For Pablo Puga, pursuing a law degree was never just about earning a credential. It was about applying rigorous thinking to practical problems and using the law as a tool for service.
“I was drawn to law because it sits at the intersection of problem-solving, advocacy, and real-world impact,” said Puga, a J.D. candidate in the School of Law Class of 2027. “Beyond being born and raised in Miami, what ultimately led me to choose the University of Miami School of Law was its strong experiential programs and its deep connection to the South Florida legal community as a whole.”
Puga’s journey has been strengthened by support from the Chaplin Family Scholarship Fund. When he learned he had been selected as a recipient, the moment carried weight beyond financial relief.
“I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and responsibility knowing that someone believed in my potential,” Puga said. “It was both affirming and motivating.”
The Chaplin Family Scholarship Fund reflects the long-standing commitment of Arlene and Wayne Chaplin, and Wayne’s father, Harvey Chaplin, before them, to education and opportunity.
Wayne and Arlene Chaplin, both University alumni, have supported the School of Law and the broader University for decades through scholarships, academic initiatives, and leadership giving.
Wayne Chaplin, a University trustee, vice chair of the Board of Trustees, and alumnus of the School of Law, has credited his legal education with shaping his work ethic and professional confidence, while Arlene Chaplin, a Miami Herbert Business School graduate, has emphasized the transformative role higher education played in her career.
Together, their philanthropy is rooted in expanding access, strengthening experiential learning, and ensuring students have the resources to pursue rigorous professional paths. The scholarship has had a tangible impact on Puga’s day-to-day experience as a law student. Easing financial pressure has allowed him to become fully immersed in the academic and professional opportunities at the University.
“The scholarship significantly reduced financial pressure, allowing me to focus on my coursework and professional development and more fully realize the wide range of opportunities available at the University of Miami School of Law,” he said.
That freedom has translated into deep involvement across the School of Law and the broader University community. Puga has taken on multiple leadership and service roles that align with his interests and values.
“Because of the scholarship, I’ve been able to fully commit to numerous extracurricular opportunities that I am passionate about,” he said. “A perfect example is the opportunity I’ve had to be a student clinician for the University’s Environmental Justice Clinic, serve on the executive board of the Cuban American Bar Association, and also serve as a mentor for 1L students.”
Academically, Puga describes his experience as demanding but supportive, marked by a strong sense of collaboration.
“My experience has been rigorous, collaborative, and deeply rewarding,” he said. “I’ve been challenged academically while also supported by professors and peers who care about mentorship and growth.”
Law school, he added, has refined skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“It has sharpened my analytical thinking, discipline, and ability to communicate clearly under pressure,” Puga said. “Above all, I believe it’s provided me the opportunity to precisely and effectively balance numerous responsibilities while facing unfamiliar and unforeseen challenges.”
Looking ahead, Puga is focused on a legal career rooted in public impact, particularly in areas that directly affect South Florida communities.
“I am particularly interested in land-use and regulatory law because of their unique impact on quality of life in South Florida,” he said. “I’m drawn to work that combines technical legal analysis with meaningful public outcomes.”
He sees a clear throughline between the support he has received and the lawyer he hopes to become.
“The Chaplin family’s support allows me to pursue a career driven by meaningful impact,” Puga said. “I hope to honor the Chaplin family’s investment in me by effecting positive change in my community and beyond.”
Knowing that donors chose to invest in his education has left a lasting impression.
“It’s incredibly humbling and reinforces the idea that education is a shared commitment, not an individual one,” he said. “It motivates me to work harder and give back in meaningful ways.”
If given the chance to speak directly to the Chaplin family, Puga said his message would be simple and sincere.
“The Chaplin family’s generosity has given me an opportunity that I am extremely grateful for at a critical stage of my life,” he said. “Their support has shaped not just my education but also the standard I will hold myself to in order to become the lawyer and professional I aspire to be.”
