In my first semester of law school, I received a publication in the FIU College of Law’s Law Journal, accompanied by a special mention from my Constitutional Law professor. I was voted Student Body Vice President of the Law school in my second year, overseeing all the clubs and organizations. The Animal Legal Defense Fund awarded me the Indigenous/Animal Law Scholars Cohort Grant to conduct research into novel areas to explore the interconnection between Tribal and Animal Law. I was also selected to be Student Ambassador of the law school, traveling to speak on its behalf and offering tours.
In my third year, I was selected to serve on the Florida International University Student Conduct Committee as a Graduate student advisor for all cases of conduct at the university. Additionally, I was selected by the faculty of the law school as the head of the Student Hiring Committee, where I led interviews for the new professorial hires to provide student’s perspective in the vetting and hiring process.
I was a Research Assistant under Professor Amber Polk, where we studied the novel area of Toxic Tort Litigation, before I received a special note in her published paper, “TOXIC BATTERY: POLUTION AS A DIGNITARY TORT.” I then spent a year working for the City of Miami Office of the City Attorney, working on land use and planning, general governance, and litigation.
I spent my last year of law school working for non-profit organizations that focus on various areas of interest within the law, and providing victim advocacy and private mediation for those who could not afford it through my work at Transition to Justice. I spent a great deal of time working in the prisons offering legal aid to prisoners and worked with the Animal Legal Defense Fund on a number of projects. I also worked for environmental non-profits, as well as extensive pro bono work with several Native American Tribes.
At graduation, as voted by the professors, I was one of three students from the graduating class to receive the Faculty Recognition Award. Students were chosen by the faculty in recognition of exceptional leadership, service and commitment to the FIU College of Law and the community.
