Attorney and Community Liaison
Karim Batista
Managing Attorney
Karim Batista was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but grew up in the Dominican Republic. After attending Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, Florida, Mr. Batista enrolled at Florida State University. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2007 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009. Mr. Batista received his Juris Doctorate from Florida International University in 2013. During law school, Mr. Batista excelled in the Family & Education Clinic, Immigration & Human Rights Clinic and throughout his time in law school. Mr. Batista was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2013 and opened his law firm in February of 2014.
Mr. Batista focuses his practice in the areas of Family Law, Criminal Law (domestic violence issues), and Immigration Law (family-based visas) in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe County. He is very active with the FSU Miami Alumni Association, FIU Law Alumni Association, the Cuban American Bar Association, and the Hispanic National Bar Association.
Michelle Mason
Senior Associate Dean – FIU Law Practice Community Liaison
Senior Associate Dean Mason joined FIU Law as founding Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services in 2001. Prior to joining the FIU Law, Mason worked at Phillips Exeter Academy, Seton Hall Law School and Vermont Law.
In 2010, Mason was appointed Director for the FIU Law Center for Professionalism and Ethics. In the 2014, Mason changed administrative roles and was appointed as Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Education, Experiential Learning and Engagement.
Civic engagement is a common thread in Mason’s work. As principal investigator, she secured a national grant and directed the Council on Legal Education Opportunity Summer Institute. In 2013, Mason founded the Math and Civics Summer Institute which provided instruction for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders from the Liberty City.
Mason has served on numerous local and national committees. Recently, Mason was appointed to the 11th Judicial Circuit Professionalism and Civility Committee and asked by the National Black Law Student Association to serve as a member of its Education Task Force.