Third-year student Maia Boatwright, a fellow at the Children and Youth Law Clinic, has been recognized as an emerging leader in child welfare advocacy through her selection for the prestigious Bergstrom Child Welfare Law Fellowship at the University of Michigan. This highly competitive program is known for identifying and nurturing the next generation of child welfare advocates.
The fellowship provided Boatwright with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with experts in the field and expand her knowledge of systemic challenges in child protection and foster care across the nation.
"The Bergstrom Fellowship was an incredible opportunity where I learned from leaders in child welfare about the legal challenges youth face," said Boatwright. "But beyond the training, I'm especially thankful for the community it created as I had the chance to connect with other passionate law students from across the country. We built a supportive network and friendships to motivate and inspire us throughout our careers."
The Bergstrom Fellowship came from Boatwright's outstanding work at the Children and Youth Law Clinic, where she has been passionately representing foster youth. Her advocacy efforts have included pushing for family reunification, placement modifications, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
Boatwright secured a summer internship at the National Center for Youth Law as part of her fellowship. She contributed to class action impact litigation in this nationally recognized children's rights organization.
"Working at NCYL was very impactful in my legal career as I learned the intricacies of class action litigation aimed at protecting vulnerable youth," said Boatwright. "I researched the balance of constitutional protections with broader liberty interests, often exploring how youths' constitutional rights can be safeguarded. This experience taught me the essential strategies for successful impact litigation such as building coalitions with advocacy groups and employing outreach to engage affected communities."
As a returning Clinic Fellow at the law school, Boatwright manages client intakes, mentors clinic students, and maintains her caseload. Her ongoing work in Florida's dependency system puts into practice the valuable insights and skills she gained through the Bergstrom Fellowship.
Boatwright's experiences fuel her commitment to ensuring justice and protection for foster youth and marginalized children. After graduation, she hopes to "build a career that allows her to create meaningful change and support those who are underserved." Her passion for child welfare, social justice, and civil rights motivates her to use her legal career to effectuate change that supports justice and empowers underrepresented communities.
Read more about Miami Law's clinics.
