Blanca J. Alcaraz Serrano, J.D. '23, is a first-generation Latina lawyer. Fueling her passion for legal innovation, she actively participated in the LawWithoutWalls Sprint during her final semester at Miami Law.
Alcaraz Serrano was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States as a political refugee at the age of two. Alcaraz Serrano's pursuit of academic excellence and her passion for the legal profession has been constant throughout her life.
In 2020, Alcaraz Serrano graduated magna cum laude from Florida International University, where she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree and obtained a certificate in Spanish translation and interpretation. At Miami Law, Alcaraz Serrano actively engaged in various organizations, including the Hispanic Law Students Association, First-Generation Law Association, and the Technology Law Club. Her dedication and leadership skills were recognized when she assumed the role of historian for the Student Bar Association from 2021 to 2022 and later as the president of the Christian Legal Society for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Alcaraz Serrano's commitment to advocating for justice was demonstrated during her second year of law school when she served as a student intern at the Immigration Clinic. Alongside her clinic partner, she successfully assisted a client in obtaining asylum in the same courthouse where her father had secured asylum for their family 22 years prior. This intensely personal experience reinforced Alcaraz Serrano's passion for immigration law and instilled a profound sense of purpose in her.
During her final semester at Miami Law, Alcaraz Serrano participated in the LawWithoutWalls program. This transformative experience took her to St. Gallen, Switzerland, where she collaborated with students and attorneys worldwide to develop innovative solutions for real-world legal challenges. LWOW proved to be a pivotal moment for Alcaraz Serrano, exposing her to the pressing need for reform within the legal field and inspiring her to think creatively in addressing these challenges. Working alongside her team was a source of great inspiration, as Alcaraz Serrano felt privileged to contribute as an equal, valued for her unique perspectives and contributions.
"I highly recommend the LWOW program to anyone seeking to push the boundaries of legal education and practice," Alcaraz Serrano said. "It's a remarkable platform for fostering innovation, collaboration, and global legal competence.
LWOW is a part-virtual, experiential learning initiative designed for practicing and aspiring legal and business professionals that brings a human-centered design perspective to law.
"Blanca's background of service plus interest in emerging technologies really carves out a unique space for her abilities to shine, both now and in the future," said the Larry Hoffman/ Greenberg Traurig Business of Law Chair Michele DeStefano, founder and director of LWOW. "At Sprint, the combination of her interests and abilities drove her contribution to the creation of a solution called: HSBC Helps: a platform that matches lawyers to legal aid needs in local communities, then tracks progress of the delivery of legal aid."
Alcaraz Serrano's interests extend to the intersection of law and emerging technologies, particularly cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence. Her enthusiasm for innovative advancements led her to pursue internships that provided valuable exposure to these fields. During her 1L summer, she divided her time as a legal intern between Jenner & Block in Washington, D.C., and Uber Technologies. Building on this experience, Alcaraz Serrano secured a position as a summer associate at Greenberg Traurig in their Miami office during her 2L summer. Now a first-year associate at the firm, she is confident that her passion for technology and the law will be assets in providing exceptional legal counsel.
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