Central to Miami Law’s mission of preparing students through a continually innovative curriculum are experiential learning opportunities that build transferable lawyering skills. In a series of new leadership appointments, Professor JoNel Newman, director of the Health Rights Clinic, has been named the associate dean for Experiential Learning, succeeding Professor Rebecca Sharpless. Additionally, Professor Bernard Perlmutter has been appointed the inaugural director of Law Clinics.
In her twenty-year career on the law school faculty, Newman has dedicated herself to service in clinical education, serving in roles in the AALS’s Committee and Section on Clinical Legal Education, and authoring the book “How to Set Up and Run a Law Clinic: Principles and Practice.” She is finishing nine years of service at the University as a faculty senate officer, the last three as chair of the Senate and the General Welfare Committee, during which time she served on the Presidential Consultative Committee and the Provost Search Committee.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to support our wonderful and diverse experiential learning programs,” said Newman. "I look forward to working with my colleagues in this new capacity.”
Newman has led the medical-legal partnership representing over 3,000 impoverished clients through collaborations with the University's medical school and local health trusts.
A graduate of Yale Law School, Newman clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit before becoming a partner at a New Haven law firm with a focus on civil rights and employment law. She later worked with the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union Foundation and the Florida Justice Institute.
Her work has garnered multiple awards, including the M. Shanara Gilbert Award in 2015 and the John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award from the American Bar Association in 2001.
Perlmutter, who founded the Children & Youth Law Clinic in 1996 and is currently its co-director, has tirelessly advocated for reforming Florida’s foster care system. In this new role, Perlmutter will lead and coordinate all matters related to the law clinics' programs and operations.
"It’s a great honor to serve as the inaugural clinics director at Miami Law, and to do so in collaboration with my colleague Professor Newman," said Perlmutter. “I’m also personally grateful to Professor Sharpless for her service as our predecessor Associate Dean for Experiential Learning.”
Perlmutter teaches subjects including Family Law and supervises students in the Children & Youth Law Clinic. The clinic represents children in cases involving abuse, neglect, foster care, and immigration, among other matters.
Perlmutter has litigated major class-action lawsuits to reform Florida's foster care system and has contributed to legal arguments on issues like LGBTQ adoption rights and children's rights to counsel. He has published extensively on topics such as the due process rights of foster children and the treatment of immigrant children.
His extensive advocacy has earned him numerous awards, including the National Association of Counsel for Children's Outstanding Legal Advocacy Award and multiple honors from the Florida Bar. Before his academic career, he was a staff attorney at Legal Services of Greater Miami.
After three years of serving as associate dean for Experiential Learning, Professor Rebecca Sharpless recently stepped down from her role. Throughout this period, Sharpless has made significant contributions to the law school, enhancing experiential learning programs and enriching the hands-on experiences available to students. During her tenure, the Law School’s clinical program improved its reputation as an advocate for vulnerable communities, contributing to its No. 24 ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 specialty ranking.
"I want to extend my personal gratitude to Becky for her dedication, hard work, and innovative leadership as associate dean," interim dean Patricia Sanchez Abril wrote in an announcement to the community. "She will continue her invaluable work as the director of the Immigration Clinic.
"Please join me in thanking Becky for her leadership and congratulating JoNel and Bernie on their new positions," wrote Abril.
Read more about Miami Law’s experiential learning programs.
