This past summer, Miami Law students stepped out of the classroom and into the courtroom, embarking on a journey that bridges theory with practice through a series of internships and externships in the litigation and judicial fields. These hands-on experiences offer students a unique opportunity to apply their academic learnings in real-world settings, engage with seasoned legal professionals, and contribute to meaningful legal outcomes. An externship also allows students to obtain academic credit while working.
Lauren LaBeck, U.S. Department of Justice, Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation Section, Washington, D.C.
Second-year student Lauren LaBeck spent her 1L summer as a HOPE Fellow, working with the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. in their Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation section. LeBeck graduated cum laude from George Washington University, where she served as a student leader and tutor with the non-profit Grassroots Health, a student-athlete led organization that focuses on educational programming in sexual, mental, and nutritional health for at-risk D.C. youth. As a 1L at Miami Law, she was a member of the First-Generation Law Association, Miami Law Women, Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, the American Constitution Society, and served as the 1L representative for the Disability Law Student Association. As a 2L, she is serving as an intern with the Environmental Justice Clinic, as well as treasurer of DLSA, social chair of APALSA, and 2L representative for the ACS.
Praneet Patil, Judicial Intern to Judge Christine Bandin (11th Judicial Circuit), Miami, FL.
This summer, Praneet Patil, 2L, was a judicial intern for Judge Christine Bandin in the 11th Judicial Circuit, where he attended hearings, analyzed cases and discussed insights with the judge, as well as drafted a Motion to Suppress order. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Patil is currently a judicial extern for the Honorable Jonathan Goodman in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, where he is reviewing and drafting recommendations on pretrial motions and discovery disputes. At Miami Law, Patil is a chapter justice for Phi Alpha Delta, a 1L student mentor, and a HOPE Day of Service site leader.
Amelia Jacomino, Judicial Intern to Judge Monica Gordo, Third District Court of Appeal
This summer, 2L Amelia Jacomino, vice president of the Health Law Association and member of the Cuban-American Bar Association student chapter, served as a judicial intern with the Florida Third District Court of Appeal. Her responsibilities included conducting extensive research and drafting on various substantive and procedural issues. Additionally, she attended weekly oral arguments and collaborated with her externship supervisor to receive feedback on her research. A graduate of F.I.U., Jacomino has pursued opportunities to gain practical legal experience, including working as a legal assist for a local law firm, working as a district aid at the Florida House of Representatives, and interning for Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez. She started her externship this fall with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida within the Civil Division.
Zoë Raney, Office of Criminal Conflict & Regional Counsel, Miami, FL.
Second-year student Zoë Raney served as a Summer Public Interest Fellow with the Office of Criminal Conflict & Civil Regional Counsel during her 1L summer. A graduate from Temple University, she worked as a paralegal in the federal habeas unit for the progressive District Attorney of Philadelphia for two years, assisting prosecutors in providing habeas relief. As a 2L at Miami Law, Raney is participating in the Children and Youth Law Clinic and serving as vice president of the International Law Society.
Read more about litigation at Miami Law.
Read more about the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center.
