PUBLIC INTEREST RESOURCE CENTER
PUBLIC INTEREST PROGRAM
2026 – 2027
“The Miami Scholars Public Interest Program is comprised of dedicated and extraordinary students at Miami Law. Their passion for justice, intellectual curiosity and motivation drives Scholars to effectuate change in agencies and communities near and far.” ~Marni Lennon,Esq.
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.
"The Miami Scholars Program was the deciding factor in my choosing to attend Miami Law. Not only did it allow me to further cultivate the career I wanted, but it also carved out a community for me within law school. The program served as a constant (and refreshing) reminder that a public interest legal career can truly take any shape. The HOPE Office was always a source of guidance and reassurance, for which I am eternally grateful."
~Sawyeh Esmaili, JD ’17
Senior Counsel, Reproductive Rights & Health National Women's Law Center Washington, DC "The Miami Scholars Program gave me a base of support, programs, mentoring, and encouragement in an environment that does not always emphasize doing public interest work. I could not imagine law school being as fulfilling and even enjoyable without this wonderful cohort of students, staff, and agents for change."
~Thomas Voracek, JD ’19
Assistant Public Defender Maryland Office of the Public Defender Baltimore, MD
"The Miami Scholars Program connected me with a network of students and alumni dedicated to public service and social justice. Having this community made law school a much more fulfilling experience, and helped me develop a network that has guided me into my career. With the support of the Miami Scholars Program, I was able to take summer internships across the country to work on environmental justice issues and connect with alumni and professionals doing similar work. The community that the program creates for its students and alumni is invaluable."
~Katrina Tomas, JD ’19
Earthjustice San Francisco, CA
"The Miami Public Interest Scholars Program was central to my decision to attend the University of Miami School of Law, as I was eager to continue pursuing my passion for advocacy and public service during law school and beyond. The program has given me access to personalized career advising and unique professional opportunities, and most importantly, the chance to connect with students, faculty, staff, and alumni from diverse backgrounds with a strong, shared commitment to public service."
~Camilo Daza Manga, Class of 2027 "The Miami Public Interest Scholars network has been an invaluable resource in my transition to law school. The mentorship of the HOPE team and upper-level students has proved incredibly reassuring and has helped ease my return to school after working for several years. My cohort is inspiring and constantly reaffirms my desire to act in the service of others."
~Frankie Wilton, Class of 2028
"I am so grateful to the HOPE and Miami Public Interest Scholars community at the University of Miami School of Law for their support. The people in this program are kind, genuine, and enthusiastic about lifting each other up. Being surrounded by peers and mentors who want to incorporate the values of service into their careers has been inspiring and motivating.”
~ Leah Gleicher, Class of 2029
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027
MAX ACKERSON
Max Ackerson graduated from the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School in May 2024 as an Isaac Bashevis Singer Scholar and Foote Fellow with a B.B.A. in Economics and Political Science. Before law school, he interned for U.S. Representative Andy Barr, at the impact investing firm Advantage Capital, and at the convening organization Concordia. At Miami Law, he has been a Rumsfeld Foundation Graduate Foundation Fellow, Founding President of the school’s Alexander Hamilton Society chapter ,and a competitor in the Vis International Commercial Arbitration and a competitor in the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot through the International Moot Court Program. He is serving as president of the International Moot Court Board during his 3L year. His forthcoming student note will appear in Volume 34 of the University of Miami International and Comparative Law Review. He has also interned in the chambers of U.S. District Judges Jose E. Martinez and Roy K. Altman and spent his 2L summer as a summer associate in Vedder's Miami office. During the fall semester of his 3L year, he is serving as an intern in the Department of Justice's Violent Crime & Racketeering Section in Washington, DC.
NATALIE BOMBINO
Natalie Bombino graduated cum laude from Florida State University in May 2023 with a B.S. in Criminology and a minor in Business. During her undergraduate studies, she volunteered for the Legal Aid Foundation and was a judicial intern in the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida where she observed Mental Health and Drug Court proceedings. Prior to law school, Natalie worked as a legal assistant at a family law firm. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Natalie interned for the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office summer where she performed legal research and case preparation in the Felony Division. During the fall semester of her 2L year, Natalie was a student intern at the University of Miami Investor Rights Clinic. During her 2L summer, she worked as a summer associate at Smith Currie Oles in the area of construction litigation. As a 3L, Natalie is serving as the Managing Editor for the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review, a member of the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board, and a member of the Public Interest Leadership Board.
ALEX BRENNER
Alex Brenner graduated from Gonzaga University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Alex serves as the Online Media Editor of the University of Miami Business Law Review, where his note examining artificial intelligence competency in legal education and the legal profession was selected for publication. During his 1L summer, Alex workedblication
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 worked in the Office of the Lead General Counsel at Walmart, where he drafted and assisted with the negotiation of corporate agreements, including service, licensing, and nondisclosure agreements. He also interned with Southern Legal Counsel, conducting constitutional research into potential fourteenth Amendment challenges to Florida’s statute criminalizing camping in public spaces. During his 2L summer, Alex worked as a summer associate at Mix Sanders Thompson, a Seattle litigation firm, where he prepared legal research and analysis, assisted with drafting motions and memoranda, and worked on a range of civil litigation matters. He also served as a research assistant to Dean Lennon, helping develop a course focused on alternative dispute resolution and dispute-system design. His work included researching course materials and developing modern case studies, exercises, and supplemental resources aligned with the course’s learning objectives.
ROBERT CARILLI
Robert Carilli graduated from Florida State University in December 2023 with a B.S. in Business Management. While at Florida State, he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and interned at a sustainable energy company, where he participated in conferences and strategic discussion concerning the sustainable energy transition. Prior to law school, Robert interned with the legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County’s Veterans Advocacy Project, where he helped draft legal documents Beach County’s Veterans Advocacy Project, and conducted legal research in support of veterans’ legal matters. As a 2L, he participated in Miami Law’s Investor Rights Clinic, where he helped small investors pursue claims against their brokers. During his 2L summer, he interned with a trust and estates firm in Palm Beach County, Florida.
SLOANE CROCKETT
Sloane Crockett graduated from Belmont University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree, focusing on criminal justice and treatment, mass incarceration, systemic impacts of poverty, and sentencing disparities. She represented Belmont at the National Association of Social Work’s Day on the Hill and completed internships with the Jean Crowe Advocacy Center, the Tennessee Office of the PostDefender, Conviction Defender, Conviction and the Middle District of Tennessee’s Office of the Federal Public Defender, gaining experience in domestic violence advocacy, capital postconviction work, and federal criminal defense. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Sloane interned with the Florida Justice Institute in Miami, where she worked on civil rights litigation surrounding conditions of incarceration. During her 2L year, she served as president of the Criminal Law Society and participated in the Innocence Clinic, further pursuing her interest in criminal defense and advocacy. During her 3L summer, Sloane
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 Sloane worked with capital defense attorney Terrence Lenamon, assisting with the preparation of capital cases for trial. As a 3L, she is continuing in her role as president of the Criminal Law Society, returning to the Innocence Clinic as a Fellow, and serving as a legal intern with Asalia Law Firm, working on criminal defense and civil rights matters.
CAMILO DAZA MANGA
Camilo Daza Manga graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science, focusing on China and Latin America. He interned with the U.S. Department of State and the NALEO Educational Fund, a nonprofit that advocates for Latino participation in the American political process. After graduation, he worked in Washington, D.C., advocating on behalf of clients to protect behalf free speech across the political spectrum, expand pathways to higher education, advance inclusive economic initiatives around the world, and address other matters relating to foreign policy and national and economic security. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Camilo served as a legal intern with the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where he researched legislative history, drafted memoranda and member questions for committee hearings, and worked on federal science research funding and climate science programs. As a 2L, he served as a delegate to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30) in Belém, Brazil; vice president of the Alexander Hamilton Society; Colombian Bar Association Representative to the Hispanic Law Student Association; and Junior Staff Editor of the University of Miami Inter-American Law Review. Competing through Miami Law’s International Moot Court Program, he and his teammate finished as runners-up in the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Washington, D.C. — the first U.S. team to reach the final since 1998. Camilo was also named Best Oralist of the entire competition. During his 2L summer, he served as an Honors Intern in the Office of the General Counsel at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where he worked on export control and sanctions matters as well as issues involving forensic sciences and the FBI Laboratory. As a 3L, Camilo is spending the fall in Washington, D.C., as a law clerk with the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, one of the chamber’s principal oversight and investigative bodies. He is also returning as a delegate to COP 31 in Antalya, Türkiye, and serves as Executive Editor of the Inter-American Law Review.
OLIVIA DILL
Olivia Dill graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire in 2024 with a dual major in Political Science and International Affairs and a minor in Italian. During the summer of 2023, she interned for the New Hampshire Judicial Branch's Access to Justice Program and wrote a new language access program for the New Hampshire court system, conducting research to improve access to justice for English second
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 second language and hard-of-hearing individuals. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Olivia served as a law clerk for Legal Services of Greater Miami in the Tenants' Rights Unit, where she prepared legal documents, attended hearings, participated in outreach, and conducted intake with low-income clients facing eviction and homelessness. During her 2L year, she continued as an extern in LSGMI's Tenants' Rights Unit and served as a Pottinger Fellow, helping create housing-related pro bono opportunities for University of Miami law students. In the spring and summer of 2026, she worked at Association Law Group, focusing on real estate law. Olivia is also an Articles and Comments Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review, a Public Interest Network PIN pal, and 3L Representative for the First-Generation Law Society.
KATRINA ERWIN
Katrina Erwin graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University in 2020 with a B.S. in Mass Media Communication Studies and a minor in International Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration. She spent four years prior to law school dedicated to advancing climate justice at the local, state, and federal levels through her role as Youth Advocacy Program Manager at The CLEO Institute. She also served in a number served of volunteer roles, including Co-Chair of the Miami Climate in a numberr Alliance's Resilient Miami Working Group, a member of the Coral Gables Sustainability Board, and a participant in the Miami-Dade County Youth Mayor Roundtable. As a 1L at Miami Law, she participated in HOPE’s Alternative Spring Break, working with Legal Aid of North Carolina to provide essential legal services to residents in rural North Carolina. She drafted powers of attorney and will, researched victims’ rights in domestic violence cases, worked directly with clients, and helped explain complex legal materials in clear, accessible terms. During her 1L summer, Katrina served as a judicial intern for a Federal Magistrate Judge, where she gained valuable insight into a wide range of legal issues and honed her legal research and writing skills. As a 2L, Katrina participated in the Environmental Law Program and the Environmental Justice Clinic, served as Environmental Justice Chair of Miami Law’s Environmental Law Society, and was a Junior Staff Editor for the Inter-American Law Review. During her 2L summer, she interned with Earthjustice, a nationally recognized non-profit environmental law organization. As a 3L, Katrina is serving as Symposium Editor of the Inter-American Law Review and Chair of the Law Activity Fee Allocation Committee.
TALI FAERMAN
Tali Faerman graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2023 with a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science and a minor in English. While at UF, she was part of the Political Science Junior Fellowship program, where she co-authored and published a paper within the Electoral Studies political science journal titled Electoral Colorism: Candidate Skin Color and List Placement in Ecuador. Since she was
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 Candidate Skin Color and List Placement in Ecuador. Since she was young, Tali has supported the Cooperative La Juanita within the community of La Matanza, Argentina, where she helped establish an English program at the local preschool by collaborating with the on-site teacher and creating video lessons. After graduating, Tali interned for the International Rescue Committee as an Anti-Human Trafficking Casework Intern, helping connect survivors of human trafficking to essential resources. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Tali served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Ellen Sue Venzer of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. During the fall of her 2L year, she served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Robin S. Rosenbaum of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. During her 2L summer, Tali worked as a summer associate at King & Spalding in New York. As a 3L, Tali is serving as a Student Notes & Comments Editor of the International and Comparative Law Review and as the vice president of the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society.
AVERY HALL
Avery Hall graduated summa cum laude from Kent State University with a B.A. in Global Communication Studies and minors in Nonprofit Studies and Human Development & Family Studies. While at Kent State, she served as chair of the May 4th Task Force, where she led annual commemorative ceremonies and was selected as the 2022 and 2023 Keynote Student Speaker. She also served as vice president of Lambda Pi Eta Fraternity, community Honors service and membership chair of Kent Student Ambassadors, and a programming board member for Undergraduate Student Government. Upon graduation, she was selected by the Kent State Alumni Association for the Golden Flash Award, recognizing recent alumni for their contributions to the Kent community. At Miami Law, Avery serves as a Symposium Editor for The University of Miami Law Review and as the Gaubatz Vice President of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board. She also works as an appellate law clerk at Podhurst Orseck. During her 1L summer, she served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Adalberto Jordan of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. During her 2L summer, she worked as a summer associate with Winston Taylor in Miami.
TEJU (TJ) IDERA
Teju (TJ) Idera graduated from East Stroudsburg University in May 2022 with a B.A. in Chemistry and a minor in Psychology. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she interned for the Honorable Kathleen M. Williams of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and served as a research assistant to Professor Jill Barton. As a 2L, she worked as a law clerk in the University of Miami’s Office of Technology Transfer, drafting property agreementsproperty and conducting patentability analyses on emerging technologies. She served as a Guardian ad Litem, was a member of the Black Law Students Association, the Intellectual Property Law Society, and the AI & Law Society, which she co-founded. She also received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 Legal Communication and Research. During her 2L spring, she passed the USPTO Patent Bar exam and is now a Registered Patent Agent. She also received the Dean's Certificate of Achievement Award in Evidence and competed in the 2026 National Patent Application Drafting Competition, preparing a full utility patent application and defending it before a panel of judges. During her 2L summer, she worked as an associate at Sperling Kenny Nachwalter, where she researched and drafted memoranda, pleadings, and motions in complex antitrust and commercial litigation. As a 3L, she is serving as president of the Intellectual Property Law Society and expanding her pro bono involvement.
ANTHONY LABRADOR
Anthony Labrador graduated summa cum laude from the University of Miami in December 2020 with a B.S. in Health Sciences and a minor in Biochemistry/Classics. He served as Club Treasurer for UM's Chemistry Club, organizing outreach events like STEM Saturdays at the Overtown Youth Center and demonstrations at the Frost Science Museum. Outside of school, Anthony became involved in Cuba Primero, a program supporting supporting Cuban freedom, where he coordinated the travel of hundreds of volunteers to Washington D.C. to support the July 11th protests in Cuba. Following graduation, Anthony interned at Gallardo Law Firm, where he conducted legal research and assisted attorneys in providing legal relief to immigrants. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Anthony participated in the Health Rights Clinic, providing supervised legal services to immigrants seeking naturalization and Medicaid benefits. As a 2L, Anthony interned with the in-house counsel for a Miami-based outpatient surgical center and continued working with the Health Rights Clinic, where he ultimately obtained naturalization approval for a client. During his 2L summer, Anthony worked as a law clerk at Podhurst Orseck, where he drafted memoranda, briefs, and discovery requests in product liability, wrongful death, and complex commercial litigation matters.
ANGELA ROSE MYERS
Angela Rose Myers graduated from Barnard College in 2018. After moving to Minneapolis, she was elected President of the Minneapolis NAACP in 2020. In 2023, Angela Rose graduated from the University of Minnesota with a master’s degree in Human Rights. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she worked as a Summer Law Clerk for the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. As a 2L, she served as co-president of the A ACLU-UM chapter, Community Relations Chair of the Black Law Students Association, and Critical Reading Librarian for the National Lawyers Guild. She also participated in the Human Rights Clinic, researching issues of gender-based violence. During her 2L summer, Angela Rose worked for Community Justice Project, Inc., a movement lawyering
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 lawyering organization in Miami dedicated to legally supporting the social justice movement in Florida. She later served as an intern with the Miami City Attorney’s Office and as a judicial intern for the Southern District of Florida.
ARIANNE ONTIVEROS
Arianne Ontiveros graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in May 2023 with a B.A. in Law, History, and Culture. As Panhellenic President, she oversaw the largest women's organization on campus. She also co-founded Trojan Herstory, a digital platform connecting women-identifying USC students and alumni, and graduated with the Order of Troy Award, given to exceptional student leaders. After graduation, Arianne returned to After her hometown of El Paso, Texas, where she deepened her commitment to public interest work and digital media. She volunteered with Las Américas Immigrant Advocacy Center and co-founded Girls Run the 915, one of the largest all- women's run clubs in the nation, which has since expanded to Miami and Georgia. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Arianne returned to Las Américas as a legal intern on the organization's Detained Team, focusing on asylum claims. During her 2L year, she worked in business immigration at Fragomen, drafting EB-1 and O-1 visa petitions. During her 2L summer, she worked as a law clerk at Kandall, Kandall & Petrie. During the summer of 2026, Arianne was selected as an HNBA Intellectual Property Law Institute (IPLI) Scholar: one of only 26 students chosen nationwide for a week-long intensive program on intellectual property law in Washington, DC. She serves on the executive board of the Yvette Ostalza Mock Trial Team and the Fashion Law Society.
SERENA PATEL
Serena Patel graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in June of 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and Communication and a minor in History. She was a member of Delta Gamma, serving as Director of Service Hours, Director of Fundraising, and VP Foundation, creating volunteer opportunities and fundraising events for non-profit organizations serving the visually impaired community, such as the Blind Children’s Center in Los Angeles and Guide Dogs of America. She volunteered with Children’s (Tote)ally Loved, a charitable organization that assists single mothers, and worked as a legal intern for Engel & Davis, a trusts and estates firm in New York, where she was exposed to probate, inheritance, estate planning, and charitable donations. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Serena interned with Justice Horizon Initiative, an international human rights nonprofit, and Queens County Family Court. In these roles, she gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for how the law impacts the lives of marginalized individuals and families. As a 2L, Serena volunteered with the
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 Internationalist Law Center, where she conducted legal research on First Amendment issues, including restrictions on political expression and compelled speech, and assisted in developing legal arguments challenging state legislation and local policies that suppress free speech. During her 2L summer, Serena returned to Engel & Davis as a legal intern, focusing on issues related to estate taxes and bequests to beneficiaries.
ASHLEY ROCK
Ashley Rock graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University in December 2021 with a B.S. in psychology and political science and a minor in public health. Following graduation,Ashley worked as a paralegal in insurance defense at Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker LLP in New York. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, Ashley served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Andrew Krause, United State State Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of New York, where she conducted legal research and assisted with drafting orders and reports and recommendations. During the fall semester of her 2L year, she worked as a law clerk for The Injury Law Firm LLP, assisting with plaintiff’s personal injury lawsuits. Ashley then returned to Wilson Elser, where she worked full-time as a paralegal during the spring and summer. Ashley has served as the secretary of the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society and as a Public Interest Network mentor. She also earned the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement award in Insurance Law in her first semester as a 3L. During the summer of 2026, Ashley worked as a law clerk with Shamis & Gentile, P.A. in Miami, communicating with injured clients, conducting legal research, and drafting pleadings and discovery. She is continuing her work at the firm during her final semester at Miami Law.
KAMERON WALTON
Kameron Walton graduated from the University of Central Florida in August 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science. He was a member of the President’s List and studied abroad in São Paulo, Brazil. There, he worked with Rotary International, serving rural communities by assisting with the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Following graduation, he worked as a clerk at the State Attorney’s Office in Florida’s 9th Judicial Circuit. He was promoted Circuit. to trial legal assistant, managing a felony and misdemeanor caseload, serving as a translator, drafting legal documents, and helping prepare cases for trial. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Kameron served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Laurel M. Isicoff of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, performing legal research, attending court hearings, and drafting bench memoranda. During his 2L year, he participated in the Bankruptcy
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 Bankruptcy Assistance Clinic. During his 2L summer, Kameron worked as a summer law clerk at Thomas Quinn in San Francisco and served as a Bankruptcy Fellow with Dade Legal Aid’s Put Something Back Pro Bono Bankruptcy Project. As a 3L, Kameron was selected to serve as a Party Delegate for the Federated States of Micronesia at the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations Conference in Antalya, Türkiye. During his 3L year, he is also working as an Investment Analyst with the Cane Angel Network, evaluating early-stage companies and making investment recommendations as part of the network’s investment team.
"The Miami Scholars Program has been an invaluable part of my experience at Miami Law. It makes a large class feel much smaller with access to intentional, one-on-one interactions with the HOPE team and invaluable friendships from our cohort. I am incredibly thankful to have a space at Miami Law where public interest is at the forefront."
~Arianne Ontiveros, Class of 2027
“The Miami Scholars program has provided me with a community and a support system that I wouldn't have otherwise had, having moved to Miami on my own from out of state. Since before my 1L orientation, I've been consistently put in the room with like-minded students, faculty advisors, and even practicing attorneys who share the same passion for public interest in the legal field. HOPE has a way of combining career opportunities with community and friendship-building that no other program at Miami Law offers. The Scholars program is also well known not only in South Florida, but across the country, and the Scholars community continues well after graduation. I will always be very grateful and proud to say that I am a Miami Public Interest Scholar.”
~Olivia Dill, Class of 2027
"I am grateful to the Miami Scholars Program for helping to launch my decades-long career in public service. As a former state prosecutor and a proud alum of the U.S. Department of Justice, I wish for current and future Miami Scholars careers that help to uphold the rule of law, serve the people of this country, and uphold the principles of and rights afforded by the Constitution."
~Fara Gold, JD ’03
Senior Counsel of Strategy Advocacy Edwards Henderson – The Crime Victim Firm Ft. Lauderdale, FL
"The Miami Scholars Program is a one-of-a-kind experience for law students interested in pursuing public service. HOPE's tailored guidance on course selection, externships, summer internships, and post-graduation employment for Miami Scholars is unparalleled. The level of one-on-one attention I received as a Miami Scholar is what defined my law school experience and put me in a position to set lofty goals during and after my time at Miami Law. I got my dream job straight out of law school in no small part because of the opportunities being a Miami Scholar afforded me. Having a dedicated team supporting one’s academic, personal, and professional development while in law school is what sets the Miami Scholars Program apart. "
~David Francis Scollan, JD ’23
US Department ofJustice National Fraud Enforcement Division, Tax Section Washington, DC
"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
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2028
JOSEPH BONJAWO
Joseph Bonjawo graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2023 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in French. While at Virginia, he served as an opinion editor for Orphée Noir, where he published articles examining structural inequities afflicting African American communities. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Joseph served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Judge Cymonie S. Rowe of the Fifteenth Circuit in Palm Beach Judicial County, Florida. In that role, he conducted legal research, drafted judicial orders and other legal documents, and assisted in preparing educational materials for members of the judiciary. Building on his commitment to racial and social justice, as a 2L Joseph is serving as a Junior Staff Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review and participating in the Environmental Justice Clinic.
MAILON CEDEÑO
Mailon Cedeno graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in May 2024 with dual B.A. degrees in Economics and Political Science, minors in International Development & Humanitarian Assistance and Sustainability Studies, and a certificate in International Relations. He served as Chief of Staff and Transition Chair for Student Government, overseeing initiatives such as discounted transportation and the development development of dedicated campus spaces for marginalized student communities. As president of the First Generation Leadership Program, he led the redesign of curriculum and operations, doubled its cohort size, launched a dedicated resource website, and organized over 140 educational, service, and social events. Mailon was also involved in the Hispanic Student Association, where he led monthly discussions on Hispanic and Latinx issues, including legal and political matters affecting the community. Recognized for his leadership and campus impact, he was tapped into Florida Blue Key in Spring of 2024. As a 1L at Miami Law, Mailon served as a Student Ambassador and began his involvement with the Student Bar Association (SBA). During his 1L summer, he interned for the Honorable Bruce Reinhart, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Florida in West Palm Beach, Florida. As a 2L, Mailon is serving as a Junior Staff Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review, an SBA 2L Senator, and a Student Ambassado
ERICA CLARE
Erica Clare graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Florida in December 2023 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy. While at USF, she was active in the National Council of Negro Women and the Student Environmental Association. She also interned for Tampa City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson, assisting with legislative research, constituent outreach, and policy proposals
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2028 proposals related to community redevelopment. After graduation, Erica worked as the Multicultural Communications Relations Coordinator at LifeLink of Florida, where she led outreach initiatives and delivered educational presentations designed to make organ donation information accessible to people of all backgrounds. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as an FFLA Legal Aid Fellow at Legal Services of Greater Miami, supporting nonprofit organizations and small businesses. This experience showed her how legal advocacy can help organizations grow and better serve their communities. As a 2L, Erica is serving as secretary of the National Lawyers Guild and Community Relations Chair of the Black Law Students Association. She is also participating in the Children & Youth Law Clinic
AMALIA GARCIA
Amalia Garcia graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in History. Prior to starting law school, Amalia worked as a Mayor’s Aide in the Miami-Dade County Mayor’s office, assisting with scheduling the mayor’s event and meeting requests. She also worked as Deputy Press Secretary at the Debbie for Florida U.S. Senate campaign, building relationships with radio, student and Spanish-language relationships media as well as drafting communications materials. During her 1L year at Miami Law, Amalia participated in HOPE’s Pro Bono Spring Break trip to El Paso, Texas, where she volunteered for Las Americas, a nonprofit organization seeking justice for immigrants at the border. During her 1L summer, Amalia served as an FFLA Legal Aid Fellow with Americans for Immigrant Justice’s Detention Program in Miami, helping to reunite families and fight unjust detention. As a 2L, Amalia is participating in the Environmental Justice Clinic, the Center for Ethics and Public Service, and the International and Comparative Law Review.
ALLIE GREEN Allie Green graduated with University Honors from the University of Michigan in May 2025, earning a B.A. with a dual major in Psychology and Communication & Media, along with a concentration in Sales and Business from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business. While at Michigan, she served as a Legal Intern at the Washtenaw County Office of the Public Defender, conducting legal research for the juvenile division of the Circuit Court,ofdrafting and analyzing motions and attending court proceedings. As a senior, Allie was selected as a student instructor for Project Outreach, a service-learning course for students working with inner-city, at-risk children. As a 1L at Miami Law, Allie participated in an immersive winter break pro bono project with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where she participated in court observations and assisted with supporting victim witness counselors. During her 1L
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2028
1L summer, she interned with Judge Robert J. Luck of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Tallahassee, conducting legal research on federal statutory, constitutional, and procedural issues, reviewing appellate briefs, and observing judicial decision-making and opinion drafting. Contemporaneously, she served as a research assistant to Professor Christie Anne Daniels, conducting legal research, analytical writing, and case law synthesis to support the development of first-year legal education materials. As a 3L, she is serving as president of the Federal Bar Association.
ANDREW NAVARRO
Andrew Navarro graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University in May 2025 with degrees in Political Science and International Studies and a focus in Nonprofit Leadership. During college, he held several leadership roles in Student Government, conducted research on refugee policy and international human rights, and volunteered with organizations serving immigrants, refugees, and other underserved communities. a 2L atisMiami Law, Fellow with underserved communities. As a 2L Law at Miami, As Andrew a Howeveler the Center for Ethics and Public Service, a Junior Staff Editor for the Race & Social Justice Law Review, and a participant in the Environmental Justice Clinic, where he works on litigation and advocacy advancing environmental justice for underserved communities. He also serves as Co-Director of the University of Miami School of Law chapter of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). During his 1L summer, Andrew interned with the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, assisting attorneys with legal research, motion drafting, case preparation, and client representation in criminal and family law matters.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2028
RAYMOND RIF
Raymond Rif earned his B.A. in Political Science and M.A. in Legislative Affairs from the George Washington University, where he was a Presidential Scholar and received the GW Alumni Association Prize for leadership and service. Prior to law school, Raymond worked for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Morrison & Foerster LLP, and a consulting firm focused on national security, and regulatory matters. At Miami Law, Raymond security, emerging technology, served as a 1L Senator in the Student Bar Association. As a 2L, he is serving as a Junior Staff Editor of the University of Miami Business Law Review, vice president of the Technology Law Club, and a member of the Law & AI Practicum. During his 1L summer, Raymond clerked at Podhurst Orseck, where he supported a variety of plaintiff-side litigation matters and traveled to Chicago to provide on-site trial support in federal court.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2028
INGA JOANNE STEVENS
Inga JoAnne Stevens graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University in 2023 with a B.A. in International Studies and a minor in Political Science. She interned for the nonprofit Developing Radio Partners, where she worked to establish and amplify local radio programming across communities in Malawi to develop health initiatives and foster open dialogue between youth and local leaders. During her senior year,During she participated as a member of the Mortar Board Honors Society, where she developed service projects that gave students a way to engage with the city, including trash cleanups and library drives. She also established and implemented a mentoring program that paired graduating students with current students in service participation across the school and the city of Auburn. During her 1L summer at Miami Law, she served as a legal intern for the University of Miami School of Law Health Rights Clinic, where she primarily conducted research on legal relief for immigrants with Temporary Protected Status. As a 2L, she is participating in the Yvette Ostolaza Mock Trial Team.
FRANKIE WILTON
Francis Wilton graduated from Boston College in 2021 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Communication. He led multiple environmental initiatives on campus and in the Greater Boston Area, including beach clean-ups, sustainable food sourcing programs, and mentoring younger students. Upon graduation, Francis moved to Maui County, Hawaii to begin a career in environmental education and outreach with the Pacific Whalewith Foundation. In 2022, Francis began working as a Naturalist and Photography Instructor with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions in environments from the tropics to the Antarctic. During his 1L summer at Miami Law, Francis served as an intern with the Everglades Law Center, researching and aiding litigation efforts surrounding ongoing environmental issues in South Florida. Francis is vice president of the Environmental Law Society and, in addition to his law school studies, is a student at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.
"The Miami Public Interest Scholars Program has become a place of comfort and community where I can truly be myself. From day one, my cohort and the HOPE team have encouraged me and worked alongside me to pursue the positive impact I know I am capable of. Each student’s unique background and diverse perspective, all centered on a dedication to serving the public good, has helped us grow as individuals and as future leaders in the legal field. This experience and these connections are things I will never take for granted."
~Mailon Cedeño, Class of 2028
"The Miami Public Interest Scholars Program has given me an incredible community of students and friends who think critically about the world around them and prioritize social justice. It has also connected me with mentors and staff who genuinely care about our success, both professionally and personally. Each program meeting reminds me of why I chose to attend law school and helps me take one step closer to my goals."
~Amalia Garcia, Class of 2028
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2029
LEANNE BUJALSKI
Leanne Bujalski graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2024 with a B.A. in Architecture and a minor in Real Estate. Through a design studio, she researched the impacts of climate change on sea level rise and increased pluvial flooding, providing an actionable urban plan to the Mumbai Port Authority in Mumbai, India. She also participated in a design studio to aid in the redesign of Mati, Greece, after devastating wildfires indevastating 2018. She spent a summer interning at Voith and MacTavish, an architecture firm on the forefront of environmental sustainability and historic preservation, where she assisted with the implementation of the sustainable designs and materials she had been studying in school. These research opportunities inspired her design thesis, A New School of Environmental Conservation which demonstrated the feasibility of combining aesthetics and utility with cutting edge sustainable building techniques. She was awarded the Walsh Family Hall Award for Civic Architecture and Urbanism for her contributions to a culture of environmental sustainability and civic virtue. She hopes to use her law degree to help bridge the gap between the available sustainable design capabilities and current practices.
BRIANA DORVAL
Briana Dorval graduated summa cum laude from Howard University in 2025 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Strategic, Legal, and Management Communications. She combined her interests in law and public service through to focus on expanding access to justice and resources for underserved communities. She served as an Executive Intern with the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office, where she researched post-incarceration reentry, workforce development opportunities for researched incarcerated individuals, and community-based resources supporting successful reintegration. She also interned on Capitol Hill, contributing to legislative initiatives focused on expanding healthcare access and advancing policies affecting the Haitian community. Briana co-founded League of Hope, Inc., a non-profit through which she has partnered with Florida State Representatives to organize community resource fairs, distribute food and school supplies in underserved communities, and connect families with healthcare and social services throughout South Florida. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Chapter, she organized educational programming on financial literacy and hosted discussions to bring awareness to the experiences of wrongfully convicted individuals. Briana hopes to use her legal education to expand opportunities for the families and small businesses she has spent her career serving.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 2029
GABRIELLA GHANDOUR
Gabriella Ghandour graduated summa cum laude from Texas Tech University’s Honors College in December 2021 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Arabic Studies. She founded and led Kindle Hope Inc., a non-profit dedicated to providing children in underserved communities with access to music lessons and music psychology education. After graduating, Gabriella moved to Washington, D.C., and began her career in the non-profit sector, working for an organization focused on fostering in bipartisanship within government institutions, including Congress and the U.S. Department of State. She later transitioned to Capitol Hill, where she served as a Foreign Policy Advisor in the House of Representatives, specializing in Middle Eastern affairs. She focused on U.S. foreign policy and issues affecting the Middle East, and Arab Americans in the U.S. She then moved to the private sector, joining Marriott International’s headquarters, where she worked in the Global Government Office. Her experiences across the non-profit, government, and private sectors deepened her commitment to foreign policy, international law, and humanitarian affairs. Gabriella hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career in international humanitarian work or to advocate for individuals and families navigating the U.S. immigration system.
LEAH GLEICHER
Leah Gleicher graduated from the University of Michigan in May 2026 with a B.A. in International Studies. As a senior, she served as Co-President of the student-run think tank, The Michigan Foreign Policy Council. In this capacity, she served as a research author and mentor and assisted in the editing of the bi-annual research journal. She also served as an intern for the Washtenaw County Office of the Public Defender, where she had the opportunity to assist with trial and client preparation. Throughout wher her undergraduate career, she explored her interest in human rights education by completing an original project entitled: Comparative Human Rights Education Methodology at the University of Michigan. This project facilitated a conference that brought together educators from across the University of Michigan to discuss teaching methodology. To combine her interests in education and security studies, she also helped author a new course for the University of Michigan History Department entitled Introduction to Military History and the Profession of Arms. This allowed her to apply her love for education methodology with history research. Leah hopes to use her law degree to explore international security, human rights law, and education policy.
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2029
OLIVIA KLEYMAN
Olivia Kleyman graduated from Boston University in May 2026 with a B.S. in Education and Human Development, concentrating in Youth Development and Justice, and a minor in Spanish. She was a member of the BU Prison Outreach Club. She has served as a UNICEF Youth Representative for the Midwest, where she founded a UNICEF club to promote youth advocacy and community engagement. She alsoengagement. founded Makers for Change, a student organization that designed and 3D-printed animal prosthetics for donation to local animal shelters. During college, Olivia worked at the Children's Law Center of Massachusetts, supporting child advocacy efforts, and served as a legal assistant at a small immigration law firm. She also volunteered as a Playspace Activity Leader with Horizons for Homeless Children, providing support and enrichment for children experiencing homelessness, and was a policy research intern with the National Youth Justice Network. A native Russian speaker and child of two Ukrainian immigrants, Olivia is passionate about immigration and advancing immigrant rights on a global scale and hopes to build a career advocating for immigrant communities through legal advocacy and international public service.
JOSE CHRISTIAN PADRON
Jose Christian Padron graduated cum laude with honors from Nova Southeastern University in December 2024 with a B.S. in Biology and minors in Honors Transdisciplinary Studies and PreHealth. He was selected to join the Alpha Chi Honor Society which is extended to less than 5% of undergraduate students. He also conducted scientific research focusing on using bacteriophages to combat antibiotic resistance. He served as an Federal Bureau of Investigation, gaining an extensive an honors intern for the background in investigative and data analysis. While at the FBI, he collaborated with the Chief Division Counsel in analyzing legal documents, worked alongside the Violent Gang Unit in identifying criminal networks, and assisted with forensic accounting. Jose hopes to explore corporate governance and financial regulation, and use use that regulatory knowledge to maximize asset protection and mitigate risks, while also leveraging his skills to engage in pro bono work.
SOPHIA PRESCOTT
Sophia Prescott graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara, in June 202 where she double majored in Economics and Environmental Studies. She was on the Dean’s Honors List and was a member of the Delta Gamma Society. Her participation in an Environmental Law course sparked her interest in pursuing a legal career. After graduating, Sophia spent
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2027 2029 spent time living and volunteering at JAAN Indonesia wildlife sanctuary in Sumatra, which rescues animals from the illegal wildlife trade. At JAAN, Sophia worked with animals while witnessing firsthand the consequences of inadequate legal protections and enforcement against those involved in the illegal wildlife trade. After returning to California, Sophia joined Pottery Barn Corporate in San Francisco, where she spent two years working in inventory planning and management. Sophia also worked parttime for a local contracts attorney and volunteered at GLIDE, a non-profit agency that provides meals and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Sophia hopes to use her law degree to pursue a career in environmental law, specifically energy law and animal rights, where she can become an effective advocate for policy reform to better mitigate the effects of climate change.
ALEXA RODRIGUEZ
Alexa Rodriguez graduated from Georgia State University in 2024 with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, concentrating in Law and Society. She earned a place on the President’s List multiple times. During and after college, she served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in the foster care system, conducting independent investigations, preparing court reports, and testifying in court to interests of the children she served. Following graduation, to advocate for the best she completed an AmeriCorps service year with Catholic Charities Atlanta, a refugee resettlement agency, where she supported refugee youth and their families through afterschool programming and case management services. She also volunteered with Hands On Atlanta, Kate’s Club, and the Georgia Justice Project. After completing her AmeriCorps service, she joined Catholic Charities Atlanta as a Refugee Youth Support Specialist. She continued working closely with families participating in the Refugee Youth Afterschool Program, helping them access public benefits, enroll in English classes, coordinate medical appointments, and secure essential resources such as rental and grocery assistance. Alexa is passionate about public interest law and is committed to advocating for underserved communities through a career in public service.
JULIA ROSEBOROUGH
Julia Roseborough graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Social Work, a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Communications. She was recognized as the College of Social Work Humanitarian of the Year and an FSU Student Foundation 21 Under 21 Student Philanthropist for her commitment
MIAMI SCHOLARS CLASS OF 2029 commitment to service. Through her interdisciplinary education and professional experiences, she has developed a passion for public service, criminal justice reform and post-conviction advocacy. She has gained experience within the criminal legal system through her work with the Innocence Project of Florida, where she assisted in reviewing potential wrongful conviction claims; the Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program, where she supported crime victims throughout legal proceedings; and the Second Judicial Circuit Office of the Public Defender, where she contributed to criminal defense investigations. She also served as Vice President of Philanthropy and Service for Zeta Tau Alpha, leading initiatives that raised over $200,000 in support of philanthropic causes. She hopes to use her legal education to advocate for individuals impacted by the criminal justice system through reform-oriented justice and other public initiatives.
GAVIN VOSS
Gavin Voss graduated from Rice University in 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Spanish and Portuguese. During college, he interned at the Wilson Center, a think-tank in Washington D.C., where he researched COVID-19 response and vaccine diplomacy for the center's Latin America Program. He also held various leadership positions at his residential college, served as a new student orientation advisor for three years,advisor and was president of Rice's club water polo team. After graduation, Gavin lived in Medellín, Colombia, where he worked as a journalist and researcher for InSight Crime, a non-profit investigative outlet covering organized crime and security-related issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. He participated in various research projects for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the European Union, conducting extensive fieldwork in Ecuador on gang violence, criminal governance, and the prison system. His work has been frequently cited in Ecuadorian and international media. Gavin hopes to use his law degree to become a leader and advocate working at the intersection of immigration, human rights, and hemispheric policy.
"Being a Miami Public Interest Scholar is one of the most impactful parts of my law school experience because it has given me a supportive community from the very beginning that wants to see each student succeed. The program is special because it brings together students who share a commitment to service while supporting one another's unique interests and career goals. What stands out the most to me about this program is the community within the cohort. HOPE encourages us to pursue our passions and provides us with support every step of the way."
Julia Roseborough, Class of 2029
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