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PUBLIC INTEREST RESOURCE CENTER SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAMS 2014

HOPE Summer Public Interest Programs Brochure

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The HOPE Fellowship Program gives rising 2L and 3L students, with a commitment to public interest advocacy, the opportunity to create their dream public interest 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.

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P U B L I C I N T E R E S T R E S O U R C E C E N T E R

S U M M E R P U B L I C I N T E R E S T P R O G R A M S

2 0 14

“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

HOPE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The HOPE Fellowship 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 include up to

twenty fellows, each summer, across the globe.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

“At the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo, I had the opportunity to help Dominicans, each day, who are desperate to travel to our country to have a better life for their families. If that isn’t inspiring, I’m not sure what is. Miami Law has supported me in my want to make a difference internationally.”

~Paige Reese, 2013 HOPE Fellow

MIAMI LAW HOPE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

NICK BANCROFT § CLASS OF 2015OFFICE OF THE COLORADO STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER, Denver, CO

Nick Bancroft will spend his summer in Denver as a HOPE Fellow at the Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. His strong interest in criminal law and passion to help the less fortunate makes the Public Defender’s Office the ideal setting. Nick will be assigned cases and will work with clients to facilitate just

outcomes. Nick is dedicated to addressing the lack of access to representation for indigent clients facing criminal charges and ensuring that clients are properly informed of the consequences of their decisions in legal proceedings. At Miami Law, Nick was an intern with the Innocence Clinic. He also served as a Summer Public Interest Fellow following his 1L year and worked at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Nick is committed to protecting the rights of indigent clients in the criminal justice system.

NEJLA CALVO § CLASS OF 2015FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, Miami, FL

Nejla Calvo graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Political Science. At Miami Law, she is a Miami Public Interest Scholar and President of the Society of Bar & Gavel, and has served as a legal intern with the Historic Black Church Program's Civil Rights Project, research assistant to Professor Jennifer Hill, member of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board and staff

editor on the Race and Social Justice Law Review. During her 1L summer, Nejla was a legal intern at Florida Justice Institute, a non-profit civil rights firm dedicated to improving the administration of justice for all Floridians in cases dealing with prisoners' rights, housing, and disability discrimination. This summer, Nejla is serving as a HOPE Fellow and an Ella Baker Fellow with the Community Justice Project of Florida Legal Services, which provides legal support to grassroots community organizations in Miami’s low-income communities, working on local campaigns to: resist anti-immigrant legislation; pass local “wage theft” ordinances; preserve low-income mobile home parks; confront “slumlords” in low-income housing; and improve working conditions for taxi drivers.

KIMBERLY CARPEL § CLASS OF 2015FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, Miami, FL

Kimberly Carpel has dedicated herself to social justice work. She spent her undergraduate career at the University of Florida, volunteering at non-profit organizations to serve those disadvantaged in society. Her appreciation for the critical need for more legal services increased during the summer following her 1L year when she worked with immigrant detainees at

Americans for Immigrant Justice as a Summer Public Interest Fellow. This summer, Kimberly is serving as a HOPE Fellow with the Florida Department of Health. As part of her fellowship, Kimberly will research and write administrative complaints, motions, and legal memoranda on a myriad of public health law topics and work to promote health and environmental safety for Florida’s citizens.

PLACEMENTS

KIRSTEN CORNELIUSSEN § CLASS OF 2016MICHIGAN IMMIGRANT RIGHTS CENTER, Ann Arbor, MI

This summer, Kirsten Corneliussen will be serving as a HOPE Fellow with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. During her studies at the University of Michigan, Kirsten participated in the Migrant Worker Outreach Program, where she taught English to agricultural laborers in southeast Michigan. This experience sparked her interest in

immigrant rights. As a HOPE Fellow with MIRC, Kirsten will be working with Spanish-speaking immigrant clients and will assist with informational citizenship clinics and domestic violence cases. Kirsten is passionate about immigrant justice and is excited to return to her hometown and provide assistance to clients.

BRENDAN CORRIGAN § CLASS OF 2015OFFICE OF U.S. REP. JOSEPH KENNEDY, Washington, D.C.

Brendan Corrigan is a native of Pennsylvania and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He is concurrently pursuing a J.D. and a Masters of Public Administration degree. While at Miami Law, Brendan has volunteered with HOPE Day of Service and Books and Buddies, as well as OUTLaw and the Florida Bar Association

Young Lawyers Law Student Division Board of Governors. He also serves as an intern with the University of Miami Office of Civic and Community Engagement. Brendan was a 2012 HOPE Fellow, in New York City, at Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund, the jurisprudential arm of the LGBT equal rights movement. As a 2014 HOPE Fellow, he will be working in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill in the Congressional Office of United States Representative Joseph Kennedy. Brendan is interested in the confluence of law, public policy and politics. He plans to work in LGBT-equality advocacy after completing his education.

LESLIE COULTER § CLASS OF 2016FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, Miami, FL

Upon earning her undergraduate degree in journalism from Minnesota State University in 2007, Leslie Coulter worked in television and newspaper, both as an assignment editor and a reporter. She subsequently worked at The Cara Program, a non-profit organization in Chicago which offered extensive employment services to adults at risk of becoming homeless.

She is particularly looking forward to serving as a HOPE Fellow at Florida Legal Services where she will focus on legislative reform in the areas of unemployment compensation and regulation. During her second year, she will intern in the Center for Ethics and Public Service.

MIAMI LAW HOPE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

TIFFANY HENDRICKS § CLASS OF 2016U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Atlanta, GA

Tiffany Hendricks’s passion for public service first began upon graduating from the University of Florida in 2010 when she joined Teach for America. As a kindergarten teacher in a low-income community of Miami, she helped her students make tremendous academic gains in both reading and writing and was nominated for Rookie Teacher of the Year for her school.

Following her two years with Teach for America, she taught preschool-aged students who were autistic and developmentally delayed. Just prior to entering law school, she was a Field Intern for the United Auto Workers Global Organizing Institute, organizing a campaign for autoworkers’ rights. During this time she became very passionate about social justice issues and joined Dream Defenders in Tallahassee in protest of Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law. This summer, she will be a HOPE Fellow at the Office of Civil Rights with the U.S. Department of Education in Atlanta. She is excited to work alongside government attorneys who work to ensure the civil rights laws are properly enforced in the nation’s schools and universities.

ANDREA MARTINEZ § CLASS OF 2015U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, Atlanta, GA

Andrea Martinez graduated from the University of Florida and, upon entering Miami Law, dedicated herself to volunteer work with the Books and Buddies and Empowered Youth programs. During her first summer, she interned for Judge Michael G. Williamson at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida in Tampa, where she further realized the importance of public

service. In her second year, she became a 2L Senator for the Student Bar Association and the Secretary of the Child Advocacy and Family Law Society. She currently is a Co-Coordinator of Books and Buddies, a Co-Coordinator of Empowered Youth, the Historian of the Student Bar Association, the Treasurer of the UM Section of the Federal Bar Association, and a member of the Society of Bar & Gavel. This summer she will be serving as a HOPE Fellow with the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, in Atlanta, Georgia. She looks forward to working towards ending unfair educational practices in publicly-funded academic institutions.

ANDREW MCCARTEN § CLASS OF 2016OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, Metuchen, NJ

Andrew McCarten majored in history and international relations as a member of the Honors Pre-Law Program at the University of Miami. After completing his undergraduate degree, he continued his studies at Miami Law. A number of community service initiatives in the South Florida area strengthened his desire to make positive and quantifiable change in the local

community, including tutoring at a local after school program in Coconut Grove and volunteering with the Disability Services division of the Academic Resource Center. Andrew serves on the Public Interest Leadership Board, UM Law Ambassadors, and is Vice President of the Catholic Law Students Association. He is committed to the pro bono ethic and working hard to make society a better place for all citizens. This summer he will be a HOPE Fellow with the Public Defender’s Office in Metuchen, New Jersey.

PLACEMENTS

MITUN MITRA § CLASS OF 2015AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OF GEORGIA, Atlanta, GA

Mitun Mitra was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh and grew up in Bradenton, Florida. He graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. Mitun serves as a graduate advisor with the Dean of Students’ Office, a member of the Human Rights Clinic, and a leader of Dean’s Cup. Mitun has a keen interest in protecting the rights

of juveniles. As a HOPE Fellow, Mitun will be working with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia to promote civil rights and bring his leadership qualities to a just cause. In the future, Mitun wishes to move back to Bangladesh and utilize his passion for domestic issues in the United States to develop the legal and political system in Bangladesh.

HELLEN PEREZ § CLASS OF 2015UNIVERSITY LEGAL SERVICES, Washington, D.C.

After graduating from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies, Hellen Perez worked as an elementary school teacher for the Miami-Dade Public Schools. She is a Miami Public Interest Scholar. During the summer of 2013 she interned with Judge Adalberto Jordan at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She also served as a clerk at the Law Offices of Ricardo Morales,

where she worked on workers' compensation, personal injury, and Social Security disability cases. During her 2L year, she served as an intern in both the Immigration Clinic and the Street Law program. As a HOPE Fellow, she will be working with University Legal Services, a protection and advocacy organization for human, legal and service rights of people with disabilities in Washington, D.C.

AMANDA PHILLIPS § CLASS OF 2015COAST TO COAST LEGAL AID, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Prior to law school, Amanda Phillips interned at the Office of the Public Defender in Broward County. There, she conducted client interviews and assisted in the courtroom with gathering information, completing forms, and addressing client concerns. She is pursuing a J.D./M.S.E.D. in Law, Community and Social Change. As a Miami Law Summer Public Interest Fellow in 2013, Amanda worked at Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South

Florida in Broward County. She conducted research for the Economic Advocacy and Community Health (EACH) Project, which seeks to secure equal justice for economically disadvantaged local residents. Amanda also worked with the VALOR project, which provides education and representation to veterans, active duty military, and their families. This summer, as a HOPE Fellow, Amanda will return to Coast to Coast Legal Aid where she will create and implement outreach programs that identify systemic legal problems and provide solutions to those problems, while effectively impacting the community.

MIAMI LAW HOPE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

JESSICA SBLENDORIO § CLASS OF 2015U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Washington, D.C.

Jessica Sblendorio graduated from the George Washington University with degrees in political science and international relations. Her studies and internships at GWU inspired her to attend law school to seek a career in public interest work and to serve as an advocate for others. During the summer of 2013, Jessica interned with the John J. Gibbons Fellowship in Public

Interest and Constitutional Law and researched issues pertaining to constitutional law for an equal protection challenge to the New Jersey and federal constitutions. During her second year of law school, Jessica worked in the Human Rights Clinic on advocacy to halt deportations to Haiti and served as a member of the Public Interest Leadership Board. This summer, Jessica will be working in Washington, D.C. at the Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

STEPHEN SEGALL § CLASS OF 2015OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, Miami, FL

As a political science major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Stephen Segall researched relationships between socioeconomic classes, political ideologies, and other variables as provided by the General Social Survey. His findings, coupled with personal experiences, prompted him to explore summer public interest opportunities after his first

year at Miami Law. Serving as a Summer Public Interest Fellow at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Stephen assisted attorneys providing civil legal services to low-income individuals and assisted veterans with discharge status petitions and claims for veteran benefits. In the spring of 2014, Stephen served as an intern for the Honorable Milton Hirsh and the Honorable Christina Miranda of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Miami. That experience aided Stephen in identifying his interest in litigation and the trial process. As a HOPE Fellow at the Office of the Public Defender in Miami-Dade, Stephen will be afforded the opportunity to pursue that interest and continue advocating on behalf of the underprivileged members of the Miami community.

AMBER SEYMOUR § CLASS OF 2016MEDIATION CENTER, Savannah, GA

Amber Seymour grew up in Savannah, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012, majoring in Philosophy with a focus in Classical Ethics. The following summer, Amber served as an intern with a criminal defense firm in Atlanta, Georgia. In October of 2012, she completed a mediation training course at the state-run Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah and became a certified mediator for the state of Georgia. She spent the following year mediating cases at the

Center and will serve as a HOPE Fellow there this summer. She hopes to continue her pursuit of public service legal work by studying the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the public sector.

PLACEMENTS

STEVEN VITALE § CLASS OF 2015NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS, Washington, D.C.

Steven Vitale graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, with a minor in Classics. At Miami Law, Steven is the school’s representative in the Legal Up Fellowship Program and works with at-risk youth in the local community as they transition to adulthood. He works with members of the bench

and the bar to provide basic legal, civic, and life-skills education in the community. He also served as an intern with the law school's Death Penalty Clinic. In 2013, he was a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Felony Division at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. While there, he conducted research and wrote a paper on victims’ rights. Steven is also a member of the Public Interest Leadership Board and the Society of Bar & Gavel. This summer, he will clerk for the Honorable Ursula Ungaro, a Federal Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, as part of his Legal Up Fellowship. He will then serve as a HOPE Fellow with the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Washington, D.C.

"As an aspiring litigator, I wanted a summer position that would not only help me take my research and writing skills to the next level, but get me into the courtroom regularly. The HOPE Fellowship helped me make that dream a reality. Thanks to the HOPE Fellowship, I get to actively engage throughout the entire litigation process."

~Stephen Segall, HOPE Fellow

"As a HOPE Fellow at Florida Legal Services, I will gain experience with community lawyering to support lasting changes that bring about racial and economic justice in low-income communities. This opportunity is just one example of how Miami Law continually fuels my passion for social justice by providing resources, guidance and support toward a career in public interest law."

~Nejla Calvo, HOPE Fellow and Miami Scholar

“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

SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS

PROGRAM

The Summer Public Interest Fellows Program (SPIF) is designed to

engage the public interest-minded student during the summer

following their first year of law school. This selective program

involves full-time work at a South Florida public interest agency

for eight weeks during the summer along with a legal research

and writing project. Fellows also participate in a seminar where

members of the bench, bar and legal community visit and

students share their experiences. 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.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

"Unlike many fellowships, the SPIF program incorporates a work component with a class component. This provides a great opportunity for new law students to learn how to apply their public interest goals in a legal setting. I am excited to be able to learn how to incorporate my interest in children's rights and immigration this summer in the Children's Unit at Americans for Immigrant Justice."

~Claire Wheeler, SPIF Fellow

MIAMI LAW SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM

TED CHAKOS § CLASS OF 2016OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, Miami, FL

Ted Chakos is a graduate of S.U.N.Y. Binghamton University with majors in Philosophy and in Philosophy Politics and Law. Prior to law school, Ted served as an intern with the Israeli legislature where he worked on a public relations campaign regarding Israeli culture and politics. He also interned in Washington, D.C. for the Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe where

he conducted research for policy advisers and helped to organize hearings on Child Sex Trafficking and the Georgian National Elections. He is excited to serve as a Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender this summer.

LAUREN GEORGALAS § CLASS OF 2016CATHOLIC LEGAL SERVICES, Miami, FL

Lauren Georgalas graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication. During undergrad Lauren spoke at Human Trafficking events to raise awareness and traveled to South Africa to volunteer as part of the university’s Cultural Foundations Program. At Miami Law, Lauren is a member of Miami Law Women and will be the

2L representative for the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. This summer, Lauren will be a Summer Public Interest Fellow with Catholic Legal Services, assisting attorneys who work with immigrants including women and families facing persecution and abuse.

CHELSEA HEALEY § CLASS OF 2016LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC., Miami, FL

While pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of San Diego, Chelsea Healey volunteered at the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Hall Facility. By facilitating trainings on topics such as respect and goals, she helped juvenile youths practice their critical thinking and discussion skills and writing capabilities. Chelsea is a strong believer in the need for adequate and

respectful representation of underrepresented individuals in our community. This experience, among others, prompted Chelsea to pursue summer public interest opportunities. As a Summer Public Interest Fellow at Legal Services of Greater Miami, Chelsea will be assisting attorneys providing civil legal services to low-income members of the Miami community.

MICHAEL LUCKS § CLASS OF 2016LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC., Miami, FL

Michael Lucks has a passion for problem solving on behalf of those who are most marginalized. During his time at Syracuse University, Michael worked with the civic education and leadership fellows program where he assisted immigrants from the Middle East attempting to assimilate to life in America. Michael then worked with the Kings County District Attorney's

Office and the Attorney General of the State of New York. He will take his commitment to advocacy to Legal Services of Greater Miami this summer as a Summer Public Interest Fellow in the Health and Income Maintenance Unit.

PLACEMENTS

IAN MCKENZIE § CLASS OF 2016OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY, Miami, FL

Ian McKenzie came to Miami Law from the College of Charleston in South Carolina. He will serve as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Miami-Dade State Attorney and looks forward to gaining litigation and trial experience. He is excited to witness the trial process, from a prosecutor's point of view, and he hopes to apply this experience in

future litigation practice. Ian is passionate about advocacy and access to justice.

ROBERT PECCHIO § CLASS OF 2016U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, Miami, FL

Robert Pecchio came to law school with a strong interest in immigration policy that he acquired while studying Latin American Law and Society at Pontificia Universidad Católica in Santiago, Dominican Republic. After graduation, Robert spent time serving his hometown community of Cleveland, Ohio in multiple capacities, including contracting for an educational

non-profit and founding and managing his own youth leadership organization. This summer, Robert will serve as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Chief Counsel for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He hopes this experience will allow him to continue his pursuit of public interest work while developing his understanding of the needs of the international community with ties to South Florida.

RAVIKA RAMESHWAR § CLASS OF 2016DADE LEGAL AID, Miami, FL

Ravika Rameshwar entered law school with a commitment to policy and public service. She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism. While covering stories about housing code violations in Gainesville, she became aware of the critical need for legal representation among low-income families. She worked at the Florida Scholastic Press

Association, a non-profit, for four years while pursuing her undergraduate degree. This summer, Ravika will serve as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with Dade Legal Aid and will work in the Domestic Violence and Guardianship Divisions.

CAROLINE SCHWARTZ § CLASS OF 2016AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE, Miami, FL

Caroline Schwartz is originally from Tucson, Arizona. She graduated from the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Affairs at Seton Hall University with a B.S. in Diplomacy, Spanish, and French. Being a Diplomacy major allowed her to travel extensively and ignited her passion for public interest work. While at Seton Hall, she worked for the

International Justice Project in Newark, New Jersey, assisting victims of the violence in Darfur. This summer she will be a Summer Public Interest Fellow with Americans for Immigrant Justice in the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Division.

MIAMI LAW SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM

KELLY SHAMI § CLASS OF 2016OFFICE OF THE MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER, Miami, FL

Kelly Shami graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Through her studies and her love for helping others, Kelly has worked with patients with post-traumatic stress disorder in Dallas and Beirut, Lebanon. While at SMU, Kelly also spent time volunteering at area low-income schools and working on a Haiti Relief

Fundraiser. At Miami Law, Kelly is a member of Miami Law Women and Phi Alpha Delta, and is working on a research project to improve courtroom communication between defendants and members of the legal community in Miami-Dade. This summer, Kelly will be a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of the Public Defender in Miami.

BRIAN VACA § CLASS OF 2016AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE, Miami, FL

Brian Vaca’s interest in serving the public was sparked by his family’s experiences navigating the immigration system. After working in private practice for almost three years, he realized that he was motivated to provide legal assistance for clients in need. This summer Brian will be working as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with Americans for Immigrant Justice where he

will be assisting with client intake, assessment of eligibility for status adjustment and work on outreach initiatives designed to disseminate information to individuals and families seeking assistance with pending immigration matters. Brian looks forward to growing as an advocate and sharpening his skillsets to serve as many families as possible.

CLAIRE WHEELER § CLASS OF 2016AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE, Miami, FL

Claire Wheeler enrolled in law school to become a voice for women and children who lack the resources to tell their own stories. Prior to law school, Claire spent a year working at the Boys and Girls Club of the Ozarks and volunteering at a domestic violence shelter, where she witnessed many of the obstacles women and children face in our society. While an

international relations and history student at Mount Holyoke College, she dedicated herself to community service. This summer Claire will be working at Americans for Immigrant Justice, representing unaccompanied non-citizen minors in removal proceedings. This position integrates her interest in women and children’s rights with her educational background in international relations. Claire is also excited to learn about the intersection of immigration and family law, and how both systems can be used to advocate for the best interests of the child.

PLACEMENTS

"I am very excited to be selected for Miami Law’s HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellowship because I firmly believe that, as future lawyers, it is our moral duty to use our knowledge of the law to give back to the community. Miami Law has continuously shown its commitment to giving back to the community and I look forward to being part of that tradition.”

~Kelly Shami, SPIF Fellow

"As an individual who has been in the position of having neither the financial resources nor guidance for a legal problem, I am tremendously excited to have the opportunity to help those in need through a profession I approach with relentless passion to practice. I am also excited to do this all while proudly saying that I am doing it through the University of Miami."

~Brian Vaca, SPIF Fellow

1311 Miller Drive B446 § Coral Gables, FL 33146 P: 305.284.2599 § F: [email protected]/hope

HOPEMIAMILAWUNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW

Public Interest Resource Center