In the Immigration Clinic students have the primary responsibility for preparing cases from start to finish – from an initial factual investigation through to a final merits hearing in an adversarial setting. (Students do not need to be certified by the Florida Bar as certified legal interns in order to appear in court.)
The Immigration Clinic's classes focus on substantive law, legal ethics, and structured discussions about clinic cases while also developing lawyering skills and case strategy. A critical component of the class is participation in mock and moot exercises aimed at developing core abilities like interviewing, counseling, and courtroom skills.
Successfully Completed 32 Credits
Hear from various Miami Law students as to why representing live clients in the Immigration Clinic was one of their most fulfilling law school experiences, and why through the clinic in particular:
Sandra Lackmann's Experience with the Immigration Clinic
Alejandra Gonzales' Experience with the Immigration Clinic
Benjamin Brooks' Experience with the Immigration Clinic
Amelia Anderson's Experience with the Immigration Clinic
Kelsey McGonigle's Experience with the Immigration Clinic
2Ls Talk about their hands-on experiences at detention centers and in the courtroom
Jacob Batt is a rising 3L student in the joint JD/LL.M. program. Born and raised in South Florida, he graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Before law school, Jacob worked at a boutique law firm where he gained transactional skills, He continued his interest during his 2L summer with Sony Music Entertainment. With the Clinic, Jacob is working on client cases involving cancellation of removal, relief under the Convention Against Torture, and other forms of relief. Jaya Peruvemba is a rising 2L from Los Angeles, California. Prior to law school, she interned at Alston & Bird LLP in their environmental regulations department, where she drafted contracts, conducted legal research on environmental regulations related to real estate, and participated in client communications. As part of the Immigration Clinic, she is focused on gaining hands-on experience in removal defense and advocating for clients facing detention and deportation. Victor Alvarado is a rising 3L born in Maracay, Venezuela, and raised in Miami, Florida. Prior to law school, he was actively involved in social advocacy, including his significant efforts with Equality Florida to challenge discriminatory legislation and support the Equality Act. He is a Miami Public Interest Scholar and was part of the Human Rights Clinic in the Sports, Masculinity, and Ending Gender-Based Violence team and the Venezuela and Human Rights team. The Sports and Masculinity team's report on child safeguarding in sports was cited recently in a Human Rights Watch article. At the Immigration Clinic, Victor is working on a removal case for a client seeking cancellation of removal and application for a Convention Against Torture asylum case. Yorciana Lasprilla is a rising 3L born and raised in Queens, New York. As an undergraduate, she interned at the U.S. Department of Justice, a Trade Office of the Spanish Embassy, and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. At Miami Law, she returned to the DOJ with the U.S. Marshals Service Office of General Counsel. As a 2L, she interned with in-house counsel at The SWATCH Group U.S. She is a HOPE Miami Public Interest Scholar. Inspired by her family’s immigration story, Yorciana is passionate about advocating for immigrants and hopes to make a meaningful impact through the Immigration Clinic. Caleigh Musto is a rising 3L law student. She is currently working on cases involving waivers of inadmissibility, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and constitutional claims arising from unlawful detention. Caleigh has prior experience in legal research, client advocacy, and case development at Maryland Legal Aid. She holds a B.A. in International Relations from Boston University, where she also studied French. Caleigh is committed to advancing justice for underserved communities.
Tawny Weeks is a rising 3L student from Gainesville, Florida. Tawny earned her earned her Bachelors in Political Science and Criminology from the University of Florida. During her undergraduate studies, she was a legal intern in the Domestic Violence Unit at the State Attorney's Office for the Eighth Judicial Circuit and an investigative intern for the Legal Aid Society in New York City. Last summer, she interned for Law Offices of Paul D. Petruzzi, a boutique criminal defense law firm in Miami. Last semester, she interned in the Guardianship Division of Dade Legal Aid. Tawny is continuing her work aiding those caught up in the legal system this summer with the Immigration Clinic by representing clients in immigration matters. She additionally has performed intake for individuals at the Krome Detention Center and the Baker County Detention Center.
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