PUBLIC INTEREST RESOURCE CENTER SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAMS
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“The HOPE Public Interest Resource Center is dedicated to cultivating an ethic of service in all law students and is committed to outreach and advocacy locally, nationally and internationally. HOPE works to bridge the access to justice gap, supporting students in the journey to become lawyers who will make a difference in the lives of others. HOPE is honored to be part of a legal community that embraces the imperative to promote justice and service as central to professional identity. HOPE and Summer Public Interest Fellows evolve as advocates through their summer placements, developing their skillsets and committing themselves to impactful work. From criminal justice to municipal government and civil legal services, Fellows have the opportunity to serve clients, shape policy and empower communities.” ~Marni Lennon, Asst. Dean for Public Interest & Pro Bono Founder/Director of HOPE Public Interest Resource Center Lecturer of Law
HOPE FELLOWS PROGRAM The HOPE Fellows Program gives rising 2L and 3L students, with a commitment to public interest advocacy, the opportunity to create their public interest dream job at an agency locally, nationally or internationally, and receive a stipend from the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center. HOPE Fellows work with public interest organizations to provide legal advocacy, policy development and implementation, and to devise systems to enhance the delivery of legal services. The HOPE Fellows Program challenges students to identify host agencies and develop on-site projects to uniquely address the unmet needs of the organization’s constituency. Upon their return to Miami Law, HOPE Fellows design and implement initiatives to educate and engage law students in advocacy related to their area of concentration. Over the years, the program has grown from just two fellows, placed in local agencies, to up to twenty fellows, each summer, across the globe.
"I came to law school with a deep belief that the law should work for everyone—and the HOPE Fellows Program has given me the opportunity to put that belief into practice. Serving as a HOPE Fellow with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, I have been immersed in work that directly impacts the lives of people facing discrimination in the workplace. Getting to do this type of work, even as a student, is something I have worked toward since starting law school. Thanks to HOPE, I have been able to turn my passion for social justice into meaningful action, and I am grateful to be part of a community that believes in using the law as a force for change.” ~Hanna Timm HOPE Summer Fellow US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Miami, FL
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TAYLOR ALLISON
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Taylor Allison (Class of 2027) graduated from the University of Central Florida in May 2024 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and two minors in Legal Studies and Intelligence & National Security. She also obtained two certificates in Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Profiling. Prior to law school, she worked as a veterinary assistant and as a summer legal intern at Oliver & Fox, P.A., where she supported senior paralegals and attorneys with legal research and document management in preparation for first responder personal injury and workers compensation cases. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office in the Felony Division. As a 2L, Taylor was a Junior Staff Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review, a member of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board, served on the Society of Bar & Gavel's Ad Hoc Constitution Committee, was the HOPE Liaison for the Criminal Law Society, and a Law Student Ambassador. She also served as a Law Clerk for Clyde & Co.'s Trial and Defense Team. During her 2L summer, Taylor returned to the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office as a HOPE Fellow and Certified Legal Intern in the Felony Division. As a 3L, she is serving as an intern with the Innocence Clinic to support post-conviction efforts for individuals wrongfully incarcerated.
OLIVIA CAMPMANY
FARA GOLD FELLOW US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK LONG ISLAND, NY Olivia Campmany (Class of 2028) graduated cum laude from the University of Miami in 2025 with a double major in Motion Picture Production and Criminology, and minors in Sociology and Education. She is passionate about criminal law and public service, with a particular interest in ethical prosecution and trial advocacy, as well as international criminal law. Her interest in the field developed through prior internships with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the Broward State Attorney’s Office, a criminal law firm in Dublin, Ireland, and various criminal defense firms, where she gained exposure to different legal systems and perspectives within the criminal justice process. At Miami Law, Olivia is a JD/L.L.M. candidate, a Dean’s Merit Scholar, and serves as Vice President of the Criminal Law Society and HOPE Liaison Co-Chair on the Public Interest Leadership Board. During her 1L summer, Olivia served as a HOPE Fellow/Fara Gold Fellow with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York in the Long Island Criminal Division.
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VALENTINO GOMEZ WEACT NEW YORK, NY
Valentino Gomez (Class of 2028) graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2021 with a degree in Economics. While there, he participated in De Colores, a volunteer trip to build homes in Tijuana. He also led the fundraising efforts of the Outdoors Club, raising money for environmental charities, and took part in Lions for Recovery, a student-run organization focused on accountability for addiction recovery and preventing relapse. He first developed an interest in fighting climate change when he saw the trailer for An Inconvenient Truth, and that interest grew after reading the works of Denise Levertov, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Melville. At Miami Law, Val is a member of the Society of Bar and Gavel. During his 1L summer, he served as a HOPE Fellow with WeACT, an environmental organization in Harlem dedicated to protecting the rights of minority communities disproportionately affected by pollution, incorporating renewable energy, and enacting environmental legislation.
JULIA MONTEJO
CORNELL CENTER ON THE DEATH PENALTY WORLDWIDE ITHACA, NY Julia Montejo (Class of 2028) graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Spanish Language and Literature. She began her career in 2018 as a community organizer at the Miami-Dade interfaith organization, People Acting for Community Together, where she spearheaded an immigrant rights campaign. From 2021-2022, she served as development coordinator for the binational migrant rights organization, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc., working on grant proposals, reporting compliance, and small donor relations for a multimillion dollar portfolio. After almost five years in nonprofit work, Julia joined the Y-Combinator-backed startup, Extern, where she managed early career development programs for clients like PwC, the National Geographic Society, and Home Depot. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Julia served as a HOPE Fellow at the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide. As a 2L, she is participating in the Immigration Clinic.
MAVERICK PRINCE
ST. LUCIE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FT. PIERCE, FL Maverick Prince (Class of 2028) graduated from the University of Florida in May 2025 with a B.S. in Sport Management. While at UF, he demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership and service. He was the youngest section leader in the UF Marching Band and received the Mandy Grau Award, recognizing exemplary leadership. He also served as president of the Gator Sport Management Organization, a student group focused on preparing students for careers in the sports industry. Maverick served as a content tutor with the University of
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Florida Athletic Association, where he supported student-athletes across a range of academic subjects and was recognized as Tutor of the Month for three consecutive months. He spent his undergraduate summers as a Florida Operations Associate with the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, where he supervised gameday entertainment, planned promotional events, developed community partnerships, and supported front office operations. During his 1L summer, Maverick served as a HOPE Fellow with the St. Lucie County State Attorney’s Office in Fort Pierce, Florida.
CLARA PRIZONT
US EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION MIAMI, FL Clara Prizont (Class of 2028) graduated magna cum laude from Touro University in 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to law school, she worked as an administrative legal assistant at a Seattle law firm and in administration, donor relations, and direct service at several non-profits. She also volunteered at Seattle food justice and political non-profits and served as a founding board member of the Seattle Jewish Community Relations Council. At Miami Law, she is a Dean’s Merit Scholar and spent her 1L spring break volunteering, through HOPE’s Alternative Spring Break Program, at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. As a 2L, she is participating in the Environmental Justice Clinic. During her 1L summer, she served as a HOPE Fellow with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Miami.
ASHLEY SHAKIB
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TAMPA, FL Ashley Shakib (Class of 2028) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2025 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. She served as the Panhellenic Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was a Senator in the Student Senate, and sat on the Student Conduct Committee. She also interned at a legal aid clinic in Cardiff, Wales, working with clients on a pro bono basis to help mitigate their complex legal problems. At Miami Law, Ashley is a Dean’s Merit Scholar, Co-Director of the International Refugee Assistance Project, and Advocacy Director and HOPE Liaison for If/When/How Lawyering for Reproductive Justice. During her 1L summer, Ashley served as a HOPE Fellow with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office in Tampa, Florida.
ARMAAN SOOTA
STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE—9TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ORLANDO, FL Armaan Soota (Class of 2028) graduated from York University in Toronto, Canada with a B.A. in Political Science and a Certificate in Public Policy and Law. Prior to law school, he spent nine years developing his advocacy skills through Model United Nations competitions before serving as President of
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York University's Model United Nations Club, where he grew the organization from 10 to over 200 members, spearheaded a financial transparency campaign, and rewrote the club's constitution. Committed to expanding access to legal education, he founded an LSAT tutoring company dedicated to providing affordable resources for students who could not access traditional preparatory services. He also gained practical legal experience through a litigation internship at Kesarwani Law Office and mortgage and underwriting compliance work at IndoCan Investment Corp. At Miami Law, Armaan is a Dean's Merit Scholar pursuing a JD/LLM in Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law. He serves in leadership roles with the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and the South Asian Bar Association of Florida. During his 1L summer, he served as a HOPE Fellow with the State Attorney's Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando, Florida.
HANNA TIMM
US EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION MIAMI, FL Hanna Timm (Class of 2027) graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh in 2022 with a B.S. in Psychology and History of Art & Architecture, before earning a Master of Legal Studies from American University in 2024. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Hanna served as a Legal Research Intern with the European Movement Albania in Tirana, Albania, where she conducted legal and policy research on Albania's European Union integration process with a focus on civil society inclusion and rule of law reforms. As a 2L, Hanna was the recipient of the HOPE Community Service Challenge—Outstanding 2L Award. As a 3L, she is participating in the Litigation Skills Program. During her 2L summer, Hanna served as HOPE Fellow with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Miami.
ALEX WILLIAMS
MIAMI-DADE SCHOOL BOARD OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL MIAMI, FL Alex Williams (Class of 2027) graduated cum laude from Skidmore College in 2015 with a B.S. in Management and Business. After graduation, he worked for former New York Governor David Paterson and spent seven years teaching government, economics, and English in New York City. At Miami Law, Alex has served as a fellow with the Center for Ethics and Public Service, where he worked with the Black Church Program, partnering with civic and faith-based organizations and supporting community outreach initiatives focused on rights education, legal research, and law reform. Alex also participated in the Health Rights Clinic, where he helped secure medical and legal resources for clients living with HIV and for blind individuals. He currently serves as president of the National Lawyers Guild. During his 1L summer, Alex worked as a legal research assistant, focusing on foster care and kinship issues. During his 2L summer, Alex served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of General Counsel for the Miami-Dade School Board, providing legal research, drafting and review of policies and contracts, and support in litigation and compliance matters.
SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM The Squire Patton Boggs Foundation Fellowship Program awards fellowships to exceptional law students who demonstrate a commitment to public service and a developed interest in public policy. Each year, SPBF sponsors a student who commits their summer to advancing public policy issues. In addition, Miami Law students are able to apply for Sustained Impact Fellowships, in areas including: Post-Disaster Relief, Racial Justice and Veterans’ Advocacy.
CAMILO DAZA MANGA US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON, DC
Camilo Daza Manga (Class of 2027) graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in May 2022 with a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science. He served as assistant editor of the opinion section of the student newspaper and interned for the US Department of State's Office of Foreign Missions and the NALEO Educational Fund. Following graduation, he worked in political advocacy in Washington, DC. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Camilo served as a legal intern with the US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. As a 2L, Camilo was a delegate to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Belém, Brazil, and served 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 InterAmerican Law Review and competed in the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Washington, DC. During his 2L summer, he served as a Squire Patton Boggs Public Policy Fellow with the Department of Justice.
SPONSORED FELLOWSHIPS SARAH LILLY FELLOWSHIP FOR EQUAL JUSTICE The law firm of Woodford Sathappan McGee sponsors The Sarah Lilly Fellowship for Equal Justice in honor of Sarah Lilly, JD ’21. Sarah was a Miami Public Interest Scholar who was passionate about access to justice and developing legal tools to assist those who experienced social injustice. Sarah sadly passed away in 2023. We honor her memory by selecting fellows who demonstrate dedication to women’s rights, domestic violence, juvenile justice, and access to justice.
VANESSA VASQUEZ DE LARA LAW GROUP FELLOWSHIP Vanessa Vasquez de Lara, JD ’02, of the Vasquez de Lara Law Group, a family law firm in South Florida, sponsors summer fellows committed to access to justice for women, children and families. Vanessa and her firm have a long-standing commitment to families and the community and are actively involved in pro bono legal work, voluntary bar associations, and a non-profit scholarship foundation that she started in memory of her brother.
FARA GOLD FELLOWSHIP Fara Gold, JD ’03, has dedicated her career to the pursuit of justice. A highly decorated civil rights attorney, she has served as a prosecutor at the state and federal level, working against abuse of power with a focus on victims' rights. She has designed and implemented trainings for local, state, federal and international agencies to promote effective and principled prosecution. The Fara Gold Fellowship supports students whose mission it is to promote justice for victims.
JANYL SMITH FELLOWSHIP Janyl Smith, JD/LLM ’17, is an estate planning attorney who is dedicated to supporting families and the community. She has a longstanding commitment to justice, community engagement and mentoring. She brings her business acumen and passion for serving others to her work as an advocate. She has partnered with HOPE to sponsor a fellowship in support of students dedicated to civil rights and uplifting voices in marginalized communities.
SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM The Summer Public Interest Fellows Program (SPIF) is designed to engage the public interest-minded student during the summer following their first year of law school. This selective program involves full-time work at a South Florida public interest agency for eight weeks during the summer along with a legal research and writing project. Fellows also participate in a Public Interest Lawyering Seminar where members of the bench, bar and legal community share their work in the public sector, walking students through problem-solving exercises and fostering their skills. Participating students are given a stipend and receive three academic credits. HOPE is proud to support the public interest work of an increasing number of students who serve clients and communities in extraordinary ways.
"I came to law school with the goal of becoming a public defender, and through SPIF I have my first opportunity to pursue that goal while working at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. HOPE was an incredible source of support throughout my first year of law school, and SPIF is another example of how HOPE makes students’ passions possible. The most meaningful aspect of the program is how it brings together an inspiring cohort of students who share a commitment to service and advocacy. I truly value the opportunity to build relationships with peers who will become part of a lifelong network of public interest professionals."
~Jillian Plymale HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow Broward County Public Defender Ft. Lauderdale, FL
MIAMI LAW SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM
MAKENZIE BENTLEY
US EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION MIAMI, FL Makenzie Bentley (Class of 2028) graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University in 2024, where she majored in political science and criminology. Prior to law school, Makenzie worked for three years as a legal assistant in labor and employment law with Chanfrau & Chanfrau Attorneys & Counselors at Law. She also spent one year as a teaching assistant at a high school in Madrid, Spain, where she headed a Model UN initiative for the bilingual education program. As a 1L at Miami Law, Makenzie joined the Public Interest Leadership Board and, as a 2L, is serving on the PILB advocacy committee and participating in the Children and Youth Law Clinic. During her 1L summer, Makenzie continued to explore her passion for employment law by serving as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Miami.
JESSIE DAVILA
US ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA MIAMI, FL Jessie Davila (Class of 2028) graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in 2025 with a B.S. in Legal Studies. While there, she served as an AmeriCorps JusticeCorps Legal Access Intern at the Compton Courthouse, where she assisted self-represented litigants, facilitated court form preparation, and supported individuals navigating the legal system. She also completed a capstone thesis examining wrongful convictions, with a focus on systemic bias, evidentiary issues, and the role of the criminal legal system in perpetuating injustice. At Miami Law, Jessie is a member of Miami Law Women, the First Generation Law Association, the Business Law Society, the Miami Innocence Alliance Intake Screening Committee, and the Public Interest Leadership Board, where she serves as a Public Interest Network (PIN) Chair. As a 2L, she is participating in the Innocence Clinic. During her 1L summer, Jessie served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow in the Narcotics Division of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida in Miami.
IHARA GONZALEZ BARRERA
VASQUEZ DE LARA LAW GROUP FELLOWSHIP MIAMI-DADE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Ihara Gonzalez Barrera (Class of 2028) graduated from the University of Florida in May 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology, where she developed a strong interest in the intersection of human behavior, medicine, and the legal system. Prior to law school, Ihara worked as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supporting children with autism and gaining firsthand experience advocating for vulnerable populations. She later transitioned into the legal field, working as a paralegal in personal injury defense, where she assisted attorneys with case preparation, medical record
MIAMI LAW SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM
analysis, and litigation strategy. At Miami Law, Ihara holds a leadership role in Speak Easy, a public speaking organization aimed at building confidence and advocacy skills among law students. During her 1L summer, Ihara served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Vanessa Vasquez de Lara Group Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Sexual Battery Unit.
NATALIA HAWARI
JANYL SMITH FELLOWSHIP CATHOLIC LEGAL SERVICES MIAMI, FL Natalia Hawari (Class of 2028) graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. Following graduation, she worked as a legal assistant for an immigration firm and developed a passion for immigration advocacy while assisting with client interviews and translations. She also worked as a criminal appeals clerk at the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Palm Beach County, gaining insight into the criminal appellate process and post-conviction relief. As a 1L at Miami Law, she joined the Miami Innocence Alliance Intake Committee and the Public Interest Leadership Board and was selected as Communications Chair of If/When/How. Natalia also volunteered with The Internationalist Law Center on the Immigration Legal Defense project, conducting legal defense research for pro bono clients. As a 2L, she is serving as an intern with the Immigration Clinic. During her 1L summer, Natalia served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Janyl Smith Fellow with Catholic Legal Services Detention Team.
HALEY HELTON
OFFICE OF THE MIAMI BEACH CITY ATTORNEY MIAMI BEACH, FL Haley Helton (Class of 2028) graduated summa cum laude from the University of Hawai’I in May 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and American Studies. While there, she was actively engaged in community service through land and beach cleanups and developed a strong interest in public policy and advocacy. She contributed to legislative efforts surrounding cash bail reform at the State Capitol, focusing on the disproportionate impact such policies have on Native Hawaiian communities and interned for US Senator Brian Schatz, working on research and initiatives affecting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. Following graduation, Haley worked as a lead dental assistant in a practice serving primarily elderly and underserved patients. Her commitment to public service is deeply rooted in her early experiences volunteering at a local nursing home over many years. At Miami Law, Haley is a Dean’s Merit Scholar and a recipient of the Peter and Caren Prieto Endowed Scholarship. As a 2L, she is serving as Secretary of the Disability Law Students Association. During her 1L summer, Haley served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Office of the Miami Beach City Attorney.
MIAMI LAW SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM
MIA KOVAL
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Mia Koval (Class of 2028) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2024 with a B.A. in Economics and a minor in Business. Prior to law school, she gained experience in both transactional and litigation settings, assisting with court filings, trial preparation, client communication, and drafting legal documents. At Miami Law, Mia serves on the executive boards of the Business Law Society, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and Family and Children Law Society. During her 1L summer, Mia served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Felony Unit.
SOPHIE LAKIN
SARAH LILLY FELLOWSHIP FOR EQUAL JUSTICE COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROJECT MIAMI, FL Sophie Lakin (Class of 2028) graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University in 2025 with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Spanish and Latin American studies. While there, she served as an Ignite Fellow for Teach For America, where she tutored and mentored second-grade students in reading. She also worked as an Organizing Fellow with the Jewish Democratic Council of America, organizing and leading grassroots outreach initiatives with students at Tulane and in the local New Orleans community. During the spring of her 1L year at Miami Law, Sophie was an intern with the Center for Ethics and Public Service where she conducted legal research relating to fair housing and civil rights. She also was selected to serve as the HOPE Liaison for the Human Rights Society. During her 1L summer, Sophie served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Sarah Lilly Fellow for Equal Justice with the Community Justice Project in Miami.
ABBAGAYLE MADANAT
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Abbagayle Madanat (Class of 2028) graduated summa cum laude from Florida Atlantic University’s Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College in May 2025 with a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences, a concentration in Law and Society, and a minor in Psychology. She served in Student Government, as Co‑President of the Psychology Club, and participated in the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program. She received the Outstanding Sophomore and Outstanding Thesis Awards for her work, Citizens United: The 2010 Crisis in the Marketplace of Ideas. She also interned at the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office as an Investigative Intern, where she interviewed clients in the county jail, assisted attorneys in court proceedings, and participated in fieldwork investigations. She has volunteered with The Friendship Circle and is Co‑Founder and Head of Research and Development for Neurodiverse Educational Testing. At Miami Law, she is a Dean’s Merit Scholar and served as a
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Student Ambassador and Student Accessibility Services Note‑Taker. As a 2L, she is participating in the Innocence Clinic and serving as President of the Disability Law Student Association, Program & Events Chair and HOPE Liaison for the Miami Innocence Alliance and HOPE Liaison for the Christian Legal Society. During her 1L summer, she served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami‑Dade County Public Defender’s Office.
SHIYANNA MCLEOD
BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE FT. LAUDERDALE, FL Shiyanna McLeod (Class of 2028) graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2023 with a B.A. in International Relations and a concentration in Hispanic Studies. She served as CoChair of the Undergraduate Honor Council, co-founded an organization dedicated to increasing visibility for the Queer POC community, and conducted field research on democracy and human rights in post-dictatorship Argentina. Following graduation, Shiyanna worked in higher education administration, where she focused on expanding access to critical resources for students from diverse backgrounds and promoting equitable support systems in higher education. These experiences further solidified her commitment to public service. As a 1L at Miami Law, Shiyanna was elected as a 2L Representative to the Student Bar Association and serves on the executive boards of multiple student organizations, including the Black Law Students Association and OUTLaw. As a 2L, she is participating in the Human Rights Clinic. During her 1L summer, Shiyanna served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office.
JILLIAN PLYMALE
SARAH LILLY FELLOWSHIP FOR EQUAL JUSTICE BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE FT. LAUDERDALE, FL Jillian Plymale (Class of 2028) graduated from Florida State University in 2024 with a B.S. in Criminology. After graduation, she worked as a legislative aide for a member of the Florida House of Representatives. In this role, she contributed to initiatives focused on reforming mandatory sentencing and advocating against overly harsh penalties proposed for statutory enactment. One of the most rewarding outcomes of her work was assisting in the passage of a claims bill that compensated a man for being wrongfully incarcerated for 34 years. As a 1L at Miami Law, she served as a research assistant, conducting legal research and contributing to scholarship addressing issues within the criminal justice system. She also joined the Trial Team. As a 2L, Jillian is participating in the Innocence Clinic, furthering her commitment to addressing wrongful convictions and protecting the rights of marginalized individuals. During her 1L summer, she is serving as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Sarah Lilly Fellow for Equal Justice with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office.
MIAMI LAW SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM
CAITLIN ROWLES
VASQUEZ DE LARA LAW GROUP FELLOWSHIP MIAMI-DADE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Caitlin Rowles (Class of 2028) graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications, earning Dean’s List honors all eight semesters. Her commitment to public interest law began as the youngest volunteer at Teen Line, a suicide prevention hotline, where she supported individuals facing abuse, violence, and crisis situations. She further developed this commitment as a legal intern at Bet Tzedek Legal Services, where she screened clients, managed cases, and helped connect underserved individuals with critical legal resources. Through these experiences, she developed a trauma-informed approach to advocacy and became skilled at client intake, crisis management, and navigating the emotional complexities of victims in high-stress legal environments. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Caitlin served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Vasquez de Lara Law Group Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Domestic Crimes Unit.
ALEXANDRIA SELLERS
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Alexandria Sellers (Class of 2028) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2019 with a B.A. in English and History. She then pursued a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of Miami. Prior to law school, Alexandria worked in the Office of the International Law Program at the University of Miami School of Law, supporting international students in their transition to life and education in the United States. As a student at Miami Law, she is a member of the Public Interest Leadership Board, Secretary of Speakeasy Public Speaking Club, a Miami Law Ambassador, and an elected Honor Council member. As a 2L, she is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic. During her 1L summer, Alexandria served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office, furthering her goal of advancing indigent justice.
ANYA SINGH
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Anya Singh (Class of 2028) graduated from Emory University in 2023 with a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Law, and a minor in Spanish. Prior to law school, she worked as an associate realtor at a small real estate firm in Trinidad and Tobago, where, among other duties, she drafted lease agreements and rules and regulations for housing developments. She also served as a legal intern with two firms. At Miami Law, she is a Student Ambassador and a member of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Society. As a 2L, Anya is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic and is Public Relations Chair of the Caribbean Law
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Students Association and Financial Chair of the First-Generation Law Association. During her 1L summer, Anya served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Felony Division.
GREGORY TUROVSKY
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Gregory Turovsky (Class of 2028) graduated from the University of Miami in Fall 2024 with a B.A. in Criminology. His commitment to a career in public service and advocacy was shaped by years of frontline work in emergency response, where he served others in moments of crisis, fear, and uncertainty. Prior to law school, Greg worked as an EMT and paramedic in New York City and Miami, providing care in high-pressure environments and gaining firsthand exposure to trauma, vulnerability, and the human realities that often intersect with the legal system. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in New York, further deepening his commitment to community protection and public service. During his 1L year at Miami Law, Greg was selected to the Yvette Ostolaza Trial Team and took on leadership roles as Vice President of the Health Law Association and Vice Chair of the FirstGeneration Law Association. During his 1L summer, he served as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Felony Division.
BRYANNA VELEZ
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE MIAMI, FL Bryanna Velez (Class of 2028) graduated from Florida State University in May 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in English Literature. She was a member of the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) program for first-generation college students and participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where she engaged in academic research and professional development. Prior to law school, she gained significant legislative experience serving as a District Aide and Legislative Intern for the Florida House of Representatives, where she supported constituent services and the legislative process. As a 1L at Miami Law, Bryanna joined the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA). During her 1L summer, Bryanna served as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office.
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