“The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program is comprised of dedicated and extraordinary students at Miami Law. Their passion for justice, intellectual curiosity and motivation drives Scholars to effectuate change in agencies and communities near and far.”
~Marni Lennon, Esq. Interim Dean of Students Assistant Dean for Public Interest and Pro Bono Director, HOPE Public Interest Resource Center Lecturer in Law
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-division Scholars and public interest and pro bono attorneys.
"The Miami Scholars Program was the deciding factor in my choosing to attend Miami Law. Not only did it allow me to further cultivate the career I wanted, but it also carved out a community for me within law school. The program served as a constant (and refreshing) reminder that a public interest legal career can truly take any shape. The HOPE Office was always a source of guidance and reassurance, for which I am eternally grateful."
~Sawyeh Esmaili, JD ’17
Senior Counsel, Reproductive Rights & Health
National Women's Law Center Washington, DC
"The Miami Scholars Program gave me a base of support, programs, mentoring, and encouragement in an environment that does not always emphasize doing public interest work. I could not imagine law school being as fulfilling and even enjoyable without this wonderful cohort of students, staff, and agents for change."
~Thomas Voracek, JD ’19
Assistant Public Defender
Maryland Office of the Public Defender Baltimore, MD
"The Miami Scholars Program is a one-of-a-kind experience for law students interested in pursuing public service. HOPE's tailored guidance on course selection, externships, summer internships, and post-graduation employment for Miami Scholars is unparalleled. The level of one-on-one attention I received as a Miami Scholar is what defined my law school experience and put me in a position to set lofty goals during and after my time at Miami Law. I got my dream job straight out of law school in no small part because of the opportunities being a Miami Scholar afforded me. Having a dedicated team supporting one’s academic, personal, and professional development while in law school is what sets the Miami Scholars Program apart. "
~David Francis Scollan, JD ’23
US Department of Justice, Tax Division
Western Criminal Enforcement Section Washington, DC
Victor Alvarado Graterol graduated summa cum laude from Florida International University in May 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology. He was involved with the Dialogues of Democracy Club at Miami Dade College and served as a secretary for the advocacy organization F.A.I.R. (Fight, Advocate, Inform, and Resist), where he addressed critical social issues such as immigration reform and police brutality. He interned with the LGBTQIA+ non-profit Equality Florida, advocating against the Anti-Trans Sports Ban and supporting the Equality Act. After graduation, Victor worked as a College Success Coach at Miami Dade College, assisting students with college resources and immigration-related processes. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, he was a Law Fellow with the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute, working with Ferox Strategies in Washington, DC, where he created a manual on how the overturning of the Chevron Doctrine would affect clients’ businesses. As a 2L, Victor participated in the Human Rights Clinic on the Sports, Masculinity, and Ending Gender-Based Violence Team and the Venezuela & Human Rights Team. The Sports and Masculinity Team's report on child safeguarding in sports was cited in a Human Rights Watch article. He also served as the Public Relations Director for the Disability Law Students Association (DLSA). During his 2L summer, Victor joined the Immigration Clinic, working on a cancellation of removal case and an application for a Convention Against Torture asylum case. He also created evidence-based documents to prevent the detention of asylum seekers at ICE offices. He has also volunteered with Catholic Legal Services, providing translation services to immigrant clients.
Natalie Askowitz graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Social Policy & Practice and Sociology and a minor in business. She was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 2023. In New Orleans, she was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, organized a weekly volunteer program with nursing home residents with dementia, and taught local children how to read and write as a volunteer through 826 New Orleans. In Miami, she interned with the non-profit organization Opportunity for All Floridians and conducted policy research for a Florida congressional campaign. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Natalie served as a legal intern with the Florida Justice Institute, drafting memos and motions, attending court hearings, and participating in client intake to advocate for safe prison conditions and protect the rights of the unhoused community in Florida. During her 2L year, Natalie earned a spot on the University of Miami Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board. Natalie and her partner made it to the quarterfinals of the American Bar Association National Appellate Advocacy Competition, winning third best brief and fourth best advocate. As a 2L, she served as treasurer of the Disability Law Students Association and worked on the ABA COREJ School-to-Prison Pipeline Project. During her 2L summer, Natalie served as a legal intern at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Miami Office, focusing on employment discrimination matters. Natalie was awarded the Director’s Book Award for Excellence in Litigation Skills. As a 3L, she is serving as the secretary of the Disability Law Students Association.
Natalie Gonzalez graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2022 with a B.A. in Legal Studies and a minor in Human Rights. She completed an honors thesis titled, “Frontline Work in a Time of Crisis: Child Welfare Decisions Under Pandemic Policy.” As a 1L at Miami Law, Natalie joined the Public Interest Leadership Board (PILB) and received the HOPE Excellence in Legal Advocacy 1L Award for completing the most pro bono hours in her class (over 90 hours with Americans for Immigrant Justice, Florida’s Rights Restoration Coalition, the Colorado Office of the Child’s Representative, Women in Distress, and the Health Equity Project for the Center of Ethics and Public Service). During her 1L summer, Natalie worked with The Door - Legal Services Center in New York, a non-profit that offers holistic services to young people. As a 2L, she served as co-chair of If/When/How-Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, vice president of the National Lawyers Guild chapter, secretary of the Criminal Law Society, and an advocacy committee chair for PILB. She also participated in the ABA COREJ School-to-Prison Pipeline Project, served as Junior Staff Editor of the Race and Social Justice Law Review and took part in the Innocence Clinic, where she assisted with post-conviction cases involving wrongful incarceration. During her 2L summer, Natalie served as a HOPE Fellow with Appellate Advocates in New York. She worked on direct appeals of criminal convictions, reviewing records, identifying appellate issues, drafting legal arguments, and conducting research for post-conviction motions, including sentence reductions and parole advocacy. As a 3L, she is serving as a clinical fellow with the Innocence Clinic, executive chair of If/ When/How, service chair of the Society of Bar and Gavel, co-chair of PILB, co-chair of the Miami Innocence Alliance, and chair of the HOPE Liaison Initiative. She is also Symposium Chair for the Race and Social Justice Law Review. Natalie has served as a research assistant to Professors Trocino, Lave, Coker, and Corbin, contributing to projects on voting rights, police use-of-force laws, First Amendment protections, and pretrial detention reforms. Natalie continues to work on pro bono projects with agencies such as Catholic Legal Services, the Prison Legal Advocacy Network, and Americans for Immigrant Justice.
Natalie Hollander graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in August 2020, earning a B.A. in Environmental Science and minors in both Agricultural and Natural Resource Law and Economics. She published two manuscripts: Analyzing the Possibility of the United States Developing a Fully Renewable Electricity System and Understanding Public Attitudes Towards Partial Restoration of the Ocklawaha River. She received the Outstanding Scholar Award for her graduating class for exemplary scholarship demonstrated throughout her undergraduate career. Following graduation, Natalie became a STEM Teacher at the Museum of Discovery and Science, where she developed and implemented various educational programs to empower over 22,000 students to increase their involvement within STEM-based education, with a specific focus on underprivileged youth. She received the MUSE Silver Award for one of her co-written educational programs and the Outstanding Presenter Award from Broward County for her presentation to over 800 students on environmental sustainability at the Broward County Annual Youth Climate Summit. Natalie has also served as an Environmental Educator at Mounts Botanical Garden. In collaboration with the Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District, Natalie delivered
an environmental science program to Palm Beach County high school students titled Ambassador of the Wetlands. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she interned at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Domestic Violence Felonies Unit. During her 2L year, Natalie participated in the Human Rights Clinic. She has served as a Junior Staff Editor and Senior Notes and Comments Editor for the University of Miami Business Law Review. During her 2L summer, Natalie served as a HOPE Fellow with the City of Miami Attorney’s Office in the Litigation and Appeals Department
Jodi Nicole Kain graduated cum laude from the University of Miami in May 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Business Law. She was a co-founder, vice president, and events coordinator for the University of Miami’s first local chapter of Ignite, a national nonpartisan organization for women in politics. She was on the Dean’s List and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society and the political science honor society Pi Sigma Alpha. She served as an intern for US Senator Daniel Sullivan in Washington, D.C., working with constituents from her home state of Alaska and advocating with US agencies on their behalf. Following graduation, Jodi worked as a legal assistant and paralegal at an appellate law firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At Miami Law, Jodi earned CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in both Family Law and Florida Family Law: Complex Financial Issues and was named to the Dean’s List for Spring of her 2L year. During her 1L summer, she served as a law clerk at the Vasquez de Lara Law Group, a family law firm, where she observed hearings and mediations, conducted legal research, and drafted legal memoranda and pleadings. As a 2L, she served on the executive boards of OUTLaw and the International Law Society, was a legal intern in the Children and Youth Law Clinic, and a member of the Society of Bar and Gavel. During her 2L summer, Jodi worked as a summer associate at Maddox & Gerock, a family law firm in Northern Virginia. As a 3L, she is serving as president of the Child Advocacy and Family Law Society and as Managing Editor of the University of Miami Business Law Review. During the fall of her 3L year, she is studying International Business Law at Instituto de Empresa in Madrid, Spain.
Hannah LaBovick graduated from Yale University in May 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science. Before law school, Hannah spent five years working in politics and public service, focusing on empowering underserved and minority communities to make their voices heard. She worked on congressional and presidential campaigns in Florida and Arizona before joining the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she served as a liaison between White House experts and Capitol Hill staffers advancing inclusive and accessible legislation. She then decided to change career tracks and pursue law, viewing law school as a new opportunity to engage deeply with her interests and community. At Miami Law, she serves as a staff editor on the University of Miami Law Review and participates in the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), the Hispanic Law Student Association (HLSA), and the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society. She also serves as the HOPE Liaison to the Entertainment and Sports Law Society. During her 1L summer, she worked with the New York Red Bulls soccer organization on matters related to the first team, the business operations, and the youth summer camps. During her 2L summer, she worked
as a summer associate at Sidley Austin in Miami, where she plans to return after graduation to join the transactional and corporate practice group. She has earned CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in Civil Procedure I and International Human Rights and received the Dean’s Fellow Award in several additional courses.
Yorciana Lasprilla graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University in 2022 with a B.A. in International Relations, a Certificate in Pre-Law Studies, and a concentration in Latin American Relations and Policy. She was a Florida Medallion Scholar, Gold & Blue Scholar, Army Ursano Scholarship recipient, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Dean’s List. At FIU’s Gordon Institute for Public Policy, she contributed to a U.S. State Department research project on climate change, international law, and women’s rights in Latin America. Her undergraduate internships included roles as a nonprofit project manager, community organizer, international trade specialist at the U.S. Trade Office in Galicia, Spain, and legal intern for a Senior Trial Counsel at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. She spent her final college semester in Washington, D.C., interning with the U.S. Marshals Service’s Audits/Internal Control Team, contributing to legal projects on asset forfeiture regulation. At Miami Law, she joined the Hispanic Law Student Association and Criminal Law Society. During her 1L summer, she worked with the Office of General Counsel for the U.S. Marshals Service in Virginia, where she wrote legal memoranda on Federal Torts Act claims. As a 2L, she externed with in-house counsel at The Swatch Group and spent her 2L summer in the Miami Law Immigration Clinic, working on bond hearings, removal proceedings, motions, and USCIS applications. She received the Award for Best Client Interview Simulation. During the spring of her 3L year, she is serving as a Certified Legal Intern.
Yale Margolis graduated from The Tannenbaum College with a B.A. in Religious Studies. He received a graduate certificate in Police Leadership, followed by an M.A. in Criminal Justice with dual specializations in Police Administration and Criminology and Deviance in 2012, a Master’s in Public Administration: Inspector General Program, with a specialization in Inspection and Oversight in 2014, and an Advanced Certificate Post Baccalaureate in Terrorism Studies in 2015, all from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He received his Doctorate in Public Administration from West Chester University in 2021, where he was initiated into the Pi Alpha Alpha Society, the international honor society for Public Affairs & Administration. His dissertation focused on Field Training Programs in Policing. He served as a member of the New York City Police Department and was assigned to the Housing Bureau for 10 years before retiring. He was a field training officer for new probationary officers. He attended Tenants Association meetings and Governing Boards and met with community leaders to work collaboratively on community issues. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, he served as a legal intern at the Broward County State Attorney’s Office in the Homicide Unit, where he reviewed discovery, case files, depositions, and video evidence, and worked on a first-degree murder case and other homicide cases. During his 2L year and summer, he worked for Smarter Degree, a company he co-founded, which aims to help police officers earn their bachelor’s degree in an efficient and expedient manner, as there is research to
suggest that the higher the level of education a police officer has, the lower the rates of use of force and civilian complaints which leads to a stronger relationship with the community they serve.
Albany Muria graduated from the University of Miami in May 2021 as a Civic Scholar with a B.A. in Public Administration and a minor in Human and Social Development. She served as president of Get Out the Vote, leading non-partisan voter education and registration efforts on campus, during the 2018 and 2020 elections. She received several scholarships and was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society. Deeply rooted in South Florida’s immigrant community, as a 1L at Miami Law, Albany volunteered with the ACLU of Florida’s Detention Database Project, the St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute, and other initiatives at various non-profit organizations. She has also worked at multiple immigration law firms, where she worked on employment visa petitions during her 1L summer and part-time throughout her 2L year. As a Civic Synergy facilitator, she helps undergraduate students build civic deliberation skills to bridge divides and advance policy solutions. She is also a mentor for the 1L mentorship program. During her 2L summer, she worked on premises liability and medical malpractice cases at a civil defense firm. As a 3L, she is continuing to focus on pro bono immigration projects while learning new skills to advance her interests in civil litigation.
Angela Rose Myers graduated from Barnard College in 2018. In 2019, she became the 2nd Vice-President of the Minneapolis NAACP and was elected as president in 2020. In 2023, Angela Rose graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in Human Rights. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Angela Rose and a team of researchers at the University of Minnesota notified the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights about the human rights abuses perpetrated by the police in Minnesota, utilizing testimony from impacted individuals. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she worked as a Summer Law Clerk for the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, where she aided the state’s Cannabis Expungement Board. As a 2L, she served as co-president of the ACLU-UM chapter, Community Relations Chair of the Black Law Students Association, and Critical Reading Librarian for the National Lawyers Guild. She also participated in the Human Rights Clinic, researching issues of gender-based violence. During her 2L summer, Angela Rose worked for Community Justice Project, Inc., a movement lawyering organization in Miami dedicated to supporting the social justice movement in Florida.
Radha Patel graduated magna cum laude from Kennesaw State University with a B.S. in Political Science, minors in Legal Studies and International Affairs, and a certificate in Constitutional Studies. Prior to law school, she worked as program coordinator at the nonprofit OwlSwap Sustainability Initiative, developing community-serving, environmentally sustainable resources for disadvantaged students. She was
elected secretary and voting member of the Presidential Commission on Sustainability and, with support from Ambassador Dho Young-Shim, authored a children’s book titled Sustainable Habits Cure Our Planet, promoting generational change in clothing consumption and environmental impact. At Miami Law, Radha participated in an Alternative Spring Break with the New York County Defender Services, conducting legal research, drafting a manual on bias in jury selection, and observing court. During her 1L summer, she served as a legal intern with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where she drafted court documents and supported attorneys during trials and calendar calls. She also joined the Judicial Internship Academy with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, writing a bench memo, arguing a mock case before a federal judge, and observing multiple trials. As a 2L, she served on the executive board of SWANALSA and as a Junior Staff Editor on the Race and Social Justice Law Review (RSJLR). During her 2L summer, she returned to the New York County Defender Services, gaining courtroom experience by speaking on the record and arguing for client release, an experience that deepened her understanding of New York law and procedure. As a 3L, Radha is serving as Submissions Editor for RSJLR and studying abroad in Spain during the fall semester.
John Rincon graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University with a B.A. in Philosophy and minors in English and Economics. Prior to law school, he volunteered with Exchange for Change, a non-profit organization that educates incarcerated students, where he taught philosophy and prepared course materials during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also taught mathematics and philosophy at a private school in Miami for three years. At Miami Law, John serves as a Senior Notes & Comments Editor for The University of Miami Law Review and as a board member on the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board. He has worked as a research assistant to Professor John M. Newman and Dean Kunal M. Parker, a grant writer for the Miami Law & AI Lab, and an intern and clinical fellow with the Investor Rights Clinic. During his 1L summer, he served as a legal intern with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. As a 2L, he served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida. During his 2L summer, he was a summer associate with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in New York.
Ashley Rock graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University in December 2021 with a B.S. in psychology and political science and a minor in public health. Following graduation, Ashley worked as a paralegal in insurance defense at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP in New York. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Ashley served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Andrew Krause, United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York, where she conducted legal research and assisted with drafting orders and reports and recommendations. During the fall semester of her 2L year, Ashley worked as a law clerk for The Injury Law Firm LLP, assisting with plaintiff’s personal injury lawsuits. Ashley also served as a Public Interest Network mentor. Ashley then returned to Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP, where she worked full-time as a paralegal during the spring and summer. As a returning 2L, Ashley is serving as the Secretary of the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society.
Jake Solomon graduated summa cum laude from Binghamton University, State University of New York School of Management with a B.S. in Accounting and Management Information Systems. He served on the School of Management Diversity Board. His passion for helping others started at age fourteen when he founded his own small business, Smart Choice Protein, creating gluten free, vegan, and health-conscious products. Throughout college, Jake took part in internships with members of the New York State Senate and Assembly, participating in campaigning and community events, and assisting in the resolution of constituent problems such as tax and unemployment issues. He also served as Fundraising Chair for Corazoncitos, which informed the campus community about current issues in Latin America and raised money for non-profit organizations assisting children in Latin America. Upon graduation, Jake became the Coordinator of Legislative and Community Affairs for the New York State Assembly, where he assisted constituents in resolving issues, organized community service projects, and managed daily activities in the district office. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Jake served as an intern in the felony division of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where he drafted legal memos, performed research, attended trials, and observed plea negotiations. As a 2L, Jake served as a HOPE Liaison for the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), the Activist Chair for OUTLaw, a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Darrin P. Gayles of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and a Legal Intern for the City of Miami Beach. During his 2L summer, Jake served as a Certified Legal Intern in the County Court Division of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office where he argued motions on the record and called the daily arraignment calendar. As a 3L, Jake is serving as an extern with the State Attorney's Office in the Domestic Violence Division.
"I chose Miami Law because of the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center and Miami Public Interest Scholars Program. The guidance I have received through the Scholars Program and HOPE Office has been instrumental in shaping my comfort and confidence in approaching law school as a first-generation student. The Scholars Program has also given me a community of exceptional students and staff who genuinely want to help and support me academically and personally."
~Natalie Gonzalez, Class of 2026
"As a first-generation law student, the Miami Public Interest Scholars Program gave me a community before I even began law school and connected me with others who share a passion for public interest. Through this program, I have explored many areas of public interest law and learned the true value of this work. The HOPE Office and fellow scholars have provided guidance, resources, and support that have been essential to my growth and success in law school."
~Natalie Hollander, Class of 2026
"The Miami Public Interest Scholars Program was central to my decision to attend the University of Miami School of Law, as I was eager to continue pursuing my passion for advocacy and public service during law school and beyond. The program has given me access to personalized career advising and unique professional opportunities, and most importantly, the chance to connect with students, faculty, staff, and alumni from diverse backgrounds with a strong, shared commitment to public service."
~Camilo Daza Manga, Class of 2027
"The Miami Public Interest Scholars network has been an invaluable resource in my transition to law school. The mentorship of the HOPE team and upper-level students has proved incredibly reassuring and has helped ease my return to school after working for several years. My cohort is inspiring and constantly reaffirms my desire to act in the service of others."
~Frankie Wilton, Class of 2028
Max Ackerson graduated from the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School in May 2024 as an Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholar and Foote Fellow, earning a B.B.A. in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Business Law. As an undergraduate, Max interned in the Washington, D.C. office of U.S. Representative Andy Barr, worked as a legislative affairs summer associate at the impact investment firm Advantage Capital, and served as an executive office intern at Concordia. During his 1L year at Miami Law, Max was a 2024–25 Graduate Fellow at the Rumsfeld Foundation. He served as the 1L Representative to the Federalist Society and was elected Founding President of the law school’s chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society. He was also appointed as the incoming 2L Representative to the Faculty Hiring Committee. During his 1L summer, Max interned in the chambers of U.S. District Judge Jose E. Martinez, where he drafted legal memoranda, contributed to judicial orders and observed a wide range of proceedings. As a 2L, Max is participating in the International Moot Court Program and serving as a junior staff editor on the University of Miami International & Comparative Law Review. During his 2L spring, he is serving as an intern for U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman.
Natalie Bombino graduated cum laude from Florida State University in May 2023 with a B.S. in Criminology and a minor in Business. While in college, she participated in the World Affairs Program where she researched and proposed solutions to human rights issues. As a member of the Phi Alpha Delta PreLaw Fraternity, she volunteered for the Legal Aid Foundation to assist low-income families in accessing their legal rights. Natalie also spent her summers as a judicial intern for the Honorable Maria Verde in Miami, where she assisted in a variety of court proceedings including Family, Mental Health, and Drug Court. Prior to law school, Natalie worked as a legal assistant at a family law firm where she drafted legal documents and guided clients through challenging divorce, paternity, and domestic violence matters. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Natalie interned for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office where she performed legal research and worked on case preparation in the Felony Division. As a 2L, Natalie is serving as a Junior Staff Editor for the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review and participating in the Investor Rights Clinic.
Alex Brenner graduated from Gonzaga University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Throughout college, he served as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and served as a mentor with Athletes for Kids, a foundation focused on teaching life skills to adolescents with disabilities. There, he helped to develop tools and mechanisms to help improve the mentors’ communication and engagement with the children facing the most challenging disabilities. As a member of the Gonzaga Baseball team, he focused on giving back to his community through various service projects. As a 1L at Miami Law, Alex earned the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement in his Legal Communication (LComm) course. During his 1L summer, he served as a legal
intern with the Lead General Counsel of Walmart, where he drafted and assisted with the negotiation of corporate agreements. He also volunteered with Southern Legal Counsel, researching potential constitutional challenges—rooted in 14th Amendment substantive due process and Privileges or Immunities principles—to Florida’s recently enacted statute criminalizing camping in public spaces. As a 2L, he is serving as Vice President of the Federal Bar Association student chapter and as a Junior Staff Editor of the University of Miami Business Law Review
Robert Carilli graduated from Florida State University in December 2023 with a B.S. in Business Management. He was a member of the Dean’s List and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. During college, Robert interned for Zeus Sustainable Energy, where he worked to build financial models and business plans for a successful zero-carbon energy platform, participating in conferences and strategy sessions for the sustainable energy transition. He also volunteered at the Guatemala-Mayan Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of uprooted Hispanic families, where he tutored elementary school children, helping to enhance their reading comprehension and mathematical proficiency. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Robert interned at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, working with the Veterans Advocacy Project. He drafted motions and affidavits and conducted legal research to support veterans with their legal challenges. As a 2L, Robert is participating in the Investor Rights Clinic.
Sloane Crockett graduated from Belmont University in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree. She was a member of the Social Work Student Association and Phi Alpha Honor Society. She completed multiple research projects, including one that examined the barriers that individuals experiencing homelessness faced when trying to re-enter society. Sloane was selected to be Belmont University's representative at the National Association of Social Work’s Day on the Hill where she presented an advocacy initiative focused on researching and correcting sentencing disparities in Tennessee. As a sophomore, Sloane interned at the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center in Nashville, TN, where she helped victims of domestic violence navigate the judicial process. From there, she took a keen interest in the criminal justice system and began focusing her studies on the increase in mass incarceration in America. As a junior, Sloane interned with the Tennessee Office of the Post Conviction Defender, where she worked with indigent individuals on death row as they appealed their death sentences. As a senior, she completed her field placement at the Middle District of Tennessee’s Office of the Federal Public Defender where she served as a social worker for individuals who were being charged criminally in the federal system. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Sloane served as an intern with the Florida Justice Institute in Miami, where she worked on civil rights litigation. She was also a research assistant for Professor Coker. As a 2L, she is serving as president of the Criminal Law Society and participating in the Innocence Clinic.
Camilo Daza Manga graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in May 2022 with a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science, with a concentration in cross-national and regional politics, focusing on China and Latin America. He served as assistant editor of the opinion section of USC’s student newspaper, where he pushed for discounted transportation passes and the elimination of plastic beverage bottles on campus, both of which were implemented. He also engaged with Congressional staff to advocate for legislation to protect students’ constitutional freedom of association rights. During the 2020 election, Camilo helped to create a youth-led political media movement and later worked for the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions and with the NALEO Educational Fund, a non-profit organization that advocates for Latino participation in the American political process. Following graduation, he worked in Washington, D.C., where he continued to employ advocacy strategies and interfaced with foreign ambassadors, members of Congress, and senior executive branch officials to help his clients protect free speech across the political spectrum, expand pathways to higher education for underserved students, advance inclusive economic initiatives across the globe, and work on other matters relating to foreign policy and national security. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Camilo served as a legal intern with the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where he researched legislative history to inform legal analysis, drafted memoranda and member questions for committee hearings, and supported efforts to protect federal scientific research funding and climate science programs. As a 2L, Camilo is participating as a delegate to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil, and serving as vice president of the Alexander Hamilton Society, Colombian Bar Association Representative to the Hispanic Law Student Association, Junior Staff Editor on the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, and as a member of the International Moot Court Program.
Olivia Dill graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire in 2024 with a dual major in Political Science and International Affairs and a minor in Italian. During the summer of 2023, she interned for the New Hampshire Judicial Branch’s Access to Justice Program and wrote a new Language Access Program for the New Hampshire court system, conducting research about how to improve access to justice for English second language and hard-of-hearing individuals. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Olivia served as a law clerk for Legal Services of Greater Miami (LSGMI) in the Tenants’ Rights Unit, where she prepared legal documents, attended hearings, participated in outreach, and conducted intake with low-income clients to assist in preventing eviction and homelessness. She also helped to educate clients and social workers about the rights of tenants in a landlord-friendly state. As a 2L, she is continuing her work at LSGMI as an extern and a Pro Bono Project Leader. She is helping to facilitate pro bono opportunities for Miami Law students in the areas of public benefits, disability rights, employment law and special education. She is on the Race and Social Justice Law Review and an executive board member of the First Generation Law Society.
Katrina Erwin graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University in 2020 with a B.S. in Mass Media Communication Studies and a minor in International Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration. She spent four years prior to law school dedicated to advancing climate justice at the local, state, and federal levels through her role as Youth Advocacy Program Manager at The CLEO Institute. Her passion for environmental and social justice also led her to serve in a number of volunteer roles, including Co-Chair of the Miami Climate Alliance's Resilient Miami Working Group, a member of the Coral Gables Sustainability Board, and a participant in the Miami-Dade County Youth Mayor Roundtable. These experiences strengthened her commitment to using policy and advocacy as tools for community empowerment. As a 1L at Miami Law, she participated in HOPE’s Alternative Spring Break, working with Legal Aid of North Carolina to provide essential legal services to residents in rural North Carolina. She drafted powers of attorney and wills, researched victims’ rights in domestic violence cases, worked directly with clients, and helped explain complex legal materials in clear, accessible terms. During her 1L summer, Katrina served as a judicial intern for a Federal Magistrate Judge, where she gained valuable insight into a wide range of legal issues and honed her legal research and writing skills. As a 2L, Katrina is participating in the Environmental Law Program and the Environmental Justice Clinic, serves as Environmental Justice Chair of Miami Law’s Environmental Law Society, and is a Junior Staff Editor for the Inter-American Law Review.
Tali Faerman graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2023 with a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science and a minor in English. She was part of the Political Science Junior Fellowship Program, where she coauthored and published a paper within the Electoral Studies political science journal titled Electoral Colorism: Candidate Skin Color and List Placement in Ecuador. As part of her International Studies major, she wrote her senior thesis Holocaust Distortion and the Promotion of Nationalist Agendas in Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine, which was recognized with the highest honors. Since she was young, Tali has supported the Cooperative La Juanita within the community of La Matanza, Argentina, where she helped establish an English program at the local preschool by collaborating with the on-site teacher and creating video lessons. After college, Tali interned for the International Rescue Committee as an Anti-Human Trafficking Casework Intern, helping connect survivors of human trafficking to essential resources. As a 1L at Miami Law, Tali joined the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society, where she was elected as the Chair of Internal Affairs. During her 1L summer, Tali served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Ellen Sue Venzer of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. As a 2L, Tali is serving as a Junior Staff Editor on the International and Comparative Law Review and as a judicial intern for the Honorable Robin S. Rosenbaum of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Avery Hall graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Global Communication Studies and minors in Nonprofit Studies and Human Development & Family Studies. She served as the chair of the May 4th Task Force, a historic group dedicated to preserving the memory of the 1970 National Guard shootings on campus, where she led yearly commemorative ceremonies and was selected as the 2022 and 2023 Keynote Student Speaker. Additionally, she served as the vice president of the Lambda Pi Eta Honors Fraternity, community service and membership chair of Kent Student Ambassadors, and a programming board member for the Undergraduate Student Government. She created local advocacy initiatives through her position as a Community Partner Advocate alongside the university, where she worked with nonprofits such as ACCESS Inc., Haven of Rest, and Luther House of Kent to promote education and youth involvement for those experiencing housing insecurity in Northeast Ohio. Upon graduation, she was selected by the Kent State Alumni Association for the Golden Flash Award, which recognizes recent alumni with substantial contributions to the Kent community. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Avery served as a legal intern at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Adalberto Jordan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. As a 2L, Avery is a Junior Staff Editor on the University of Miami Law Review, the financial chair of the First-Generation Law Association, and a 1L Upper-Level Mentor.
Teju (TJ) Idera graduated from East Stroudsburg University in May 2022 with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Psychology. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she interned for the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and served as a Research Assistant to Professor Jill Barton, Director of Legal Writing at Miami Law. As a 2L, TJ is working as a law clerk in the University of Miami’s Office of Technology Transfer, drafting intellectual property agreements and conducting patentability analyses on emerging technologies. A passionate advocate for children and underserved communities, TJ continues to serve as a Guardian Ad Litem in Florida. She is a recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Communication and Research, and an active member of the Black Law Student Association, the Intellectual Property Law Society, and the AI & Law Society, which she co-founded.
Anthony Labrador graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami in May 2021 with a B.S. in Health Sciences and a minor in Biochemistry/Classics. He served as Club Treasurer for UM’s Chemistry Club, organizing outreach events like STEM Saturdays at the Overtown Youth Center and demonstrations at the Frost Science Museum. Outside of school, Anthony became involved in Cuba Primero, a program supporting Cuban freedom, where he coordinated the travel of hundreds of volunteers to Washington D.C. to support the July 11th protests in Cuba. Following graduation, Anthony interned at Gallardo Law Firm,
where he conducted legal research and assisted attorneys in providing legal relief to immigrants. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Anthony participated in the Health Rights Clinic, providing supervised legal services to immigrants seeking naturalization and Medicaid benefits. As a 2L, he is serving as treasurer of Miami Law’s Health Law Association and serving as an intern with the in-house counsel for a Miami-based outpatient surgical center.
Arianne Ontiveros graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in May 2023 with B.A. degrees in Law, History, & Culture and Communication Studies. She served as the Panhellenic President, overseeing the largest women's organization on campus and working directly with the university administration. She also co-founded the digital platform Trojan Herstory, which was created to connect women-identifying USC students and alumni. She graduated with the Order of Troy Award, which recognizes exceptional student leaders. Upon graduation, she moved back to her hometown of El Paso, Texas, where she solidified her love for public interest work and digital media. She volunteered for the immigration advocacy center, Las Americas, contributing to their digital media creation. She also co-founded one of the largest all-women run clubs in the nation, Girls Run the 915, to help fill the gap in the sport of running and give women a safe space to run. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Arianne returned to Las Americas in Texas, where she served as a legal intern on the Detained Team, primarily working on asylum claims. As a 2L, she is participating in the Yvette Ostolaza Mock Trial Team and serving on the executive board of the Fashion Law Society as the social media manager.
Serena Patel graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in June of 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and Communication and a minor in History. She was a member of Delta Gamma, serving as Director of Service Hours, Director of Fundraising, and VP Foundation. In these roles, she worked with national and local organizations to create new volunteer opportunities for chapter members and organized numerous fundraising events on behalf of the Delta Gamma Foundation and non-profit organizations that serve the visually impaired community, such as the Blind Children’s Center in Los Angeles and Guide Dogs of America. She also volunteered with (Tote)ally Loved, a charitable organization that gives back to single mothers. Serena worked as a legal intern for Engel & Davis, a trusts and estates firm in New York, where she gained insight into probate, inheritance, estate planning, and charitable donations. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Serena interned with Justice Horizon Initiative, an international human rights non-profit, and Queens County Family Court in New York. She gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for how the law impacts the lives of marginalized individuals and families.
Kameron Walton graduated from the University of Central Florida in August 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science. He was a member of the President's List and studied abroad in São Paulo, Brazil. There, he worked with Rotary International, serving rural communities by assisting with the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Following graduation, he worked as a clerk at the State Attorney's Office in Florida's 9th Judicial Circuit. He was promoted to trial legal assistant, managing a felony and misdemeanor caseload, serving as a translator, drafting legal documents, and helping prepare cases for trial. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Kameron served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Laurel M. Isicoff of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, performing legal research, attending court hearings, and drafting bench memoranda. As a 2L, he is participating in the Bankruptcy Assistance Clinic and serving as an intern with Dade Legal Aid's Put Something Back Pro Bono Bankruptcy Project. He is also serving as a HOPE Liaison for the Brazilian Law Students Association.
"The Miami Scholars Program has been an invaluable part of my experience at Miami Law. It makes a large class feel much smaller with access to intentional, one-on-one interactions with the HOPE team and invaluable friendships from our cohort. With support from the program, I was able to return to my hometown on the Texas border during my 1L summer to work for Las Americas, an immigrant advocacy center. I assisted detained asylum seekers and got first-hand experience with immigration law. I am incredibly thankful to have a space at Miami Law where public interest is at the forefront."
~Arianne Ontiveros, Class of 2027
"I am grateful to the Miami Scholars Program for helping to launch my decades-long career dedicated to public service. As a state government practitioner and as a proud alum of the U.S. Department of Justice, I wish for current and future Miami Scholars careers that help to uphold the rule of law, serve the people of this country, and uphold the principles of and rights afforded by the Constitution."
~Fara Gold, JD ’03
Brooklyn District Attorney's Office Deputy Chief of the Gender Based Violence Division Brooklyn, NY
"The Miami Scholars Program connected me with a network of students and alumni dedicated to public service and social justice. Having this community made law school a much more fulfilling experience, and helped me develop a network that has guided me into my career. With the support of the Miami Scholars Program, I was able to take summer internships across the country to work on environmental justice issues and connect with alumni and professionals doing similar work. The community that the program creates for its students and alumni is invaluable."
~Katrina Tomas, JD ’19 Earthjustice San Francisco, CA
"The Miami Scholars Program is the reason that I chose to attend the University of Miami School of Law, and I'm very happy that I did. The support and encouragement that I received enabled me to be active in the community while maintaining high academic standards. It's an exceptional thing when you're surrounded by a group of people similar to you in their passion for public service, but with an incredible amount of diversity of life experience."
~Madeline Seales, JD ’20
Law Offices of the Los Angeles County Public Defender, Los Angeles, CA
Joseph Bonjawo graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2023 with a B.A in Philosophy and a minor in French. While serving as an opinion editor for a student-led publication known as Orphée Noir, he published articles exploring structural inequities in the African American population. As a senior, he served as a peer advisor for the University’s Office of African American Affairs, offering personalized support to incoming first-year students in academic and social matters. Following graduation, Joseph returned to Fort Myers, Florida, and served as a researcher at the Lee County Black History Society. He drafted a research proposal persuading stakeholders to invest in a campaign to erect an African American Cultural Center in Dunbar, a historically African American and low-income neighborhood. He has also volunteered with the Teen Court program. Joseph hopes to use his law degree to leverage his knowledge and skills to address the needs of underserved communities and promote equity in the criminal justice system.
Mailon Cedeño graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2024 with dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Political Science, minors in International Development & Humanitarian Assistance and Sustainability Studies, and a certificate in International Relations. He served as Chief of Staff and Transition Chair for Student Government, overseeing initiatives such as discounted transportation and the development of dedicated campus spaces for marginalized student communities. As president of the First Generation Leadership Program, he led the redesign of curriculum and operations, doubled its cohort size, launched a dedicated resource website, and organized over 140 educational, service, and social events. Mailon was also involved in the Hispanic Student Association—the largest cultural organization on campus— where he led monthly discussions on Hispanic and Latinx issues, including legal and political matters affecting the community. Recognized for his leadership and campus impact, he was tapped into Florida Blue Key in Spring of 2024. Mailon hopes to use his law degree to advocate for historically underserved communities at the intersection of public policy, international diplomacy, and human rights advocacy, by advancing constitutional and economic justice at home and abroad.
Erica Clare graduated from the University of South Florida in December 2023 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy. She was an active member of the National Council of Negro Women, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and empowering Black women and their communities. As part of the fundraising and volunteer committee, she helped organize scholarship fundraisers and coordinated community service events focused on health, education, and social justice. She later interned for Tampa City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, where she supported legislative research and contributed to policy proposals addressing environmental justice and community well-being. After graduation, Erica worked as the Multicultural Communications Relations Coordinator at LifeLink of Florida, where she led outreach initiatives and hosted educational presentations designed to make
organ donation information accessible to people of all backgrounds. Through this work, she reached thousands of individuals from multicultural communities across the state. Erica is driven to use her legal education to advocate for underserved communities and to advance justice at the intersection of health, environment, and public policy.
Jordan Cohen graduated with honors from Johns Hopkins University in 2021, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer Science, along with a minor in Entrepreneurship & Management. He was named a Clark Scholar, a distinction awarded to select undergraduates excelling in both business and engineering. As part of the program, Jordan spent a semester at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, where he consulted with researchers on strategies to commercialize cutting-edge technologies. During college, Jordan also volunteered with the Baltimore Public Schools, helping redesign playgrounds to improve student safety. Following graduation, he worked as a software engineer in the fintech industry. Outside of work, Jordan develops multilingual educational tools using Scratch that teach English language learners the fundamentals of coding while supporting their language development. He also volunteers with local food kitchens, in both Miami and New York City, helping fight food insecurity, particularly among malnourished children. He plans to pursue a legal career focused on child advocacy, particularly in education equity and reform.
Amalia Garcia graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. She served as Student Lead of the Athena Policy and Changemaking community of practice, as well as a member of the Williams Program for Women in Politics, facilitating a group of students interested in government as a method of making change. Amalia also served as Director of Operations of the Columbia Political Review. She was frequently involved in the student theatre community as a producer, managing the budget and financial records, assembling the production and design teams, maintaining alumni relations, and coordinating publicity efforts. After graduation, Amalia worked as a Mayor’s Aide in the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s Office, assisting with scheduling the Mayor’s event and meeting requests, and as Deputy Press Secretary at the Debbie for Florida U.S. Senate campaign, building relationships with radio, student, and Spanish-language media, as well as drafting communications materials for the campaign of Debbie Mucarsel-Powell. Amalia hopes to use her law degree to work at the intersection of law, advocacy, and public policy.
Allie Green graduated with University Honors from the University of Michigan in May 2025, earning a B.A. with a dual major in Psychology and Communication & Media, along with a concentration in Sales and Business from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. She received both the George S. Fischler Four-Year Renewable Scholarship and the President’s Donor Scholarship in recognition of her academic excellence
and leadership. While at Michigan, she served as a Legal Intern at the Washtenaw County Office of the Public Defender, conducting legal research for the juvenile division of the Circuit Court, drafting and analyzing motions and attending court proceedings. Allie also volunteered with the American Cancer Society. As a senior, Allie was selected as a student instructor for Project Outreach, a service-learning course where she designed lesson plans, led weekly classroom discussion and supported students in reflecting on their experiences working with inner-city, at-risk children at Foundations Preschool. She also volunteered and served as a donor with The Gift of Life, educating others about organ and tissue donation and helping to facilitate lifesaving transplants. She hopes to use her law degree to support communities and effectuate change.
Kiara Jackson graduated summa cum laude from Kennesaw State University in December of 2023 with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies and Gender & Women's Studies. She received a Georgia HOPE Scholarship and was on the President's List for multiple semesters. Her senior thesis focused on gentrification in Atlanta. She was selected as 2023 Miss Black and Old Gold for the Tau Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Through this opportunity, she focused on promoting education in the Black community and encouraging youth to pursue higher education. She also served as Community Service Chair for the mentorship organization Big Sister Little Sister. Following graduation, she worked for the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, where she aided in protecting Georgia's consumers against unfair or deceptive business practices. Kiara hopes to pursue a career as a federal judge to ensure equitable application of the law.
Andrew Navarro graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University in May 2025 with a B.A. in Political Science and an interdisciplinary focus in International Studies, where he conducted research on the evolving role of county clerks and the growing scrutiny they face in the wake of election fraud allegations. As Attorney General in student government, he advocated for environmental sustainability on campus, expanding mental health resources, and greater university accountability in addressing sexual assault within Greek life. He interned with Catholic Charities and volunteered with the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team, where he assisted refugees in pursuing legal status and organized local fundraising efforts. He represented Kansas at public policy conferences and wrote a senior thesis analyzing international responses to the Syrian and Venezuelan refugee crises to identify best practices in addressing forced displacement. Andrew has also worked in legislative settings, including the House of Representatives and the Kansas State Treasurer’s office. He plans to use his legal education to protect displaced populations, advocate for environmental justice in the face of climate-related displacement and promote equitable policy through a lifelong career in public service.
Raymond Rif graduated from the George Washington University in May 2017 with a B.A. in Political Science and in May 2018 with a master’s in Legislative Affairs and a Certificate in PACs & Political Management. He was a Presidential Scholar and received the GWU Alumni Association Prize for founding and leading the GWU Government Affairs and Public Policy Association. During undergrad, he interned at the Department of Justice, a political fundraising firm, and a trade association for government contractors. During graduate school, he worked full-time for the Minority Staff of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He participated in strategy meetings, conducted research, drafted memos and correspondence, and led the effort to resolve a postal discrepancy impacting voter registration in rural Missouri. Upon graduation, he joined Morrison & Foerster LLP’s DC office as a Paralegal and Legislative and Policy Specialist, supporting the National Security, Antitrust, and Government Contracting practices, as well as the firm’s pro bono immigration work. He subsequently worked at a boutique consulting firm focusing on national security matters. He hopes to use his law degree to continue his commitment to serving the community through the political process and the practice of law.
Inga JoAnne Stevens graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University in 2023 with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Political Science. She interned for the non-profit Developing Radio Partners, where she worked to establish and amplify local radio programming across communities in Malawi to develop health initiatives and foster open dialogue between youth and local leaders. During her senior year, she participated as a member of the Mortar Board Honors Society, where she developed service projects that gave students a way to engage with the city, including trash cleanups and library drives. She also established and implemented a mentoring program that paired graduating students with current students in service participation across the school and the city of Auburn. She also worked with the development of the Light of the Nations schools in Guatemala, organizing collections for supplies and responding to additional needs as they arose, including student sponsorship. With interests in international policy and the non-profit sector, Inga JoAnne hopes to pursue a legal career to advocate for global initiatives that contribute to the betterment of all communities.
Frankie Wilton graduated from Boston College in 2021 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Communication. He led multiple environmental initiatives on campus and in the Greater Boston area, including beach clean-ups, sustainable food sourcing programs, and coordinating speaking engagements. He also served as a discussion leader and mentor to first-year students seeking careers in oceanic policy and advocacy. Upon graduation, Frankie moved to Maui County, Hawai’i to work for the Pacific Whale Foundation and advance their mission of ocean protection through science and advocacy. He parlayed these experiences into a career with National
Geographic Expeditions as a Naturalist and Photography Instructor in environments from the tropics to the Antarctic. In this role, he lectured on pertinent ecological issues, guided in remote wilderness settings, and supported the conservation work of the National Geographic Society. He routinely supplies photography to research and conservation initiatives on a pro bono basis. Frankie hopes to use his legal education to promote environmental justice and ensure that the wilderness areas he has shared with people remain unspoiled.
"As I begin law school, the Miami Public Interest Scholars Program has become a place of comfort and community where I can truly be myself. From day one, my cohort and the HOPE team who have encouraged me and worked alongside me to pursue the positive impact I know I am capable of. Each student’s unique background and diverse perspective, all centered on a dedication to serving the public good, has helped us grow as individuals and as future leaders in the legal field. This experience and these connections are things I will never take for granted."
~Mailon Cedeño, Class of 2028
"As I navigate my first year of law school, the Miami Public Interest Scholars Program has given me an incredible community of students and friends who think critically about the world around them and prioritize social justice. It has also connected me with mentors and staff who genuinely care about our success, both professionally and personally. Each program meeting reminds me of why I chose to attend law school and helps me take one step closer to my goals."
~Amalia Garcia, Class of 2028
