Laverne Pinkney
Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor
305-348-3198 (phone)
pinkneyl@fiu.edu
B.S., Florida International University
M.A., Florida International University
J.D., St. Thomas University School of Law
Prof. Laverne O. Pinkney directs and supervises the Education Advocacy Clinic at FIU. Her previous experience includes serving as an administrator with the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Organized Crime Strike Force for more than ten years. After earning her Master’s in Public Administration she was selected as a United States Presidential Management Intern, and after successfully completing her management internship, she entered St. Thomas University School of Law. Following completion of her J.D., Prof. Pinkney clerked for the Department of Justice, Criminal Division in Miami and the 17th Circuit Court in Broward County. She spent a number of years with Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc., a pro bono program to assist the poverty communities in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. She represented clients in a wide variety of civil cases, including Dependency proceedings in Juvenile Court, class actions, special education cases and other family court actions. From 1998-2001, Professor Pinkney served as Chief Legal Counsel for the Department of Children and Families in Broward County, Florida. As Chief Legal Counsel, she was responsible for providing legal direction to an Agency with broad responsibility. In 2006, Professor Pinkney returned to private practice. She established the Pinkney Law Firm, P.A. In addition to the above experience, Professor Pinkney has served in several quasi-judicial positions, including Special Master and Traffic Court Magistrate. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and County Mediator.