The University of Miami School of Law Clinics has honored Ariana Kravetz and Jenna De Stefano with the 2024 CLEA Outstanding Clinical Team Award for their exceptional work in the Children and Youth Law Clinic, and the Externship Program has recognized Arianna Amato with the CLEA Outstanding Externship Student Award. All three students have demonstrated exemplary dedication and performance as legal interns.
Approaching their cases with care, commitment, and enthusiasm, Kravetz and De Stefano successfully handled an administrative appeal for a denial of Medicaid waiver benefits for a child with disabilities. They fully immersed themselves in all aspects of the case, producing solid initial drafts of work product, including legal research memos, witness scripts, discovery requests, and a proposed order. What truly distinguished them was their thoughtful integration of feedback, significantly improving each subsequent version. Eager to learn and demonstrate strong strategic thinking, they made sound decisions regarding deviations from the planned script during the hearing.
The two law students ultimately won the APD hearing, securing lifelong access to disability-related services for the client, a rare outcome despite the merits of such cases.
"Jenna and Ariana were excellent advocates and fully engaged in their own professional development," said Kele Stewart, co-director of the Children and Youth Law Clinic. “Even at the end of the second semester, when students were stressed and class energy was waning, Kravetz and De Stefano were fully present and a joy to have in class. Their diligence and positive attitude transformed them from good students into great advocates throughout the year."
"Being part of the Children and Youth Law Clinic was the highlight of my three years at Miami Law," De Stefano said. "Not only did I have the privilege of working with the inspiring team that runs the CYLC, Kele Stewart, Robert Latham, Bernard Perlmutter, and Angela Galiano, but I also had the privilege of working with Ariana. As a team, Ariana and I efficiently solved problems and advocated for our clients successfully. I am so grateful to the Children and Youth Law Clinic for providing me with a once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity I will carry with me for the rest of my legal career."
The Children & Youth Law Clinic is an in-house, live-client clinic that represents children in foster care and former foster youth in dependency, health care, mental health, disability, independent living, education, immigration, and other general civil legal matters, ensuring that they have a voice in court proceedings.
"My time in the Children and Youth Law Clinic was a transformative experience for me during my second year of law school. Through direct client interactions, research, and courtroom exposure, I honed on my advocacy skills and developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by foster care children and youth navigating the legal system," said Kravetz.
Amato, the winner of the CLEA Externship Award, completed her third externship this spring semester with the University of Miami Athletics Compliance Office. Amato embodied the experiential spirit of the externship program by receiving the highest accolades from all three of her site placement supervisors, including those at her previous placements at The Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Bacardi.
"Being a part of Miami Law's Externship program has certainly been one of the any highlights of my law school career,” said Amato. “Serving as an extern for multiple different organizations allowed me to utilize topics and skills discussed in the classroom in practical settings where I could make a real impact. My three externships not only helped guide me in deciding what area of law I want to practice, but also what kind of environment would be the most conducive for my own success and happiness. The connections I have made through my externships are those I hold dear, and I am so grateful for the tremendous opportunities afforded to me by Miami Law and the Externship Program."
Amato did not hesitate to throw herself into each experience with fervor and enthusiasm. She was determined to produce the highest quality work, while learning about the position, the profession and herself. Amato was actively involved in promoting the Externship Program on campus, speaking at information sessions, advising students, and volunteering her energy to assist the program at various points throughout the semester.
“Ariana embodies the spirit and intention of the Externship Program,” said Jessi Tamayo, director of the Externship Program. “As a student who wanted to explore the options available to law graduates, Ariana threw herself into experiential learning with the intention of developing her interests and framing her career aspirations beginning the summer after her first year. She approaches each opportunity with curiosity, dedication, and enthusiasm, and has inspired countless other students to invest in their futures by enrolling in externships.”
The Externship program is an opportunity for law students to receive academic credit for work experience at approved legal services providers. Students are eligible to participate in the externship program starting the summer after their first year and can complete up to three externships during their law school career.
Read more about Miami Law’s clinics.
Read more about Miami Law’s externship opportunities.
