Second-year law student Daniela Acosta is a law clerk at Rivero Mestre LLP, a tier 1 in "Best Law Firms" by U.S. News & World Report. There, the president of the Cuban American Bar Association's School of Law chapter contributes to the firm's high-level litigation practice, allowing her to explore her interests in litigation, business law, and international legal issues through domestic and cross-border commercial disputes.
Acosta secured her position through one of the dozens of pathways offered by the Office of Career and Professional Development.
"The 2L summer job search is a stressful journey, but the OCPD does an excellent job connecting students with employers. I had the chance to meet Rivero Mestre’s managing partner, Amanda Fernandez, and founding partner, Andres Rivero, at the OCPD’s ‘Employer on the Bricks’ event," said Acosta. "This helped me learn more about the firm and the impressive work they do. Ana Grande was also instrumental in conducting mock interviews and supporting me throughout the application process. When Amanda called with the opportunity, I immediately shared the news with Ana!"
The office comprises a committed team of more than a dozen advisors—all of whom have law degrees and practical experience in different areas of law—and excellent support staff dedicated to helping each student achieve their career goal. They also work with top employers with their needs and connections with the School of Law, including participation in recruiting programs, informational career fairs, and online postings of employment opportunities.
"We host formal and informal professional development trainings throughout the academic year with law firms meant to introduce students to attorneys at law firms, who share insights on how to be successful in the job search process," said Amy Perez, OCPD assistant dean. "We have an over 90% employment rate of our graduates within 10 months of graduation."
Spring recruiting is just one collection of programs the OCPD coordinates for employers interested in interviewing Miami Law students for summer and postgraduate positions. Spring recruiting takes place February through April and includes events like Employers on the Bricks, the upcoming March 17 event with the Dinsmore Law Firm, and the March 19 Miami Dade State Attorney's Office Lunch & Learn.
Throughout the year, the office hosts daily drop-in hours, weekly tabling on the Bass Bricks, and job events by law firms, like the March 3 Gunster on the Bricks, March 4 Jones Day "Lifecycle of a Deal" Presentation, March 5 Explore Your Future with Troutman Pepper Locke, and March 24 Foley & Lardner, March 31 Shook, Hardy & Bacon. Additionally, there are events with government agencies, public interest organizations, the judiciary, and corporations. The annual Evening with Esquires and Breakfast with the Bench are celebrated networking events where students can meet with attorneys or judges in specialized areas of law.
"My involvement in the International Moot Court Program and the Spanish for Lawyers course has been essential in my work at the firm," said Acosta. "With many international disputes and arbitration cases, my Spanish skills and knowledge of international law have been valuable. I’m thankful to the entire Rivero Mestre team for the opportunity, and I truly enjoy the firm’s amazing culture."
Read more about Miami Law’s Office of Career and Professional Development
