HOPE FELLOWS PROGRAM
The HOPE Fellows Program gives rising 2L and 3L students, with a commitment to public interest advocacy, the opportunity to create their public interest dream job at an agency locally, nationally or internationally, and receive a stipend from the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center. HOPE Fellows work with public interest organizations to provide legal advocacy, policy development and implementation, and to devise systems to enhance the delivery of legal services. The HOPE Fellows Program challenges students to identify host agencies and develop on-site projects to uniquely address the unmet needs of the organization’s constituency. Upon their return to Miami Law, HOPE Fellows design and implement initiatives to educate and engage law students in advocacy related to their area of concentration. Over the years, the program has grown from just two fellows, placed in local agencies, to up to twenty fellows, each summer, across the globe.
"As a law student who plans to pursue a public interest legal career, I am beyond grateful and honored to serve as a HOPE Fellow at the Georgia Justice Project, engaging in the civil rights and social justice work I am passionate about. HOPE provides a supportive public interest community, and the HOPE Fellowship allows me to further my commitment to public interest and to leave my mark on my community back home in Atlanta.”
~Khya Morton HOPE Fellow Georgia Justice Project Atlanta, GA
SHARIF AMASTHA
MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Sharif Amastha (Class of 2026) graduated from the University of Miami in 2021 with a triple major in Political Science, Economics, and History. His passion for a career in public interest and human rights law stems from his family's experience emigrating from Colombia under political asylum protections. Before starting at the University of Miami School of Law, Amastha joined a boutique family law firm where he was charged with managing discovery and assisting in trial preparation for cases ranging from paternity matters to domestic violence disputes. During his 1L summer at the School of Law, Amastha returned to the firm where he took a more active role in directly interacting with survivors of domestic violence while preparing both civil and criminal cases. As a 2L, he joined the Human Rights Clinic, where he worked alongside international NGOs in researching and assessing gender equality in care policy across Latin America and presented his findings at a side event for the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. During his 2L summer, he served as a HOPE Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
BEN DAVIS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
TAMPA, FL
Ben Davis (Class of 2026) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2023 with a B.A. in Economics. Following his 1L year at the University of Miami School of Law, he served as a judicial intern in Florida’s 13th Judicial Circuit. As a 2L, he joined the Children & Youth Law Clinic, where he represented youth in dependency and related civil matters. Ben also serves on the executive board of the Child Advocacy and Family Law Society, is a Dean’s Fellow supporting firstyear students, and is a member of Bar and Gavel and the Public Interest Leadership Board. During his 2L spring break, Ben participated in an alternative advocacy break trip to Legal Aid of North Carolina in Sylva, NC, where he provided disaster relief assistance to underserved communities—a formative experience that further solidified his commitment to advocate for children, families, and other vulnerable populations. During his 2L summer, he served as a HOPE Fellow and Certified Legal Intern with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office in Tampa, FL.
ALEAH DESANTO
ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
ERIE, PA
Aleah DeSanto (Class of 2027) graduated from Pennsylvania Western University in 2023 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. Prior to law school, she worked in a secure juvenile detention center and dependent shelter where she supervised residents and coordinated program schedules
while collaborating with legal, medical, and social service professionals. She was trained in crisis management, de-escalation, trauma-informed care, and medication administration. During the spring of her 1L year at the University of Miami School of Law, Aleah served as an intern for the Center for Ethics and Public Service where she conducted legislative history research using congressional records to identify and contextualize economic patterns related to housing affordability and income inequality. During her 1L summer, Aleah served as a HOPE Fellow with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office in Erie, PA.
LAUREN FARLEY
DALLAS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
DALLAS, TX
Lauren Farley (Class of 2027) graduated summa cum laude from Albion College in 2024 with a B.A. in Art History and Spanish. She served on the council of her Kappa Delta Chapter, helped to create programming with local Girl Scouts, worked in arts education at the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, and was the Principal French Horn and librarian in the Albion College Symphony Orchestra. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, she joined the Public Interest Network (PIN Pal) Mentorship Program and Miami Law Women. She was also selected to serve on the Public Interest Leader Board. During her 1L summer, Lauren served as a HOPE Fellow with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office in Dallas, TX.
ALICIA-ROSA GONZALEZ
U.S. COAST GUARD
MIAMI, FL
Alicia-Rosa Gonzalez (Class of 2026) graduated summa cum laude from Florida International University in May 2023 with a B.A. in Communication Arts and a minor in Spanish. While attending FIU, she was a rowing coach at the Miami Beach Rowing Club, where she coached middle school, high school, and adult rowers. She was also a volunteer coach for the adaptive rowing program, where she coached disabled athletes in the sport of Pararowing. At the University of Miami School of Law, Alicia-Rosa is a Dean’s Merit Scholar, student ambassador, and Moot Court Board member. During her 1L summer, Alicia-Rosa interned at the Federal Public Defender's Office for the Southern District of Florida in Miami. During her 2L summer, she served as a HOPE Fellow with the United States Coast Guard in Miami.
NATALIE GONZALEZ
APPELLATE ADVOCATES
NEW YORK, NY
Natalie Gonzalez (Class of 2026) graduated with departmental honors from the University of California, Berkeley in May 2022 with a B.A. in Legal Studies and a minor in Human Rights. While at Berkeley, she completed an honors thesis on child welfare
during the COVID-19 pandemic, conducted legal research on mandated reporting laws, and contributed to a neuroscience publication. Her undergraduate work laid a strong foundation for her commitment to advocacy and social justice. At the University of Miami School of Law, where she is a Miami Public Interest Scholar and Dean’s Merit Scholar, Natalie has dedicated herself to public service through an expansive range of pro bono initiatives. She was honored with the HOPE Excellence in Legal Advocacy Award in her first year for completing over 75 hours of pro bono service. As a 2L, Natalie served as an intern with the Innocence Clinic, supporting postconviction efforts for individuals wrongfully incarcerated. She has held leadership positions as Co-Chair of If/When/How, Vice President of the National Lawyers Guild, and Advocacy Co-Chair of the Public Interest Leadership Board. She is also a Junior Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review. During her 2L summer, Natalie served as a HOPE Fellow with Appellate Advocates in New York City.
NATALIE HOLLANDER
CITY OF MIAMI—OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY MIAMI, FL
Natalie Hollander (Class of 2026) graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida in August 2020 with a B.A. in Environmental Science and minors in Agricultural and Natural Resource Law and Economics. While at UF, she published two manuscripts: Analyzing the Possibility of the United States Developing a Fully Renewable Electricity System and Understanding Public Attitudes Towards Partial Restoration of the Ocklawaha River. She was awarded the Outstanding Scholar Award for exemplary scholarship demonstrated throughout her undergraduate career. Following graduation, Natalie became a STEM Teacher at the Museum of Discovery and Science, where she developed and implemented programs to empower over 22,000 students to increase their involvement within STEM-based education, with a specific focus on underprivileged youth. Natalie has also served as an Environmental Educator at Mounts Botanical Garden where she delivered an environmental science program, Ambassador of the Wetlands, to Palm Beach County high school students. At the University of Miami School of Law, Natalie is a Miami Public Interest Scholar, serves as a Junior Staff Editor for the Business Law Review and has participated in the Human Rights Clinic, where she supported advocacy and legal research on international human rights issues. During her 2L summer, Natalie served as a HOPE Fellow with the City of Miami—Office of the City Attorney.
EMILY JOHNSON
FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Emily Johnson (Class of 2026) graduated from the University of South Florida in 2023 with a B.A. in Psychology and Political Science. Prior to law school, she worked as a mentor at the SPARK Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to
teaching a mental health curriculum aimed at reducing recidivism and substance use within the criminal justice system. During her 1L summer at the University of Miami School of Law, Emily served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow in the Children’s Defense Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. As a 2L, Emily was a legal intern with the Human Rights Clinic, where she worked on projects focused on abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S. She also served as a Junior Editor on the Race and Social Justice Law Review. During her 2L summer, Emily served as a HOPE Fellow with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Southern District of Florida in Miami.
JULIANA MONROY
SARAH LILLY FELLOWSHIP FOR EQUAL JUSTICE AEQUITAS
WASHINGTON, DC
Juliana Monroy (Class of 2026) graduated from Florida State University in July 2022 with a B.S. in International Affairs and minors in Business and French. Prior to law school, she worked as a legal assistant in international business law and family law. During this time, she developed a deep awareness of the systemic disparities in legal access, which inspired her to pursue a path in public interest law. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, she served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence Units, where she supported survivors and contributed to case preparation. As a 2L, she served as president of the Miami Law Mental Health Collective and secretary of the Miami Law Federal Bar Association and participated in the Human Rights Clinic. During her 2L summer, Juliana served as a HOPE/Sarah Lilly Fellow for Equal Justice with AEquitas, based in Washington, DC, where she supported national efforts to advance justice in gender-based violence cases
KHYA MORTON
GEORGIA JUSTICE PROJECT ATLANTA, GA
Khya Morton (Class of 2027) graduated magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science, a supplementary major in Peace Studies, and a minor in Italian. While at Notre Dame, she took courses that explored the complexities of the state’s police power as well as courses that presented strategic peacebuilding tools to address systemic injustices against minority populations. Her experiences inside the classroom led her to pursue volunteer opportunities in the South Bend community where she witnessed firsthand how the law impacts the lives of marginalized communities. She volunteered at Imani Unidad—a non-profit organization that helps low-income and racial minorities improve their wellbeing through harm reduction and prevention efforts. Her community involvement and peace and justice-centered courses forged her passion for civil rights and social justice advocacy—ultimately drawing her to Miami to pursue a career in public interest law. At the University of Miami School
of Law, she is a Dean’s Merit Scholar and a member of the Black Law Students Association. As a 2L, she is serving as a legal intern with the Innocence Clinic. During her 1L summer, Khya served as a HOPE Fellow at the Georgia Justice Project in Atlanta, GA, working on expungement and record corrections to remove barriers to civil reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals.
RADHA PATEL
NEW YORK COUNTY DEFENDER SERVICES NEW YORK, NY
Radha Patel graduated magna cum laude from Kennesaw State University in December 2022 with a B.S. in Political Science, minors in International Relations and Legal Studies, and a certificate in Constitutional Studies. At KSU, she served as Program Coordinator for the OwlSwap Sustainability Initiative and was elected as secretary and became a voting member of the Presidential Commission on Sustainability. Radha’s passion for environmental justice led her to join the Environmental Justice Committee, where she co-authored the university’s forthcoming Environmental Justice Statement. With support from Ambassador Dho Young-Shim, she also authored a children’s book, Sustainable Habits Cure Our Planet, promoting conscious consumer habits among younger generations. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, Radha participated in an Alternative Spring Break Pro Bono Project with the New York County Defender Services (NYCDS). That summer, she interned with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the County Court Division and completed the Judicial Internship Academy with Judge Beth Bloom. As a 2L, she externed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and joined the Race and Social Justice Law Review, SWANALSA, and the Public Interest Leadership Board. She is also a Miami Public Interest Scholar. Radha returned to NYCDS as a HOPE Fellow for her 2L summer.
EMMA RICE
CHILDREN’S LEGAL
SERVICES—FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & FAMILIES
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL
Emma Rice (Class of 2026) graduated cum laude from the University of Florida in 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Business Marketing. Prior to law school, she worked as a legal assistant for the Office of the Broward Public Defender in Ft. Lauderdale, where she supported multiple attorneys in managing their caseloads and facilitating client communication. During her 1L summer at the University of Miami School of Law, she returned to the Broward Public Defender’s Office as a legal intern and HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow. As a 3L, Emma is serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Race and Social Justice Law Review, a Fellow with the Center for Ethics and Public Service, a Dean’s Fellow for Criminal Procedure, and an intern with International Justice Mission, an anti-human trafficking organization. During her 2L summer, Emma served as a HOPE Fellow with Children’s Legal Services of the Florida Department of Children and Families in Ft. Lauderdale.
MAXX SCHOENBLATT
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI BEACH, FL
Maxx Schoenblatt (Class of 2026) graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University in 2021 with a double major in Political Science and Economics. While at FSU, he was a part of the Political Science Department’s ResearchIntensive Bachelor Certificate, where he assisted with research on the relationship between legalizing marijuana and gun violence and wrote an independent research paper on the relationship between political polarization and economic inequality. He also served as a Healthcare Policy Intern for The James Madison Institute, which inspired him to pursue a career in policy. As a 2L at the University of Miami School of Law, Maxx was a legal intern with the Environmental Justice Clinic, where he worked on zoning issues in Coconut Grove, assisted in designing a policy package advocating for legislation requiring landlords to provide air conditioning for tenants, and worked on a lawsuit to protect homeowners' rights to use and enjoy a lake against a developer attempting to fill in the lake and build housing. During his 2L summer, Maxx served as a HOPE Fellow with the City of Miami Beach City Attorney's Office.
JAKE SOLOMON
MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Jake Solomon (Class of 2026) graduated from SUNY Binghamton University in 2022 with a B.S. in Accounting and a minor in Management Information Systems. He worked at the New York State Senate and Assembly prior to attending law school. At the University of Miami School of Law, Jake is a Miami Public Interest Scholar and serves as the HOPE Liaison for the Cuban American Bar Association (CABA), as well as Activism Chair for OUTLaw. During his 1L summer, Jake was an intern in the Felony Division of the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office. As a 2L, he served as an extern with the Honorable Judge Darrin P. Gayles of the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida and with the City of Miami Beach City Attorney's Office. During his 2L summer, Jake served as a HOPE Fellow and Certified Legal Intern with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
NICOLAS VINCENTY
U.S. COAST GUARD
MIAMI, FL
Nicolas Vincenty (Class of 2026) graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Florida in May 2022 with a double major in Political Science and History. He served as Chief Justice of the Student Government Judicial Branch and was active in the UNF Law society. Prior to law school, he worked at the law firm of Morgan & Morgan. At the University of Miami School
of Law, Nicolas is a Dean’s Merit Scholar. During his 1L summer, he interned with the Honorable Judge Norton in Florida’s Fourth Judicial Circuit. As a 2L, he participated in the Environmental Justice Clinic and was actively involved with Bar and Gavel, the Maritime Law Society, the St. Thomas More Society, HLSA, and as a Law Ambassador. During his 2L summer, Nicolas served as a HOPE Fellow with the United States Coast Guard in Miami.
MEG WILLIAMS
VASQUEZ DE LARA LAW GROUP FELLOWSHIP AEQUITAS
WASHINGTON, DC
Meg Wlliams (Class of 2027) graduated from Boston University in May 2020 with a B.A. in English Literature and minors in French and economics. She participated in various courses centered around international human rights and sustainability and served as an intern with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in the Housing Unit. Prior to law school, she worked as an Executive Legal Assistant for a boutique human rights firm, assisting with elder discrimination, family law, and immigration cases. She also spent time working as an SEO content writer with an international company and helped with their volunteer work with local organizations. As a 2L, she is participating in the University of Miami School of Law's Human Rights Clinic. During her 1L summer, Meg served as a HOPE/Vasquez de Lara Law Group Fellow with AEquitas, based in Washington, DC, where worked in the areas of human trafficking and gender-based violence.
I came to law school with the goal of using my legal career to advocate for marginalized communities and provide legal help that is often too expensive for those who need it most. I am incredibly grateful to receive the HOPE/Sarah Lilly Fellowship for Equal Justice, which supports my work this summer with AEquitas. Without this, I would not be able to continue pursuing a career in public interest law. Thanks to this support, I am fully able to focus on contributing to AEquitas, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting victims of abuse, human trafficking, and gender-based violence, and learning from experienced attorneys. I am excited to continue building a career focused on advocating for women, protecting vulnerable communities, and creating lasting change.
~Juliana Monroy HOPE/Sarah Lilly Fellow for Equal Justice
Washington, DC
SUMMER PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWS PROGRAM
The Summer Public Interest Fellows Program (SPIF) is designed to engage the public interest-minded student during the summer following their first year of law school. This selective program involves full-time work at a South Florida public interest agency for eight weeks during the summer along with a legal research and writing project. Fellows also participate in a Public Interest Lawyering Seminar where members of the bench, bar and legal community share their work in the public sector, walking students through problem-solving exercises and fostering their skills. Participating students are given a stipend and receive three academic credits. HOPE is proud to support the public interest work of an increasing number of students who serve clients and communities in extraordinary ways.
"In law school, there is not a singular path to success. In just three years, we are given the keys to the laws of our nation and beyond. With that privilege, why not choose public interest? Thanks to SPIF, the financial demands of unpaid public interest work have been loosened. I am able to help the community around me while dedicating myself to litigation at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. SPIF has also connected me with individuals equally committed to service, becoming a bridge to a network that welcomes challenges in the fight for equal representation, changing the world each step of the way."
~Carlos Santiago Summer Public Interest Fellow Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office Miami, FL
TAYLOR ALLISON
MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Taylor Allison (Class of 2027) graduated from the University of Central Florida in May 2024 with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and two minors in Legal Studies and Intelligence & National Security. She also obtained two certificates in Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Profiling. She served on Delta Zeta's President Council, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Chair, and Relay For Life Chair for four years. Prior to law school, she worked as a veterinary assistant for four years and as a summer legal intern at Oliver & Fox, P.A. where she supported senior paralegals and attorneys with legal research and document management in preparation for first responder personal injury and workers compensation cases. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, Taylor was a Student Ambassador and a member of the Society of Bar & Gavel, the Criminal Law Society, Miami Law Women, First-Generation Law Association, and the Federal Bar Association. During her 1L summer, Taylor served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.
MORGAN ANDERSON
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Morgan Anderson (Class of 2027) graduated from the University of Oklahoma in December 2023 with a B.B.A. in Marketing and a minor in Criminal Justice. Her studies included research on the causal factors of wrongful convictions, exploring the social science approach to criminality, and advocating for proactive legislative solutions. While at OU, Morgan addressed educational disparities by volunteering at the local elementary school, where she worked with students to improve literacy rates. Prior to law school, Morgan interned with a family law and criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth, gaining experience in client meetings, case preparation, sentencing negotiations, and pretrial proceedings for both retained and court-appointed clients. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, she joined the Criminal Law Society and Child Advocacy and Family Law Society and was on the Dean’s List. As a 2L, Morgan is participating in the Innocence Clinic and teaching legal writing at Homestead Correctional Institution. During her 1L summer, Morgan served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office, furthering her commitment to defending marginalized communities.
JOSHUA COHEN
MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Joshua Cohen (Class of 2027) graduated from American University in 2023 with a B.S. in Business and Entertainment. Prior to law school, he worked as an analyst at The East Cambridge Company, where he supported life science redevelopment initiatives and assisted with strategic planning and recapitalization efforts. At the University of Miami School of Law, he is involved in the International Law Society and Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law Society. During his 1L summer, Joshua served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the MiamiDade State Attorney’s Office.
JULIANA GORINA
PEER GROUP
MIAMI, FL
Juliana Gorina (Class of 2027) graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Florida International University’s Honors College with a B.S. in Environmental Studies-Natural Resource Sciences and a certificate in Pre-Law Skills and Professional Values. Prior to law school, she worked as a law clerk and realized that attending law school would allow her to combine her interests in science and law. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, she was the 1L representative for the Environmental Law Society and served as a Center for Ethics and Public Service Intern, where she participated in volunteer activities, panels, research and community outreach. As a 2L, Juliana is serving as treasurer/secretary of the Environmental Law Society and vice president of Miami Law Women. She is also interning with with the Environmental Justice Clinic. During her 1L summer, Juliana served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the People's Economic and Environmental Resiliency (PEER) Group in Miami.
SADIE GOYINS
U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA
MIAMI, FL
Sadie Goyins (Class of 2027) graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University in 2024 with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Criminology. During college, Sadie worked at the Florida Senate for Appropriations Chairman Senator Broxson, where she facilitated appropriations requests for Florida’s multibillion-dollar budget, provided constituent services in coordination with various State of Florida departments, and researched national and international policies for legislative drafting. She also served as a legal intern at Wicker Smith and Gross & Schuster, where she assisted with litigation, conducted legal research, and supported client services. At the University of Miami School of Law, Sadie is a member
of the First-Generation Law Association, Miami Law Women, and the Federal Bar Association, and has served as a Student Ambassador. During her 1L Winter Break, she volunteered through HOPE with the Colorado Office of the Child Representative, interviewing children, caregivers, parents, and other individuals involved in child welfare cases to ensure that quality representation was being provided. As a 2L, Sadie is serving as Vice President of Events and Activities for the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. During her 1L summer, Sadie served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida in Miami.
JESSE KAHN
MIAMI-DADE STATE ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Jesse Kahn (Class of 2027) graduated from Florida State University in 2021with a B.S. in Real Estate and Economics. He has been a volunteer coach at the Miami Beach Rowing Club since 2022 and actively participates in communitybased environmental efforts, including beach cleanups, coral restoration, and aquaculture initiatives. At the University of Miami School of Law, Jesse is involved with the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Society and the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society. He also serves as a Student Ambassador. His interests include criminal justice, trial advocacy, and environmental protection, and he is passionate about engaging in opportunities that connect legal education to public service. During his 1L summer, Jesse served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
KADIA MOHAMMED
SARAH LILLY FELLOWSHIP FOR EQUAL JUSTICE
INNOCENCE PROJECT OF FLORIDA
TALLAHASSEE/MIAMI, FL
Kadia Mohammed (Class of 2027) graduated summa cum laude from the University of Central Florida in May 2024 with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with focuses in the Humanities and Behavioral & Social Sciences and minors in Sociology and Legal Studies. She volunteered with the People Power for Florida to register voters in her community, worked with the UCF Chapter of the NAACP to petition state representatives and educate students on the impact of House Bill 999, and volunteered with Ladies Let's Talk to help immigrant and refugee women practice their English. She also interned for Moon Law Offices and Kraken Law Group. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, Kadia was selected for the Society of Bar & Gavel, the Public Interest Leadership Board, and as 2L Representative for the Caribbean Law Student Association and Funding Chair for If/When/How. As a 2L, she is participating in the Immigration Clinic. During her 1L summer, Kadia served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Sarah Lilly Fellow for Equal Justice with the Innocence Project of Florida.
GENICE D. NADAL
LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC.
MIAMI, FL
Genice Nadal (Class of 2027) graduated from Wesleyan University as a QuestBridge Scholar with a B.A. in Philosophy with the Social Justice track. She served as a Campus Ambassador for Breakthrough Miami, allowing her to maintain her connection to the Miami community while studying out-of-state and promoting an ethic of service to underserved populations. She worked as a teaching fellow with Breakthrough Miami for two summers during college, directly supporting students from marginalized backgrounds. Genice also gained legal experience by interning with the National Credit Union Administration's Office of Ethics Counsel, where she gained valuable insights into how legal frameworks can be leveraged to advance her mission of serving the public. At the University of Miami School of Law, she is a member of the Public Interest Leadership Board, legislative researcher for the Family Pro Bono Project, and an elected Honor Council member. During her 1L summer, Genice served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with Legal Services of Greater Miami, furthering her goal of addressing systemic inequities through legal advocacy.
YASMIN RIZVI
VASQUEZ DE LARA LAW GROUP FELLOWSHIP
AMERICANS FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE
MIAMI, FL
Yasmin Rizvi (Class of 2027) graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Hispanic Studies. While in college, Yasmin interned with Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit dedicated to advocating for women’s rights. She also collaborated with the Yalda Hakim Foundation to help young Afghan women apply to colleges in the United States, promoting their access to education. Additionally, she was a public policy intern at Venable LLP in Washington, D.C., where she completed a project on data privacy law and its impact on the war in Ukraine. As a 2L at the University of Miami School of Law, Yasmin is working with Miami Law’s chapter of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), participating in the Human Rights Clinic, and serving as social chair of OUTLaw. During her 1L summer, she worked with survivors of domestic violence and trafficking as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow/Vasquez de Lara Law Group Fellow with Americans for Immigrant Justice.
BENJAMIN ROBBINS
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD GENERAL COUNSEL’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Benjamin Robbins (Class of 2027) graduated from Florida State University in May 2023 with a B.S. in Political Science, a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Social Science, and a minor in Business. At FSU, he took advantage of being in Tallahassee and lobbied at
the State Capitol for many issues, including reproductive justice. Prior to law school, Benjamin worked on re-election campaigns for the Mayor of Miami-Dade County and a member of the Miami-Dade County School Board. As a 2L at the University of Miami School of Law, he is serving on the Public Interest Leadership Board and as the social media chair for the International Law Society. During his 1L summer, Benjamin served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade County School Board General Counsel’s Office.
CARLOS JOSE SANTIAGO
MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
MIAMI, FL
Carlos Jose Santiago (Class of 2027) graduated from Florida International University in December of 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in International Relations. He competed on the FIU Model United Nations team and worked as a Diplomacy Fellow for the non-profit group Best Delegate, teaching middle school and high school students the elements of Model United Nations and basic international relations. Upon graduation, he worked as the Head Coach of the John A. Ferguson Track and Field team. As a 1L at the University of Miami School of Law, Carlos worked on juvenile immigration issues with Catholic Legal Services, where he assisted with asylum intakes, applications for visas and asylum, translating duties, and legal research into the immigration policies of Latin American countries. For this work, he received HOPE’s Outstanding 1L Pro Bono Award. He also volunteered with his church, working alongside the children's ministry to teach and care for the children of congregants. During his 1L summer, Carlos served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office.
SABRINA UNGERMAN
LEGAL SERVICES OF GREATER MIAMI, INC.
MIAMI, FL
Sabrina Ungerman (Class of 2027) graduated magna cum laude from Florida State University in May 2021 with a B.A. in Chinese with a Business Concentration. She then pursued graduate studies at Indiana University–Bloomington in Sino linguistics and Chinese-American political and economic relations. Prior to law school, Sabrina worked in the interior design industry as a Project Tracking Coordinator. At the University of Miami School of Law, Sabrina is president of the Indigenous Law Student Association. During her 1L summer, she served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with Legal Services of Greater Miami in the Consumer Unit.
CRADLER VOLMAR
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
MIAMI BEACH, FL
Cradler Volmar (Class of 2027) graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University in May 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and Business Administration and a minor in Psychology. Prior to law school, he served as a Team Leader with AmeriCorps Jumpstart, leading early childhood education programs and mentoring corps members dedicated to making a difference. At the University of Miami School of Law, he is pursuing a path of public service, education equity, and community advocacy. He has worked as a Community Equity Lab intern with the Center for Ethics and Public Service, partnering with local organizations to support health and housing justice in historically underserved neighborhoods. During his 1L summer, Cradler served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow with the City of Miami Beach City Attorney’s Office.
“The legal field is, at its core, a service oriented profession - one grounded in the pursuit of justice and the responsibility to uplift others through advocacy. I came to law school with the intention of developing skills that allowed me to do just that, by using the law as a tool for meaningful, and lasting change. The SPB Public Policy Fellowship gives me the opportunity to build and refine those skills while also being of service to communities whose rights deserve protection. Beyond professional development, this fellowship connects me to passionate, mission-driven advocates and mentors who are equally committed to public service. I’m honored to be a part of a network of dedicated advocates.”
~Minah Malik
Squire Patton Boggs Public Policy Fellow
Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem New York, NY
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
~Margaret Mead
