Gabriela B. Dubrocq graduated from the University of Havana's five-year Doctor of Law program in 2016 and, shortly after, arrived in the United States. While in Cuba, she honed her English language skills by watching American television shows. Intent on becoming an attorney in the U.S., she received a paralegal certificate from FIU in 2019 and enrolled in Miami Law's joint J.D./LL.M. program the following year.
Before joining Miami Law, she knew her interest lay in the Investor Rights Clinic. Her time as a student intern at the Investor Rights Clinic and working on assigned cases led her to choose securities as her area of practice.
"I chose Miami Law because of its incredible program for foreign law attorneys; the possibility of transferring to the J.D. program: and its alumni network and mentoring," Dubrocq said. "Being a foreign attorney, I will cherish my time at Miami Law's Investor Rights Clinic as the highest achievement of my trajectory as U.S. law student."
The clinic provides a resource to individuals of modest means who have suffered investment losses because of broker misconduct but, due to the size of their claim, cannot find legal representation.
Dubrocq received the Investor Rights Clinic's Dean's Certificate of Achievement award last semester. While at the clinic, she was instrumental in the outreach project focused on recruiting a more diverse FINRA arbitrator roster. Her work as a student intern has impacted the community at large. Many of their clients are elderly, who often, if not always, rely on their pensions/Social Security income and their retirement/investment accounts.
Despite English being her second language, in 2020, she received the Director's Award in Legal Communication and Research and became the Dean's Fellow for Legal Research and Writing for Professors Katherine Schimkat and Christina Frohock. She also received the Dean's Certificate of Achievement Award in U.S. Constitutional Law in 2021. She is currently a staff editor of the University of Miami inter-American Law Review. While at Miami Law, she clerked for Judge Thomas Logue at the 3rd District Court of Appeal and was a judicial extern for John O'Sullivan, chief magistrate of the Southern District of Florida.
"Gabriela had already achieved so much success in the face of adversity before she came to the clinic. That determination to succeed was apparent in her outstanding work on behalf of harmed investors," said Scott Eichhorn, lecturer in law and acting director of the clinic. "She hasn't allowed the challenges she's overcome to discourage her professional goals or her cheerful personality, and I suspect she'll continue to have a positive impact on the profession and those around her."
Dubrocq was a summer associate at Dorsey & Whitney LLP in Minneapolis in 2022. After graduation, she will join Dorsey & Whitney LLP as an associate attorney.
"Gabriela's tenacity, dedication to learning, and perseverance are an inspiration," said Associate Acting Director Melanie Cherdack. "Her story serves as a reminder that despite all obstacles, the opportunities to succeed in this country are limitless for those who are willing to work hard. I know that Gabriela will have a meaningful and impactful career with her Miami Law degree.”
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