HOPE Miami Scholars Class of 2021, 2022, 2023

MIAMILAW UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW

PUBLIC INTEREST RESOURCE CENTER

PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAM

“The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program represents dedicated and extraordinary students at Miami Law. Their passion for justice, intellectual curiosity and motivation drives them to effectuate change in agencies and communities near and far.� ~Marni Lennon, Esq.

Assistant Dean for Public Interest and Pro Bono Director, HOPE Public Interest Resource Center Lecturer in Law

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

MIAMI SCHOLARS PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAM Established in 1997, the Miami Scholars Public Interest Program brings exceptional students with a passion for public service and social justice to the University of Miami School of Law. Miami Scholars are selected based on their outstanding academic credentials and demonstrated commitment to public service and advocacy.

The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program offers its students exclusive opportunities for legal advocacy training and advising from the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center team of attorneys, including individualized curriculum advising and career planning assistance. Miami Scholars receive mentoring by upper-division Scholars and public interest and pro bono attorneys.

Miami Scholars are awarded an annual scholarship and are provided with a stipend for public interest work that is performed during their first or second year summer. Tuition awards are automatically renewed if the scholar remains in good standing.

As an alumna with a legal career dedicated to public service, I am excited to watch the continued expansion of the Miami Scholars Program. It now affords even more students the opportunity to find their passion, do what they love, and serve our community with vigor and spirit.

~Fara Gold, JD ’03

United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, Criminal Section, Washington, DC The Miami Scholars Program gave me the ability to take internships in disability law and attend a dual degree program in my field of interest, Public Health. My reasons for my lifelong support of the Miami Scholars Program continue to multiply. Law school can be a challenging place for those who envision themselves as civil servants. The support of the other Miami Scholars and Dean Lennon kept me focused on my ultimate goals and helped me pinpoint one-of-a-kind opportunities that I would not have had otherwise.

~Kathy Walker, JD ’13

SOAR/Medical-Legal Partnership Attorney Pisgah Legal Services, Asheville, NC 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

Environmental Law Fellow Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP, San Francisco, CA

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021

KELLY BECK

Kelly Beck graduated from the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign in May 2017 with a B.S. in Political Science and Psychology. Following graduation, Kelly joined the Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation as an intern, working primarily in the areas of domestic violence and family law. In August 2017, she became the Medical-Legal Partnership Coordinator for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago as part of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program. She focused on domestic violence and social security cases, as well as matters involving seniors, veterans, and disabled low-income clients. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Kelly worked as a law clerk at the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian in Chicago, representing abused and neglected children. As a 2L, Kelly participated in the Children & Youth Law Clinic, the Litigation Skills Program, and the University of Miami Law Review. During her 2L summer, Kelly served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender in Arapahoe County. She is continuing there as an extern during the fall of her 3L year. She is also serving as an editor for the University of Miami Law Review Symposium on Criminal Justice Reform.

CHRISTINA FERREIRO

Christina Ferreiro graduated from Florida State University in May 2018 with a B.S. in Political Science and Sociology. She was a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and the College of Social Sciences Leadership Council. She served as a facilitator for Body Project, a workshop for students struggling with healthy body image. Beginning in 2015, she became involved with Camp Kesem, a student-run national non-profit that provides a camping experience to children who have a parent diagnosed with cancer. She served as a camp counselor, was in charge of the Relay for Life team, and served as Fundraising Chair. While at FSU, Christina also worked for a local law firm whose clients included individuals with lung cancer who sued tobacco companies. During the summer of 2016, Christina interned with the MiamiDade County State Attorney’s Office, where she worked with survivors of domestic violence. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Christina served as an intern with ACLU Florida, where she worked on LGBTQ rights, immigrant rights and prison conditions. As a 2L, she participated in the Environmental Justice Clinic. As a 3L, she is serving as Staff Managing Editor of the Race and Social Justice Law Review.

BRITTANY FINNEGAN

Brittany Finnegan graduated cum laude from Boston University in January 2017 with a B.S. in Mass Communication and a minor in Journalism. She was a member of the Dean’s List and worked as a TV reporter and online editor on campus. While in college, Brittany volunteered with Service for Sight, an organization in Boston that works with the Perkins School for the Blind. She also held various communications and press internships. Following graduation, she taught English to underserved children in Cartagena, Colombia through the Emerging Voices Organization. During the summer of 2017, she served as a Community Development Volunteer with Voluns Organization in Valencia, Spain, where she assisted with sourcing food from grocery stores and

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021 restaurants for people in need. In May of 2018, Brittany participated in a service trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where she continued her work teaching English to underserved children. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as a judicial intern with the Honorable Judge Robert Scola in Miami. As a 2L, she participated in the Investor Rights Clinic and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, where she focused on International Human Rights Law and International Immigration Law.

BRITTANY FRIZZELLE

Brittany Frizzelle graduated from Howard University in May 2015 with a B.S. in Political Science. She was a member of the Dean’s List, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Pre-Law Society. She also served as a tutor with DC Reads, conducting reading workshops for middle school students and parents. In 2015, Brittany joined Teach for America and became an elementary school teacher in eastern North Carolina. She also oversaw tutoring and mentoring programs to assist students outside the classroom. As a 1L at Miami Law, Brittany participated in Alternative Break Programs with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, Guardian ad Litem, and the Center for Death Penalty Litigation in Durham, NC. She served as 1L representative for the National Lawyers Guild and BLSA. During her 1L summer, she served as a legal intern with the Coalition for the Homeless Law Project in Chicago.

As a 2L, she participated in the Children & Youth Law Clinic and STREET Law. She also served as president of NLG and Community Service Chair/Southern Region Liaison for BLSA. Brittany has written a book of poetry on Black life called Sometimes I Cry. She works as an intergenerational organizer with Power U Center for Social Change and is pursuing a joint degree in Law, Community and Social Justice.

BEATRIZ (BEA) GARCIA

Beatriz (Bea) Garcia graduated from the George Washington University in December 2017 with a B.A. in International Affairs, and a concentration in Conflict & Conflict Resolution. During her time in DC, Bea worked as a Cuba Program Intern with Latin America Working Group, an organization that connects activists across the United States to help them amplify their voices in the nation’s capital. She then worked as a Human Rights Intern with Peace Brigades International, an international NGO that promotes non-violence and the protection of human rights and human rights activists. After graduation, she joined the office of the Federal Public Defender as a legal intern, where she assisted with trials, and volunteered with the refugee community in El Paso, Texas. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Bea served as an Immigration Legal Intern at Ayuda in Washington, DC. As a 2L, she volunteered with Catholic Legal Services, participated in the Death Penalty Practicum, competed with the International Moot Court team, and served on the board of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking. During her 2L summer, she served as a HOPE Fellow and Criminal Trial Intern at The Legal Aid Society in New York City, where she served the indigent community of the Bronx. As a 3L, she is working as a Certified Legal Intern with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office and is on the executive boards for International Moot Court and the Alliance Against Human Trafficking.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021

MACKENZIE GARRITY

Mackenzie Garrity graduated from Dartmouth College in June 2016 with a B.A. in Government. While at Dartmouth, she participated in Varsity Women’s Rowing, was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and served as a tutor. During the spring of 2015, she worked as an Environment, Energy, Science, and Technology Intern with the Economics Section of the US State Department in Brussels, Belgium. She managed correspondence on energy and environmental issues, represented the government at conferences and hearings, and tracked pending international sanction cases at the European Court of Justice. Beginning in 2016, she worked as a paralegal with Holland & Knight in Boston. Mackenzie assisted in several pro bono matters and was awarded a 2017 Pro Bono All Star Award by Holland & Knight. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Mackenzie served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Jennifer Choe-Groves at the US Court of International Trade in New York City. As a 2L, she participated in the Innocence Clinic and received the Stuart A. Markus Award for her work there. As a 3L, Mackenzie is competing for a second year on the International Moot Court team, and is serving as president of the International Moot Court Board and as an Executive Editor of the University of Miami Law Review.

KATARINA (KATY) GOMEZ

Katarina (Katy) Gomez graduated from Florida State University in April 2016 with a degree in Political Science. She was a member of the Dean’s List, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and Lambda Alpha Epsilon, the Professional Criminal Justice Association. During her junior year, she spent a semester abroad in Spain. She also participated in an alternative break program with the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, Georgia, where she assisted with the Refugee Resettlement program.

During the summer of 2015, Katy interned with the Law Office of Sui Chung, a boutique immigration law firm in Miami. Following graduation, she returned to the firm to work as a Legal Assistant. Katy also served as an English Teaching Fellow with the Ministry of Education in Colombia. Prior to law school, she worked as a paralegal at Corvaia Law, P.A., an immigration law firm in Miami. As a 1L at Miami Law, Katy volunteered with Americans for Immigrant Justice’s immigration clinic. She also participated in an Alternative Spring Break trip, volunteering with the Texas Civil Rights Project in Alamo, Texas. She worked on cases relating to policies that impact border communities, which includes holding the US government accountable for issues that arise as a direct result of their policies. During her 1L summer, Katy interned with Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education (RAICES) in the Family Detention program, assisting with pro bono legal services for asylum seekers detained at Karnes County Residential Center in Texas. As a 2L, she participated in the Immigration Clinic, served on the Legal Advocacy Alternative Break Planning Committee, and was secretary of Immigration Students Law Association (ISLA). She also volunteered with ACLU FL on a bail reform project. During her 2L summer, Katy served as a HOPE Fellow at The Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit in New York, working with The New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), which provides universal representation for detained immigrants facing deportation. Katy is a member of Society of Bar and Gavel. As a 3L, Katy is serving as president of ISLA, an extern with Americans for Immigrant Justice, and a member of the Race and Social Justice Law Review.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021

SARA HASTINGS

Sara Hastings graduated from Kent State University in May 2012 with a B.A. in Spanish and in May 2015 with an M.A. in Translation. During the summer of 2014, she served as a student trainee with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in Washington, DC, where she interned with the Grants Division of the Office of Citizenship. During the summer of 2015, she volunteered with the Family Detention Pro Bono Project at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. From 2011 to 2016, Sara worked as a paralegal with an immigration law firm in Cleveland.

Beginning in 2017, Sara worked in Cleveland as a paralegal with Nueva Luz Urban Resource Center, where she supported attorneys in providing legal services to clients living with HIV/AIDS. During her 1L year at Miami Law, Sara participated in an Alternative Spring Break program with the Texas Civil Rights Project in Alamo, Texas, researching how the government’s border wall plans could affect local landowners.

During her 1L summer, she worked as a law clerk at Centro de los Derechos del Migrante in Mexico City, where she engaged in legal research and writing for use in litigation, policy campaigns, and know-your-rights presentations for migrant workers.

As a 2L, Sara participated in the Immigration Clinic. During her 2L summer, she worked as a law clerk for an immigration firm in Miami. As a 3L, Sara is continuing her work with the Immigration Clinic as a Fellow.

HANNAH HAYS

Hannah Hays graduated from the Boston College Lynch School of Education with a B.A. in Applied Psychology and Human Development with a focus in Community, Advocacy, and Social Policy, and earned her M.A. in Higher Education Policy through a lens of Critical Race Theory and Settler Colonialism in May 2018. She worked with the Urban Outreach Initiatives Office at Boston College for six years and worked as the Government Relations and Public Policy Fellow for the Mass Mentoring Partnership. As a 1L at Miami Law, Hannah served as the OUTLaw 1L Representative, and worked as a Community Equity Lab Research Intern for the Center for Ethics and Public Service. During her 1L summer, Hannah served as an intern for the Community Justice Project in Miami, helping to collaborate with community organizers and grassroots groups to create a more just society through social movement. As a 2L, Hannah served as the Program Coordinator for the Battier Foundation Take Charge GUIDE Program, the vice president of the National Lawyers Guild Chapter, and activism chair for OUTLaw. She participated in the Environmental Justice Clinic and helped to organize and fund the student-led Wage Theft Advocacy Project in collaboration with WeCount! and the HOPE Office. During her 2L summer, Hannah was selected as an Equal Justice Works Rural Summer Legal Corps Fellow, serving as a law clerk for the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund in her home state of Kentucky. As a 3L, Hannah is serving as an SBA senator and continuing her work with the Battier Foundation GUIDE Program.Â

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021

MEREDITH HOFFMAN

Meredith Hoffman graduated from Cornell University with a B.A. in English in 2009, and from New York University in 2012 with an M.A. in Journalism, where she focused her reporting on immigration. While in graduate school, she interned at the New York Times, and then worked as a local reporter in New York City for two years, before leaving to freelance in South America on social issues. Upon return to the US, she moved to Austin, Texas, where she developed a beat as an immigration reporter for outlets including VICE, Politico Magazine, and the New York Times.

She has particularly focused on Central American asylum seekers, co-producing an independent documentary in Honduras about deported families and writing about family immigrant detention, border enforcement, and the nation’s evolving immigration laws. She has also spent time in Germany, first reporting on young refugees through a fellowship from the International Center for Journalists, and then leading immigration-focused journalism trips for students for the program New York Times Student Journeys. At Miami Law, Meredith served as the 1L representative for the Immigration Students Law Association (ISLA) and the National Lawyers Guild, and has assisted immigration attorneys at Catholic Charities Legal Services. She served on the Legal Advocacy Alternative Breaks planning committee and participated in a spring break trip to McAllen, Texas, where she volunteered with the Texas Civil Rights Project. During her 1L summer, she served as an intern with the ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project in New York City. As a 2L, she participated in the Immigration Clinic and the STREET Law program, and served as president of ISLA. During her 2L summer, she served as an intern with the Brooklyn Defenders’ Immigration Practice, where she advocated for both detained and non-detained clients. She also worked as a research assistant for Professor Rebecca Sharpless and, as a former participant in the Immigration Clinic, was able to represent a client in asylum proceedings and assist with the Clinic’s litigation against ICE.

TIFFANY HORNBACK

Tiffany Hornback graduated from the University of Alabama in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Communication & Information Sciences. In May of 2018, she earned her Masters of Communication & Information Sciences from Alabama with a focus on Legal Rhetoric and Political Communication. She was a member of the Dean’s List and the President’s List and was recognized for her participation in American Forensic Association competitions where was named an All-American.

She used this platform to encourage schools to provide underprivileged youth in Alabama access to the tools start speech and debate teams in order to prepare them for college success. She held leadership roles with the National Communication Association, the Alabama Forensics Council Speech and Debate Team, and the Graduate Student Association. While in college, she volunteered with the RISE Center, where she worked with special needs children, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the DAWN Center, a domestic violence and women’s resource center. From 2013 to 2017, she worked at a law firm assisting with research and case management for civil and class-action tort claims whose clients were victims of the Takata air bag malfunctions. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Tiffany served as an intern with the Air Force’s JAG Corps at Eglin Air Force Base. As a 2L, Tiffany participated in the Health Rights Clinic, served as a Dean’s Fellow for Criminal Procedure, and was inducted into the Moot Court Board. During her 2L summer, Tiffany continued with

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021 the Health Rights Clinic and worked as a law clerk at the immigration firm of Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt. As a 3L, she is participating in the Moot Court Board, the Miami Law Trial Team, and is serving as the Alumni Editor of the International and Comparative Law Review and as a Fellow for the Health Rights Clinic.

ANJOLY IBRAHIM

Anjoly Ibrahim graduated from the University of Miami in December 2010 with B.A. degrees in International Studies and Political Science. She received her M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in December 2012. While at Miami, she was on the Dean’s List, a member of student government, and participated in the Summer Institute with the Lebanese American University. She worked as an intern with Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, the University of Miami Butler Center, and the YES Institute. In 2011, Anjoly joined the US Department of State. She started as an intern in the Office of Multilateral and Global Affairs and, following graduation, served as an International Relations Officer with the Office of International Religious Freedom, a Recruitment and Outreach Officer with the Bureau of Human Resources, a Watch Officer with the Operations Center, a Staff Assistant to the Office of the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources, and an Extradition Specialist in the Office of the Legal Adviser. During this time, she moved from assisting with policy papers on the United Nations and LGBT issues to monitoring worldwide developments for the Department and working with foreign and interagency counterparts in handling extradition requests. As a 1L at Miami Law, she took part in an Alternative Spring Break Program with Legal Services of Greater Miami and was a member of the Inns of Court. During her 1L summer, she served as a legal intern in the International Narcotics and Money Laundering Section of the US Attorney’s Office in Miami. As a 2L, she served as a JAG intern with the US Coast Guard, was a member of the International and Comparative Law Review and the International Moot Court Team, and participated in the Investor Rights Clinic.

ISABELLE JANSSEN

Isabelle Janssen graduated from Wake Forest University in May 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science & International Affairs and Spanish. She studied abroad in Cuba and Spain. Isabelle served in leadership roles with Prepare, an organization that addresses sexual assault on campus and advocates for survivors, and No Labels, a political science lobbying group.

She volunteered with El Buen Pastor, a local afterschool agency for Spanish-speaking students. During the summer of 2016, she was a Congressional Intern in Washington, DC with the Office of Illinois Congressman Daniel Lipinski. She researched and analyzed transportation policy, attended sessions and briefings for the congressman, and engaged in constituent services. During the summer of 2017, Isabelle served as a Public Policy Intern with the Guatemala Human Rights Commission in Washington, DC. She researched and analyzed Central American public policy and spearheaded a project regarding the Laguna del Tigre region which was set to be presented to Congress. As a 1L at Miami Law, Isabelle was a member of the International Law Society and Miami Law Women. During her 1L summer, she served as an intern with the US Trade Representative (USTR) Office of the Western Hemisphere, where she worked on trade law and policy. As a 2L, she participated in the Human Rights Clinic. During her 2L summer, Isabelle conducted

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021 research for Professor Kathleen Claussen on US Trade Agreements. She is a member of the International and Comparative Law Review. Isabelle has been accepted into the White & Case International Arbitration LL.M. and is working to complete that program during her 3L year.

LINDSEY JOHNSON

Lindsey Johnson graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2016 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Social Work.

During this time, Lindsey worked as a resident aide at Dawn Farm, an inpatient alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility. From 2014 to 2015, Lindsey served as an intern with the Washtenaw Prisoner Reentry Program, where she provided information and services to parolees returning to their communities. Following graduation, she worked in human resources at Amazon and as an International Mobility Specialist with Ericsson. She also continued her volunteer work, assisting guests with services at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center. As a 1L at Miami Law, Lindsey participated in an Alternative Spring Break program with The Center for Death Penalty Litigation in Durham, NC. During her 1L summer, she worked as a legal intern for the Capital Habeas Unit of the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Florida. As a 2L, she served as an extern at the Florida Justice Institute, where she focused on civil rights litigation and advocacy related to prisoners' rights. She also worked with the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel on a capital case. During her 2L summer, she served as a HOPE Fellow with the Regional Public Defender for Capital Cases in Texas. As a 3L, Lindsey is participating in the Innocence Clinic.

GIDEON LEVY

Gideon Levy graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 2013 with a B.A. in Physics and from Relay: Graduate School of Education in New York in 2016 with an M.A. in Teaching Secondary Science. As an undergrad, Gideon was a leader on his nationally ranked wrestling team and heavily involved with his school’s Office of Residential Life and Greek life. Soon after graduation, he joined Teach for America as a high school science teacher and wrestling coach. In 2016, Math For America awarded him an Early Career Fellowship, which provides advanced teacher development for public school STEM educators. As a 1L at Miami Law, he participated in several pro bono projects including an Alternative Spring Break with the Center for Death Penalty Litigation in Durham, NC. During his 1L summer, he served as an intern in the Appellate Division of the City of Miami City Attorney’s Office, preparing trial and appellate documents on a range of issues from class certification to writs of mandamus. As a 2L, he earned membership on the University of Miami Law Review, Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, and the resurgent University of Miami School of Law Mock Trial Team. He also served as a Dean’s Fellow for Property and an executive board member of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking and Cardozo Jewish Legal Society. During his 2L summer, he served as a research assistant for Professor Caroline Bettinger-López, director of the Human Rights Clinic, and Ross Guberman, legal writing expert and founder of BriefCatch. He also worked for Miami Law’s Summer Legal Academy as a Dean’s Fellow and mentor. As a 3L, he is continuing his extracurricular leadership roles, joining the Moot Court Executive Board, and once again serving as a Dean's Fellow.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021

SARAH LILLY

Sarah Lilly graduated from Ohio University in May 2014 with a B.A. in Political Science and Criminology and served on the Board of Student Legal Services, as Communications Coordinator for the university LGBT Center, and as a research assistant for issues of race-related public policy and tax incentives for biofuel production. Following graduation, Sarah worked with Equal Justice Works, a national non-profit, where she oversaw the nation’s largest postgraduate legal fellowship program, helping new lawyers implement innovative two-year projects of their own design and apply for funding. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Sarah served as an intern with Michigan Legal Help. A finalist in the Access to Justice Technology competition, she designed a system to connect pro bono lawyers with pro se litigants for brief legal advice. As a 2L, Sarah participated in the Investor Rights Clinic, advocating on behalf of clients in FINRA arbitrations who were defrauded by their brokers. She also served as a Dean’s Fellow for the Essentials of Law School Achievement program. During her 2L summer, she worked for Ohio Legal Help, designing a virtual self-help center to assist pro se clients in Ohio with navigating complicated court processes.

MELISSA LIPNICK

Melissa Lipnick graduated from the University of Miami in May 2017 with a B.S. in Public Health. She was on the Dean’s List and the Provost’s Honor Roll, and received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for completing over 250 service hours.

She was Public Health Team Leader and a Translator/Cultural & Language Officer for Engineers Without Borders UMiami. Through this program, she took part in community service projects in Ecuador. While at Miami, she volunteered with the Veteran’s Administration and served as a translator for a fire department in Oaxaca, Mexico.

During the summer of 2016, Melissa served as an Intern for International Services with the American Red Cross. She worked in Armed Forces and Disaster Services, assisting disaster survivors, as well as veterans and active duty military. She continued with the Red Cross during her senior year and participated in volunteer development and outreach to military families. During her final semester, she was an intern with Survivor’s Pathway, an agency that provides services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Following graduation, Melissa joined City Year Miami as a Math Corps Member at Miami Northwestern High School, where she served as a teacher and mentor. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as a legal intern with the Broward County Public Defender’s Office in Ft. Lauderdale. As a 2L, she participated in the Health Rights Clinic, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, and the Florida Bar Foundation Pro Bono Challenge. During her 2L summer, she worked at the Florida Health Justice Project, where she is continuing as a 3L. She is also a returning member of the Public Interest Leadership Board.

SAMUEL LUDINGTON

Samuel Ludington graduated from Northwestern University in June 2009 with a B.A. in Economics/Pre-Med Track. He received the Multicultural Student Affairs Visionary Award, as well as the Highest Order of Excellence Society Award. From 2011 to 2013, Samuel was an AmeriCorps Program Director with Peacemakers Family Center in Miami, an agency that serves those moving from crisis to self-sufficiency. He supervised

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021 AmeriCorps members and spearheaded a national affiliate program to replicate the social service model throughout the country. In 2013, he became a research associate with Justice and Security Strategies, Inc., conducting field research and working closely with law enforcement to address crime reduction and proactive policing. That year he also joined Children of Inmates, Inc. as Deputy Director of Program Development and Policy. The agency provides services for children with an incarcerated parent and advocates for stronger policies to strengthen the parent-child bond and mitigate trauma. He was also selected to participate in Leadership Miami, Connect Florida, and the Miami Fellows Program. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Sam served as a judicial intern with Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the US Southern District, as well as a law clerk for the Ft. Lauderdale office of Boies, Schiller & Flexner. During his 2L year, Sam participated in the Environmental Justice Clinic, the Honor Council, and the DCI Legal Writing program. During his 2L summer, he worked as a summer associate with Nelson Mullins Broad and Cassel. Sam is the recipient of the Nelson Mullins Riley and Scarborough Diversity Scholarship and was named the Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton Scholar for excellence in the Litigation Skills program.

DANIELLA PACITTI

Daniella Pacitti graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in August 2017 with B.A. degrees in Psychology and Corporate Communications & Public Affairs. During the summer of 2013, she interned with Legal Aid Service of Broward County in both the Children’s Unit and the Educational Unit.

She assisted with case preparation and researched issues relating to dependency, delinquency, and school closure. She returned to Legal Aid during the summer of 2015, continuing her work in the Children’s Unit with a focus on the areas of kinship, custody, and parental rights. During the summer of 2017, Daniella served as a summer intern in the Domestic Violence Unit of Goodman Ray Solicitors in London, where she assisted with case management and client correspondence. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Daniella worked at Foreman Friedman, LLP, a maritime and complex commercial litigation law firm, where she gained experience in litigation procedures, including drafting pleadings for federal court and assisting with trial preparation. During her 2L year, took part in the DCI Legal Writing Program and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, which she is continuing as a 3L. She also participated in the Children & Youth Law Clinic and worked for the probate firm of Trescott & Drucker, where she continued during her 2L summer. Daniella is earning her L.L.M. in Taxation.

OLIVIA PARISE

Olivia Parise graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University in May 2018 with a B.A. in Psychology and Spanish.

She volunteered at Caroline House in Bridgeport, CT, assisting women and children who were learning English and becoming familiar with American culture. In 2017, she studied abroad in Cádiz, Spain to learn more about Spanish culture, migration and better her language skills, allowing her to continue working with immigrants as an interpreter in the Villanova School of Law Immigration Clinic, where she assisted clients seeking asylum and translated documents for attorneys and court officials. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Olivia interned at the ACLU in Miami, performing legal research in the areas of LGBT+ rights, inmates’ rights, and immigrants’ rights. As a 2L, Olivia served as secretary for

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021 the ACLU-UM chapter, treasurer for the Alliance Against Human Trafficking, co-chair of the Public Interest Leadership Board’s PIN Pal Program and a participant in the Legal Writing Program at Dade Correctional Institution. Olivia also participated in the Immigration Clinic and worked as a law clerk with Ferretjans Law, focusing on family and immigration cases. She continued at Ferretjans Law during her 2L summer and was able to work on many pro bono cases. As a 3L, Olivia Is serving as vice president for the ACLU-UM chapter, secretary for Alliance Against Human Trafficking, fellow for the Immigration Clinic, chair of the PIN Pal Program, a member of Bar & Gavel, and Writing Competition Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review.

CHRISTOPHER PENELAS

Christopher Penelas graduated from The George Washington University in May 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. In 2015, he was honored with the Sliver Knight Award in the speech category for his efforts in the Junior State of America (JSA) youth political organization. At GWU, he was a Presidential Scholar and a member of the Dean’s List, the Order of Omega Honor Society, and the Alpha Sigma Phi Political Science Honor Society. During the spring of 2016, Christopher served as an English instructor for Latin-American immigrants in Washington, DC. That summer, he was an intern with the Re-Election Campaign of Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez. During the fall of 2016, he served as an intern for Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart in his Washington, DC office, where he worked with constituents and assisted with research and writing. During the summer of 2017, Christopher worked on the Francis Suarez for Mayor Campaign in Miami. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Christopher worked as a summer clerk at Podhurst Orseck P.A. During his 2L year, he volunteered with the Guardian ad Litem Program, serving as a court-appointed advocate for children in the dependency system. He was also a law clerk with Wernick & Co., where he worked with the City of Miami on various land use matters and assisted in the creation of a Community Enhancement Organization. During his 2L summer, Christopher served as a law clerk at the Broward County Attorney’s Office, working on a wide range of local governmental issues, including those related to Covid-19 and the impact on the local community.

LAURA WILCOXON

Laura Wilcoxon graduated from The University of Kansas with a B.S. in Education in May 2005 and an M.S. in Education in May 2006. Following graduation, she served as an English teacher in the Kansas City metropolitan area. In 2011, she received a Master of Library Science from Emporia State University and became a school librarian in the urban Kansas City district. She designed a K-12 library curriculum, authored a school-wide literacy plan, and was awarded "Librarian of the Quarter" for her outreach with electronic resources. Laura also founded a peer tutoring group, coached cheerleading, and served as the stadium announcer for the school's sports teams. In 2017, Laura moved to Colorado Springs, CO, and served as a school librarian in an urban public charter school there. Her community service has included volunteering at soup kitchens, working with homeless individuals, and leading a Kansas Masonic youth group. As a 2L at Miami Law, Laura worked as a research assistant for an attorney developing a policy scan for the Healthy Little Havana Mi Barrio Project. During her 2L summer, she served as a Dean’s Fellow for the Miami Law High School Summer Legal Academy.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2021

The Miami Scholars Program not only affords me the opportunity to learn the law, but does so in a manner that promotes justice, equity and dignity for all.

~Samuel Ludington, Class of 2021 From day one as a Miami Scholar, I knew I had a community of friends who would keep me going during the hardest times of 1L year. The Miami Scholars program has provided me with immense support, from fellow Scholars and the HOPE Office, and a platform so that I can use my privilege in a way that helps disenfranchised communities whose voices are not being heard.

~Katarina Gomez, Class of 2021 The main reason I chose to come to Miami Law was for the Miami Scholars Program. This program helped me follow my passion to social justice lawyering, while introducing me to others with similar goals. I was able to branch out and explore countless areas of law thanks to the HOPE Office providing me with networking opportunities and constant support. These experiences allowed me to find the perfect career for me, working as a public defender. Being a Miami Scholar has given me friends for life and the opportunity to do what I love.

~Kelly Beck, Class of 2021

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022

ALEXANDRIA CINNEY

Alexandria Cinney graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University in May 2018 with a B.A. in Child Study and Human Development. She was a member of the Dean’s List and participated in the Child Development Diversity Program at the Danish Institute of Study Abroad. From 2015-2018, she served as a Research Assistant for the Adoption and Development Project. In 2018, she interned in the Intensive Foster Care Unit at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

Alexandria then served as a Child Advocate Manager for the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program in Miami, where she managed a caseload of up to forty dependent children, including visitation and information gathering, and advocated for their best interests at judicial hearings alongside the GAL attorneys. She continues to volunteer with GAL as a Miami Law student. As a 1L, Alexandria participated in a Legal Services of Greater Miami (LSGMI) volunteer service trip to the Florida Keys. During her 1L summer, she worked as a law clerk in LSGMI’s Health and Income Maintenance Unit, focusing on reemployment assistance in light of COVID-19 and youth-related housing issues. She also worked as research assistant for Professor Scott Rogers in the area of mindfulness. As a 2L, Alexandria is serving as president of the Child Advocacy and Family Law Society and is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic.

BIANCA FERREIRA

Bianca Ferreira graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2019 with a B.A. in History and Political Science and a minor in Florida Teaching. She conducted research for the university on behalf of the Department of History and was accepted to the History Department’s Honors Program. She was one of a small group of students selected to write and publish an undergraduate thesis in Medieval History. In the spring of 2018, Bianca was a classroom assistant at a middle school in Gainesville, where she tutored students in civics and history. The following summer, Bianca interned for a law firm in Fort Lauderdale, where she managed case files, observed client-attorney meetings prior to trial, and facilitated translations from Portuguese to English. As a 1L at Miami Law, she was a member of the Immigration Students Law Association and the Alternative Spring Break Trip Planning Committee, and participated in the Wage Theft Advocacy Project. During her 1L summer, she engaged in immigration advocacy with Catholic Legal Services and was a Dean’s Fellow for the Miami Law Summer Legal Academy. During her 2L year, she is taking part in the Immigration Law Clinic.

MEGAN HENNINGS

Megan Hennings graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2015 with a B.A. in Spanish and Political Science. She was a member of numerous student organizations and received the Chuck Lynch Leadership Award, one of the highest honors awarded to graduating seniors. During her senior year, she served as an intern for the Latin American Coalition and was a delegate at the Harvard World Model UN Conference in South Korea.

After graduation, she worked at UNC-Charlotte in International Programs and New Student Services while also pursuing graduate courses in the Department of

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022 Philosophy & Applied Ethics. She volunteered for the Southern Regional Model UN Atlanta conference from 2016-2018 as a Committee Director, Under SecretaryGeneral, and Secretary-General. As the head of the 2018 conference, she dedicated over 500 hours throughout the year to the preparation and implementation of a conference with over 700 participants. In 2017, Megan began serving as the Assistant Director for Development and Communications for the Prescott College Kino Bay Center for Cultural and Ecological Studies in Sonora, Mexico, where she helped raise approximately $1 million, managed external communications, and developed workshops on interpersonal communications, social justice, and cultural immersion.

LUCIANA JHON URRUNAGA

Luciana Jhon Urrunaga graduated from Florida International University in May 2017 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in International Relations. While an undergraduate, she served as an immigration legal assistant, completing applications and conducting research, and as a research assistant, spearheading policy roundtables among US Southern Command high level officials and academics and conducting research on the consequences of PetroCaribe's potential failure on the Latin American and Caribbean economies. In 2016, she interned with the Office of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz through the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, supporting legislative research and authoring memoranda on pending legislation and various policy issues. Following graduation, she worked as a legal assistant in Washington, DC. She also served as a volunteer with the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition and the Central American Resource Center, agencies that serve low-income immigrants in the Washington, DC area. As a 1L at Miami Law, Luciana participated in the legal writing program at Dade Correctional Institution, teaching legal writing to incarcerated individuals. During her 1L summer, Luciana worked at the Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice in Queens, NY. As a 2L, she is serving as secretary of the Criminal Law Society and participating in the Innocence Clinic.

CHELSEA JOHNSON

Chelsea Johnson graduated from Princeton University in May 2018 with a B.A. in Politics with a concentration in American Politics and a certificate in African American Studies. She was a member of the varsity women’s water polo team and an SIFP Head Fellow, providing on-campus personal, professional, and academic support to low income/first generation students.

During the summer of 2015, she volunteered with One Heartland Camp in Minnesota, serving as a counselor for children affected by illness and disenfranchisement. During the following two summers, she volunteered with the SEED School of Miami, a boarding charter school for underserved communities in North Miami. She supported the operations department and served as a liaison with parents. During the summer of 2017, Chelsea served as a judicial intern in the Criminal Division of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami, where she monitored court proceedings and documents and analyzed data on the effectiveness of court rehabilitation programs. In 2017, along with her sister, Chelsea founded the Johnson Swim School. She partnered with an educational prep program for students in underserved communities to promote water safety and teach children how to swim.

As a 1L at Miami Law, Chelsea was a member of the Criminal Law Society and the Miami Law Chapter of the ACLU. During her 1L summer, she served as a legal intern with the Children & Youth Law Clinic, where she worked on 20 cases.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022

TYLER KOTESKEY

Tyler Koteskey graduated summa cum laude from Taylor University in December 2017 with B.A. degrees in International Studies and Political Science. He was a Cross Country/Track and Field athlete and worked at the university’s Student Activities Center. He studied abroad in Costa Rica and Nicaragua during the spring of 2017 as part of the Latin American Studies Program.

During the summer of 2017, Tyler served as an Immigration and Citizenship Intern for World Relief Chicago, a non-profit refugee resettlement organization, where he worked in the Immigration Legal Services Department, assisting attorneys with family law cases for immigrants and refugees. He handled document preparation, client intakes and translations. Following graduation, Tyler was promoted to a paralegal position at World Relief Chicago, allowing him to directly handle client interviews, case management, preparation of immigration applications, and supervision of interns. He received training on removal defense and was accredited by the Department of Justice to represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security. As a 1L at Miami Law, Tyler was involved in the Immigration Students Law Association and volunteered at Catholic Charities Legal Services. During his 1L summer, he worked as a legal intern at Catholic Charities Legal Services in Miami. As a 2L, he is serving as treasurer of the Christian Legal Society and is participating in the Immigration Clinic.

ESTEFANIA LALINDE

Estefania Lalinde graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Health Science in May 2015 and an M.S. in Family, Youth, and Community Sciences with a concentration in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership & Certificate in Fundraising Management in August 2017. Her master’s project evaluated and analyzed the overall benefits of the Hands to Love Camp for children with upper limb differences. She was president of the Venezuelan Student Association and served as a tutor for student-athletes. During the summer of 2016, she worked as a Human Resources and Communications Intern with Community Care Plan and became the Human Resources Coordinator in December 2017. She also volunteered with Mision Manos Hermanas, aiding orphanages, medical centers, and religious parishes in Villa El Salvador. Estefania held four positions with Teach For America beginning in 2014, including Development Intern, Campus Campaign Coordinator, Networking Outreach Temp, and Recruitment Associate. As a 1L at Miami Law, she participated in the Catholic Charities Legal Services Alternative Winter Break and served as an intern with the Community Equity, Innovation, and Resource Lab. During her 1L summer, she served as a Policy Law Clerk with the Children's Law Center, based in Washington, DC. As a 2L, she is participating in International Moot Court and the Children &Youth Law Clinic.

EMMA MCEVOY

Emma McEvoy graduated from Sciences Po in Paris in 2013 with a B.A. in International Relations and received a B.S. in Political Science & Sociology from the University of Leuven in Belgium in 2014. She served as a Political and Economic Section Trainee with the Belgian Embassy to the US. She received an M.S. in Refugee Studies from London South Bank University in 2016, and worked as a Program Trainee for the Belgian Development

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022 Agency. Later that year, she served as a Cabinet of the President Trainee for the European Committee of the Regions, where she wrote speeches and background briefings on E.U. policy topics and presented on youth unemployment in the E.U. at the 7th European Summit of Regions and Cities in Bratislava. From 2016-2018, she served in the Peace Corps as a Community Services Advisor in Lesotho, Africa where she assisted Paray Mission Hospital in the remote town of Thaba-Tseka, focusing on the prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS among in-school and out-of-school youth through the strengthening of youth-friendly health services at the hospital, and the provision of health education and services to harder-to-reach mountain communities.

At Miami Law, Emma serves as the president of the National Lawyers Guild. She participates in the Guardian Ad Litem program and the Wage Theft Advocacy Project, and volunteers with the Community Justice Project in the area of Housing Law. She has worked with the Fines and Fees Justice Center, the Miami-Dade Public Defender Voter Rights Restoration, and the Alternative Spring Break Planning Committee. During her 1L summer, Emma worked with the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau, servicing clients as a Student Attorney in the Family Law department. As a 2L, Emma is participating in the Innocence Clinic.

ASHLEY MEYER

Ashley Meyer graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in May 2017 with a BFA in Drama/Theatre Arts. As part of her undergraduate education, she studied with the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Through the Stella Adler Studio of Acting Outreach program, Ashley led incarcerated women at Rikers Island through biweekly arts classes focused on Shakespeare analysis and performance, voice and speech exercises, and creative writing. From 2014-2016, she served as a Lab Leader for Summit Debate, a summer speech and debate institute, in Boston, where she taught acting through meditation and yoga. Beginning in 2013, she served as a tournament coach for middle and high school students attending speech and debate tournaments by guiding the development of the students’ own artistic processes via character exercises and vocal work. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as an intern with the Innocence Project of Florida and worked as a research assistant for Professor Martha Mahoney, focusing on affirmative defenses to Florida’s controlled substance laws. As a 2L, Ashley is participating in the Innocence Clinic.

CATHERINE PEREZ

Catherine Perez graduated cum laude from The Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University in May 2017 with a B.A. in International Affairs, a concentration in European Studies and a minor in Art History. While an undergraduate student, she was a member of the Dean’s List, studied abroad in Paris, and received three Presidential Service Awards for her dedication to community service. She served as a student coordinator and tutor with For the Love of Children, a non-profit organization serving local low-income students. During the summer of 2015, she interned for Rep. James Himes of Connecticut. She worked as a clerk with a criminal defense firm during the summer of 2016. She spent her final semester of college interning with an immigration law firm, where she worked on asylum cases and applications to USCIS. Following graduation, Catherine worked as an immigration

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022 paralegal, managing an extensive caseload, conducting legal research, and interacting with clients from around the world. She also served as a volunteer translator with Catholic Charities. As a 1L at Miami Law, Catherine participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, The Fines and Fees Justice Center Alternative Fall Break, and the Catholic Legal Charities Alternative Winter Break. During her 1L summer, she served as a legal intern with the Office of the General Counsel for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, working to preserve properties and landmarks that are of cultural and historic significance. She is also a research assistant for Professor Stephen Urice in the area of Art Law. As a 2L, she is participating in the Tenants' Rights Clinic and the International Moot Court Program.

DAVID PETRANTONI

David Petrantoni graduated from Florida State University in May 2013 with a B.S. in Political Science & Greco-Roman Classics, followed by an M.S. in Applied American Politics & Public Policy in May 2015. He served as chairperson of the Internal Affairs/ Healthcare Insurance Committee while a member of the Congress of Graduate Students and worked as a legal intern with the Innocence Project, where he managed case reviews and forensic evidence in order to exonerate the wrongly accused. After completing his graduate degree, David served as a Military Veteran Service Specialist for AmeriCorps VISTA, where he worked to improve the quality of services available to veterans in Miami-Dade through community engagement and partnership. He also crafted a development plan for the creation of Veteran Outreach Centers on each of Miami-Dade College’s eight campuses, designed to centralize aid resources and to facilitate proper aggregation and analysis of student veteran data.

David has also worked as a community organizer and regional director for a variety of initiatives including ending cash bail, immigrant and refugee advocacy and the protection of minority voting rights. As a 1L at Miami Law, David participated in the Wage Theft Advocacy Project and took part in the Florida Bar Foundation Pro Bono Challenge. During his 1L summer, he interned with the ACLU and participated in the Systemic Lawyering Corps COVID-19 Rapid Response Program. He is vice president of the Public Interest Leadership Board and, as a 2L is participating in the Innocence Clinic and the Race and Social Justice Law Review.

TORI SIMKOVIC

Tori Simkovic graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in June 2014 with a B.S. in Journalism and a minor in Political Science. From 2013 to 2015, she was an investigative reporter for the Medill Justice Project at Northwestern, where she investigated potentially wrongful convictions and uncovered evidence that led to new trials.

She also wrote articles questioning the methodologies of fingerprint analysis, the morality of solitary confinement, and the reliability of eyewitness identification. She received the Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists, as well as the Peter Lisagor Award. From 2015 to 2018, she worked in Savannah, Georgia as a reporter for WJCL News, focusing on local government and law enforcement. Prior to entering law school, she worked as a reporter for WPBF News in West Palm Beach, reporting on the Parkland school shooting, the toxic algae crisis and the FIU bridge collapse. As a 1L at Miami Law, Tori participated in an Alternative Fall Break with the Fines and Fees Justice Center and

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022 volunteered for the Legal Writing Program at Dade Correctional Institution. During her 1L summer, she served as a legal intern for the Capital Appeals Project, based in New Orleans. As a 2L, Tori is participating in the University of Miami Law Review and the Innocence Clinic and is serving on the executive board of the Criminal Law Society.

DIMITRI SYROS

Dimitri Syros graduated from New York University in May 2015 with a B.S. in Applied Psychology and a B.A. in Politics. While an undergraduate student, he was a member of the Dean’s List and studied abroad in Prague and Buenos Aires. In 2014, he mentored high school students in the Upward Bound Program.

From 2013-2015, he served as a Consumer Frauds Department Mediator for the New York State Attorney General, where he assisted with mediating consumer complaints. Following graduation, he joined Teach for America, serving in Houston and Miami from 2015 to 2018. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2016. During that time, he received an M.S. in Education Studies from Johns Hopkins University Graduate School of Education.

During the summer of 2016, he traveled to South Africa with the One Heart Source and was awarded the “One Heart Fellowship” for his outstanding achievement while working with local youth. Beginning in the spring of 2018, he served as an education consultant, working in collaboration with incubator and accelerator programs to promote education technology start-up companies in South Florida. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Dimitri served as a judicial intern with Judge William Jung of the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida. As a 2L, Dimitri is participating in the Environmental Justice Clinic and the STREET Law program.

ASHLEY VAZQUEZ

Ashley Vazquez graduated cum laude from the University of Southern California in May 2018 with a B.A. in Print and Digital Journalism and a minor in International Relations. She worked for various media outlets as a freelance journalist, writing about social justice issues such as immigration, criminal justice reform, LGBTQ issues, homelessness, and religion. She interned for Rep. James Himes of Connecticut and Rep. Karen Bass of California, resolving constituent issues and writing letters on behalf of the representatives. In the spring of 2016, she assisted with research in the School of Public Policy by documenting California’s cleanup efforts of highly polluted low-income neighborhoods and interviewing state officials, activists, and health and climate experts.

The following year, she worked on the HIV/AIDS and Homeless Veterans Projects at the Inner City Law Center, assisting attorneys who were working to address housing and public benefits issues on behalf of veterans in order to prevent homelessness.

She then served as an executive assistant for a STEM Preparatory School. Following graduation, Ashley worked as a communications assistant and organizer with Sea Change Leadership PAC, where she handled social media and coordinated volunteer opportunities and political education events. As a 1L at Miami Law, Ashley volunteered with the ACLU, where she processed intake, including letters from prisoners seeking legal assistance. During her 1L summer, she served as an intern with the Everglades Law Center in Miami. As a 2L, she is participating in the Environmental Justice Clinic.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022

MAXWELL ZOBERMAN

Maxwell Zoberman graduated from Emory University in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Political Science and Spanish, with concentrations in Law and Political Theory and Spanish Linguistics. He was a member of the 100 Senior Honor Society, the Modern Language Honor Society, and the College Honors Program in Spanish. Maxwell studied abroad at the Universidad de Salamanca in Spain, where he participated in an intensive study in Spanish Fluency, Sociolinguistics, and Dialectology. He held various positions within the Emory Student Government Association, including president and vice president, held a leadership role with the Mock Trial team, and served as a resident advisor. In 2014, he developed and managed campaign events and service projects for the Michelle Nunn for Senate and Jason Carter for Governor Campaigns. During the summer of 2015, he served as a trial investigative intern with the Public Defender’s Office in West Palm Beach, where he conducted research for trial preparation, assisted with client interviews, and served as a translator. Beginning in December 2016, Maxwell served in the Teach for America Corps, teaching Spanish in the fifth largest school district in the state of Georgia. At Miami Law, Maxwell works as a research assistant to the Dean, holds a leadership position with the Military Law Society, and, as a 1L, participated in the Florida Bar Foundation’s Pro Bono Law School Challenge. During his 1L summer, he worked as a student-attorney with the Veterans Justice Project at the Wilmer-Hale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School where he represented clients in appeals for discharge status upgrades and increased access to VA benefits. As a 2L, he is participating in the Human Rights Clinic. Maxwell is also an Officer Candidate in the US Marine Corps.

Being a part of the Miami Scholars Program has been one of the most rewarding experiences during my first year in law school.

Through the program, I found unwavering support in navigating my law school education, and a welcoming cohort of likeminded individuals. The Miami Scholars Program connected me with invaluable public interest experiences, both during my first year and through internships. It is the best program for those hoping to make a positive legal change in our communities.

~Bianca Ferreira, Class of 2022

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2022

Coming to Miami Law as a Miami Scholar allowed me to surround myself with people who cared about social justice as much as I do, and create a network of support that extends well beyond the classroom and into every facet of the law school experience.

Very few schools have a program like this and it says volumes about Miami Law that it has created a dedicated space for future lawyers like us, who are committed to equal justice.

~Sarah Lilly, Class of 2021 I find myself surrounded by intelligent and committed individuals in the Miami Scholars Public Interest Program. The students, professors, and advisors are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and apply their know-how, in order to uplift communities and improve the lives of others. I cannot imagine a more supportive group of people to learn from to further a life in the practice of public interest law.

~Emma McEvoy, Class of 2022 Each of us in the Miami Scholars Program come from different backgrounds, but share a common goal of delivering restorative justice to communities that need it most. I look forward to what we will accomplish as students, advocates, and Miami Law alumni.

~Kendrick Meek, Class of 2023

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023

ISABELLE CARBAJALES

Isabelle Carbajales graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University in December 2019 with a B.S. in Political Science and Sociology. She earned a certification in US Intelligence Studies, served as a Student Representative for the Florida State Honor Council, was a member of Phi Alpha Delta International, and was on the Dean’s and President’s Lists. In the fall of 2017, she served as a copy editor for the Diverse World Fashion Magazine and the following spring she was an intern and tutor for the Dare to Dream Young Girls Network. During her senior year, Isabelle served as a Communications Intern for the Innocence Project of Florida, where she redesigned the quarterly newsletter and wrote articles and social media content to tell the stories of wrongfully incarcerated individuals who have been exonerated by the efforts of the Innocence Network. Prior to law school, she worked as a legal assistant for a law firm, where she assisted with immigration cases for clients wishing to obtain visas, establish permanent residency, and attain US citizenship. Isabelle hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career in criminal justice, with a focus on post-conviction relief.

MYLES CRANDALL

Myles Crandall graduated cum laude from Claremont McKenna College in California in May 2010 with a B.A. with Honors in History and Government. He earned an M.A. with Honors in Curriculum & Instruction: Pedagogy in Urban Education from the University of Colorado Denver in August 2014. While an undergraduate, he was a member of the Varsity Tennis Team, studied abroad in France, and completed an honors thesis. He also worked for Breakthrough Collaborative, a program that partners with students from under-resourced communities on their paths to college. During summers, Myles taught in Ghana, Denver, and Hong Kong. Following graduation, he taught in France and worked with the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City, where he assisted refugees finding their first job in America. In 2012, Myles joined Teach for America in Denver, where he taught US History, drafted curricula, led summer/after-school STEM programs, and coached girls’ basketball. In 2015, he began working as a social studies teacher with the Salt Lake Center for Science Education, a diverse Title I school. In addition to teaching multiple grade levels and subjects, he served as a college advisor for first-generation students and organized LGBTQIA+ student club meetings. He partnered with organizations to enrich the student experience through exposure to restorative justice, activism, gender/ethnic studies and immigrant perspectives. Myles hopes to use his law degree to address the access to justice gap.

REUNIE FAUSTIN

Reunie Faustin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami in May 2019 with a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science. She was a member of the President’s and Provost’s Honor Roll, a President’s Scholarship recipient, a Florida Academic Scholar, a Horizons Mentor, a facilitator for Theatre-In-Action, and an ambassador for the UM Department of Student Life. From 2018-2019, she volunteered with the UM Disciplinary Hearing Panel, was Director of Internal Operations for the UM Mock Trial Team, and served as the Executive Council Field Coordinator

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023 for the American Enterprise Institute, where she promoted substantive conversations about public policy on campus through forums, lecture series, and debates. As a Horizons Mentor, Reunie assisted and connected new multicultural students with community-based support resources. Starting in the fall of 2018, Reunie volunteered with Americans for Immigrant Justice screening clinics and worked as a Student Success Coach for AmeriCorps: City Year Miami. As a Student Success Coach, she launched a female mentorship program to increase confidence and provide support for female students, and created and directed grade-wide student recognition initiatives in collaboration with school leaders. She hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career in criminal defense.

COSIMO GAUDIO

Cosimo Gaudio graduated from the University of Miami in May 2020 with a B.A. in Economics and History. While an undergraduate, he served as a student assistant for the Butler Center for Service and Leadership, where he coordinated programs and helped students seeking volunteer opportunities.

Through the Butler Center, Cosimo also participated as a Service Day volunteer, where he took part in various annual service events in South Florida. In 2018, he worked as an ambassador for Get Out the Vote. During his junior year, he served as a Children’s Branch Volunteer for Coconut Grove Cares, where he helped educate low-income children about topics of identity and self-esteem. In the spring of 2019, he volunteered with and conducted research at the University of Miami European Union Center. That summer, Cosimo interned for Northwest Workers’ Justice Project, where he created damages calculations spreadsheets for attorneys and managed client files. Prior to entering law school, he served as a volunteer intern for Florida Justice Institute, where he read and summarized intake letters from inmates across the state. Cosimo hopes to use his law degree to address issues in the prison and criminal justice systems.

EVAN GILBERT

Evan Gilbert graduated from Vanderbilt University in May 2015 with a B.A. in History. He was a member of the Dean’s List and studied abroad in France. Following graduation, he was selected to participate as an Americorps Fellow with Avodah, a Jewish social justice organization dedicated to fighting poverty and creating lasting social change. During his time in Avodah, Evan learned how to better engage with Jewish values to advocate for racial and economic justice, and worked as an Entrepreneurship Coordinator with BUILD, a Washington, DC non-profit that teaches critical life skills to high school students in low-income communities through the process of starting a business. After Avodah, Evan became an intern on Capitol Hill and soon joined the Democratic Staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which legislates on issues including health care, renewable energy, environmental protection, broadcast and cable TV, telecommunications, and consumer protection.

As the Committee’s Press Assistant, he managed press inquiries, led social media content and messaging, wrote press releases, and produced press conferences.

Later, as Deputy Press Secretary, he served as spokesperson for the Committee and developed and led press strategy on various legislation, including bills to save net neutrality and combat dangerous robocall scams. Evan hopes to use his law degree to support marginalized individuals and advocate for systemic change.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023

RACHEL GOPICHAND

Rachel Gopichand graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in May 2020 with a B.A. in Psychology. She was a member of the Dean’s List and the UNC Undergraduate Honor Court, and served as a Buckley Public Service Scholar, an honor she received after logging over 300 hours of service.

She volunteered in the areas of sexual assault awareness, breast cancer detection and childhood literacy. Rachel also volunteered for the Make-a-Wish Foundation in Raleigh, NC, where she met with children with life-threatening illnesses and their families to ensure that their greatest wishes were granted. During the summer of 2019, she interned for the Office of the District Attorney in Jacksonville, NC, where she managed District and Superior Court case files and drafted legal memoranda, motions, and Superior Court indictments, and assisted attorneys with research and witness preparation. Rachel also worked as a marketing assistant for University Apartments. She hopes to use her law degree to advocate for survivors of sexual and domestic abuse.

OLIVIA JOHNSON

Olivia Johnson graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and a minor in Sociology. She was a Gator Nation Scholar, as well as a member of the President’s List and the Dean’s List. She served as a volunteer mentor in several capacities, including for children with disabilities and at-risk young women. She also worked with Children Beyond Our Borders, assisting first-generation college applicants in the Alachua County School System with test preparation and life skills. During the summer of 2018, Olivia served as an Education Intern with the Tennessee Department of Education, where she drafted projects and grant proposals and participated in diversity and inclusion training. Her research helped secure funding for apprenticeship programs in Nashville public schools. Upon graduation, she began working as an English teacher at Georgia Jones Ayers Middle School, a Title I school in Miami, where she was named Rookie Teacher of the Year.

Olivia is interested in pursuing a joint JD/MSED in Law, Community and Social Change and hopes to use her degree to advocate for children in both educational and legal settings.

COLLIN LI

Collin Li graduated from the University of Miami in 2015 with a B.S. in Marine Science and Biology. While an undergraduate, Collin founded the Humans of the University of Miami blog, worked as a resident assistant, interned for the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association, and served as a photographer for shark tagging research excursions with a marine conservation program. After graduation, he worked as a sea cook, deckhand, and educator for the World Ocean School, which sailed to Boston and the US Virgin Islands. He worked with at-risk youth in Boston and St. Croix, inviting them aboard to learn basic seamanship through hands-on programs while incorporating values such as teamwork, trust, communication, and respect into the lessons for students to take back to their communities. As a SCUBA instructor, Collin continued his travels to Australia, Thailand, the Caribbean, and Taiwan in 2016. For the following two years, he worked as a research assistant at Tunghai University in Taiwan,

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023 where he carried out field procedures for the Dongsha Reef Resilience Assessment and Spratly Island projects. Beginning in 2018, Collin sailed aboard the Dutch tall ships Gulden Leeuw and Hendrika Bartelds in Europe, West Africa, across the Atlantic, South America, and the Caribbean, leading navigational watches. He hopes to use his law degree to continue his commitment to environmental justice.

KENDRICK MEEK, JR.

Kendrick Meek, Jr. graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2018 with a B.A. in Political Science. He helped establish the Bob Graham Center Student Fellows, a studentled organization dedicated to promoting civic participation among young people. In 2015, Kendrick served as an intern to the Committee on House Administration in Washington, DC, supporting the committee's oversight of congressional franks, federal elections, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution. In 2016, he interned with the Democratic National Convention Committee, working with disability rights activists to bring the convention venue into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Following graduation, Kendrick joined the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, DC as a Legal Assistant, where he contributes to the organization’s mission of advocating for full equality for the LGBTQ community.

Kendrick hopes to use his law degree to ensure that the law provides no sanction to discrimination and injustice.

LAUREN O’NEIL

Lauren O’Neil graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia Honors Program in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance & International Business. She was selected to participate in several fellows and scholars programs based on her leadership and academic skills. She received a research assistantship for her work with the UGA Department of Finance pertaining to antitrust law. During her final year in college, Lauren worked with the Business Law Clinic at the University of Georgia School of Law, assisting a group of 3Ls with drafting memos and performing research for local entrepreneurs. She founded the student organization Women in Law, was the President of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity, studied abroad in Spain, and served as a volunteer tutor for Spanish-speaking high school students. During the summer of 2018, Lauren was an undergraduate intern with the US Attorney’s Office in Savannah.

She performed legal research, prepared motion responses, and organized discovery for 64 ongoing cases. She also took part in the introduction of the DOJ Project Safe Neighborhood Initiative. During the summer of 2019, she completed an undergraduate judicial internship to learn more about criminal and civil proceedings. She hopes to use her law degree to address criminal justice reform.

DARIA PIETROPAOLO

Daria Pietropaolo graduated from the University of Miami in May 2020 with degrees in Political Science and Restorative Justice. She was a member of the President’s & Provost’s Honor Rolls and Dean’s List, the ACC Academic Honor Roll, the Foote Fellows Honors Program, and the 3+3 Dual Degree Program in Law. Daria participated as an Associate Justice of the Student Government Supreme Court and interned at

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023 the European Union Center. She also served as a research assistant for the Political Science Department, Religious Studies Department, and the School of Law, all while competing as a Division I student-athlete on the Cross Country and Track & Field teams. The summer after her freshman year, she participated in the Summer Scholars Program, assisting professors teaching Global Business and Introduction to International Relations, and served as a judicial intern at the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court in Miami, reviewing court documents and sentencing orders. During the summers of 2019 and 2020, she was a member of the Forest Foundation Summer Internship Program as an intern for Adolescent Consultation Services/Middlesex County Juvenile Court Clinic, where she developed a comprehensive proposal for the clinic to expand their capacity to serve as a referral agency for diversion cases and participated in grant writing and development. Daria hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career that advances the law through litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods in an international context.

KATE RUSTON

Kate Ruston graduated with honors from Claremont McKenna College in California in May 2016 with a B.A. in Middle East Studies. She received the Kravis Leadership Institute and Community Service Internship Awards and founded Project Nur, a social justice initiative advocating acceptance and mutual respect between Muslim and non-Muslim communities.

She spent her junior year studying abroad in Amman, Jordan, where she worked with the Danish Refugee Council and the Collateral Repair Project. During the summer of 2014, Kate served as an intern with Development Transformations in Washington, DC, supporting USAID programs in Yemen and Afghanistan. The next summer, she returned to Washington as a Food Security Policy & Global Health Policy Intern with Save the Children. Following graduation, she moved to Cairo, Egypt, first working as a development officer for aid programs in Zambia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Mozambique, and then teaching at the British International Modern School there. From 2017-2019, Kate served as Head of Global Perspectives for the Egypt British International School. She most recently served as a Volunteer Legal Advisor for St. Andrew’s Refugee Services in Cairo, assisting clients throughout the resettlement process. She has engaged in many community service efforts, including with Mercy Corps in Jordan, Share a Smile in Egypt, and the Interfaith Hospitality Network which services the homeless in Athens, Georgia. She hopes to use her law degree to continue her advocacy in international human rights.

DAVID SCOLLAN

David Scollan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in May of 2017 with a B.A. in African Studies and Political Science and a minor in International Development. He earned an M.S. in International Relations from the London School of Economics in December of 2018.

While an undergraduate, he served as president of the Sphinx Senior Society, the Men’s Polo Team, and the Nominations and Elections Committee in Penn Student Government, as well as founded the Penn African Studies Undergraduate Advisory Board. David received the Sandra Barnes Award for Outstanding African Studies Student and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Memorial Prize for advanced social sciences research in African studies. He was also an Ivy Leadership Award Finalist, and the first Penn student to earn a Certificate of

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023 Achievement for the study of an African language (Swahili). He spent his summers as an intern in the US House of Representatives, Senate, and Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. During the fall of his junior year, he studied abroad in Tanzania, where he conducted field research on land inheritance legal processes, and served as a Field Assistant for the Clinton Foundation, assisting with workshops for farmers on irrigation systems and crop management techniques to increase sustainable farming. While earning his master’s degree, David served as the Director for March For Our Lives in London, where he initiated, organized and led a 1,200+ person gun safety reform rally. He completed his master’s dissertation on the effectiveness of United Nations humanitarian reporting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He hopes to use his law degree to pursue a career in civil or international human rights.

DANIELA TORRES

Daniela Torres graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Florida in May 2019 with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in Leadership Studies and General Business Administration. She was a National Hispanic Scholar and a USF Presidential Scholarship Recipient. She served as a junior board member with the Migrants Rights Foundation, a volunteer with the Venezuela Awareness Project, and a cultural ambassador with Tampa Hispanic Heritage. She traveled to Colombia to assist with the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis and mentored youth from diverse backgrounds as part of Community Tampa Bay, an organization whose mission is to address discrimination in the Tampa area. From 2017-2018, Daniela worked as an intern with a law firm in St. Petersburg, assisting with depositions, hearings and file management. In 2019, she joined Migrants Foundation, Inc., an immigration advocacy organization in Tampa. As Program Development Manager, she assisted with case management and participated in the creation of new programming. Daniela hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career in civil or international human rights.

VICTORIA TOUZINSKY

Victoria Touzinsky graduated from the University of MissouriColumbia in December 2019 with B.A. degrees in Political Science and Women’s & Gender Studies. She was a member of the Dean’s List and served as president of Stronger Together Against Relationship and Sexual Violence. Through this student organization, she advocated for structural change regarding access and quality of service for survivors, organizing events to increase awareness and working one-on-one with fellow students. She also served as a Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Peer Coordinator, facilitating conversations regarding sexual violence prevention to classes, fraternities, sororities, and student organizations, and participated in Four Front Marginalized Student Council, advocating for campus advancement for oppressed students. She was a member of the Planned Parenthood Generation Action Coalition, addressing the issues of sexual healthcare equity and emergency contraceptive access on campus. She also studied abroad in Amsterdam, focusing on Gender, Race and Sexuality Studies. Victoria hopes to use her law degree to continue advocating for survivors and individuals who are marginalized and oppressed.

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023

ABIGAIL YOUNG

Abigail Young graduated from the University of WisconsinMadison in May 2017 with a B.A. in International Studies, Political Science, and Latin American & Iberian Studies and a certificate in African Studies. While an undergraduate, she served as a State Senate Intern for Wisconsin Senator Mark Miller, worked as a research assistant for UW-Madison’s Department of Political Science, and studied abroad in Toledo and Barcelona, Spain. While in Toledo, Abigail worked at the provincial courts of Castilla La Mancha. During her semester in Barcelona, she worked in the International Department at the Barcelona Bar Association and was selected to participate in a European Union Activism Seminar in Brussels, Belgium.

During the summer of 2016, she worked as a Communication and Translation Intern for the Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. Following graduation, Abigail worked as a Congressional Intern for Representative Keith Ellison in the US House of Representatives, where she produced memos detailing briefings, press statements, and testimony resources. Following her Capitol Hill internship, she served as a Public Partnership Intern for UNICEF, where she reported on events, news and hearings relevant to UNICEF’s mission, and assisted in research and programming. During the two years prior to law school, Abigail worked for Family Health International (FHI 360) as a Business Development Officer, where she managed the proposal development process for globally-implemented projects, leading partnering efforts with technical experts to deliver successful bids to clients. She hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career in international human rights.

My law school search centered on finding a school that would allow me to pursue public interest law. The Miami Scholars program not only does that, but supports and uplifts a community of justice-oriented students to lead public interest initiatives and create systemic change. I am so excited to learn from my fellow Miami Scholars, current students and alumni alike, and I cannot wait to embark on the law school journey knowing that I am a part of such a welcoming and inclusive community.

~Kate Ruston, Class of 2023 I am excited to begin my legal education with a cohort of students that share similar interests and aspirations. Entering law school in 2020 with a strong support system, advisers, and a network of peers is invaluable. Through my previous work in the public interest field, I realized how important it was to have supervisors who advocated for my growth and were invested in my success. This is what I have found in the Miami Scholars Program. I’m thrilled to join an active public interest community.

~Abigail Young, Class of 2023

MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2023

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

Equal Justice Works Fellow Americans for Immigrant Justice, Miami, FL 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

Staff Attorney Capital Collateral Regional Counsel-North, Tallahassee, FL 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

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

Interest MIAMILAW HOPE Public Resource Center UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW

1311 Miller Drive B446 ยง Coral Gables, FL 33146 P: 305.284.2599 ยง F: 305.284.3646 umhope@law.miami.edu www.law.miami.edu/hope