenna has continued to pursue her interest in health care law, serving on the executive board of the Health Law Association and participating as both a legal intern and clinical fellow in the Health Rights Clinic. Jenna is Communications & Outreach Editor for the University of Miami Law Review and a member of Bar and Gavel. She has also worked as a Writing Dean's Fellow and as a research assistant for Professor Marc Fajer and has volunteered with Books & Buddies and HOPE Day of Service. During her 1L summer, she served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Jonathan Goodman in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. During her 2L summer, she worked with DLA Piper's healthcare transactional group in Miami, where she gained skills to help her become a stronger legal advocate and future practitioner. In addition to working on assignments for the healthcare group, Jenna worked on a number of pro bono projects, including helping to represent abandoned and neglected undocumented immigrant children and analyzing the constitutionality of Florida's felony disenfranchisement laws for the ADL. She looks forward to joining the firm as a first-year associate next fall.
ERIN FITZGERALD
Graduating magna cum laude from New York University with a degree in Childhood and Special Education and a minor in Sociology at New York University, Erin Fitzgerald worked New York Public Schools. Teaching children of all learning capacities, Erin’s motivation to attend law school stemmed from seeing that all students have an equal opportunity to learn. After her 1L year, Erin spent the summer at Steptoe & Johnson LLP in NYC
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2015 gaining legal research and writing skills. During her 2L year, Erin was a Legal Intern at the University of Miami Investor Rights Clinic where she provided pro bono legal representation to investors in disputes with their brokers before FINRA. She also served as Legal Intern in the Special Prosecutions Criminal Division at the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. During her 2L summer, Erin was a Summer Associate at Marcus Neiman & Rashbaum LLP in Miami, a trial boutique focusing on white-collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and regulatory enforcement. Erin also serves as an Articles and Comments Editor of the University of Miami Law Review.
ALEX FLINT
Born in Colombia and raised in Miami, Alex decided to move to Israel at the age of 18. The international atmosphere he encountered provided him with a challenging academic environment. By the time he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Centre in Herzliya, Israel, Alex had experienced the devastating impact of the 2006 Lebanon war on Israeli society. He became a soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces and, stationed in Ramallah, he worked in coordination with Palestinian and International Organizations. Upon his completion of duties with the IDF, Alex worked as a legal assistant to the general counsel at Zumba Fitness. It was there that he picked up on aspects of the law that he felt could help him continue his search for responsible ways to improve the world. In his time at Miami Law, Alex participated in the International Moot Court Program, specifically as part of the Vis Team, which competed in Vienna on topics of International Commercial Arbitration. Most recently, Alex worked at Rozencwaig & Nadel, where he got experience working on corporate structures, tax strategies, and trusts.
HAYLEY GLENNIE
Hayley Glennie dedicated her second year at Miami Law to the Children and Youth Law Clinic, which gave her the opportunity to represent twelve current and former foster children in Dependency Court, Juvenile Detention Centers, Social Security Administration, and public schools. During her 2L summer she focused on corporate litigation and real property law in Toronto, Canada in order to build on her previous experiences with corporate social responsibility. At McCarthy Tetrault and Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Hayley had the opportunity to see and understand the bigger picture of how large businesses operate. During her third year, Hayley is serving as a research assistant for Human Rights Professor Kelleen Corrigan.
CAITLIN GRIFFIN
Caitlin Griffin attended The Pennsylvania State University, where she earned a degree in Human Development & Family Studies. While at Penn State, Caitlin was actively involved in service to the greater State College community, developing a passion for social justice issues and interventions that improved the lives of children and youth. Following graduation, Caitlin taught high school mathematics in Philadelphia through the program Teach For America earning her teaching certificate from the University of Pennsylvania. After her Teach For America commitment ended,
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2015 Caitlin helped found the first Knowledge is Power Program (“KIPP”) high school in Philadelphia. As a law student, Caitlin has been involved with many organizations including the Child Advocacy and Family Law Society, the Society of Bar & Gavel, the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, the Academic Achievement Program, the Race & Social Justice Law Review, and the Education Rights Project of the Historic Black Church Program. During her summers, Caitlin has worked with DC’s Children’s Law Center in their Families First project, the Children and Youth Law Clinic, and the Southern Poverty Law Center in their Children at Risk section.
ADAM HOOCK
Adam Hoock, originally from Columbia, Illinois, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2008 and completed a master's degree in Spanish Literature at Indiana University in 2010. His passion for public interest brought him to Miami as an AmeriCorps volunteer paralegal with Americans for Immigrant Justice, where he worked for two years in the Children’s Legal Project. At Miami Law, Adam is a Miami Scholar, a member of the Society of Bar & Gavel, and an editor for the University of Miami Law Review. During his 1L summer, Adam interned for United States District Judge Jose E. Martinez, a position he continued through the fall semester. He has worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Corbin and a Dean’s Fellow for Professor Copeland’s Civil Procedure I class. During his 2L year, Adam was a legal intern with the Immigration Clinic and is continuing as a Clinic Fellow during his 3L year. He will also be a Writing Dean’s Fellow. During the summer of 2014, Adam worked for an international law firm in Miami.
TRINITY JORDAN
Trinity Jordan graduated Evangel University in 2001 with a double major in Government and Biblical Studies. Soon after graduation, he became a motivational speaker and his entrepreneurial aspirations led him to found several non-profits and a graphic and video design studio. In 2004, he became the founding pastor of Elevation Church in Utah. Through his entrepreneurial work, Trinity developed several trainings to help other would be non-profit social entrepreneurials see theirs dreams come to light. He has helped to train and coach over 200 different nonprofit projects around the world through his work with U.S. Missions and the Church Multiplication Network. Trinity has served as a chaplain for several sporting teams and events, was the host for the television show The Breakdown and is the author of three books, the newest one released in 2013 (while in his first year of law school) titled Sabotage: How Insecurity Destroys Everything. He is currently helping to develop legal fellowships for non-profits dedicated to the abolition of human trafficking. While in law school, Trinity has served as a judicial extern for Judge Tena Campbell, United States District Court of Utah, and Judge Adalberto Jordan, United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and has worked with the University of Miami Athletic Department’s compliance office. After law school, Trinity will serve as a judicial law clerk for Judge Adalberto Jordan.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2015
HELLEN PEREZ
After graduating from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies, Hellen Perez worked as an elementary school teacher for the MiamiDade Public Schools. She is a Miami Scholar. During the summer of 2013 she interned with Judge Adalberto Jordan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She was also a law clerk at the Law Offices of Ricardo Morales, where she worked on workers’ compensation, personal injury, and Social Security disability cases. During her 2L year, she served as an intern in both the Immigration Clinic and the Street Law program. As a HOPE Fellow during the summer of 2014, she worked with University Legal Services, a protection and advocacy organization for human, legal and service rights of people with disabilities in Washington, DC.
RACHEL ROEBUCK
As an undergraduate at Florida State University, Rachel Roebuck majored in Women's Studies. After graduation, she began work as a social worker at a shelter for victims of domestic and sexual violence. The idea of advocating for similar populations inspired Rachel and led to her decision to attend law school. Throughout her time at Miami Law, Rachel has interned at the Miami-Dade Office of the Public Defender. She has spent several semesters in the Office's Domestic Violence, Felony, and Juvenile divisions. During the summer of 2014, as a certified legal intern, Rachel conducted depositions, argued motions to suppress, cross examined police officers, and delivered opening statements in misdemeanor bench trials. In the future, Rachel hopes for a career dedicated to serving some of Miami's most vulnerable.
ELIZABETH TRENARY
Elizabeth started her dedication to the service of others at a young age, when she won the North Carolina Humanitarian Award from the North Carolina Restaurant Association at the age of 10. Her passion for others grew and while a student at Furman University, she started three nonprofits: Project Warmth, serving the homeless population in Upstate South Carolina; Remembering Hope, creating support systems for families with an Alzheimer’s patient; and Eye Love Art, helping schools and communities create art programs for students with disabilities. Elizabeth also served as a United States delegate to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in Yokohama, Japan, where she spoke with world leaders about using balanced development to alleviate poverty in the Asia-Pacific region. Elizabeth is also actively involved in veteran’s advocacy. She is a volunteer with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Camp Corral, and is writing a book on the current crisis in the Veterans Administration. During her 1L summer, Elizabeth worked at the North Carolina Supreme Court and spent her 2L summer at the firm Parker Poe in Charlotte. At Miami Law, she has participated in the Children and Youth Clinic and is a member of Miami Law Review.
The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program has connected me with a network of students and professionals who share a passion for public interest and social justice work. The program has allowed me to develop this passion in varying capacities, whether I pursue a career in the public or private sector. I know I will always have a support system with my colleagues and mentors through Miami Scholars.
~Nejla Calvo, Class of 2015 I was immediately welcomed by this small community and presented with unique viewpoints and opportunities. The Miami Scholars program has given me an outlet to apply in-class lessons to benefit the local community. I have done far more hands-on legal work than I would have otherwise been able to do had I not been invited to join this cohort.
~Bennett Blachar, Class of 2016 Only with the Miami Scholars did I find a program that prioritized a balance between my academic interests and my passion for public service. The Miami Scholars program challenges students to become well-rounded lawyers with a clear understanding of their values and goals. With the support and encouragement of the Miami Scholars program, I never feel alone on my law school journey.
~Linet Suarez, Class of 2017
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2016
BENNETT BLACHAR
As part of the University of Miami Honors Program in Law, Bennett Blachar began law school after 3 years of undergraduate study at the University of Miami. While he pursued a double major in economics and psychology, he served as an Executive Intern at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Following his first semester in law school, Bennett earned the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Award in his Legal Communication and Research Skills Course. During his 1L summer, he interned with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, as well as with Judge Robert Scola in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. There, he gained exposure to the federal court system as he drafted a variety of memos and orders. During his 2L year, Bennett is serving as an extern with the Miami Regional Office of the SEC and is also participating in Miami Law’s Immigration Clinic.
MIKE DEUTSCH
Michael received his B.A. in Government from Georgetown University, graduating cum laude in 2013. While at Georgetown, Michael interned in the Office of Congressman Ted Deutsch and worked as a Summer Organizer for Obama for America. Michael also became active in the Georgetown community, serving as a student representative on the Georgetown College Admissions Committee, as a Resident Assistant, and as a Peer Advisor for incoming students. At Miami Law, Michael serves as President of the Student Organization for Human Rights. In addition, he is a member of the Trial Team, Honor Council, and Public Interest Leadership Board, as well as a participant in the Health Rights Clinic. During his 1L summer, Michael served as an intern for Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a non-profit, non-partisan watchdog group in Washington, D.C. that uses legal action to target public officials who sacrifice the common good for special interests.
ERIN EVASHEVSKI
Erin Evashevski graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science. While there, she spent a semester abroad in Durban, South Africa, where her interest in human rights was ignited. After working with a number of non-profit organizations and spending a year working with Best Buddies International, Erin was motivated to pursue a degree in law in order to provide her with the platform to advocate for change. During her 1L summer, Erin was a legal intern with the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division. While there she aided the Assistant Chief Counsel with research and writing, and was able to gain courtroom experience. During her 2L year at Miami Law, Erin is serving as Vice President of the Student Organization for Human Rights, a Staff Editor for the Law Race & Social Justice Law Review and a legal intern for the Immigration Clinic.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2016
ELIZABETH FATA
Elizabeth Fata was born and raised in South Florida where she developed a love for the environment and an interest in environmental law. She attended the University of Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and double minors in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies, before spending a fulfilling year pursing her passions. During her time away from school, Elizabeth worked as a legal intern for an engineering firm in Atlanta, learning about the legal work involved in energy production. She then became a member of the Student Conservation Association and traveled to southern Oregon to work as a park ranger for Oregon Caves National Monument, providing environmental education and guided cave tours to local children and adventurers. Her involvement in the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps then took her to Kodiak, Alaska, where she was involved in the remote monitoring and sustainable development of Alaskan salmon populations. After a rewarding year of travel, Elizabeth enrolled at Miami Law and, after completing her first year, worked as an intern for the Honorable Thomas Logue at the Florida Third District Court of Appeal where she gained practical insight into the appellate court system. She then travelled to San Francisco to work as a summer law clerk for the Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Regional Counsel, helping to ensure the safe handling and cleanup of hazardous wastes. During her 2L year, Elizabeth is serving as an intern with the Historic Black Church Program’s Environmental Justice Project and is a member of the International and Comparative Law Review.
CAITLIN GILES
(Christina) Caitlin Giles earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Miami. As an undergraduate student, Caitlin was passionate about service to her community, and assumed leadership roles in Student Government, served as President of Panhellenic, and was the founder of the first UM Women's Leadership Symposium. Realizing her passion for youth and women empowerment, the summer before her 1L year, she interned with The Door Legal Services Center, a non-profit in New York City that offers all-encompassing free services, food and shelter for at-risk youth. She specifically worked with young people to obtain lawful permanent residency through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status and completed extensive research on the foster care system. In addition to serving as a Miami Scholar and a member of the Public Interest Leadership Board, Caitlin is president of the Child Advocacy and Family Law Society and serves as Dean's Cup Co-Chair. During the summer of 2014, Caitlin interned for both the US Attorney's Office in South Florida and for Judge Robert Scola in the US District Court for the South District of Florida.
SARAH HANNERS
A Miami native, Sarah finished her undergraduate degree at the University of Miami in 2004, before joining Miami Law in 2013. In the interim she traveled widely, and in 2007, a fortuitous decision to volunteer for a few weeks at Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi, an Amazonian wildlife refuge, turned into a six-year-long adventure. During her time at the remote jungle outpost, she occupied the role of volunteer coordinator, and worked hands-
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2016 on with the victims of rampant deforestation and international animal trafficking. Fed-up with lack of environmental justice in Bolivia, and throughout the Americas, she accepted a place at Miami Law, hoping that having a legal background would better equip her to fight for environmental justice. During her 1L summer, Sarah returned to Bolivia to volunteer for three weeks, and spent the remainder of the time working for The Office of the Public Defender of Miami-Dade County. As a 2L, Sarah is the co-President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, and continues her work with Comunidad Inti Wara Yassi remotely, helping with international fundraising efforts. She is on the staff of the Inter American Law Review, and a full-year intern with the Children and Youth Law Clinic. She is focusing her studies on learning how to stand up for those without a voice—human and animal alike.
JACK KORTE
Jack Korte graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2012 with a double major in Spanish and Latin American studies. Jack spent his first summer at Miami Law working in West Africa's largest law firm. During his time in Africa, Jack worked mostly in oil and gas law while also gaining experience in international arbitration and mergers and acquisitions. Jack currently serves as the president of the Environmental Law Society at Miami Law and participates in the Investor Rights Clinic. His interests include international economic development, energy law, and commercial transactions.
CAROLINE MCGEE
Caroline McGee, originally from Phoenix, Arizona, graduated from the George Washington University in 2005, and received her master’s degree in Latin American studies from American University in 2007. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Guatemala and spent four years working for an organization that provides educational opportunities to children from low-income families. In 2011, Caroline moved to Nicaragua to manage onsite operations for an organization that promotes health care initiatives in rural communities. During her time in Central America, Caroline realized that a law degree would allow her to more effectively advocate for underrepresented individuals. She moved back to the United States in 2012, and, while applying to law school, she worked as a legal assistant for a lawyer specializing in workers’ compensation. She spent the summer after her 1L year as an extern for the Honorable Andrew D. Hurwitz of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. During her 2L year she is participating in the Immigration Clinic.
JESSICA NEER
Jessica Neer graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Political Science from the University of Florida. Her on-campus involvement included founding the University of Florida's club fast-pitch softball team, acting as Vice President of the Sport Clubs Council, serving as an Ambassador to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and working with the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. In her role as a teaching assistant with the Center, Jessica introduced students to their state government through the UF in Tallahassee Program. Jessica
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2016 has served the Florida legal community as an intern with the Northern and Southern Districts of Florida and by working in the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. At Miami Law, she is a Miami Scholar who has assumed leadership roles in the Society of Bar and Gavel, Miami Law Women, the Student Bar Association, and the Public Interest Leadership Board.
LINDSAY NELSON
Lindsay Nelson graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Honors English and a minor in French, and earned a commission in the United States Marine Corps, where she served on active duty for twelve years. While a Marine Corps officer, she earned an M.A. in English Literature from the Catholic University of America, deployed in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, taught English at the United States Naval Academy, and taught naval flight school. She continues to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserves while in law school. During her 1L summer, she worked as a judicial intern in Miami and during her 2L year she is interning with Miami Law’s Health Rights Clinic. She is particularly interested in helping children, veterans, and immigrants in Miami.
PAUL NUNEZ
Paul Nunez graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the Honors College at Florida International University. He worked as an intern for an environmental law firm the summer after his first year of law school. His interest in the environment extends to his research and volunteer efforts. During the summer of 2012, Paul worked as a field research assistant studying wild orchid populations in southern China; he plans to publish this work. Paul also researched the home energy use of Sweetwater, FL residents and organized an energy saving workshop as part of a community improvement effort. He has participated in various cleanup efforts including the Baynanza Beach Cleanup and South Beach and Everglades Cleanup initiatives. Through his studies he hopes to improve legal protections for the environment.
STEPHANIE ROSENDORF
Stephanie Rosendorf is a Miami Scholar who has had a passion for public service and social justice for many years. Active in the Florida College Democrats, as well as her local Democratic Party, Stephanie served as Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention. She also worked on several political campaigns and gained valuable insight about the needs of the South Florida community. As an intern with the United Auto Workers, she learned about the struggles of the labor movement and the role of unions. Stephanie serves on the executive board of the National Lawyers Guild, the ACLU, and Law Students for Reproductive Justice. During the summer of 2014, she interned for the Florida Justice Institute, a Miami-based public interest law civil rights law firm. Her work focused on civil rights for prisoners as well as combatting housing and disability discrimination. During her 2L year, she is participating in the Immigration Clinic and the Historic Black Church Program.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2016
ALIE ROTHMAN
Alie Rothman is a Miami Scholar with a strong passion for public interest law. During her 1L summer she worked as the legal intern at the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability of The Arc of the United States (NCCJD). At NCCJD, Alie helped create the first national database that assists both victims and offenders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Specifically, she researched and constructed a central database that houses general resources and criminal justice and disability laws from all 50 states to provide information and training on people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as victims, witnesses, suspects or offenders of crime. Alie is the founder of Alie's Fund for Children with MS, which provides financial means to ensure a brighter future for children living with Multiple Sclerosis. She is furthering her public interest efforts during her 2L year as a participant in the Children & Youth Law Clinic and co-chair of The Society of Bar and Gavel’s Race Judicata. Alie is also a member of Miami Law’s Honor Council and The National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Content Advisory Board.
STEVEN STRICKLAND
Steven Strickland was attracted to law school because law stands at the intersection of so many different industries, from venture capital to nonprofits to real estate, which can help stimulate economic growth and benefit communities. Steven earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Harvard. As an undergraduate, Steven worked for U.S. Senator John Kerry, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, the Harvard Law School Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs, and the John A. Hartford Foundation. He was also involved with a number of Latino student organizations, such as the Boston Intercollegiate Latin American Network and the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy. Steven spent his 1L summer interning with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida in the Narcotics Division, as well as the Dade Legal Aid Venture Law Project.
VALERIE TOTH
Valerie Toth graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in International Relations. As an undergraduate, she spent a year in Argentina where she pursued a specialization in Latin American studies. She then went to work for a global immigration law firm handling immigration matters for corporate employees being transferred to various countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. After completing a Master’s in Public Administration, Valerie joined the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), a foundation within the Organization of American States. Her work involved developing and strengthening public-private sector alliances in support of the organization’s programs to create economic opportunities, strengthen communities and civil society, and respond to natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean. While at PADF, Valerie launched a campaign to raise funds to rebuild neighborhoods destroyed by the 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. After her 1L year, Valerie interned with the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, observing a wide range of cases in civil, family, appellate, criminal, and federal bankruptcy courts.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2016
SYDNEY TOWNE
Sydney graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, magna cum laude, with a degree in Journalism and the belief that an informed citizenry is an essential part of a democracy. Recently, that belief led her to cover local governments for the Miami Herald. Immediately after graduating college, she joined Teach For America in Stamford, CT. Connecticut has one of the highest income disparities in the country. During 1L summer she served as a research assistant for Dean Marni Lennon and the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center. During her 2L year she is serving on a campuswide committee working on Title IX gender equality issues.
The Miami Scholars Program gave me the ability to take internships in disability law and attend a dual degree program in my field of interest, Public Health. My reasons for my lifelong support of that program continue to multiply. Law school can be a challenging place for those who envision themselves as civil servants. The support of the other Miami Scholars and Dean Lennon kept me focused on my ultimate goals and helped me pinpoint one-of-akind opportunities that I would not have had otherwise.
~Kathy Walker, JD ’13
Criminal Justice Fellow, The Arc, Washington, D.C. I came to the University of Miami specifically to be a part of the Miami Scholars Program. I wanted to find a place where I would be unconditionally encouraged and assisted in my desire to practice public interest law. The Miami Scholars Program allowed me to do this along with a dedicated cohort of like-minded students.
~Abraham Rubert-Schewel, JD ’14
Legal Aid Society, New York, NY
While I was attracted to Miami Law for many reasons, it was the school’s commitment to developing and supporting the next generation of public interest lawyers through the Miami Scholars Program that solidified my decision to relocate from Washington, D.C. for law school. From judicial internships to exclusive networking opportunities, the experiences afforded to me through the Miami Scholars Program have had a tremendous impact on my professional development and have also resulted in meaningful ties to the bench and bar, great friendships and a supportive network across the public and private sector.
~Kevin Probst, JD ’07
Legal Services of Greater Miami, Miami, FL
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2017
FERAS AHMED
Feras Ahmed graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University in May of 2013 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Global Studies and Philosophy. At Florida Gulf Coast he was on the President’s List and the Dean’s List. He also participated in student government as a senator for the College of Arts and Sciences and was founder and president of the FGCU Muslim Students Association. He took part in FGCU’s Model United Nations program throughout his time at the university, serving at various points as a delegate, conference chair and research director. Following graduation, Feras served as a fellow with Emerge USA, a grassroots organization that engages underrepresented communities in the political process. He organized civic education and engagement workshops across Florida, created leadership training seminars and curriculum for underrepresented youth, and developed and implemented fundraising programs. He has also been active as a volunteer in his community, where he has worked with the Florida YMCA Youth in Government program as well as the Islamic Center of Southwest Florida.
JESSICA BRAUTIGAM
Jessica Brautigam completed her undergraduate studies at Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2005 and went on to earn a Master of Public Administration and a Master of Science in Mass Communication in 2011. Her commitment to public service is rooted in her time working as a youth companion for a family though Catholic Social Services in her hometown of Jackson, Michigan. In addition to the individual problems that the family faced, she also became aware of systemic problems impacting many underserved populations. During college she participated in a number of public service activities including tutoring, animal rescue and refugee assistance. As a graduate student, a variety of service learning projects exposed her to issues such as housing rights and economic/international development. Since moving to Miami, Jessica has begun working with the Friends of Miami-Dade Detainees, a group that is working to establish a visitation and pro bono phone line at Krome Detention Facility. She hopes to use her law degree to service the underrepresented and advocate for change.
SAWYEH ESMAILI
Sawyeh Esmaili graduated from San Diego State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences degree in Political Science and a minor in International Studies. She was on the Dean’s List and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, a national political science honors society. She studied abroad in Florence, Italy and while there she also taught English to middle school students. Upon her return to San Diego, she served as a peer advisor for the Education Abroad Office. Following graduation, Sawyeh began volunteering with the Office of the State Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL. She assisted attorneys with case management in County Court. Since October 2012, she has worked with The Urban League of Broward County in Ft. Lauderdale. She started as an intern in the Communications and Community Relations Department where she identified core issues affecting the organization and drafted a policy agenda. She was then hired as a Program Assistant for the organization’s College Tour
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2017 Program. This program, which serves 100 low-income high school students, provides resources such as test preparation, self-development training and community service opportunities to assist the students in achieving a post-secondary education. She acts as a counselor and mentor and helps each student create his or her own path to college. Sawyeh hopes to continue her work with disenfranchised populations and pursue opportunities in Human Rights Law.
ELI GORDON
Eli Gordon earned his B.S. in Sports Management from New York University in May 2013. He was a member of the Dean’s List, the Undergraduate Law Society and the Sports Business Society. During the spring of 2012, he studied abroad in Prague. Later that summer he served as a law intern with the New York State Attorney General’s Office Internet Bureau where he performed legal research related to online consumer fraud investigations and suspected Internet-based illegal activities. While at NYU, he was an active member of Chai Lifeline, an organization which provides emotional support to children with life-threatening illnesses. For four years, in both New York and Miami, he spent several hours a week visiting children at area hospitals. During college he also worked at a law firm and as a media and marketing intern. Following graduation, Eli joined City Year Miami as a Corps Member in English Language Arts. He is an assistant teacher in a ninth grade intensive reading class at Booker T. Washington High School in Miami. He also serves as the school’s literacy coordinator and assistant basketball coach. He spends over 50 hours a week at the school and has made an impact on the students there. He hopes to continue serving those who often go unheard.
PATRICK MCGEE
Patrick McGee earned his B.A. in History from the University of Arizona in 1992. During college he received an NROTC Scholarship and upon graduation he entered the Marine Corps. He is now a retiring Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and pilot with over twenty years of experience across a broad spectrum of leadership functions. He has held a number of positions including Executive Officer, Tactics Officer, Operations Officer/Air Mission Commander, and Assistant Division Air Officer. Most recently he served as a Marine Attaché with the United States Embassy in Georgia and as Deputy Director of the Marine Corps Institute in Washington, DC. During his many years of military service, Patrick was often involved in matters relating to justice and discipline, as well as aviation and maritime law issues. He engaged in multiple deployments and overseas tours, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, and was awarded The Bronze Star, in addition to other service and commendation medals.
LETICIA MORA
Leticia Mora graduated from Florida State University in May 2013 with degrees in Theatre and Psychology. She was on the Dean’s List, received the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Award, and the Humana Academic Scholar Achievement Award, and was recognized for her extensive outstanding work with the Model United Nations program. During undergrad, she worked with the Center for the Advancement of Human
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2017 Rights, where she completed a Directed Independent Study on sex trafficking and policies instituted to combat this crime. While at FSU, she also worked with the theatre troupe, Latinos In Performance, to produce “Latins Anonymous”, which narrated stories of immigration, collective memory, and hardship to a largely marginalized group. In 2011, Leticia was awarded a Hubbard Fellowship to attend the University of Iowa School of Law Summer Undergraduate Program which aims to enhance diversity in the legal field. Following graduation from FSU, Leticia served as a fellow with Humanity in Action in Amsterdam where she participated in programs pertaining to human rights and minority issues in Europe. Upon her return to Tallahassee, she worked full time as a Success Coach with FSU’s first generation program, Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, to help first generation and minority students accomplish academic and extracurricular success on campus. At Miami Law, Leticia hopes to continue her work with human rights and trafficking issues.
SONYA RANDOLPH
Sonya Randolph received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Miami in December 2013. Prior to that she spent approximately six years on active duty with the United States Air Force and later moved to the Air Force Reserves while she was earning her undergraduate degree. Sonya served for two years in Okinawa, Japan, four years in North Carolina, two years in South Carolina, and most recently has served at the Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami. During her various deployments she has spent time in countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea, and Honduras. Sonya has been recognized by the Air Force for her outstanding leadership qualities and has received numerous awards. She also engaged in community service around the world while serving her country, including volunteering as an English teacher and with a teen center in Japan, at soup kitchens and hospitals in the United States, and with the Veterans Student Organization at the University of Miami. As a law student and lawyer, she hopes to address issues surrounding human rights with particular emphasis on human trafficking.
TAYLOR SHENBERGER
Taylor Shenberger attended York College of Pennsylvania and graduated in December of 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Minor in Speech Communications. During her time there she served as Vice President of the Do Something Club, studied abroad in Costa Rica, and worked as an assistant in the Office of Financial Aid. Away from campus, Taylor worked as a Spanish tutor and spent her summers as a camp counselor and unit leader with the Arc of York County where she assisted children with intellectual disabilities. After graduation Taylor joined The United Way as a freelance education consultant for the Youth Court Alliance of York County. This truancy prevention program served as an alternative to Magisterial District Court. She worked with truant students and their families throughout the process, including at intake meetings, hearings, and exit interviews. She taught young adults about being in the courtroom and about the consequences of their actions. She hopes to use her law degree to continue this type of work in the future.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2017
BRITTANY STOCKMAN
Brittany Stockman graduated with honors from the University of Miami in 2011 with B.A. degrees in Marine Affairs & Policy and Spanish, and a Minor in Economics. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, as well as other honor societies, and was on the President’s and Provost’s Honor Roll. She continued her studies at UM’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and earned an M.S. in Marine Affairs in 2013. She has visited the waters of more than a dozen countries, observing the effects of both sound and flawed marine policy. She has studied in Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador and the Galapagos, where she witnessed the conflict between marine conservation and the needs of people who derived their living or sustenance from the seas. In 2010, Brittany began working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where she assisted project managers in assessing and minimizing the detrimental environmental effects of various developmental activities. She then moved on to The International SeaKeepers Society, a non-profit organization that deals with ocean conservation, working her way up to her current position as Director of Programs and Policies. She has partnered with influential ocean conservationists to challenge the current state of ocean policy and has been able to research critical ocean issues, evaluate proposed solutions and recommend actions for improvement. Brittany ultimately hopes to influence national and international ocean policy.
LINET SUAREZ
Linet Suarez graduated from Bryn Mawr College in 2013 with a B.A in Political Science and a minor in Anthropology. During college she was a member of the Pre-Law Society, a board member of Bryn Mawr Buzzing 4 Change Charity and Chapter President of Democracy Matters. She also worked as a Peer Mentor Advisor and a Resident Advisor. During the summer of 2011, Linet served as an intern with the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship in Mexico. She worked at a support center for women along with a group of female lawyers focused on addressing domestic violence. During her summer in Mexico she also worked as a migration program intern, aiding refugees with housing and education. Since graduation, Linet has been a volunteer and after school care leader at Rockway Elementary School in Miami. She hopes to use her law degree to promote justice through law and provide assistance to those who might not otherwise receive it.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
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