St. Thomas Law Students Experience a Life-Changing Week at the Karnes Family Detention Center in Texas

St. Thomas Law continues to provide unique, transformational experiences for its students outside of the classroom.  During the week of December 12, 2016, after final exams were over and before graduation, a team of fifteen  first, second and third-year St. Thomas Law students, under the guidance of Professor Lauren Gilbert, spent a week volunteering at the Karnes Family Detention Center, in Karnes, Texas, securing the release of (mostly) Central American mothers and children who had been detained by Homeland Security after seeking refugee status in the United States.

The St. Thomas Law team included Belkys Yzquierdo, Yohania Santana, Lory Toledo, Professor Gilbert, Carolina Andrade, Sophia Carballosa, David Cruz, Ashley Emeric, Manon Ferdani, Jackie Gadea, Leydis Gomez, Renzo Iparraguirre, Yailiana Leyva, Veronique Malebranche, Darcy Ruiz, Diego Sanchez, and Milagros Zepeda. 

The majority of the women and children at the Karnes Detention Center, which is located about an hour southeast of San Antonio, fled their countries because their governments are unable to protect them from horrific gang-based and/or domestic violence. The Karnes Pro Bono Project was coordinated by St. Thomas Law's Public Interest Law Society (PILS) vice-presidents Belkys Yzquierdo and Yohania Santana, who together with Professor Lauren Gilbert, recruited, trained, and organized the group prior to and during their week in Texas.  While at Karnes, the students were supervised by Andrea Meza, a law fellow at the non-profit agency, RAICES, who oversees the volunteer program at Karnes. The team was also joined by Lory Toledo, a trauma specialist at the Trauma Resolution Center in Miami, who provided services to the women and children in detention as well as support for the students. 

The first day, Andrea Meza provided a brief orientation, after which the team was separated into groups of two or three. Most of the team members prepared women and children for their credible fear interviews (CFIs) before an asylum officer. Detainees must pass their CFI in order to obtain release and seek asylum, or refugee status, in the United States. If they fail their CFIs, they have one last chance to convince an immigration judge (IJ) at an IJ Review. 

Students listened to the women’s experiences, and helped them organize their stories so that they could convince the asylum officer that they had a “credible fear” of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Over the next few days, in addition to CFI preparation, several students helped women prepare personal declarations for their IJ Reviews, and most of the students were able to first observe and then do their own “release charlas” (or talks) for women who were being released from detention. 

Two teams of students, Yohania Santana and Belkys Yzquierdo, and David Cruz, Renzo Iparraguirre, and Veronique Malebranche, spent that first day preparing two Salvadoran women and their children, for their IJ Review the next day. These women had failed their CFIs the previous week. If the IJ affirmed the Asylum Officer’s decision, they would be deported. If he vacated the Officer’s decision, they would be released. 

On Tuesday, December 17, the teams successfully represented their Salvadoran clients before Judge Santander, who vacated, or overturned, the Asylum Officer’s negative decision. Judge Santander, who met with the teams afterwards, and with another group of students on Thursday, spoke highly of their performance and of the St. Thomas Law students in general. Students described their conversation with Judge Santander as one of the high points of their trip. Judge Santander followed up with an email to Professor Gilbert:

I spoke with a few of your students yesterday and I must tell you that I was very impressed with them.  They are bright and enthusiastic and it was absolutely my pleasure to have them in my courtroom. 

Please do consider sending more teams.  The individuals who are detained could always use the help and it helps the students jump in and practice law.  I even asked questions of them to see how they would handle it.  They did not panic and calmly and professionally answered my questions.  I wish you could have seen it, you would have been extremely proud. 

What you are doing is such a great opportunity for them to learn and I am honored to be a part of it. 

Daniel J. Santander

U.S. Immigration Judge

Other highlights of the week included Leydis Gomez demonstrating her proficiency in Portuguese in helping Brazilian asylum seekers and Veronique Malebranche, who is from Haiti and fluent in Creole, helping some of the Haitian detainees and also, demonstrating proficiency in Spanish during the release charlas!  RAICES has been limited in its capacity to serve Haitian detainees, so they were delighted to have Veronique as part of their team that week. They asked her to meet on Thursday in San Antonio with another Haitian woman at Casa RAICES, the transit shelter for women and children.   Another highlight was a group release charla held in one of the courtrooms.   When the legal assistant, Jill, was unable to operate the speaker phone Darcy Ruiz played the role of the phone operator, sending the women into peals of laughter that resulted in the bailiff in the next courtroom telling us to quiet down. Visitors are prohibited from carrying cell phones or cameras into the center, so the team could not capture on film what they experienced inside, but they described their experiences as "unforgettable."

After the team returned safely to South Florida, several students learned that women they had assisted with their IJ Declarations had been successful in their IJ Reviews and were being released.  Ashley Emeric and Diego Sanchez, who worked on an Immigration Judge declaration in its entirety on behalf of a Salvadoran woman and her son, Noel, learned that the  judge had vacated the Asylum Officer’s negative CFI in time for Christmas.  Another team, Milagros Zepeda and Jackie Gadea, uncovered a high-profile case involving a former police officer who fled her country after being wrongly implicated in the murder of a top government official.  The woman had been unwilling to talk to the RAICES team, but after she failed her interview with the Asylum Officer, she met with Milagros and Jackie, to whom she told her story.  They drafted a declaration for her IJ Review, and the Judge vacated the following week. 

The team saw many of the women and children they had helped being released from detention.  In addition to helping them with their cases, they also spent slower periods during the day helping them fill out forms and making them Christmas cards.  Andrea Meza from RAICES sent this email to the group in the week after Christmas: 

Hi!  I just wanted to say thank y’all so much for everything and for making those Christmas cards.  We had some left over, and I just met with a woman who fled horrific domestic violence that started when she was a teenager.  She turned 43 today, and you can tell that the DV has really affected her.  Since it was her birthday, I gave her a few of the cards and read them to her.  She has the most beautiful aquamarine eyes (yes, they are really aquamarine!), and for the first time they lit up and she smiled as I read your messages.  Thank you!

It would not be an exaggeration to say that for everyone, this was a life-changing experience.  Most of the women and children the team helped were released from detention in time for the Christmas holidays.  First-year law students who had just completed their first final exams, witnessed the good they could do with their law degrees.  Upper level students put skills they had learned in the classroom or in law offices to good use in the field.  The project coordinators saw all their efforts to ensure that the week was a success brought to fruition, and the St. Thomas Law students who spent the week at Karnes not only proved that they all will make great lawyers, but fulfilled our Catholic mission many times over.  

St. Thomas Law Alumna Appointed to Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court

St. Thomas Law proudly announces the appointment of alumna, Victoria del Pino to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court. The appointment was announced by Governor Rick Scott on Thursday, December 15.

"I am honored and humbled by the news that Governor Rick Scott elevated me to Circuit Court," stated Judge del Pino.

Judge del Pino, of Coral Gables, has served on the Miami-Dade County Court since 2007. In June 2016, she was sworn in as Secretary of the Florida Conference of County Judges.

Del Pino began her career as an Assistant Public Defender in Monroe County, Florida, after which she worked as a family and criminal law attorney from 2000 until her judicial election in 2006. She was also a Traffic Magistrate/Hearing Officer in Miami-Dade County from 2004 to 2006.

Del Pino received her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. She was admitted to the bar in 2000.

Alumna Cassandra Jeffries Named Partner at Kelley Kronenberg

Cassandra Jeffries

St.Thomas Law is proud to announce that 2004 graduate Cassandra Jeffries has been named the newest partner at the South Florida office of Kelley Kronenberg Attorneys at Law.

Ms. Jeffries has years of experience representing insurance companies in First Party and Third Party matters. Prior to joining Kelley Kronenberg, she was a litigation attorney in Boca Raton representing financial institutions in contested foreclosure matters focusing on trials, depositions, and evidentiary hearings.

She has conducted depositions of party-opponents, medical providers and witnesses along with defending individual and corporate clients during depositions.

While earning her law degree, she served as a Research Assistant as well as a Legal Intern for the Honorable Stephen T. Brown, Southern District of Florida.   She also served as the Senior Articles Editor on the Board of Editors of the Law Review and was a member of the Moot Court team.

We salute Cassandra as she continues to forge new paths in her professional career while embodying the spirit of success fostered at St. Thomas Law.

Third-year Law Student Shares Experiences from United Nations Internship in New York

St. Thomas Law prides itself on the quality of experiential learning opportunities afforded to our students. Our clinical and externship programs are geared towards allowing our law students to serve the public, explore career possibilities in various areas of legal practice, gain first-hand insight into the strategic and ethical dimensions of the profession, and acquire valuable legal skills in a supportive educational environment. One of our most transformative programs is the Pax Romana United Nations Internship which aims to form global legal leaders by instilling in students the knowledge of multilateral international organizations, the importance of globalizing international relations, and a desire to use law to assist the world's most vulnerable.

Third-year student law student, Nabil Abu Nahlah, is currently in this New York-based internship and has begun to share his experiences. Below is a snapshot of his time so far.

 PAX ROMANA: THE FIRST TWO WEEKS

By: Nabil Abu Nahlah 

My first few weeks as a Saint Thomas University School of Law Intern with the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta (“Order of Malta”) Permanent Mission at the United Nations (“UN”) at the UN Headquarters in New York was an extraordinary experience. Being introduced the first day to the UN halls and conference rooms, you are then directed to attend meetings and conferences on behalf of the Mission. For instance, as I am writing this article the President of Yemen is speaking in front of me at the 71st General Assembly, next to me is the Australian Foreign Minister who leans over to me every now and then and asks me questions regarding the next speakers.

It is the most exciting time of my life, I have met President Barack Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, Amal Clooney, George Clooney, Forest Whitaker, and numerous presidents, prime ministers and UN ambassadors including the Prime Minister of Bangladesh H.E. Sheikha Hasina, with whom I had a long and stimulating conversation at the Vienna Café in the UN building. This Internship at the UN has already allowed me to make high level contact with more than 30 countries and UN officials all holding prestigious positions. Please keep in mind that this is the very beginning of my UN Internship.

The 71st General Assembly of the UN is focused on Refugees and Migrants, it was the first time the General Assembly had called for a Summit with the Heads of State concerning large movements of refugees and migrants and was a historic opportunity to come up with a blueprint for a better international response to the ongoing humanitarian refugee crisis. The Summit was a watershed moment to strengthen governance of international migration and a unique opportunity for creating a more responsible, predictable system for responding to large movements of refugees and migrants. Given my interest in being an International Human Rights lawyer, this Summit is the pinnacle of my studies and will provide the opportunity to learn from international scholars and international leaders worldwide. This is the most unique and transformative experience of many in my lifetime. It also provides the opportunity to network at an international level, an opportunity that is impossible to replicate anywhere else in the World. Because of this exceptional opportunity and the guidance of Professor Mark J. Wolff, I believe that my professional future development is very bright and heading in the right direction.

Left to right: H.E. Ambassador Daniele Verga;  H.E. Ambassador and Permanent Observer Oscar R. De Rojas; H.E. Ambassador and Permanent Observer Ms. Rory McCarthy; H.E. Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel Grand Hospitaller;  H.E. Ambassador Stefano Ronca-Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs; 3L Nabil Abu Nahlah 

H.E. Sheikha Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh with Mr. Nabil Abu Nahlah 

Mr. Forest Whitaker-Actor and Activist and Mr. Nabil Abu Nahlah 

The Venezuelan Ambassador to the United Nations: H.E. Rafael Ramirez Carreño

Professor Patricia Moore's Article Ranked Top Ten All-Time for Downloads on SSRN

Professor Patricia Moore

Professor Patricia Moore's 2010 paper "The Tao of Pleading: Do Twombly and IQBAL Matter Empirically?", was recently listed on SSRN's (Social Science research Network) all-time, top ten download lists for the topic of Procedural Issues and sub-topic of Procedure (Private Law - Discrimination).

This is not the first time Professor Moore's articles has reached the SSRN  top ten list. Her article, The Anti-Plaintiff Pending Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Pro-Defendant Composition of the Federal Rulemaking Committees was listed on the SSRN Top Ten download list in ten separate categories.

Professor Moore has also been called on by journalists and editors from national publications for her expertise. Her scholarship on civil procedure is evidence of her important and ever-increasing public impact in the field.

She teaches Civil Procedure, Evidence, Pre-Trial Litigation, and Complex Litigation. Her major publications have been cited in dozens of judicial opinions and she has testified before US Congress on matters involving civil litigation; in particular, class action cases.

Human Trafficking Academy Hosts Human Rights Workshop for Middle School Students

On October 14, 2016,  26 seventh and eighth grade students from  H.I.V.E. Preparatory School visited St. Thomas Law.  Hosted by the Human Trafficking Academy & the LL.M./J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights the goal of the visit was to have the middle school students learn about universal human rights, the protections of human rights and freedoms in domestic and international law.

Professor Pati Shares her expertise with the students

The students engaged in a lively discussion with Professor Roza Pati on the universality of human rights and the importance of human rights education. LL.M. students Pryscilla Nicolau, Tiffany Caldwell, and Ty’jah Hill led small group activities and discussions about various current issues on human rights including children’s rights, human trafficking of children, and the child refugee crisis in Syria. 

St. Thomas Law LL.M. students led educational group activities 

Coordinated by Ms. Karla Garcia, Executive Assistant of the Human Trafficking Academy, students had the opportunity to tour the law school campus and visit different departments such as the Office for Career Development, Immigration Clinic, and the LL.M./J.S.D. Program. 

These students are part of a special legal-oriented program at H.I.V.E. and their visit to St. Thomas aimed at encouraging their interest in the legal profession and human rights advocacy.  

St. Thomas University School of Law is a law school committed to human rights and social justice—committed to teaching, training, and empowering the next generation of human rights advocates and decision makers through our globally unique LL.M. Program; and, committed to original research in the field through our J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights. Through programs like our Human Trafficking Academy, we address the cutting edge of global issues of concern and train students to solve these problems responsibly.

Professor Roza Pati Presents at International Conference on Human Rights

Professor Roza Pati

Professor Roza Pati recently presented at an international conference on Human Rights in the 21st Century, organized by the University of Saskatchewan School of Law, in Canada. Her presentation was titled Slavery Then and Now: An Eternal Human Rights Problem.

The conference, held from September 29 - October 1, 2016, brought together internationally prominent speakers, educators and human rights advocates to discuss and share theories and solutions to global human tights issues.

Professor Pati shared the panel with Professor Paul Finkelman, Ariel F. Sallows Chair of Human Rights at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan and Professor Raymond T. Diamond, Associate Dean and Professor of Law, Louisiana State University.

Other panelists at the conference included Alan Dershowitz of Harvard Law School, Bunji Sawanobori, Dean of the Law School, Nanzan University, Japan, The Honorable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. John Young, President and CEO, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Professor Pati teaches International Law, Human Rights Law and Human Trafficking Law. She is a former Member of Parliament and a Cabinet Member serving as the Secretary of State for Youth and Women of Albania, Dr. Pati has a rich experience in public service and academia. In August 2012, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Professor Pati to be a Member of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, at the Vatican. She is the only Council member representing the United States.

St. Thomas Law Student Secures Prestigious White House Internship

Ricky Marc

This past Spring, third-year St. Thomas Law student, Ricky Marc, began a once-in-a-lifetime experience having been accepted into the prestigious White House Internship program.

White House internships provide a unique opportunity for students to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills.

The selection process is highly competitive and Ricky was one of only two South Floridian law students selected. Selection as a White House Intern is based on commitment to public service, demonstrated leadership in the community, and a commitment to the mission of the Obama Administration.

As an intern, Ricky became a part of the White House team, with  daily assignments including conducting research, managing incoming inquiries, attending meetings, writing memos, and staffing events.

Interns work in one of several White House departments, including the Domestic Policy Council, the National Economic Council, the Office of Cabinet Affairs, the Office of Communications, the Office of Digital Strategy, the Office of the First Lady, the Office of the Vice President, the Office of the White House Counsel, among others.

We were excited to get the following insight from Ricky following his experience:

What drew you to the White House internship program?

Just the thought of being able to say that I not only served in the Obama Administration, but more importantly my country and its people during such a critical time in American history was enough to draw me to the White House Internship Program. The application process was quite simple, actually: I went to the White House's website and filled out the application form! 

What did you hope to get out of the experience?

There isn't much time left before the next administration takes the reins, but there remains so much left to be done to help the American public. I want to continue to grow as a human being and as a public servant, and to make lifelong connections with some good people while I am here. Most importantly, I want to continue to develop the public service bug within me, as I know that my role within my community back home will change forever because of this experience.

What and where were your key assignments?

Since I started my internship in the Office of Public Engagement, I've worked on various projects, like events during Black History Month, outreach to the Asian American Pacific Islanders community, and even Veterans issues from time to time. I help wherever I am needed because it feels good to be able to help the machine run well. My policy is that I am here to help in any way that I can, and it gives me great joy to be able to do that while working with everyone here.

What was your first day like?  What is a typical day like?

In many ways, my first day was very much of a blur. Our second day was the State of the Union, so the first day was a whirlwind of activity throughout the White House. With everyone getting ready for the speech, time just flew by. It was a numbing feeling, realizing where I was after all of the waiting and work leading up to this.

A typical day involved arriving at the office in the morning and checking in with a few staffers on the day's events. I would print out my schedule, attach it to my clipboard, and review what needs to be done for the day. On occasion, there was an event somewhere on the premises that interns helped to manage. Due to the changing nature of events and the likelihood of unexpected developments, roles never turned out to be exactly what they were on paper. That's the exciting part of those events. Afterwards, it was mostly checking in with staffers and making sure projects that I was assigned were done by deadline.

What was the high point of the internship?

That's an easy one. The whole internship was an emotional high for me. It's where I've always wanted to be since I was a six-year old watching President Bill Clinton debate Senator Bob Dole on television during the 1996 election season, so you could imagine how glazed-over my eyes must have been approaching the iconic building for the first time. President Barack Obama is the only public figure I have ever been star-struck by.

Do you want to have a career in public service or as an elected official? If not, what are your career aspirations?

Absolutely. A career in public service as an elected official has always been something I've been drawn to do. It is something I often dream about. My home state of Florida needs someone that speaks on behalf of a new generation. I attribute this desire to the experiences I've gained here as well as my time working with Florida State Representative Bobby Powell during (and after) my undergraduate years. I look forward to the opportunity to represent my family, neighborhood, community, city, county, state, and country in elected office.

It would be an honor to be an active part of the governing process someday; but first, I need to finish my legal education. I plan on returning to St. Thomas University in fall 2016 to continue my studies and to finish my J.D./M.B.A. in Sports Administration. I look forward to one day becoming either a sports agent or a league executive in the National Basketball Association. The idea of being a professional franchise's general counsel excites me, as it would bring together two of my loves (the law and sports). Entertainment and Sports Law essentially creates an umbrella of varying practices, such as business law, immigration law, corporate law, some tax law, and various other concentrations I have a strong interest in.

But I need to pass the Florida Bar first. Once I do that, I will be able to fulfill my desire to serve as an advocate for those that cannot speak for themselves in the legal system. This is also why I hope to represent my community's voice in elected office in the years to come. It's my hope that my work here in Washington, D.C. makes my family, my community, and my school proud.

How has your time at St. Thomas Law prepared you for this experience?

In addition to the unconditional love and support of my mother, father, siblings, and extended family, this transition to Washington D.C. wouldn't have been possible without the help, wisdom, and guidance of some good people down there along the way - Deans Alfredo Garcia, Cecile Dykas, and John Hernandez, Andres Marrero, Jiovanna Bryant, Delores Hollis-Hall, and Rudy Jacir, just to name a few. There is no doubt that my education and overall experiences at St. Thomas University have helped me out big time while I was at the White House. They, along with many others throughout this experience, have truly been invaluable.

Being a student at St. Thomas Law has helped me become a much more analytical and objective thinker in all aspects of my life, making certain tasks here at work a lot easier than they otherwise would have been. As someone that has taken courses taught by world-class professors such as Jennifer Martin, John and June-Mary Makdisi, Tamara Lawson, Nadia Soree, and Barbara Singer, I feel like I can take on the world. I am thankful to have had these professors thus far.

Being on the executive board of multiple on-campus organizations since my first year (such as the Student Bar Association, Entertainment and Sports Law Society, Jewish Law Students Association, and the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity) made it possible for me to easily transfer those acquired to skills to the various events and projects I faced as an intern at The White House.

The St. Thomas Law community is proud of the drive and determination displayed by Ricky in securing this opportunity.

St. Thomas Law Student Selected for KMMF Summer Fellowship and Scholarship

Daniel Joseph (2L)

St. Thomas Law extends our congratulations to second-year law student, Daniel Joseph.  Daniel has been accepted into the Kozyak Minority Mentoring Foundation (KMMF) Summer Fellowship - a first for a St. Thomas Law student. The KMMF provides summer fellowships to academically and professionally driven first or second year law students.

The Fellowship Committee's selection criteria includes evidence of performance indicative of likely future success in the field of law. The Fellowship Committee considers, among other things, academic excellence, financial need, commitment to community service, commitment to diversity, and leadership skills.

Daniel was elected as a 1L Student Governor for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, where he assisted in furthering the goals of the Florida Bar. He is a candidate for the St. Thomas Law Review and has made the Dean's List each semester while at St. Thomas Law. He also serves as Treasurer for the Black Law Student Association.

"It is an honor to be recognized by such an established and respectable organization for the hard work and diligence I exhibited," stated Daniel upon learning of his selection. "This is an immeasurable opportunity for law students to network with practitioners and judges."

Daniel's passions include mentoring and motivating young people. He considers it an honor to serve as a mentor in the Honorable Peter Palermo Program, which is a community partnership that involves regular visits by St. Thomas Law students to the Law Magnet Program at Miami Carol City Senior High School. Daniel and his classmates teach topics ranging from Constitutional Law to U.S. Government and History. This past summer, Daniel interned with the Honorable Alan Forst at the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal. 

Daniel is a dedicated father of two, and resides in Palm Beach County.

St. Thomas Law Alumnus, Jorge Fors, Wins $10.4 Million Dollar Verdict on Behalf of Miami Business Owner

Jorge Fors Jr. '11

On September 16, 2016 a verdict six years in the making was delivered in the case involving the alleged breach of business agreements and resulting damages. St. Thomas Law graduate Jorge Fors, Jr., from the firm Fors Attorneys at Law in Coral Gables, represented the plaintiff.

The case, which was filed in June of 2010, involved the plaintiff, a Doral-based business owner, who claimed that his former business partners strategically worked to destroy his company by withholding payments, creating their own company that mirrored his, and attempting to destroy his business relationships.

After a three-week trial and four hours of deliberation,  the jury awarded the plaintiff approximately $10.4 million.

While a student at St. Thomas Law, Jorge was a a judicial intern for Supreme Court Justice Peggy Quince as well a research assistant for Professor Jennifer Martin. He was also a member of the Student Bar Association, Moot Court Team, Mock Trial Team, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Rosemary Barkett Appellate Inn of Court.  

Fors Attorneys at Law is a civil litigation law firm, concentrating on commercial and business litigation, personal injury, products liability, and negligence defense.

St. Thomas Law Graduate Earns Top Score on Florida Bar Exam

Jaime Lapidus at the Florida Supreme Court

St. Thomas Law salutes alumnus, Jaime Lapidus '16, who received one of the state's highest passing scores on the most recent sitting of the Florida Bar Exam. Jaime's scores placed him among the top of more than 2,400 law school graduates who sat for the exam in July.

Earning the top score earned Jaime a coveted invitation from Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Jorge Labraga, to speak during the induction ceremony of new attorneys in the chambers of the Florida Supreme Court.

"It was truly an honor to represent my school and my peers at the Florida Supreme Court's Induction Ceremony," said Jaime. "I say this because although I gave a speech, none of the success I had on the exam would have been possible had it not been for the help and support system my St.Thomas Law family provided me."

Jaime Lapidus '16 delivers his remarks at the induction 

ceremony for new attorneys at the Florida Supreme Court.

During his remarks before the audience of family and justices, he spoke of being speechless upon receiving his invitation to the Supreme Court.  He also shared his motivation to practice law which was to ultimately give voice to the voiceless, and noted that he views the practice of law in terms of patriotism and service. He is now an Assistant Public Defender in the Office of the Public Defender in Palm Beach County.

"We are proud of Jaime’s unique accomplishment," stated Dean Alfredo Garcia. "He exemplifies St. Thomas Law's dedication to student success at the highest level."

St. Thomas University School of Law continues to train and graduate lawyers capable of applying legal principles to address and solve problems, while maintaining a genuine dedication to scholarship and service. 

You may view Jaime's speech in its entirety here.  His remarks begin at approximately the 30:00 minute mark.

St. Thomas Law Student Named Recipient of American Bar Association Scholarship

D'Bria Bradshaw

Second-year law student, D'Bria Bradshaw, was recently selected as a recipient of the 2016 ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries Meeting Scholarship.

The scholarship was awarded based on, among other requirements, demonstrated involvement and interest in entertainment and sports. With this scholarship, she has been given the opportunity to be a Student Reporter for the upcoming forum covering two panels, and will be published in the ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries Journal "The Entertainment and Sports Lawyer" which will come out in January 2017.

"I'm blessed to have the opportunity to attend this conference with the top entertainment and sports attorneys in the world and honored to represent St. Thomas University," stated D'Bria. "This is not only a great opportunity for myself but for the school because we will be recognized as an institution that is a leader in the entertainment and sports industries."


Attending this conference will also allow her to build relationships with professionals and fellow law students.

D'Bria is Vice-President of Sports for the St. Thomas Law chapter of the Entertainment & Sports Law Society and serves on the ABA Forum on Entertainment and Sports Industries law student caucus leadership subcommittee; which consists of about 12 law students from across the country who are interested in entertainment and sports. The caucus also develops content and opportunities aimed at fellow law students who would like to thrive in this industry. These students work hand-in-hand with the forum's leadership group.

St. Thomas Human Rights Institute - Helping Asylum Seekers and Refugees Prepare for Court

A 29-year-old Cuban immigrant man suffering from early-onset Parkinson’s was on the brink of ending his life when he walked into STU’s Human Rights Institute. He had lost his job because of symptoms related to his disease, and was living in his car. He hit rock bottom when the car’s tires blew out and the car was towed.

“He walked into our office with two pieces of paper – one with the address of his parents, who live in Cuba, and a letter, essentially his suicide letter. He came to us in this moment of desperation because the institute was all he had,” said Christine Reis, a lawyer and director of St. Thomas University's Human Rights Institute.

Within hours, the paralegal working his case had her husband buy him new tires, get his car out of the towing yard, and colleagues helped her raise money for him. Within days the institute found him a place to live – special housing for people with his condition – and worked with Jackson Memorial Hospital to get him the attention and medications he needed to lead a better life. And within six months, he was on his way to becoming a citizen, and most importantly, he was a completely different, happier person.

“The office [Human Rights Institute] is a great example of what STU is – a family always willing to help one another and others,” Reis said.

Since its inception in 1992, STU’s Human Trafficking Institute has been helping people who have refugee or asylum status become permanent residents, as well as guiding them through complicated legal processes. Over the years, the institute has seen several cases like the one mentioned above ranging from people in the final stages of cancer, to those with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We deal with so many individuals all with a unique, sometimes heart-wrenching story to tell, and we do our best to help them in any way we can,” said Reis. “Our ultimate goal is for these individuals (and sometimes families) to acclimate and become United States citizens with all of its rights and privileges.”

There are similar organizations in South Florida, but STU’s Human Rights Institute is the only one that offers its services completely free of charge – there are no hidden fees or additional charges. And if other services are needed – psychological, special needs, housing – the institute has strong professional relationships with other service providers in the community, and helps guide individuals in the right direction.

“The institute takes care of the legal aspects of their situation, but it has tentacles that reach out to different services,” said Reis.

With offices located in Miami, Broward and West Palm Beach, the institute helps about 200 people a month, and Reis says, she hopes to continue to carry out the institute’s mission for many years to come.

Student Spotlight: Disabled Law Student Dedicates Himself to the Service of Others

Antonio Dowels

Over the course of his life, St. Thomas Law student Antonio "Tony" Dowels has had to face adversity straight in the eye.  Nine years ago, as a high-school senior,  a life-changing, near-death experience left him confined to a wheelchair, but also gave him renewed determination to continue his selfless focus on service to others that had been a part of his upbringing ever since he was only five years old  attending church with his mother and grandmother.

After graduating from high school, Tony attended the University of Florida where he earned his degree in sports management. Upon earning that degree,  he made the decision to not only pursue his law degree, but to simultaneously pursue his Masters degree in Sports Administration in one of St. Thomas Law's joint-degree programs.

His initial career goal was to be a sports agent but, as his studies progressed, he rediscovered his passion for service. With that in mind, he met with his law school career counselor, Robert Jack, in pursuit of internships and pro bono opportunities in public service. As a law student, time is at a premium, yet Tony made the decision to add 'avid volunteer' to his list of titles.

"Antonio is a law student who serves others without expecting recognition or anything in return," noted Jack. "He plans, coordinates and often brings other students in carpools to volunteering events throughout the year. His enthusiasm for pro bono service is contagious and he is a notable example of St. Thomas Law’s commitment to pro bono and public service."

Antonio shown in packing session at Feed My Staving Children
(Photo Courtesy of fmsc.com)

For two weeks just prior to the end of last semester, Tony joined the team of volunteers at Feed My Starving Children - an organization that sends hand-pack meals, specially formulated for malnourished children, to partners around the world where they are used to operate orphanages, schools, clinics and feeding programs.

Additionally, two afternoons per week, he can be found at His House Children's Home. His House offers a home to abused, abandoned and neglected children in South Florida. For two hours, he tutors the children in math, reading and science. Through this service, he has now discovered a new affinity for teaching.  Tony described the interactions with these children as "real" and "honest."

"My wheelchair became an icebreaker," stated Tony.  "The children are fascinated with all the lights on the wheels."

Tony was so moved by the experience at His House that he went one step further and began to assist in the organization's fundraising efforts with support from the St. Thomas law family. All the funds raised went towards the operation of the home.

This past summer, while completing courses for the MBA portion of his joint degree, Tony began interning with a non-profit start up in Miami. The project, simply named Miami Funding Corporation, is being developed to aid students who are struggling with the burden of student loans. The project is allowing Tony to further develop his fundraising and grant-writing skills for the important, and often overlooked, issue of student debt.

We proudly highlight these selfless efforts by Antonio and other students who continue to embody the spirit and mission of St. Thomas Law.

Alumni Spotlight: Another St. Thomas Law Alum Makes Partner

Julie Harris Nelson '94

St. Thomas Law congratulates alum Julie Harris Nelson who was recently named partner in the South Florida office of Roig Lawyers.

Mrs. Harris Nelson began her legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County under Katherine Fernandez Rundle. She later began practicing insurance defense with an emphasis on premises liability and bodily injury.

While attending St. Thomas Law she was a member of Black Law Students Association, the Catholic Lawyers Guild, the Appellate Moot Court and Trial Court Teams, and the Peter Faye Inns of Court.

She served as summer federal law clerk to the Honorable William Hoeveler in 1992.  In 1993 and 1994 she served as a law clerk for the City of Miami Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Roig Lawyers is a minority owned, multi-practice Florida litigation firm with a growing presence in the Florida legal market. They currently have over 100 attorneys in six offices throughout the state.

St. Thomas Law Wraps up Summer 2016 with Human Trafficking Academy

On August 1, 2016 over  95 advocates, students, and academics arrived at St. Thomas Law's for the week-long Human Trafficking Academy. The academy, presented by the law school's LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, offered 17 intensive and interactive courses, taught by top-level experts and practitioners with long-time experience in working in the field of anti-trafficking.


Founded and directed by Professor Roza Pati in 2011, the academy also focuses on education, research, and outreach. It has affected law, policy and practice in combating human trafficking nationally and internationally. Through its education prong, it has certified over 450 professionals of various disciplines: attorneys, public defenders, prosecutors, judges, law enforcement, social service providers, child protection investigators, health care providers, academics, students, faith-based organizations, and also human trafficking survivors. 

St. Thomas Law's 2016 Human Trafficking Academy

In its outreach function, it has developed relationships with and coached over 7000 individuals locally, nationally and internationally, within the private and public sector. While the research component successfully overseas and supports the development and implementation of relevent publications, doctoral and master’s theses, symposia, seminars and conferences.

Attendees also benefited from the opportunity to share and discuss aspects of their own work experience in combating human trafficking. 

TESTIMONIALS FROM ATTENDEES:

“The training materials and expert speakers are priceless.

 “I have to say that in this course, I have been pleasantly surprised how good and engaging all the instructors were. I have never had that experience before! Bravo!!”

"The atmosphere allowed great exchange of resources between all the different organizations, lawyers, law enforcement, advocates and good Samaritans. I benefited greatly and will be able to use the tools in our organization and local community in Texas.”

“I will highly recommend it to my friends and colleagues working or not working in the field,” 

“This Academy has been a God-send!”

"We, at St. Thomas Law’s LL.M./ J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights are humbled and honored by such appreciation,” stated academy director, Dr. Roza Pati. “Providing our community of professionals with the most up-to-date knowledge, best tools and most effective skills to combat human trafficking is not just our natural profession as educators but, in our Catholic tradition, it is also a noble cause. It is our mission, our calling.”

Summer of Selflessness - Immigration Law Students Aid Immigrant Families at Karnes Detention Center in Texas

This past summer, a scouting mission led by Professor Lauren Gilbert and three St. Thomas Law students - Cristina Hernandez, Rebecca Tabares, Hiriana Tuch - volunteered at the Karnes Family Detention Center in Texas. The goal of the mission was to assist detained Central American women and children with their asylum claims.

Cristina Hernandez (3L)

The group partnered with the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) a non-profit agency, whose name translates to “roots” in Spanish.

The Karnes Detention Center holds about 500 women and children - mostly asylum seekers fleeing gangs, gender violence and/or state sponsored violence in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. These women and children, who are seeking refuge in the United States, are detained at the border and placed into expedited removal proceedings. They are subject to immediate deportation if they cannot pass a credible fear interview.

Third-year student Rebecca Tabares stated that working at Karnes Detention Center was an eye opening experience because she was able to connect with women who had just entered the United States in search of the same thing her family once searched for -  freedom and the opportunity for a better life.

Rebecca Tabares (3L)

The asylum process evaluates persons who attempt to enter without proper travel documents but who indicate a fear of returning to their countries and get a credible fear interview (CFI) with an Asylum Officer (AO). They must convince the AO that they face serious harm, targeted at them, and that this harm would be inflicted because of one of five protected grounds: their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or their membership in a particular social group (PSG). If they pass their CFI, they get a full hearing before an Immigration Judge and are eligible for release from detention, usually with an ankle monitor. If they fail the interview, they get a brief hearing before an Immigration Judge, via video-conference. If the judge overturns the AO’s decision, they are eligible for release and a full hearing. If the judge affirms, they can be immediately deported, unless the Karnes team can convince Homeland Security that there was some defect in the process entitling them to another chance to be heard.

Professor Lauren Gilbert

The St. Thomas Law team quickly became a part of the Karnes team and helped dozens of Central American women and children at various stages of the process, from initial intakes, to CFI preps, to IJ reviews. The work was non-stop. Third-year law students, Rebecca Tabares and Hiriana Tuch prepped a Honduran woman, with a two year old daughter, for her CFI. This involved hearing her story, developing a case theory, and preparing her for her interview. Hiriana attended the CFI. Rebecca assisted a woman who had received contraindicated medical treatment at Karnes, drafting a detailed declaration. Cristina Hernandez helped a young Salvadoran woman with a little boy who had failed her CFI. She met with her, drafted her declaration, developed a case theory, and accompanied her to her Immigration Judge Review.

At the last moment, the Immigration Judge reset the case for the following week. Undaunted, Cristina prepared a legal brief for her client, which was accepted by the Court. The following week, all three students learned that these women and their kids were being released.

Karnes Detention Center. Texas

"Participating in the Karnes project allowed me to change the life of one Central American family forever, stated Cristina. "It was one of my most rewarding experiences both in as well as out of law school."

Professor Gilbert has consistently provided hands-on, immersive  experiences and opportunities for her Immigration Law students and, in the process, provides invaluable assistance to immigrant women and children; may of whom fear for their lives and the lives of their children.

Her message has also found a national audience.  Her most recent article, Expedited Removal Process asCold as ICE: A Response to Jeh Johnson, was recently published by The Hill, an online daily publication read by lawmakers and policymakers alike, as a Congress Blog.

St. Thomas Law Welcomes Human Rights Delegation from Thailand

Strengthening Foreign Relations “One Handshake at a Time”

On July 22, 2016, St. Thomas University School of Law hosted a delegation from Thailand during a visit coordinated by the U.S. Department of State and Professor Roza Pati. The distinguished guests were welcomed by Dean Alfredo Garcia. 

The delegation, whose focus is primarily on combating human trafficking, consisted of Assistant Secretary to the Deputy Attorney General of Thailand, the Deputy Superintendent of the Police Special Operations Unit for Region 1, the Chief of Prevention and Suppression of the Anti-Trafficking Center and the Program Coordinator of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Alliance. 

Professor Pati conducted a presentation and discussed the differences in policy and legislation related to human trafficking, as well as the challenges that the anti-trafficking efforts encounter in a country like Thailand that is not only plagued in trafficking internally, but also serves as a destination country for many Burmese and Nepalese migrants that end up being trafficked. The discussion was particularly geared towards issues surrounding investigating and prosecuting trafficking at sea, in fishing industry. 

St. Thomas Law has long been a leader in the fight against human trafficking. We are committed to protecting human rights and social justice—and to teaching, training, and empowering the next generation of human rights advocates and decision makers through our globally unique LL.M. Program; and, committed to original research in the field through our J.S.D. Program in Intercultural Human Rights.

Through programs like our Human Trafficking Academy, we address the cutting edge of global issues of concern and train students to solve these problems responsibly; and through our Human Rights Institute we dedicate ourselves to helping those in need in our own community. 

Locally and globally, we are devoted to shining a light on current human rights issues through annual conferences and symposia, our Intercultural Human Rights Law Review, ranked No. 9 in the world, and our International Moot Court Program.

St. Thomas Law Alumna Among Newest Judicial Appointees to Federal Immigration Court

St. Thomas Law proudly announces the investiture of alumna, Georgina M. Picos, as a federal immigration judge.

Acting Chief Immigration Judge Michael C. McGoings presided over the investiture ceremony which was held on June 17, 2016 at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.

After a thorough application process, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch appointed Judge Picos, along with 14 other judges into her new position.

“We are pleased to welcome these 15 appointees to the immigration judge corps,” said McGoings. “Their arrival brings our immigration judge corps to 273 adjudicators, our highest level to date.”

"The St. Thomas community proudly celebrates our first alumnae to be appointed as an Immigration Judge," stated St. Thomas Law Dean, Alfredo Garcia.  "Judge Picos’ distinguished career as a dedicated public servant will continue as she embarks on this new phase of her legal career."

Judge Picos graduated from St. Thomas University School of Law in 1991. Upon graduation, she joined a private law practice in Miami as an associate attorney; working there until 1994 when she began serving as assistant chief counsel for the Office of the Chief Counsel, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the Department of Homeland Security.

She is also the first St. Thomas Law graduate to be appointed to the federal judiciary. She will serve in the Houston Immigration Court and is set to begin hearing cases in June 2016.