When the University of Miami School of Law’s centennial class gathers for commencement this May, they will be addressed by a student speaker whose journey embodies the very resilience the legal profession demands. Yelyzaveta Aleksyeyeva, a Juris Doctor candidate graduating this spring, has spent three years at the School of Law growing into the lawyer she set out to become – one dedicated to pursuing justice and driven by the unshakable belief in the power of finding your voice.
Finding her full potential at Miami Law
Aleksyeyeva’s tenure at Miami Law has been marked by high-level advocacy and academic excellence. She served as the inter-school vice president of the Charles C. Papy Jr. Moot Court Board and as a member of the Yvette Ostolaza Mock Trial Team. Her academic contributions included serving as an alumni editor for the Inter-American Law Review.
However, she credits the Litigation Skills Program as the true turning point in her development.
"It forced me to find my voice in a high-pressure environment and pushed me to my full potential in a way that I did not know was possible," she said. "By the time I became a Certified Legal Intern, I understood how to apply the rules of evidence, how to tell a compelling story, and how to pivot when unpredictable events would happen in the courtroom."
Her most cherished memory at the University was her final trial in the program alongside fellow student Joseph Korzeb. For Aleksyeyeva, the experience was the culmination of her American journey. "Moving from being my mother’s silent translator at one point to commandingly presenting a case was such a transformative moment for me," she recalls.
A future dedicated to advocacy
Aleksyeyeva’s commitment to the courtroom is already well-underway. She has gained extensive experience as a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, speaking on the record during court proceedings and preparing for trials. Her resume also boasts a judicial internship with The Honorable Judge Rodney Smith and a law clerkship at Black Srebnick P.A., where she worked on high-profile criminal cases.
Following graduation, she will officially join the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office as an assistant state attorney. While she is eager to begin her career in public service, her long-term vision remains clear: being a trial lawyer who represents every client’s interest with absolute conviction.
A heritage of resilience
Aleksyeyeva’s path to the law was deeply influenced by her background and the current global climate. Fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, and English, she reflects on how her heritage shaped her professional mission.
"My Ukrainian heritage is defined by a history of resilience and a profound respect for the systems that are built to protect people," she said. "The current global climate reinforced my belief that the rule of law is one of the only things standing between justice and chaos."
Witnessing the "unwavering unity" of the people in her home country over the last four years of conflict inspired a pivot in her career goals. While she initially considered private practice, she felt a pull toward public service to uphold the legal systems that safeguard society.
A message for the centennial class
As she prepares to take the podium at commencement, Aleksyeyeva’s message to her peers is one of responsibility and selflessness. She hopes to inspire her fellow graduates to view their new credentials as tools for the greater good.
"I want my fellow graduates to use the power that they've earned through their education to create space for others to be heard," she said, "and to use their credibility not just for their own advancement."
For a student who once spoke for others out of necessity, Aleksyeyeva is now ready to address her graduating class as their student speaker, sharing a powerful message that reflects the very conviction she hopes her classmates take into their careers.
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