Gaining real-world litigation experience while making a tangible difference in the community is a cornerstone of legal education at the University of Miami School of Law. Recently, law students Paris Foy and Laita Barett exemplified this mission, securing two major legal victories during their 2L year as interns in the Children and Youth Law Clinic (CYLC).
Under the supervision of Professor Kele Stewart, co-director of the clinic and associate dean for academic affairs, Foy and Barett advocated for clients in two distinct areas: family law and federal disability rights. While the cases involved different legal frameworks, both directly advanced the CYLC’s core mission to protect and advocate for children and young adults impacted by the foster care system.
Protecting Children in Family Court
During the fall semester, the student duo took on a complex family law matter. They successfully obtained a court order modifying a final divorce judgment on behalf of a mother. The ruling followed a domestic violence injunction issued the previous semester, which established that the children had been abused by their father during visitation.
Foy and Barett worked diligently to align the legal framework with the safety and well-being of the family. The court’s decision revised the divorce decree to mirror the domestic violence injunction, fully honoring the wishes and safety of the children.
Overturning a Social Security Disability Denial
The students carried their momentum into the spring semester, tackling a challenging administrative law case. They advocated for a young adult living with a rare genetic condition that causes debilitating pain during simple, everyday activities.
The Social Security Administration had initially denied the client’s claim due to insufficient medical documentation. Stepping in to reverse the decision, Foy and Barett took the case to a fair hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The students managed every facet of the preparation, which included drafting a comprehensive legal brief, gathering extensive medical evidence from multiple healthcare providers, and preparing multiple witnesses to testify.
Though the students were fully prepared to present opening and closing statements, their thorough written advocacy proved so compelling that the ALJ issued a favorable ruling on the record the morning of the hearing. The life-changing decision ensures the client will receive critical financial support, access to long-term healthcare services, and retroactive benefits dating back to the initial denial.
“This outcome reflects the students’ dedication and advocacy in a challenging area of law,” said Stewart. “These cases are mini trials that require extensive development of the record, and these results will have a lasting impact on our clients’ lives.”
The Power of Hands-On Legal Education
For Foy and Barett, handling cases that required intensive evidentiary hearings provided a masterclass in real-world advocacy. The experience did more than just build practical skills—it solidified their professional passions.
“This was the most challenging work I have ever done, but it gave me invaluable experience in real-world advocacy and reinforced why this work matters,” said Barett, noting that her time in the clinic cemented her decision to pursue a legal career in juvenile law.
“Having one-on-one time with our clients was the most meaningful part of this experience,” added Foy. “Hearing their perspectives on life and their stories was truly inspiring, and seeing them overjoyed after the favorable decisions made all of our hard work worth it.”
The School of Law’s clinical programs provide students with unparalleled hands-on litigation experience while simultaneously serving vulnerable populations who might otherwise lack access to top-tier legal representation. By representing children in foster care and former foster youth in matters involving healthcare, disability rights, education, and civil legal needs, the Children and Youth Law Clinic continues to ensure that young voices are heard in critical legal proceedings.
Read more about the School of Law’s clinics.
