For Hope Bumgarner, her 2L year was a period of significant growth, impactful experiences, and a renewed sense of purpose.
One of the "most meaningful parts" of Hope Bumgarner’s 2L year was the opportunity to work with Miami Law’s Innocence Clinic. According to Bumgarner, representing wrongfully incarcerated individuals has been a profound experience, allowing her to work on cases where "new evidence—ranging from recanting witnesses to proof of ineffective assistance of counsel—surfaces in their cases."
Bumgarner’s work involved investigating claims, meticulously reviewing case files, observing depositions, and drafting various legal documents, all to provide crucial post-conviction relief. She believes the human element of this work, understanding the immense impact of wrongful convictions on individuals and their families, was incredibly motivating.
A highlight of this experience was attending the annual Innocence Network Conference in Seattle.
“Hearing directly from exonerees and dedicated advocates was incredibly impactful and reaffirmed my passion for public service," said Bumgarner. She is thrilled to return to the clinic next year as a Clinic Fellow, where she'll "continue working on cases and serve as a mentor to incoming interns."
Active in Student Organizations
Building on her clinic experience, Bumgarner also played a key role in launching the Miami Innocence Alliance, a new student organization dedicated to raising awareness about wrongful convictions and supporting the clinic’s vital mission. As a founding member and communications director, she’s excited to "help create social media content and manage communication between the executive board and future members—coordinating meetings, events, and outreach as we grow the organization."
Beyond the classroom, Bumgarner was elected vice president of the Insightful Mind Initiative, a student organization dedicated to promoting mental health and mindfulness within the law school community. After serving as treasurer this past year, she looks forward to continuing to promote a culture of wellness and self-care within the law school community.
Working with Law Faculty
Academically, Bumgarner had the privilege of serving as a Dean’s Fellow for two 1L courses, a role that allowed her "to support first-year students as they navigated the challenges of law school." In the fall, she worked alongside Professor Illeana Porras in property law, where she led weekly review sessions and created teaching materials to reinforce key concepts.
In the spring, she collaborated with Professor Diana Zamora in Legal Communication and Research, helping students "understand and hone their skills in legal writing, analysis, structure, and communication." Bumgarner feels that guiding them through the intricacies of legal research and persuasive writing was a truly enriching experience and is "excited to return next year as a Dean’s Fellow once again."
Applying Knowledge to Summer Associate Position
Finally, in late May, Bumgarner attended orientation at Fox Rothschild LLP in Philadelphia, where she began her training as a summer associate. The program “provided a strong introduction to the firm,” and since then, she has been working in the firm’s Sarasota office, applying the skills she developed at Miami Law to real-world legal matters.
Her responsibilities have included drafting various motions, assisting in closing corporate transactions, drafting/editing employee lease agreements, completing a contract review, providing legal analysis on various research matters, drafting cease and desist letters and affidavits, conducting legal research on Florida wage law claims and corporate restructuring practices, and sitting in on client meetings. She looks forward to returning to Philadelphia at the end of July to conclude the summer program.
Bumgarner’s 2L year at the School of Law was a testament to the power of combining rigorous academic pursuits with meaningful practical experience and dedicated public service. As she enters her third year, Bumgarner is excited to return to campus and continue making a positive impact within the Miami Law community.
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