Fellowship Opportunities

ORLANDO, Fla – Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law students Jasmine Harmon and Grayson Lanza have been selected as the 2023-2024 FAMU College of Law Wells Fargo Racial Justice Fellows.

Harmon, a second-year student from Tampa, Florida, has been impacted by racism, discrimination, and poverty during her lifetime. This experience has motivated Harmon to fight for racial and social justice. Harmon sees her Racial Justice Fellowship as a perfect opportunity to make a difference in the community.

“My commitment to advancing racial and social change within my community is important to me through engagement in school and outside the classroom,” Harmon said. “I am eager to work to help serve as a representative to conduct policy reform and address racial disparities in Florida through informed discourse.”

Lanza is a second-year student from Naples, Florida. He recalls the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri by a police officer, which led him to participate in an Orlando Black Lives Matter protest, while a student at the University of Central Florida. “I am excited and grateful for this opportunity to work as a fellow to contribute to efforts uncovering, analyzing, and combating racial justice issues throughout Florida,” Lanza said.

The fellowship is designed for second-and third-year law students with an interest in civil rights, criminal justice reform, human rights and social justice. The Racial Justice Fellowships are made possible by funding from Wells Fargo. Each fellow receives $5000.00. “Our investment in the FAMU College of Law is part of Wells Fargo’s broader commitment to supporting education as the Bank of Doing and making a difference in communities in which we live and work,” said Kate Wilson, Senior Vice President, Community Relations at Wells Fargo.

“The Racial Justice Fellowships provide an invaluable opportunity to recognize students who are committed to civil rights and social justice and to support their engagement in direct advocacy, policy review, and public outreach and education around the most critical legal issues confronting our state,” said Director of Legal Clinics and Field Placements Mark Dorosin. “We are fortunate that Wells Fargo supports this work, which is fundamental to the mission of the College of Law.”

The fellows will work with the Florida Law Schools’ Consortium on Racial Justice, as well as other research, public education, and legal advocacy projects designed to increase awareness of and identify solutions to racial justice issues.

Three FAMU Law Students Selected as Justice John Paul Stevens Fellows

LexisNexis Fellowship Program Announces Third Fellowship Cohort and Introduces Fellowship Sponsors

NEW YORK — LexisNexis Legal & Professional^® today announced the third cohort of 15 students for its LexisNexis African Ancestry Network & LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation Fellowship program. New this year, the program will take a team-based approach, focusing on five projects that eliminate systemic racism and create greater equity and accessibility in the U.S. legal system. To further drive the impact of the program, LexisNexis has created corporate sponsorship opportunities, enabling law firms and corporations to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion and diversity, gain access to diverse HBCU law school talent, and help increase equity in the legal system. Reed Smith is the first law firm to sponsor the program.

This year’s fellows were selected from a large and competitive applicant pool representing all six law schools that comprise the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Law School Consortium (HBCULSC). The 2023 cohort includes:

Florida A&M University College of Law: Jai’Ehir Jackson-Hawkins and Veronica Alba
Howard University School of Law: Morigan Tuggle, Lauren Fleming, and Favour Okhuevbie
North Carolina Central University School of Law: Zaria Graham and Larry Futrell
Southern University Law Center: Qwantaria Russell, Tatiyana Brown-Harper, Skylar Dean, Jaylon Denkins, and Whitney Triplet
Thurgood Marshall School of Law: Christian Wolford
University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law: Imani Roberson and Paul Campbell

“We are striving to increase the representation of diverse legal practitioners in prestigious and lucrative fields of law by providing HBCU law school students with additional professional development, career support, and industry exposure to ensure their access to opportunities,” said Adonica Black, Director, Global Diversity and Inclusion at LexisNexis Legal & Professional. “This year our cross-departmental team of LexisNexis employees took a deep dive into the research published by the first two Fellowship cohorts and identified five specific areas of focus in which we believe we can make a meaningful impact.”

“Supporting talented and deserving law students at HBCUs with the resources to fulfill their potential is critically important in breaking down the systemic barriers that have denied opportunities to far too many,” said Reggie McGahee, Reed Smith’s Global Head of Diverse Recruiting. “Reed Smith’s support of the LexisNexis African Ancestry Network & LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation Fellowship program is one example of how collaboration within the legal industry can provide the resources necessary to move the profession in the direction of inclusion, equality and equity. As a firm, and as members of the larger community, we remain committed to this worthy cause.”

The five projects selected by LexisNexis include:

The Gavel League: An App Providing Legal Education to Children and Adolescents
I, Too, Sing America: Uncovering Untold U.S. History Through the Law
Technology Solutions to Alleviate Racial Bias in Jury Selection
Pathways to Practice Pipeline: Building Bridges for HBCU Students to Legal Fields Lacking Diversity
Law Clinic Support Tools & Resources to Combat Systemic Racism in the Legal System

The cohort will participate in an annual Fellowship Innovation Retreat in Raleigh where they will partner with the LexisNexis product team to uncover how technology can accelerate equity in the legal system by utilizing LexisNexis products to bolster their projects. Additionally, the fellows will provide reciprocal consultative feedback to the product team on ways to further innovate for equity.

The LexisNexis Fellowship Program was launched in 2021 by the African Ancestry Network (AAN) and LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation as a part of LexisNexis’ commitment to eliminate systemic racism in legal systems and build a culture of inclusion and diversity at the company. The program was created in partnership with the National Bar Association and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Law School Consortium (HBCULSC).

“Our vision is that we can make the world a better place for everyone by advancing the rule of law for everyone,” said Ian McDougall, President of the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation. “It’s exciting to see LexisNexis marshaling its resources, and the dedication of its people, to make a practical, tangible impact on the rule of law – and on the lives and careers of its fellows.”

Each fellow is awarded $10,000 and spends nine months engaging in a unique experience to accelerate their career, develop their leadership skills, and create opportunities to make a real difference. As in previous years, LexisNexis employees will mentor and work with fellows on their projects with the shared goal of implementing solutions to eliminate systemic racism in our legal system while advancing the four key elements of the rule of law — equality under the law, transparency of law, an independent judiciary, and accessible legal remedy.

At the culmination of the fellowship, fellows will present the results of their projects to LexisNexis executives, employees, HBCULSC deans, and program sponsors at the annual LexisNexis Equity in the Law Symposium.

Those interested in reading the findings from the 2022 fellowship cohort can download the report or watch the LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation 2022 Equity In the Law Symposium Webinar.

FAMU Law students Nicolle Londoño-Rosado and Amari Roberts receive LexisNexis Fellowship

Focus is on eliminating systemic racism in legal system

ORLANDO, Fla – Two Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law students are recipients of the LexisNexis Fellowship. The third-year law students selected for this opportunity Nicolle Londoño-Rosado and Amari Roberts.

“I am excited about being named a LexisNexis Fellow,” said Londoño-Rosado. “I want to be a lawyer because I’ve seen first-hand how inadequate legal representation can cause severe emotional and physical injustice. I want to make a difference by providing the legal representation my family was deprived of when they needed help.”

The LexisNexis Fellowship focuses on eliminating systemic racism in the legal system. Each Fellow has been awarded $10,000 and is spending nine months engaging in a unique experience designed to accelerate their career, develop their leadership skills, and create opportunities to make a difference.

“It’s an honor to be selected as a LexisNexis Fellow,” said Roberts. “This opportunity allows me to gain hands-on experience as I work with major players in the fight for equality under the law.”

According to LexisNexis, the unique Fellowship program was launched in 2021 by the African Ancestry Network and LexisNexis Rule of Law Foundation as a part of LexisNexis’ commitment to eliminate systemic racism in legal systems and build a culture of inclusion and diversity at the company. The program was created in partnership with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Law School Consortium, and this year’s 18 exceptional fellows were selected from a large and competitive applicant pool representing all six HBCU law schools.

Four FAMU Law Students Awarded the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship

Rattlers for Justice are passionate about using legal profession to help others

ORLANDO, Fla – Four Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law students are recipients of the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship. Alba Manuela Suarez, Jai’Ehir Jackson-Hawkins, Derrick Gaiter and Seana-Jahan La Coa received the monetary awards.

The program provides grants allowing students at participating law schools to work in unpaid public interest law positions during the summer. As Rattlers for Justice, the FAMU Law recipients are deeply passionate about practicing law and making a difference.

This opportunity is extra special for Alba Manuela Suarez who is from San Cristobal, Venezuela. The third-year law student has memories of how challenging the immigration system was for her family and friends. Suarez is dedicated to pursuing a career in law to make a difference in the public interest field.

“I desire to become a lawyer because I want to assist those individuals that continue to be suppressed by our legal system,” said Suarez. “I am determined to use my legal skills to fight for important matters and help those who would otherwise have little chance of succeeding in our judicial system due to lack of compassionate representation.”

With the John Paul Stevens Fellowship, Suarez works with the Department of Children and Families where her passion for public interest law continues to grow.

The dream to become a lawyer started in the third grade for Jai’Ehir Jackson-Hawkins. The Wheeling, West Virginia native credits her teacher Barbara Brooks for igniting her passion for law.

“We had a career week where we researched careers and had a mock job fair where we were able to speak to different professionals about their careers,” said Jackson-Hawkins. “During our silent reading time, my teacher provided me with books geared towards history and law. She also helped me research the steps necessary to become an attorney and motivated me to keep my grades up to do so.”

As a John Paul Stevens Fellow, Jackson-Hawkins is assigned to FAMU Law’s Legal Clinic where she works with the Virgil Hawkins Fellowship. “We are providing services to indigent clients in the areas of housing, family, and domestic violence. The program is designed to ensure access to the justice system for the underprivileged and disadvantaged,” said Jackson-Hawkins. “I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and appreciate the John Paul Stevens Foundation for providing the funding for me to complete this experience.”

Derrick Gaiter is a third-year law student from Clearwater, Florida who also appreciates the opportunity to be a John Paul Stevens Fellow.

“Earning the John Paul Stevens Fellowship is a phenomenal investment in my legal career. I am beaming with Rattler pride,” said Gaiter. “As a legal intern at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office and the Federal Public Defender’s Office in the Southern District of Florida, I am receiving hands-on experience in the preparation of criminal cases in both state and federal court while being able to attend pre-file conferences, court hearings, jury and bench trials, and depositions.” Gaiter recalls always wanting to become a lawyer to ask the tough questions and help the underserved.

Seana-Jahan La Coa is a third-year student from Palm Beach, Florida. “I am currently participating in the Guardian Ad Litem Legal Clinic, facilitated by College of Law professors,” said La Coa. “The John Paul Stevens Fellowship allows me to participate fully in the benefits of the legal clinic, specifically working closely with professors as I explore my passion for public interest work.”

FAMU Law students have embraced the label Rattlers for Justice because of their dedication to shaking up the status quo. “Our Rattlers for Justice are perfect for the John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship because they are using their legal skills to address institutional inequities and serve those too often excluded from or ignored by the legal system,” said FAMU Law Clinic Director Mark Dorosin.

In 2021, the John Paul Stevens Fellowship Foundation expanded the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship program in partnership with the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with law schools. The partnership includes Florida A&M University College of Law, Howard University School of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Southern University Law Center, Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law.

These law schools are among the nation’s most diverse in terms of faculty and students. They are well-known for their commitment to public interest and preparing a diverse group of law students for leadership.

The Paul Stevens Fellows from the HBCUs are committed, talented individuals who are working at a wide range of public interest organizations in both the public and nonprofit sectors this summer, and they join a national cohort of Stevens Fellows.

Destiny Hibbler and Sara Jensen Receive Justice John Paul Stevens Fellowship

Two Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law students are recipients of the Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellowship.

Destiny Hibbler is working this summer with the Southern District of Florida Federal Public Defender’s Office in Miami. The Fort Worth, Texas, native aspires to become a federal public defender after law school. “I am blessed to have been selected for the Summer Fellowship because it shows someone’s generous support in my future endeavors,” Hibbler said.

Sara Jensen landed a spot with the office of the public defender in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orlando. The Sparta, New Jersey, native is excited to be part of the program, named for the former U.S. Supreme Court justice.

“I am thrilled to be selected for a 2021 Stevens Fellowship and grateful for the support of the foundation in pursuing a career in public service,” Jensen said.

Mark Dorosin

Director of Legal Clinics & Field Placements

P:: (407) 254 4043
E:: mark.dorosin@famu.edu

Fellowship Opportunities