2023-2024 INTERNS
Addiel Perez graduated magna cum laude from Rollins College in May 2022 with an A.B. in Political Science. At Rollins, he conducted novel research with the political science faculty focused on political psychology. Addiel also volunteered at Shepherd's Hope, a non-profit health organization providing essential services to the uninsured and underinsured, and served as an intern in the United States Senate. As a 1L at Miami Law, Addiel was a member of the Dean's List. During his 1L summer, he was a judicial intern with the Honorable Darrin P. Gayles of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. As a 2L, he is serving as Junior Staff Editor at the University of Miami Law Review. Addiel is enthusiastic about environmental litigation as well as working in matters at the intersections of environment, business, technology, and policy.
Alexa Eckembrecher, a current 2L dual-degree student pursuing a J.D./M.P.H. with the Miller School of Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, serves as an Environmental Justice Clinic Intern. She holds a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Miami, complemented with triple minors in Italian, Motion Pictures, and Public Health. This past summer, Alexa was a law clerk for Ayala Law P.A. where she conducted extensive legal research, drafted motions, and provided case analysis to assist the attorneys in formulating effective legal strategies for clients. Her dedication to equitable access to a healthy environment stem from her understanding of the link between environmental factors and health outcomes. Alexa remains focused on amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and prioritizing their well-being.
Alexis Burns is a 2L at Miami Law concentrating in environmental law and pursuing a J.D./M.P.S. joint degree with the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. She graduated from Boston College with a double major in Environmental Geoscience and Political Science. While at Boston College, she conducted research on the effects of nitrogen pollution on algal blooms and coastal health in Casco Bay, Maine. Over her 1L summer, Alexis worked as a legal intern for the U.S. Coast Guard. She is currently on the executive board of the Environmental Law Society. As an EJC intern, Alexis is eager to engage in community advocacy and defend clean water access.
Alyssa Huffman was raised in Keller, TX, before moving to Tampa in 2019. In 2022, Alyssa earned her B.S. in Marine Science and Biology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Tampa. While in Tampa, she worked as a laboratory assistant and writing tutor, and volunteered with the Audubon Society and University of Florida Tropical Aquaculture Lab. In addition to the Environmental Justice Clinic, Alyssa is the vice president of the Environmental Law Society and is a junior staff editor of the International and Comparative Law Review. During her 1L summer, Alyssa interned for the Everglades Law Center where she conducted research on policies and regulations affecting the Everglades ecosystem and surrounding communities.
Amanda Newberg was born and raised outside of Philadelphia in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Amanda graduated from George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science and History and a minor in Sustainability. At GW, she learned about sustainable food consumption from Chef José Andres and studied under various climate change activists in D.C. She also pursued various public interest internships including the Anti-Defamation League and the Foundations for Defense of Democracies. She came to Miami Law wanting to pursue public interest, specifically with the environment. Over her 1L summer, she interned at the State Attorney’s Office in the Sexual Battery and Child Abuse Unit. As an EJC intern, she is hoping to engage with and learn from the various Miami communities that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental injustice. She hopes to make an impact and help further the goals of the movement and clinic.
Ella Duckworth is currently a 2L Environmental Justice Clinic Intern. Ella graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a major in Political Science, minors in Economics and Business Law, and a certificate in Hospitality and Tourism Management. This past summer, Ella was a Law Clerk for Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman where she rotated between various practice groups including municipal land use, eminent domain, real estate, and litigation. Ella has a passion for connecting people with the resources they need to be successful and chose to attend law school to become a better asset to assist those in her community.
Emma Page is a 2L with a concentration in Health Law at Miami Law. Originally from Dayton, Ohio, she received her bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Kentucky in 2021, as well as minors in Biology, Spanish, and Health Communication. Throughout her gap year, she worked for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department's Covid-19 Response Unit. During the summer of 2023, Emma worked for Legal Services of Greater Miami in the Health and Income Maintenance Unit, working to assist community members with government benefits, access to healthcare, disability accommodations, and constitutional rights. Currently, she is a Junior Staff Editor for the Race and Social Justice Law Review and an Intern for the Center for Ethics and Public Service Health Disparities Project.
Elizabeth Giles is a 2L originally from Roanoke, Virginia. Elizabeth earned a B.A. with a focus on political economy from The University of the South in 2022. As a 1L she got involved with the ABA, student bar association, and bar & gavel honor society. During her 1L summer she worked at a boutique private client firm with a focus on trust management and gained experience in transaction and mediation practice areas. Elizabeth is excited to use her professional and legal knowledge to empower and provide resources to help push back against Miami’s industrial effects in the Overtown community.
Jake Auger is a 2L Environmental Justice Clinic Intern. Originally from a small town in New Hampshire, Jake graduated with his BBA in Finance at the University of Kentucky in 2020. At UM Law, he is a Dean’s Merit Scholar and a member of the Trial Team. He has a strong interest in the intersection of property development and government, and how their dynamic shapes our urban landscape. This past summer he worked for the firm of Solomon, Cooperman, Recondo, and Weiss, assisting property development firms and Homeowners Associations with their legal needs. Jake enjoys spending time outdoors in his free time, especially hiking and camping. As an EJC Intern, Jake is excited to support local communities in their efforts to mitigate and rectify negative effects stemming from environmental injustice.
John Dennis was born and raised in South Florida and is a 2L at Miami Law. John earned a B.A. in Geosciences from Hamilton College. During his 1L summer, John was a Research Assistant for Professor Jessica Owley, and was a Student Editor for the Journal of Things We Like Lots (JOTWELL). As a 2L, along with being an EJC Intern, John is a Junior Staff Editor for the International and Comparative Law Review. As an EJC Intern, John seeks to support local communities impacted by environmental injustices by engaging in effective legal research, listening to these community members' needs, and advocating for their right to a safe and healthy environment.
Justin Alexander is a 2L pursuing an honors J.D./LL.M. in Real Property Development. He is from New Port Richey, Florida, and earned a B.S. in Urban Planning and Design from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. While at Rutgers, Justin conducted research on public participation in the planning process, culminating in an honors capstone, and interned for 11 months with his local planning agency in Pasco County, Florida, on food sovereignty and zoning issues. During the summer and fall of 2023, Justin clerked with the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes, drafting numerous regulations, notices, and educational materials. Justin is also a Junior Staff Editor for the University of Miami Race and Social Justice Law Review for its Fourteenth Volume.
Kloee Ciuperger is a 2L who grew up in south Florida. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s in international affairs and a master’s in public administration. She has over 10 years of legislative experience. With a deep love for every corner of the state, she has embraced everything above and underwater. She works with cattle, has sailed the entire Lake Okeechobee waterway from Fort Myers to Stuart, and has dived the Florida Springs, artificial reefs off Florida’s west coast, and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Tract. She is pursuing a JD to expand her career to collaborate with multiple stakeholders across the state to help protect the most precious natural resources on our planet.
Kyra Frank was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2020, she graduated from the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences with bachelor’s in environmental policy with a focus on environmental justice. Between college and law school, she worked as a tutor for two years and provided pro bono standardized test prep to low-income students in New Jersey. Currently, Kyra is a 2L with a concentration in environmental law. She is a Dean’s Fellow for Torts and a member of the 2023-2024 Environmental Law Moot Court team. During the summer of 2023, Kyra interned in the Coral Gables City Attorney’s Office where she drafted legislation, attended City Commission meetings, and participated in code enforcement hearings. As part of EJC, she is excited to use the skills she gained while working in local government to support the fight for housing justice.
Lauryn Holliday was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She graduated from Belmont University, where she double majored and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Motion Pictures and Legal Studies. Currently, Lauryn is a 2L at the University of Miami of Law. She is a Junior Staff Editor for the Inter-American Law Review and a Miami Law Trial Team member. Additionally, she is the Historian for the Black Law Students Association. This summer, Lauryn had the opportunity to intern at Visa, Inc. in their Bay Area headquarters, where she also had the opportunity to spend a few weeks at Morrison & Foerster LLP in their San Francisco office. Lauryn is eager to utilize her legal and professional knowledge to advocate for those impacted by environmental issues.
Thomas Webb is currently a 3L at Miami Law pursuing his J.D. with a concentration in environmental law. He is originally from Hernando County, FL and attended Florida State University where he graduated with his BA in English. Tom also received his MA in English from Kansas State University and is the first in his family to attend college. Prior to law school, Tom had a career in philanthropy as a Grant Writer and Program Manager. During his 1L summer, Tom served as a federal judicial intern in the Southern District of Florida with the Honorable Judge Martinez. Tom spent his 2L summer with the litigation firm RumbergerKirk. In addition to the Environmental Justice Clinic, he is also the Editor-in-Chief of the University of Miami Business Law Review and sits on the executive board as a vice president of the Charles C. Papy Moot Court Board.
2022-2023 INTERNS
Taylor Dias is currently a 3L Environmental Justice Clinic Intern. Taylor graduated from Allegheny College with a double major in Economics and Environmental Studies. While at Allegheny, he conducted research on clothing disposal, meat consumption, and community resilience. Taylor spent the year between college and law school working as an associate at Berkeley Research Group, an international consulting firm, on their global investigations and construction teams. During the summer of 2021, he worked as a legal intern for the United States Attorney’s office in Pittsburgh. This past summer, Taylor was the government affairs legal intern for Robinhood, an American financial services company. Currently, Taylor is a member of the Business Law Review, Business Law Society, and the Environmental Law Society. As an EJC intern, Taylor is eager to support communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustice
Sophia Pastorini is a 2L with a concentration in environmental law. Originally from a small town in North Carolina, she pursued an undergraduate film degree at UM, where she enrolled in documentary courses with a professor that encouraged her to engage with the community and produce local stories. Following college, she moved around from Miami to Chicago to Denver working as a medical research assistant and caregiver before realizing her passion to advocate for animals through the legal system. She now serves as the president of Miami Law’s Student Animal Legal Defense Fund after leading the effort to reactivate the Chapter during her first year of law school. Over her 1L summer, Sophia worked as Animal Equality’s legal advocacy intern. As an EJC intern, she strives to honor the principles of environmental justice in pursuit of a healthier planet for both human and nonhuman animals
Sam Stephens was born and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. In 2019, Sam earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science with a policy concentration from the American University in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, Sam continued his work for the Council of the District of Columbia, where he wrote legislation and advised on policy issues related to rental housing, parks and recreation, transportation, air quality, and executive administration. In addition to the Environmental Justice Clinic at Miami School of Law, Sam is on the executive board of the Environmental Law Society and is a part of the Inter-American Law Review. During his 1L summer, Sam interned for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners where he wrote on how nuclear energy is being discussed by state utilities and regulators as well as how increased electric vehicle infrastructure will affect the work of state energy officials. Following graduation, Sam plans to pursue a career in energy regulatory and infrastructure law.
Jeremy Connel Connell is from Birmingham, Alabama, where he graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Political Science. As a 1L at Miami Law, Jeremy joined the First-Generation Law Association and the Environmental Law Society. During his 1L summer, he served as a HOPE Summer Public Interest Fellow at the Office of the Public Defender of Miami-Dade County. As a 2L, in addition to being an Intern with the Environmental Justice Clinic, he is a Junior Staff Editor for the University of Miami Law Review. Jeremy came to law school to pursue a career in public interest lawyering, and he hopes to use his time working in the EJC to engage in community advocacy and help further the work being done by communities in Miami that are facing environmental justice issues.
Suzanna Friscia is a 2L at Miami Law concentrating in environmental law and pursuing a J.D./M.P.S. joint degree with the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. She graduated from Barnard College with an English major and a dance minor. Before law school, she worked as a journalist for seven years covering art, culture, and environmental issues. During that time, she also earned a Master of Arts from Columbia Journalism School. In the summer of 2022, she interned for the Clerk of Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal, and she is currently a Junior Staff Editor for the University of Miami Law Review.
Robert Keilson was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Robert earned a B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from Boston College in 2015. Before Law School, Robert worked in banking, e-commerce, and as a senior commercial real estate leasing associate in South Florida for CREC and Colliers, International. During his 1L summer, Robert interned at the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Southern District of Florida in their Ft. Lauderdale office. During his 2L spring semester, Robert was a judicial intern for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida for the Honorable Judge Alan Fine in the complex civil litigation division. This past summer, Robert was a Law Clerk for Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli & Pratt, P.A., on their immigration team. Robert is also a Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court board member. Robert is eager to use his professional and legal knowledge to empower local communities and help push back against Miami’s affordable housing and community displacement crisis
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