FIU College of Law

Four FIU Law alumni were part of a historic first! Loune-Djenia Askew (J.D. ’20), Geralda David (J.D. ’13), Frandley Denis Julien (J.D. ’17), and Vladimir St. Louis (J.D. ’13) were among 10 members of the Haitian Lawyers Association (HLA) admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, marking the association's first group admission in its 27-year history. Geralda played a key role in this historic achievement. As HLA president, she helped advance the initiative that brought members together to pursue admission to the nation's highest court. Read more about this milestone: bit.ly/4zoH1DD

Interested in pursuing a career as a paralegal? Discover what FIU Law’s Paralegal Program has to offer at our upcoming virtual information session on November 9 at noon ET! Get a closer look at the program, explore coursework and student resources, and have your questions answered. Reserve your spot today: bit.ly/4iRMkpo

Earlier today, FIU Law’s Federalist Society welcomed Abhishek Kambli, a partner at Holtzman Vogel, for an engaging discussion on the scope of executive power. The organization’s president, Dylan Tulloch, moderated the conversation as Kambli explored legal challenges to executive orders and constitutional questions surrounding presidential authority.

Halloween traditions were in full swing at FIU Law! This year’s Section B kept one of FIU COL’s traditions alive: celebrating “Baker Day” on October 30th. Students dressed in white shirts and wore ties like the Professor does. He explains that his dress habit goes back to his school uniform days at an all-boys Catholic high school. The entering class of 2012 began the celebration, and classes have kept it going ever since. Professor Baker commented, “Sometimes I am not sure if this ritual is to tease me good-naturedly or to make fun of me, but I choose to have fun with it. So, I always bring candy.” The Halloween fun continued across FIU Law, with Professor Norberg’s students taking a legal approach to Halloween through case-inspired costumes, while Professor Hefti’s class got in on the fun by dressing up as Professor Hefti!

FIU Law students got a closer look at the legal profession as the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) welcomed South Florida legal professionals for a conversation about navigating careers in law. The panel brought together perspectives from the judiciary, private practice, and legal services, featuring Judge Jackie Powell of the 17th Judicial Circuit and FIU Law alumni Cherly Lucien (J.D. ’20), Jeremy McLymont (J.D. ’18), and Deidra Rogers (J.D. ’24).

Congratulations to FIU Law alumna Tierra Fulwood (J.D. ’23) on beginning a federal judicial clerkship at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida! Fulwood reflects on her career journey, experience at FIU Law, and shares advice for students interested in pursuing judicial clerkships. Read her story: bit.ly/47OAXs7

Earlier today, FIU Law students came together for the Annual Networking Mixer at the FIU College of Law Atrium. The mixer gave law students an opportunity to connect with one another and members of the legal community while building relationships and strengthening collaboration across student organizations. The afternoon offered another opportunity for students to expand their networks and connect across the law school community.

FIU Law welcomed community health workers, attorneys, and advocates for “Law as a Social Determinant of Health for Community Health Workers,” a program exploring how legal resources can make a real difference in patients’ lives across Miami-Dade County. The program featured FIU Law alumna Natalie Castellanos of Catalyst Miami, who joined a panel on legal interventions for patient health, and FIU Law 3L Renée Sealy of the Florida Health Justice Project, who discussed Medicaid appeals and helping clients navigate the process.

FIU Law alumna Laura Arboleda (J.D. ’22) returned to campus alongside immigration attorneys Hector A. Benitez and David Mancia Orellana for a panel hosted by FIU Law’s Immigration Law Society. Drawing from their professional experiences, the three attorneys brought different perspectives to a conversation about immigration law, the profession, and the work involved in this area of practice.

FIU Law’s Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Society hosted “Dirt to Covenants: Mapping Your Career in Real Estate and Development Law,” bringing together attorneys from real estate, land use and zoning, commercial development, and condominium law. The panel featured FIU Law alumni Luis Arguello (J.D. ’25), David Butter (J.D. ’20), and Devon Espino (J.D. ’21), alongside Margaret Rolando, for a discussion on the evolving real estate market, opportunities across different practice areas, and the many directions a legal career in this field can take.

FIU Law’s Tax Law Society hosted “Inside Tax Law: Careers, Practice & the LLM,” bringing together a panel of attorneys to share career advice and answer students’ questions about the field. Panelists Daniel Ebert, and Alexander Martini (J.D. ’14) discussed career paths in tax law, how students can build professional connections and gain experience during law school, and what to consider before pursuing a tax LL.M.

FIU Law students are already looking ahead to summer internships! At a student-organized panel and Q&A, Professor Ortega, Dean Rosenthal, Professor Stone, and Randee Breiter, director of Career Planning and Placement, shared advice on planning for the summer. The discussion focused on finding opportunities, navigating the internship search, and preparing for the summer ahead, with a special focus on 1Ls.

Twenty years later, the Panther pride is still going strong! FIU Law celebrated the Class of 2006's 20th anniversary with a special evening of football and alumni connections at Pitbull Stadium. The evening kicked off with "The Role of General Counsel," a panel featuring alumni Lucia Pazos (J.D. ’06) and Ernie Wetzler (J.D. ’06), alongside FIU Assistant General Counsel Val Aubourg. The discussion was moderated by David Butter (J.D. ’20). The celebration continued with an alumni and law student networking reception as the Panthers took on Middle Tennessee State. Special thanks to Greenberg Traurig for sponsoring the event!

FIU Law alumnus Adrian Nuñez (J.D. ’07), a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, visited FIU Law’s Law Firm Management class to share his career journey and give students an inside look at how Big Law firms are structured and operate. From firm leadership and practice groups to business strategy, Nuñez discussed how these elements work together and what young lawyers should know as they build their careers.

FIU Law alumni Amber Kornreich (J.D. ’15), Allison Leonard (J.D. ’10), and Maria Papasakelariou (J.D. ’16) returned to campus for “Beyond the Classroom: FIU Law Alumni & the Miami-Dade Bar,” helping students discover new ways to connect with Miami’s legal community! The panelists shared their experiences with the Miami-Dade Bar Association, offered advice on getting involved, and highlighted opportunities for students to start building their professional networks before graduation.

FIU Law’s Women’s Law Society and Criminal Law Society hosted “Breaking the Silence: A Tribute to Dannette’s Voice,” an interactive discussion on domestic violence honoring the memory of FIU Law student Dannette Willory. Moderated by Women’s Law Society president Abigail Foster, the panel featured Assistant State Attorney Hayley Goodman, who participated on behalf of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. Ivonne Sanchez-Ledo Esq. also joined as a panelist. Students actively participated throughout the discussion, asking questions and engaging directly with the speakers.

Get a firsthand look at life at FIU Law! Join us on Tuesday, November 24, from 1–5 p.m. for our Fall Open House. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with students, faculty, and administrators through panel discussions, building tours, mock classes, and more! RSVP today: webforms.fiu.edu/view.php?id…

Congratulations to 3L Ashley Miranda on being named one of three recipients of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Region VIII Scholarship! Ashley was recognized during the HNBA Region VIII Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Unidos Somos Más, in Miami's Little Havana. The event brought together members of Florida's legal community to recognize scholarship recipients, connect with fellow legal professionals, and support the next generation of lawyers.

FIU Law Interim Dean Daniel Z. Epstein connected with students for “The Dean’s Perspective: Understanding the Legal Market,” offering a closer look at today’s legal profession and the opportunities ahead. Dean Epstein shared practical advice on career planning, employer expectations, and interview preparation, helping students better understand how to position themselves for success in their future legal careers.

FIU Law students went behind the scenes of Miami-Dade County government during a field trip to downtown Miami. Students visited the County Attorney's Office, Mayor's Office, and Osvaldo N. Soto Miami-Dade Justice Center, where they toured the courthouse and met with local judges. The experience also included a visit to the Clerk of the Court and Comptroller's Office. Throughout the day, students connected with government officials and legal professionals, including FIU Law alumni Richard Schevis (J.D. ’09), Chris Kokoruda (J.D. ’10), and Brenda Kuhns-Neuman (J.D. ’06), gaining a closer look at careers in public service and the role of attorneys in local government. Special thanks to The Honorable Juan Fernandez-Barquin, Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller; Luis Montaldo, General Counsel to the Miami-Dade County Clerk of the Court and Comptroller; and The Honorable Robert Watson and The Honorable Gina Beovides of the 11th Judicial Circuit. A special thank you also goes to courthouse administrator Annika Holder for organizing and leading the tour.