Miami Law students utilized their spring break in 2025 to gain hands-on legal experience across various locations, facilitated by the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center. The program enabled students to explore impactful volunteer opportunities in New York City, North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, El Paso, Texas, and Miami, thanks to funding from The Law Activity Fee Allocation Committee and Friends of HOPE.
New York City: Supporting Immigrant Youth
A group of four law students traveled to NYC to volunteer with The Door, Inc.’s Legal Services Center, which provides holistic support to immigrant youth. 2L Miami Scholar Natalie Gonzalez, who organized the trip, was delighted to guide her peers 3L Miami Scholar Krystell Fienco, 1L Denisse Sandoval, and 1L Angelica Salazar, as they learned about immigration, foster care, and housing issues. Gonzalez expressed how rewarding it was to witness other students engage with the services offered at The Door.
3L Krystell Fienco echoed Gonzalez’s sentiments, emphasizing the significance of direct service work and its role in reinforcing her commitment to public interest law. “This experience has confirmed my desire to pursue a career in NYC post-graduation,” Fienco said.
North Carolina: Legal Aid in a Rural Setting
In a contrasting environment, four students—3L Maia Boatwright, 2L Ben Davis, 2L Marisa Ewing, and 1L Katrina Erwin—ventured to Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Sylva office. There, they assisted local communities recovering from Hurricane Helene by helping clients replace vital documents, attending various legal hearings, and learning about tribal law.
Boatwright highlighted the unique insights gained from engaging with the small-town legal system. “Experiencing legal proceedings in a community of fewer than 3,000 people was enlightening,” she said. Erwin, reflecting on her first-year experience, described the trip as incredibly valuable, providing mentorship, and practical skills not typically accessible to 1Ls.
El Paso: Advocating for Asylum Seekers
In Texas, 2L Elizabeth McCann spent her break working with the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center. Her role involved conducting client interviews at the El Paso Detention Center and assisting families with asylum applications. McCann found the experience transformative, recalling a poignant moment where she helped a couple finalize their asylum petition after years of uncertainty.
“This work deepened my understanding of immigration law and reinforced the importance of legal advocacy,” she said, encouraging other law students to engage in pro bono initiatives for the direct impact they offer.
Miami: Local Family Law Advocacy
2L Tawny Weeks also chose to serve locally, volunteering with Dade Legal Aid. She focused on the Guardianship Department, where she worked with children and young adults overcoming traumatic experiences. Weeks spoke about the inspiring work of attorneys dedicated to these vulnerable populations, emphasizing her commitment to carry forward the lessons learned during her time there.
The diverse experiences of Miami Law students this spring break reflected a collective commitment to social justice and advocacy. The program not only fostered personal growth but also encouraged students to apply their legal knowledge to real-world challenges.
Those interested in planning future alternative spring break opportunities can join the Legal Advocacy Alternative Spring Break Planning Committee in the fall. For inquiries, students can reach out via umhope@law.miami.edu.
Read more about Miami Law’s Social Justice and Public Interest area of study.
