Third-year student Maia Castro Botero, a classically trained ballerina turned law student, serves as president of the Yvette Ostolaza Mock Trial Team this academic year. A first-generation law student whose parents hailed from Colombia, Botero's law school journey began at Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law before transferring to her dream school, Miami Law, after her 1L year. Now in her third year, her dedication to litigation shines as she takes the helm of the trial team, ready to lead the team to victory in competitions.
Botero's passion for litigation was evident when, despite being fresh out of evidence class and without formal litigation skills training, she and her team advanced to the quarterfinals of the Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition. Last year the trial team also placed as semifinalists in the Texas Young Lawyers Association National Trial competition. One of her leading initiatives for the new academic year is to organize the first-ever Trial Team Intramural competition. The innovative event aims to bolster the skills of trial team members and foster a supportive community by welcoming friends, family, and alumni to witness and engage in the proceedings.
A graduate of FIU, where she received her B.A. and B.S. degrees, Botero was part of the Litigation Skills Program this past spring semester and excelled in both her trial and pretrial classes. She finished the semester earning honors and the Alan Ross Memorial Scholarship, a $5,000 award.
“One of my favorite experiences at Miami Law has been participating in the Litigation Skills Program,” said Botero. “This opportunity allowed me to complete an entire trial process, including presenting a case before a jury, which was both challenging and immensely rewarding."
During her first semester at Miami Law, Botero was elected the transfer senator in fall 2024. As the transfer senator, she helped develop a transfer mentoring program that will be implemented for the first time this upcoming year. The program is aimed at improving collaboration and inclusion. She is helping with transfer orientation this year and will be a student speaker for the transfer virtual open She will also be speaking to the incoming 1L students on her experience at Miami Law.
She is a member of several student organizations, including the First-Generation Law Association, the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, Miami Law Women, and the Society of Bar and Gavel.
Botero and Cate Adams also co-founded the Fashion Law Society.
“Another of my favorite experiences at Miami Law has been turning my dream of founding a fashion law club into a reality,” said Botero. "My friend Cate and I co-founded the Fashion Law Society last spring, and it already has about 50 members. It's been so rewarding to see this organization come to life!"
This summer, Botero worked at Hall Booth Smith, a law firm that focuses on business litigation. She hopes to become a litigator after law school.
"Miami Law has always been my dream law school," said Botero. "From the moment I decided to pursue law school, I knew Miami Law was the place for me. It's a one-of-a-kind institution, offering numerous opportunities, renowned faculty, and a welcoming community. I couldn’t be happier to be part of the Miami Law family."
Read more about the Yvette Ostolaza Mock Trial Team.
Read about Miami Law’s Litigation, Arbitration and Dispute Resolution areas of study.
