Public Interest Lecture Series
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HOPE was lucky enough to have Professor Rebecca Sharpless, one of the newest additions to our University of Miami clinical faculty, speak with students over lunch at the Public Interest Luncheon Series on September 9th, 2009. As a human rights activist, she most recently worked as the Visiting Assistant Clinical Professor of Law at Florida International University, where she taught immigration law and assisted students with advocacy before multiple US Courts of Appeals, immigration court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and Florida state dependency courts. Prior to that, she served as a supervising attorney at the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center (FIAC), where she led counsel in immigration cases in the US Courts of Appeals and US Disctrict District Courts. Professor Sharpless has also directed the Northeast Communities Education Center, an immigration project designed to help those in need. In addition to serving as the primary author of the amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in the seminal immigration case INS v. St. Cyr, 533 U.S. 289 (2001), Rebecca currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild.

Spencer Roach, one of the lucky attendees, thoroughly enjoyed listening to Professor Sharpless, who encouraged her listeners to take every opportunity that came their way. In specific, she recommends learning a second language for those who want to engage in immigration work. Professor Sharpless shared that she had personally immersed herself in Guatemala’s culture to sharpen her language skills. Further, Professor Sharpless recommends that all students avail themselves of clinical training, regardless of the field he/she ultimately wishes to pursue. According to Professor Sharpless, the hands on learning methodology the clinical experience provides a student with is invaluable. Our next PILS for the semester will be on Wednesday, September 23rd, from 12:30 – 1:45 pm in room E265 with our very own Professor Elizabeth Iglesias, an advocate of justice who spends her free time working to help eradicate torture. Don't forget to RSVP to umhope@law.miami.edu if you would like to attend!