The University of Miami School of Law Externship Program is a J.D. academic class designed for second-year and third-year students to acquire valuable practical legal experience while earning academic credit. Students have the opportunity to work with local, national, and international corporations, in-house legal departments, government agencies, public interest organizations, and the judiciary.
Lauren King is a 3L spending the spring semester in Tallahassee serving as a Supreme Court Fellow for Justice Renatha Francis, where she writes jurisdictional and vote recommendation memos, prepares for and attends oral arguments, and assists with opinion drafting.
After a successful career following her 2007 graduation from the University of Florida, King pursued her passion for law, choosing the University of Miami for its robust curriculum, stellar reputation in Florida, and vibrant alumni network. Her journey has been marked by a wide range of experiences, from interning at the U.S. Attorney's Office and a Miami private firm, Damian Valori Culmo, to her current Fellowship at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee.
After graduating this May and taking the Bar exam in July, King will return to Damian Valori Culmo as an associate, working on business litigation and receivership matters.
As a Supreme Court Fellow, integrated with the School of Law's Externship program, King is deeply involved in drafting critical legal documents and learning directly from the Justices and their clerks. A highlight of the Fellowship was an extraordinary trip to Washington, D.C., featuring a private tour of the U.S. Supreme Court, including a personal meeting with Justice Kavanaugh, an exclusive look at the National Archives—where she examined a "tracked changes" draft of the Constitution—and a White House visit. This once-in-a-lifetime experience provided an unparalleled look into the highest levels of the U.S. legal system.
"Lauren's enthusiasm for her Florida Supreme Court Fellowship is contagious," said Jessi Tamayo, program director of the Externship Program. "Simply speaking with her for a few minutes made me feel all the excitement, expansion, and exposure that she experienced as if I had been there myself. She is an exceptional student, and we are so happy that she was able to represent the University of Miami in Tallahassee. The externship program at Miami Law strives to expand the reach of our students and allow them opportunities to immerse themselves in the broader community, which Lauren has been able to accomplish through the Florida Supreme Court Fellowship Program this semester."
Janeal Fordham, a third-year law student, made strides as a second-year student in her legal career through her externship with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C. Fordham embraced this unique opportunity as part of the D.C. Semester in Practice program, which she describes as the highlight of her law school experience. Fordham has been deeply involved in significant affirmative civil rights litigation. Her externship responsibilities included assisting supervising attorneys in challenging state classroom censorship laws in various courts, preparing for oral arguments, and reviewing legal sufficiency regarding Florida's AP African American Studies course ban.
She has evaluated divisive legislation concepts and advised organizations on navigating litigation risks related to policy initiatives. Attending pivotal events such as the Congressional Black Caucus Georgia Senators Welcome Reception and the Lawyers' Committee's 60th Anniversary has further enriched Fordham's understanding of the legal landscape.
"The most rewarding part of the externship was the experience itself. It gave me a taste of life after law school and reinforced that the work is worth doing well," she said. "I decided to take the D.C. bar after this experience. I originally planned to take the bar in my home state of Georgia, but practicing in D.C. is the right next step for me."
"I first met Janeal during her first year of law school, and from the first minute we spoke, she was clear that she wanted to work with the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law,” said Tamayo. “She dedicated herself to making that dream happen, and through meticulous planning of her courses, networking, and persistence, she realized her goal. Miami Law is dedicated to helping students think creatively about their externship and employment opportunities, and it is a testament to the collaborative nature of our faculty and administrators that we can support students like Janeal in pursuing exceptional opportunities out of state. I am thrilled that Janeal had the opportunity to spend her semester in D.C. with an organization that clearly means a great deal to her!"
Read more about Miami Law’s Externship Programs.
