Students Receive Scholarships From Florida Association for Women Lawyers

Law students Ashley Jordan, 3L, and Rachel Walker, 2L, have won scholarships from the Florida Association for Women Lawyers. Jordan received the Alexandra Bach Lagos Leadership Scholarship and Walker received the Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton Scholarship. Both students are active in the Health Rights Clinic.

By UM News 12-22-2012

"We were so proud of both our students' work in the clinic and being recognized by FAWL," said Professor JoNel Newman, director of the Health Rights Clinic.

Jordan, who graduated from the University of Central Florida, has served as a legal intern and fellow at the clinic. During her time there, she helped secure disability benefits for a client by presenting her case before an administrative law judge. She also managed a case load of approximately 20 indigent clients by helping them secure Social Security, Veterans Administration and Medicaid benefits.

In addition to her work with the clinic, Jordan interned at the Miami-Dade Public Defender's Office and the United State Coast Guard. She currently serves as a law clerk for the Miami-Dade Health Department. At Miami Law, she serves on the Honor Council and Student Bar Association Election Commission.

"This award motivates me to continue to serve the community in the field of health law," Jordan said. "I am honored to represent the Miami-Dade FAWL chapter and look forward to using my scholarship to continue representing clients in the areas of health and elder law."

Walker, who graduated from the University of Florida, is a recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in the Health Rights Clinic. At the clinic, she assisted clients in obtaining Medicaid and Social Security benefits. Most notably, she helped a young man suffering from AIDS obtain the proper medical treatment and collect back pay of $13,000. Through FAWL, she also works for Project Freedom, assisting in the representation of five incarcerated women who are asking Florida Gov. Rick Scott for clemency. She also mentors underprivileged youth through Project Knucklehead.

"I believe the best way to help the community is to make a measurable difference one person at a time," said Walker.

FAWL is a professional organization devoted to promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession. The membership of Miami-Dade FAWL is comprised of a diverse group of men and women who pursue the common goal of promoting women's opportunities and rights. The Miami Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers offers several scholarships to law students who have made or seek to make contributions to the community in the areas of health, safety, human rights or human welfare.