“It is phenomenal to see the HOPE and SPIF students evolve as public interest advocates through their work locally, nationally and internationally. They are touched by the people and communities they serve and are committed to effectuating change and promoting access to justice for others.”
~Marni Lennon, Assistant Dean for Public Interest and Pro Bono
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 am grateful to Miami Law for connecting me even closer to my interests and passions. I am confident I will be able to apply everything I have learned so far about women's rights and gender-based violence to my position as a Sopher-Arnold/HOPE Fellow with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls. I am excited to work with HOPE as I further my commitment to public interest."
~Bisan Amireh, Class of 2024 UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls New York, NY
SOPHER-ARNOLD HOPE FELLOW, UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS, NEW YORK, NY
Bisan Amireh (Class of 2024) graduated from Florida Atlantic University in May 2020 with a B.A. in Political Science, a minor in film, and a certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she was a legal intern with the Battered Women’s Justice Project, where she conducted legal research on firearm statutes, protection orders, and issues of domestic violence in the United States. As a 2L at Miami Law, she served as an intern with the Human Rights Clinic, working on the Health Rights Team to develop thematic memos and conduct legal research on gender-based violence in Europe, as well as a trans advocacy project centered in Florida. During her 2L summer, Bisan served as a Sopher-Arnold/HOPE Fellow with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls.
OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, MIAMI, FL
Antonios Basta (Class of 2024) graduated cum laude from the University of South Florida in May 2021 with a B.A. in Criminology. During his time there, he worked as a legal assistant at a boutique law firm and a mortgage loan originator. As a 1L at Miami Law, Antonios was a member of the First-Generation Law Student Association, the South/West Asian and North African Law Student Association, the Black Law Student Association, and the resources director for the Coptic Lawyer Student Bar Association. He was selected to be the 2022 Colson Scholar and spent the summer following his 1L year at Colson Hicks Edison. As a 2L, he took part in Miami Law’s Litigation Skills Program. During his 2L summer, Antonios served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender.
Kristina Bergman (Class of 2025) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2015 with a B.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition: Dietetics and a B.S. in Psychology. She completed her Graduate Dietetic Internship at the University of New Hampshire and became a Licensed Registered Dietitian Nutritionist in 2016. Kristina worked to improve health equity and gender equity at Owls Care Health Promotion and the Women and Gender Equity Resource Center at Florida Atlantic University. There, she focused her efforts on food security and size inclusion—issues she wants to continue to focus on as a future attorney. Since enrolling at Miami Law, Kristina has been involved in the OUTLaw student organization and has helped communities affected by the criminal legal system by volunteering with Chainless Change. During her 1L summer, Kristina served as a HOPE Fellow at the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.
Danielle Berkowitz (Class of 2024) graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University in 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science and Communications with a minor in Psychology. As a 1L at Miami Law, she joined Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity (continuing her involvement from college), became a Miami Law Student Ambassador, and engaged in a pro bono research project on the school-to-prison pipeline in collaboration with the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center. During her 1L summer, Danielle worked at Juvenile Law Center, a non-profit law firm in Philadelphia focused on the rights of children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. As a 2L, she participated in the legal writing course at Homestead Correctional Institution as part of Exchange for Change, joined the Public Interest Leadership Board, and met HOPE’s Pro Bono Challenge of 75 hours of service. During her 2L summer, Danielle served as a HOPE Fellow with the MacArthur Justice Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, fighting against the injustices in the criminal legal system.
Indra Cantillo Mejuto (Class of 2024) graduated from the University of Havana School of Law in 2014 with a degree equivalent to a Juris Doctor. She served as district attorney for the City of Havana State Attorney’s Office for three years. Shortly after, she began working at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investments. During this time, she advised the minister, other executive officers and different government departments on legal matters related to foreign capital and international law regarding their investments and commercial relations with Spain, China, Mexico, among other countries. During the Obama era, she was tasked with engaging public and private U.S companies, congressmen, lobbyists, and businesses interested in exploring the Cuban market. She conducted research and drafted legal memoranda on several U.S commercial policies and companies for business proposals. After moving to the U.S. in 2017, she worked as a Targeted Case Manager advocating on behalf of lowincome populations with mental health illnesses until she entered Miami Law as a JD/ LLM student. During her 2L summer, Indra worked for the Health Rights Clinic where she was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award and the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement Award. During her final summer at Miami Law, she served as a HOPE Fellow with Catholic Legal Services in Miami.
Suzannah Friscia (Class of 2024) graduated from Barnard College in 2013 with an English major and a minor in dance. Prior to law school, she worked as a journalist for seven years covering art, culture, and environmental issues, and wrote for publications
including the Wall Street Journal, Miami New Times, and Dance Magazine. During that time, she also earned a Master of Arts from Columbia Journalism School. At the University of Miami, she is concentrating in environmental law and pursuing a J.D./M.P.S. joint degree with the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she interned with the Clerk of Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal. As a 2L, she participated in the Environmental Justice Clinic, where she worked with local NGOs, attorneys, and community stakeholders on cases involving local water quality, stormwater permit compliance, and contamination in city parks. She also served as an executive editor for the University of Miami Law Review. During her 2L summer, Suzannah served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of Environmental Justice in the U.S. Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION, ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES SECTION, WASHINGTON, DC
Elizabeth Hansel (Class of 2024) graduated cum laude from Occidental College in May 2019 with a B.A. in Diplomacy and World Affairs and a minor in Chinese Studies. She earned a distinction for her senior thesis which explored local NGO approaches to transitional justice and reconciliation in Cambodia. She traveled to Cambodia in January 2019 to interview leaders of civil society on their approaches to and views on transitional justice. She also studied abroad in Taipei, Taiwan. Throughout her senior year, she worked as a JusticeCorps Minimum Time Member for the Pasadena Superior Courthouse, where she assisted self-represented litigants in the civil court selfhelp center and developed Mandarin language workshops for simple dissolution cases. As a 2019-2020 Fulbright Grant recipient, Elizabeth spent eight months as an English Teaching Assistant in Changhua County, Taiwan. At Miami Law, Elizabeth is a Miami Public Interest Scholar. As a 1L, she was a member of the National Lawyers Guild, a Student Ambassador with the Admissions Office, and a 1L Intern with the CEPS Housing and Community Economic Development Project. During her 1L summer, she interned with The Legal Aid Society of New York City’s Health Law Unit. As a 2L, Elizabeth served as co-chair of the Public Interest Leadership Board, was a program assistant with the Environmental Law Program, interned with Dade Legal Aid’s Domestic Violence Program and was a Law Clerk in the Tenants’ Rights Clinic. During her 2L summer, Elizabeth served as a HOPE Fellow in the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
Vanancia Hyppolite (Class of 2024) graduated from Florida International University in 2019 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in International Relations. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as an intern with the Miami Association of Realtors. As a 2L, she served as a Steven Chaykin Fellow with the Center for Ethics and Public Service on the Housing and Community Economic
Development team. Additionally, she served as a law clerk at the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, where she worked with juvenile and adult detainees at the Turner Guilford Knight Center, collecting important information for the attorneys, contacting detainees' family members during bond hearings, translating for Haitian Creole speaking detainees, photographing injuries, monitoring court proceedings, preparing hearing calendars, and importing attorney notes into client files. During her 2L summer, Vanancia served as a HOPE Fellow with the Florida Department of Children and Families.
OFFICE OF THE PALM BEACH COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER, WEST PALM BEACH, FL
Borina Jean (Class of 2024) graduated from Florida Atlantic University in May 2020 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Philosophy. Prior to law school, she worked at a nonprofit organization that provided peer support services to underprivileged youth and young adults experiencing substance abuse, legal issues, foster care placement, and mental health trauma. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she clerked at the 15th Judicial Circuit in the post-conviction and appellate division. She also served as a Dean’s Fellow for the Summer Legal Academy at Miami Law. During the fall of her 2L year, she served as an extern with the MiamiDade Public Defender's Office. During the spring, she completed the Litigation Skills Program and worked as a law clerk for a solo practitioner. During her 2L summer, Borina served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of the Public Defender for Palm Beach County.
OFFICE OF THE STATE ATTORNEY, 12TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, SARASOTA, FL
Lindsey LaCamera (Class of 2025) graduated from Boston College in May 2022 with a B.A. in Linguistics and a minor in Ancient Civilizations. While there, she was a dedicated member of the Appalachian Volunteers through which she travelled to impoverished cities in the Appalachian region, provided assistance to families in need, and partnered with Habitat for Humanity. At Miami Law, she is a member of Miami Law Women, the First-Generation Law Association, and was elected secretary of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. During her 1L summer, Lindsey served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of the State Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit in the County Court Division.
Elena LaCorte (Class of 2024) graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2018 with a B.S. from the College of Business. As a 1L at Miami Law, she began serving on the executive board of the Human Rights Society. During her 1L summer, she worked at a
plaintiffs’ personal injury firm in Miami. During the fall of her 2L year, she began working as a legal intern at the ACLU of Florida on the Detention Database team, where she assists immigrants detained in centers around Florida, collecting and reporting the constitutional violations happening to them inside the centers. During her 2L summer, Elena served as a HOPE Fellow with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender in Baltimore City, Maryland.
Brianna Sanchez (Class of 2025) graduated from Florida State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Political Science and English (Literature). While an undergraduate, she served as a student leader in Florida PIRG Students, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, focused on engaging younger generations in politics. She mobilized students around issues such as reducing single-use plastics, increasing youth voter turnout, and providing mental health resources on campus. She spent her summers completing internships with New York Senator Charles E. Schumer and Florida State Senator Annette Taddeo. In Senator Schumer’s office, she worked on immigration issues and assisted constituents with the visa process. She also supported the Media/Press Department in researching, creating, and editing press release memos. In Senator Taddeo’s office, she focused on researching local Miami issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and gun safety. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Brianna served as a Buzin Law/HOPE Fellow in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida in Fort Lauderdale. As a 2L, she will continue her commitment to public service as a legal intern with Miami Law’s Human Rights Clinic.
Sofia Smith (Class of 2024) graduated from University of Michigan in 2020 with a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish. After graduating from University of Michigan, Sofia spent a year as an AmeriCorps member in Chicago, IL, with City Year. There, she co-taught 10th grade math at an under resourced high school. At Miami Law, Sofia is a Miami Public Interest Scholar. During her 1L summer, she interned at the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, where she worked closely with the felony division and went to court every day in addition to drafting motions and memoranda, communicating with clients, and interviewing inmates. As a 2L, Sofia served as a fall extern with the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, where she continued her work in the felony division. During her spring 2L semester, Sofia worked as a research assistant for a professor who specializes in the intersection of social justice and law and completed research on Battered Woman Syndrome. During her 2L summer, Sofia served as a HOPE Fellow with the Federal Public Defender's Office in Miami.
Jalen Watson (Class of 2024) graduated magna cum laude from Howard University in 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science, minoring in Criminology. While at Howard, he collaborated with a team of interns to research a variety of coping skills to develop a program for detained youth at the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. He also facilitated weekly mentoring sessions to motivate and inspire detained youth at the Youth Services Center in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, he conducted research on the disenfranchisement of exfelons in Miami. As a 1L at Miami Law, Jalen joined the Black Law Student Association. During his 1L summer, Jalen served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender. As a 2L, he participated in the Children & Youth Law Clinic, the Litigation Skills Program, and the Legal Writing Program at Homestead Correctional Institution. During his 2L summer, Jalen served as a HOPE Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender.
Joel Zemach (Class of 2025) graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 2020 with a B.A. and M.A. in Political Science. Prior to law school, he worked as a law clerk for a highvolume property insurance litigation firm in Fort Lauderdale, working primarily on breach of contract claims across the State of Florida. Joel also interned for Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in both her District and Legislative Offices, where he attended legislative hearings, administered Congressional correspondence, and maintained constituent relationships. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Joel served as a HOPE Fellow with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida in Fort Lauderdale, focusing on defensive civil actions in the Civil Division.
U.S. Department of Justice, Environment & Natural Resources Division, Office of Environmental Justice Washington, DC
I am so excited to be serving as a law clerk with the Department of Justice's Environment and Natural Resources Division, in its Office of Environmental Justice. After a year participating in Miami Law's Environmental Justice Clinic, I'm thrilled to continue down this path with my work this summer, and to further my goal of pursuing a career in environmental law. I believe environmental justice issues are among the most pressing of our time, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of a cause that I feel passionate about.
~Suzannah Friscia, Class of 2024
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.
The newly-created Manne Homeless Prevention Program Fellowship at Legal Aid Service of Broward County allows fellows to assist Broward County residents facing evictions or other legal matters that threaten imminent homelessness such as public benefits, rental assistance, unemployment, and driver’s license issues. This year we have two inaugural Manne Fellows who will work full time during the summer and continue into the fall semester as part-time fellows.
Olivia Zukowski (Class of 2025) graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami in May 2021 with a B.A. in Ecosystem Science and Policy and Political Science and a minor in French. She received her Master of Public Administration from the University of Miami in May 2022. At Miami Law, Olivia is a Miami Public Interest Scholar. She has participated in voting rights restoration with the Florida Right Restoration Coalition and a Health Disparities Project through the Center for Ethics and Public Service, which has focused on expanding healthcare access in the local community and collaborating with the Health Foundation of South Florida’s Black Health Summit. During her 1L summer, Olivia served as a Squire, Patton, Boggs Foundation Public Policy Fellow with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s Miami District Office.
Madeline Feit (Class of 2025) graduated cum laude in 2021 from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Public Relations. While there, she co-launched a pre-legal society that aimed for community, inclusion, and transparency for women in law. She also won a 2021 Future of Florida Summit policy award for healthcare reform addressing disparities in racial-related mortality rates in Florida. Madeline also served as a mentor, teacher, and academic coach specializing in reading curriculum for Haitian students ages K-12, and continued this work after graduation. As a 1L at Miami Law, Madeline began serving as a Guardian ad Litem. As a 2L, she will serve as an intern with the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in Miami, assisting with the cases involving violations of Title IX and protecting employee rights. During her 1L summer, Madeline served as a Manne Homelessness Prevention Fellow, advocating for families facing eviction and homelessness in South Florida.
Cassandra Hacker graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky in May 2022 with B.A.s in Foreign Language and International Economics and Psychology and a minor in International Studies. While in college, she volunteered with Seedleaf, a community gardening organization dedicated to providing fresh produce to people living in underserved communities in Lexington, KY, and with her local church as a mentor to high school students. She also worked as a Student Athletic Trainer for the football, women’s soccer, and women’s tennis teams. As a 1L at Miami Law, Cassandra joined the First-Generation Law Student Association and was an inaugural member of the 1L Civil Rights Reading Group. During her 1L summer, she served as a Manne Homelessness Prevention Fellow, advocating for families facing eviction and homelessness in South Florida.
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 Social Justice 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.
“Coming to law school, I knew I wanted to work in the public interest field but was grappling with how to balance financial needs with getting a job or internship I’d be passionate about. My public interest mentor, who I met through HOPE's PINPal program, suggested I apply for the SPIF program, which allowed me to set aside my financial worries in order to pursue an internship regardless of compensation. I am excited to work with Florida Justice Institute, a non-profit agency that focuses on impact litigation and advocacy. Through SPIF, I not only will have financial stability but will learn about other public interest fields through the social justice course and engaging with my SPIF peers.”
~Greta Schultz, Class of 2025 Florida Justice Institute Miami, FLMaia Boatwright graduated from Georgia Southern University in May 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. She held several leadership positions, including Senator for the Student Government Association and Secretary for the Pre-Law Society. She worked as a paralegal intern for the Georgia Legal Services Program, a non-profit that provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and aims to ensure equal access to justice. She assisted attorneys in advocating for clients on various civil legal issues, including housing, family law, employment, and public benefits. At Miami Law, she is a Dean's Merit Scholar and is actively involved in the Hispanic Law Students Association, FirstGeneration Law Association, and Miami Law Women. During the summer of 2023, Maia served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney in the Child Support Division.
OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, MIAMI, FL
Tiffany DeFranza graduated magna cum laude from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 2019 with a B.S. in Education and from Drexel University in 2021 with an M.S. in Special Education. Prior to law school, Tiffany worked in The School District of Philadelphia as a special education teacher, advocating for students’ best interests both inside and outside of the classroom. While a teacher, she became passionate about advocating for students enrolled in Title I school districts having equal access to student organizations and school sports through serving as an assistant cheerleading coach, on the Special Olympics committee, and co-founding the middle school’s Student Council. As a 1L at Miami Law, Tiffany joined the Disabled Law Students Association, where she was elected the Public Relations Director, and became a Florida Guardian ad Litem. As a 2L, Tiffany is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic. During the summer of 2023, Tiffany served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender.
Karina Estrada graduated from Florida State University in May 2020 with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Studies. While there, Karina volunteered at Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm in Boone, North Carolina, where she provided permaculture farming, renewable energy, and regenerative land management support to people with mobility restrictions. She also traveled to Houston, Texas,
to aid in home rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey. As a 1L at Miami Law, Karina volunteered with the Safe Passage Project, which provides legal representation to unaccompanied immigrant children seeking asylum. Karina has also volunteered with Lee County Legal Services, where she has worked on a range of issues, including estate planning, housing assistance, and litigation questions. As a 2L, Karina is serving as treasurer for Miami Law’s Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. During the summer of 2023, she served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at Church World Service, assisting with immigration advocacy.
JANYL B. SMITH HOPE SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOW, LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC., CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT, MIAMI, FL
Taimaisú Ferrer Sin received her Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Education from Cornell University in May 2022. During college, she became deeply interested in housing, land use, and zoning issues in Miami-Dade County and investigated these topics in her thesis, Reimagining the Hood: How Can Communities Recover from the Oppressive Housing of Black Americans?, for which she received the Charles Goodwin Sands Memorial Thesis Award. As a 1L at Miami Law, she continued to explore these issues in classes such as Law Practice: Systemic Advocacy and as an intern for the Housing and Community Economic Development Project within the Center for Ethics and Public Service. Taimaisú is a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholar and an NAACP LDF Earl Warren Scholar. In addition to being a member of the Black Law Students Association on campus, Taimaisú is a member of the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association and the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association. During the summer of 2023, Taimaisú served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with Legal Services of Greater Miami in the Consumer Protection Unit.
OFFICE OF CRIMINAL CONFLICT & CIVIL REGIONAL COUNSEL, DEPENDENCY DIVISION, MIAMI, FL
Monserrat (Monse) Garcia graduated from Florida International University in December 2020 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She was a competitor and executive board member of Panther Mock Trial, a competitive trial team organization. Prior to law school, she worked at Sepulveda Sanchez Law’s Los Angeles office, focusing on personal injury and employment discrimination. Her role as Case Manager and Lien Negotiator allowed her to work closely with clients and guide them through the legal process. During the summer of 2023, Monserrat served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of Criminal Conflict & Civil Regional Counsel in the Dependency Division.
OFFICE OF CRIMINAL CONFLICT & CIVIL REGIONAL COUNSEL, CRIMINAL DIVISION, MIAMI, FL
Juliana Greene graduated magna cum laude from The Ohio State University in 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and Criminology & Criminal Justice and a minor in Spanish. During college, Juliana volunteered at Alvis House as a reentry services and disabilities intern, where she aided previously incarcerated persons with their transitions back into the community. Juliana has also interned abroad in Tel Aviv, Israel, at Lawflex, a leading global Alternative Legal Service Provider (ALSP). As a 1L at Miami Law, Juliana joined Miami Law Women and the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society. As a 2L, she is participating in Miami Law’s Human Rights Clinic. During the summer of 2023, Juliana served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of Criminal Conflict & Civil Regional Counsel in the Criminal Division.
SOPHER-ARNOLD HOPE SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOW, OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, MIAMI, FL
Alexis Handler graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in 2022 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Psychology and Law. She spent her freshman year studying abroad at John Cabot University in Rome. While at USC, Alexis was the Director of Programming on the Panhellenic Executive Board, the Director of Human Resources of the Corporate Law Financial Regulation Association and was involved in leadership with Hillel. She also volunteered with the John Muir Elementary Spanish Immersion program, interned at California Legal Counsel, and spent many summers as an overnight camp counselor, working with children ages 6-16. As a 1L at Miami Law, Alexis was elected President of Miami Law Women, became a member of the Society of Bar & Gavel and joined the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society. As a 2L, Alexis is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic. During the summer of 2023, Alexis served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender.
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, SPECIAL PROSECUTIONS DIVISION, MIAMI, FL
Lauren King graduated magna cum laude from the University of Florida in 2007 with a B.S. in Athletic Training, followed by an M.S. in Exercise Science & Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008. She has been volunteering in the children’s welfare space since 2009. As a member of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, Lauren served as the Vice President of Membership and chair of the Done in a Day committee, planning service projects in several community organizations assisting children and young adults in the foster care system, including Vita Nova and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Lauren also
supported and chaired several events for Place of Hope, an organization benefitting abused, neglected, and abandoned children in Palm Beach County. Lauren was a nominee for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year in 2020. Prior to entering law school, Lauren worked at the 15th Judicial Circuit as a case manager in the Family Division. As a 2L at Miami Law, Lauren is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic and on the Miami Law Trial Team. During the summer of 2023, she served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, working in the Special Prosecutions Division.
Ellie Menashe graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in British Studies in 2019. Prior to law school, she worked at a neurology clinic, where she was given the opportunity to perform substantive, nuanced research on real-world matters and assisted in editing the head neurologist’s book, Concussion: Traumatic Brain Injury from Head to Tail. Through this experience, she was exposed to the brain injury community and worked to repair the interrelated disparities in the legal system for the minority and lower economic population. During the summer of 2023, Ellie served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Miami, working in the Major Crimes Section of the Criminal Division.
OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, MIAMI, FL
Kira Mikes graduated from Dartmouth College in 2017 with a B.A. in English. Prior to law school, she worked as a Legal Assistant at Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, where she assisted in the preparation of all forms of immigration petitions, as well as removal defense and federal litigation matters. As a 1L at Miami Law, Kira joined the First-Generation Law Association and National Lawyers Guild and volunteered with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. As a 2L, she is participating in the Immigration Clinic, serving on the Public Interest Leadership Board, and is Treasurer of the Mental Health Collective. During the summer of 2023, Kira served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender.
Ashley Nuñez graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in May of 2020 with majors in English and Political Science. While at UF, Ashley took a course about the intersection of law, literature, and race where she learned about the work of social justice lawyer, Bryan Stevenson. His call to action to use the power of law to fight for the rights of the marginalized and vulnerable members of society inspired Ashley to choose a life of advocacy through
law. Prior to law school, Ashley worked as a legal assistant at a firm in South Florida, where she assisted with opening personal injury cases and preparing documents for future settlement and litigation. As a 1L at Miami Law, Ashley is a Dean’s Merit Scholar working towards an area of focus in Immigration. She has volunteered with the Office of New Americans of Miami-Dade as a TPS Clinic Volunteer, assisting immigrant clients in gathering necessary documents and preparing applications to obtain Temporary Protected Status. Ashley has also volunteered with ProBar’s Remote Translation Program, translating important documents presented before immigration court for people currently in removal proceedings at risk of deportation. As a 2L, Ashley is participating in the Immigration Clinic. During the summer of 2023, she served a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with Americans for Immigrant Justice in the Detention Program.
Emma Page graduated magna cum laude from the University of Kentucky in 2021 with a Bachelor of Public Health degree, minors in Biology and Spanish, and a certificate in Health Communication. She was a member of the Lewis Honors College, Global Brigades, and the Student Philanthropy Board. She was also involved in community service at the Kentucky Children's Hospital, The Nest Center for Women, Children, and Families, One Parent Scholar House, and the Salvation Army Clinic. Prior to law school, Emma spent 18 months as a Case Manager for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department in Kentucky, where she worked on the Covid-19 Response Team. As a 1L at Miami Law, she was a Health Disparities Project Intern with the Center for Ethics and Public Service and a member of the Health Law Association. During the summer of 2023, Emma served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., in the Health and Income Maintenance Unit.
Michael Sabatella graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University with a B.A. in English and a minor in Italian. While at Rutgers, Michael enjoyed guiding students as a writing center tutor and serving as the Business Director and a DJ for the radio station 90.3 FM The Core. As a 1L at Miami Law, Michael became a student ambassador. As a 2L, he is participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic. During the summer of 2023, Michael served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney in the Child Support Division.
OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY, MIAMI, FL
Jake Schloemann graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami in May 2022, majoring in Sport Administration with a minor in Business Law. Jake has been an epilepsy awareness advocate since 2014. During college, Jake worked as a tutor, a substitute teacher, a Sports Management Intern with Special Olympics Florida, a Marketing Intern with the University of Miami Athletic Department, and served as a University of Miami Disciplinary Hearing Panel member. As a 1L at Miami Law, Jake volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem with the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. During the summer of 2023, Jake served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the MiamiDade State Attorney.
OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY, MIAMI, FL
Ryan Shields graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami with a major in Legal Studies and minor in Political Science. He was on the President’s Honor Roll, Provost’s Honor Roll and Dean’s List. While in college, Ryan worked for a financial consulting group, where he learned about formulating productive client relationships. He also served as fundraising chair and engaged in philanthropic projects with his fraternity. As a 1L at Miami Law, Ryan developed a growing passion for public service and pro bono work through his Civil Procedure course with Professor Alfieri. During the summer of 2023, Ryan served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney.
FLORIDA JUSTICE INSTITUTE, MIAMI, FL
Greta Schultz graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2020 with a B.A. in both Political Science and International Studies with a focus on the Middle East. While at UF, Greta interned with the League of Women Voters (LWV), UF Student Legal Services (SLS), and the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). As a PR intern with the LWV, Greta helped with the passage of Amendment 4 in Florida which restored voting rights to previously incarcerated individuals. She was a research intern with UF SLS and developed a research report on hate speech. While interning with the CAC, she was a victim advocate for victimized children. She worked closely with state agents including DCF, CPT, and the State Attorney’s Office, while connecting children and families with community resources. At Miami Law as a Dean’s Merit Scholar, Greta has continued her work in advocacy through volunteering with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, Guardian ad Litem, and the ACLU of Florida Detention Database Project. As a 2L, she is serving on the Public Interest Leadership Board. During the summer of 2023, Greta served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Florida Justice Institute.
“With an interest in advocating for equitable education and its role in the juvenile justice system, the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office seemed like the perfect fit for me as a fellow with the SPIF program. SPIF provides the opportunity to get more out of the internship experience through meeting, sharing, and working alongside others with a passion for public service and advocacy. I value the chance to learn from my peers about other areas of public service and see the interconnections between them.”
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead~Tiffany DeFranza, Class of 2025 Office of the Miami-Dade County Public Defender, Miami, FL
