Miami Law’s Professional Responsibility & Ethics Program recently “zoomed” into another virtual CLE presentation, this time with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office.
“PREP has seamlessly transitioned from in-person presentations to online presentations. Students are seeking to make meaningful connections with the broader legal community, and the opportunity to present at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Officer provided a platform to do so,” said PREP Fellow Fahim Gulamali.
Along with Gulamali, PREP Director Jan Jacobowitz was joined by PREP Interns Lauren Maier and Estefania Re to discuss a number of issues, including the use of a false name on a plea agreement, connecting to a neighbor’s WiFi, and responding to negative online reviews.
“Developing and presenting a CLE training at the Public Defender’s Office was an amazing experience that allowed me to think critically about the ethical rules that govern our profession,” said Re. “The section I presented focused on technology and it was eye-opening to research and discuss the multitude of ethical issues that arise from our everyday use of technology in our practice. It was incredible to see our research and hypotheticals turn into an engaging conversation.”
“Having the opportunity to present to practicing attorneys about ethical issues with technology was incredibly rewarding,” Maier added. “I am especially grateful for all the lessons in adaptability that creating and presenting this topic during a pandemic taught me, and appreciate how our presentation is more relevant than ever as attorneys and other professionals across the country take their work home with them.”
PREP is an award-winning program that develops continuing legal education ethics training for the legal community. The program combines the attributes of an ethics institute and an ethics clinic, has dedicated hundreds of student hours to public service and has educated thousands of members of the Bench & Bar. During training, students are often able to make a positive impact on attendees by prompting them to consider and reconsider their approaches to some of the toughest ethical dilemmas that may arise in the practice of law.
In 2012, PREP was recognized by the ABA with its E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award, the leading national award recognizing programs and projects contributing to the understanding and advancement of professionalism among lawyers and judges. In addition to presenting ethics training, throughout the semester PREP students publish blog posts regarding the nation’s newest ethics opinions.
