Written by: EMILY HOROWITZ
The UM student chapter of The Federal Bar Association (FBA) hosted an event designed to foster networking between practitioners in federal practice and law students, while at the same time giving back to the community.
“Ride Above the Bar” was a philanthropic cycling challenge to raise money for the Legal Services of Greater Miami, an agency that manages a variety of legal matters designed to benefit more than 30,000 poverty-stricken individuals and families annually.
The spin class, which took place at the FlyWheel cycle studio on Miami Beach in March was taught by Annabelle Torgman, a 2013 graduate of Miami Law. Each participant made a $25 donation. The University of Miami Law Activity Fee Allocation Committee (LAFAC) hosted a reception for participants after the conclusion of the spin class.
UM’s student chapter of the FBA was founded last year by then 2L Renee Kramer when she discovered the need for more opportunities for students to network with attorneys from the Federal Bar, and specifically, the need for greater student exposure to legal careers in the public sector. Now a 3L, Kramer served as the President of UM’s FBA during the 2013-2014 school year.
Kramer worked closely with attorney Bernie Pastor, the past president of the FBA’s South Florida Chapter, to form UM’s student chapter. Pastor is the Chief of Federal Litigation and Appeals and an Assistant County Attorney at the Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office.
“It was an honor to work closely with the Federal Bar Association in establishing Miami’s first student chapter, which provided a foundation for bridging the relationship between UM students and practitioners from the Federal Bar,” Kramer said. “It was especially refreshing to work with Bernie and other attorneys who were excited to meet and help current law students.” Yaniv Adar, an Associate at Homer Bonner Jacobs has worked with Kramer for the past two years in his capacity as the Law School Liaison for the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
“Since its inception, the UM Chapter of the FBA has done a remarkable job forging relationships between UM Law Students and local federal practitioners. Ride Above the Bar presented a great opportunity for UM law students to interact with local attorneys in an informal setting, all while benefitting a wonderful cause. I, for one, had a wonderful time and look forward to riding against next year,” Adar said.
The South Florida FBA chapter invites student FBA members to attend their monthly luncheons and other receptions. This provides additional opportunities for students to meet attorneys and judges and to learn more about federal practice.
A student member of the FBA, 3L Corey Gray regularly attends FBA events. In early April, Gray attended the monthly FBA Luncheon at the Bankers Club in Downtown Miami. The FBA invites a distinguished guest or panel to discuss timely issues at its monthly lunches.
“I learned a lot at the FBA Banker’s luncheon on federal grand juries and had the unique opportunity to mingle with attorney’s from the Federal Bar. I highly recommend any student interested in federal practice join FBA,” Gray said.
