University of Miami School of Law alumna Christina Velazquez was recently named as one of two Merit Distinction finalists by the National Association of Legal Placement for the 2024-2025 PSJD Pro Bono Publico Award.
The award recognizes the significant contributions that law students who perform pro bono work make to underserved populations, the public interest community, and legal education.
Velazquez learned about the power of pro-bono work before joining the University. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Florida International University, she served as a policy advocate at The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence in Chicago. Helping survivors find pro bono attorneys to fight for their safety and stability inspired her to fill the access to justice gap.
“When searching for law schools, I came across the Miami Scholars Public Interest Program and the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center,” Velaquez said. “I knew from the first informational event I attended, hosted by the HOPE Office, that Miami Law was the right place for me.” The strong support system in the HOPE Office, large public interest alumni network, and equally passionate fellow students made her feel at home.
From her first day at the law school, Velazquez immersed herself in pro bono opportunities. Sharon Booth, the associate director of HOPE programs, was impressed by her passion.
“Christina got over 90 pro bono hours as a 1L,” Booth said. “For this, she received the HOPE Excellence in Legal Advocacy 1L Award, in addition to meeting the law school’s Pro Bono Challenge, which is rare for a 1L.”
Velaquez's work helping parents navigate the child welfare system and find funding with the Legal Advocacy Alternative Break Planning Committee was just the start. When no pro bono project aligned with Velaquez’s interests, she made her own.
Booth saw how Velazquez would take the initiative and encourage her peers to make their own projects. It made her an obvious nomination choice for the NALP’s Pro Bono Publico Award.
“NALP’s PSJD Pro Bono Publico Award recognizes law students whose extraordinary commitment to law-related public service work contributes to the overall growth of pro bono culture within their law school and their broader community,” Booth said. “There could not be a better description of the role Christina played while she was at Miami Law.”
In addition to her public interest work while at the School of Law, Velazquez held several key leadership positions, including president of the Child Advocacy Family Law Society and executive co-chair of If/When/How Miami Law chapter. Her dedication to legal advocacy extended to international competition, where she represented the International Moot Court Program at the Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court competition. Additionally, she was an active member of the Public Interest Leadership Board, Legal Advocacy Alternative Break Planning Committee, and the Student Ambassador program. Velazquez also is on the Equal Justice Works 2025-26 National Advisory Committee.
Though Velaquez graduated from the School of Law this past May, her talent will stay in Miami as a family law staff attorney with Dade Legal Aid. Velazquez plans to collaborate with the law school and the HOPE Office to support students and create more pro bono opportunities.
“I always emphasized to mentees or other students that pro bono work provides a unique opportunity to not only give back but also build your legal skills and knowledge that ultimately makes you a better attorney,” Velaquez said. “There are so many other students I am so proud to have worked with to foster the pro bono culture.”
Read more about Miami Law’s social justice and public interest area of study.
