Spotlights

Student Spotlights

FAMU Law’s Michelle Wanamaker receives prestigious Holland & Knight Scholarship

Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law student Michelle Wanamaker is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious Holland & Knight Scholarship and Internship. As the 2022-2023 Holland & Knight Scholar, Wanamaker will receive full in-state tuition and a summer associate position with the law firm.

“It is an honor to be named the Holland & Knight Scholar for 2022,” said Wanamaker, who will work out of the law firm’s Orlando office. “I am extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity.”

The Willingboro, New Jersey native is a mother and non-traditional student who is eager to advance in the legal field. “Holland & Knight is an international powerhouse. To gain experience under their tutelage is invaluable. It is incredibly affirming to have a firm like Holland & Knight see value in you. I can’t wait to show them and the world what I have to offer!”

The Holland & Knight Summer Associate Program is an opportunity for a select number of law students from across the nation to gain real-world law firm experience, where associates work with experienced lawyers on complex matters for their clients. Holland & Knight Scholars have strong academic records at their law schools.

Holland & Knight Scholars will be exposed to a wide range of legal experience such as attending client meetings, building relationships with attorneys, working with peers, meeting top leaders of the firm, improving substantive and practical legal skills through customized training programs and more. Many law students are offered employment at the end of the Holland & Knight Summer Associate Program.

Four FAMU Law Students Receive William Holland Program Bar Prep Scholarships

The following students received scholarships:

Edward Lavant, Lindjee Noziere, Richard Ryles, Jr & Suwana Janvier received the William Holland Scholarship.

Suwana Janvier received the Shannoya C. Robinson Memorial Scholarship.

The F. Malcolm Cunningham, Sr. Bar Association hosted the 21st Annual Holland Bar Prep Scholarship Program. The awards were announced during a virtual ceremony on Friday, February 18, 2022. The scholarships are for well-deserving African American law students scheduled to take the bar exam in July 2022. The scholarships offset the bar examination preparation expenses for students who demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

“I admire the mission of the F. Malcolm Cunningham Sr. Bar Association which is to promote the personal and professional development of Blacks within the legal profession and to promote improvement in the law and in the method of its administration,” said Lindjee Noziere, scholarship recipient. “I am humbled, grateful and honored to be one of the recipients of this award.”

Suwana Janvier received the Shannoya C. Robinson Scholarship for overcoming adversity. The third-year student from Lake City is the mother of three, the President of the Student Bar Association and is actively involved in multiple activities. “I am pleased and honored to be a recipient of this scholarship and appreciate the Cunningham Bar Association’s forethought to consider the path of becoming a practicing attorney and reaching back to help bring others along,” said Janvier.

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Shanice Cameron Named Law Review Editor-in-Chief

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law has announced its 2021-2022 Law Review Editorial Board. The team is led by Law Review Editor-in-Chief Shanice Cameron, a third-year student from the Bronx, New York.

“Being a member of Law Review is one of the most prestigious accolades that a student can achieve,” Cameron said. “Law Review helps to further the legal profession through publishing scholarly works. Students benefit immensely from reviewing and editing articles.”

In addition to Cameron, the 2021-2022 Law Review Editorial Board includes:

Executive Editor: Benjamin Kaufman, 3L, West Palm Beach, Florida

Executive Articles Editor: Valerie Chant David, 3L, Orlando, Florida

Notes & Comments Editor:  Sara Jensen, 3L, Sparta, New Jersey

Business Managing Editor: Olivia Garcia, 3L, Orlando, Florida

Faculty Advisor: Professor Omar Saleem

Lacresha Pierre Receives UMG Internship

Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law student Lacresha Pierre is one of 50 interns selected for the Universal Music Group’s Summer Internship Program. Pierre is assigned to East Coast Shared Services in the Business & Legal Affairs Department.

“I am ecstatic about beginning this position with Universal Music Group with support from FAMU Law and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), which provided this summer employment opportunity,” said Lacresha Pierre. “I know this opportunity will make a huge difference in getting me a step closer to my goal of employment in the Sports, Media and Entertainment field.”

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.

Amanda Hunter interns at the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office this past Summer

This summer, Amanda interned at the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office in Mays Landing, New Jersey. She worked under the supervision of Assistant Prosecutor Erika Halayko and Marisa McGarvey. She was assigned to the Special Litigation and Screening Unit. As a legal intern, Ms. Hunter drafted pretrial motions to detain defendants, motions to suppress evidence brief, and memorandums of law for the Appellate Unit and Special Victims Unit. She also conducted research and observed grand jury hearings, sentencing hearings, and status conferences.

Amanda Hunter truly learned the daily responsibilities of a member of the prosecutor's office. My time at the prosecutor's office has enhanced my writing and research skills. This opportunity also further solidifies my goal of becoming a prosecutor.

Alumni Spotlights

	FAMU Law Alumnus Devin Collier Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to Judicial Post “I am grateful and humbled, and appreciate the confidence the Governor, his staff, and the people of the State of Florida have placed in me,” said Collier following his appointment by Gov. Ron DeSantis. “Without question, I will continue to serve the people with excellence.” A native of Panama City, Collier is a 2011 honors graduate of FAMU College of Law. He has served as an assistant state attorney in the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit since 2019. Previously, he served as the lead attorney advisor in the Office of the Solicitor in the U.S. Interior Department. Collier received his bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida. He fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge John L. Fishel, II.

	Devin Young, Class of 2021 Devin Young is super excited about graduating from the Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law this month. The New Brunswick, New Jersey native already has a job lined up in the legal field and is preparing to study for the Florida Bar Exam. While graduating from law school is a major accomplishment, it is rare to matriculate through law school while playing professional sports. Young was studying the law, and in his limited spare time, also studied the football playbook for Team American, Global Games International Football League During law school, Young gained legal experience with the Office of the State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit and the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. He also interned at Skyers Law with FAMU Law alumnae Karen Skyers. Young recently accepted a position with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit as an assistant state attorney under State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

	Jared Brooks, Esq. Excited to announce that I’ll be serving as the Executive Director of the Broward County State Attorneys Office under the leadership of State Attorney Harold Pryor, the first black man to be elected State Attorney in Florida. I appreciate your trust in me Harold F. Pryor and looking forward to serving the citizens of Broward County.

	Judge Andrew Bain, Class of 2013 As a youngster growing up in South Florida,  the challenges were great for Andrew Bain. He experienced a learning disability that led counselors to predict he would not complete high school. Bain recalls seeing media images portraying young Black men as criminals and drug dealers who were more likely to be killed than to succeed.  Bain  worked hard, graduated with high honors, attended college with a full scholarship, and overcame the odds in school and in life. Today, the former NFL player is a Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law alumnus and a sitting judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. He was appointed to the bench by Governor Ron DeSantis. He’s the first Black male judge to be seated in Orange County in just over 25 years. “As you enter this new chapter in your life, let me challenge you in three ways,” Judge Bain said. “Choose love over fear, freedom over limitation, and professionalism over money. You can go beyond your dreams. You can choose not to accept any limitations on your future.”

	LaShawndra Nash, Class of 2020 Ms. Nash is a second-year tax associate at Waller, Landsden, Dortch & Davis.