Student Ambassadors
Meet Our Student Ambassadors
FIU Law Ambassadors are available to help prospective students, their families and the FIU community get an inside view of what FIU Law is really about. Student Ambassadors are leaders and come from different backgrounds, with varying undergraduate degrees from universities around the country. They serve as the link between the current law school community and the future student body.
Pamela Agudelo
Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email: pagud003@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Legal Affiliations: Criminal Law Society, The Florida Bar Young Lawyer’s Division Law Student Division, Women’s Law Society
Why FIU Law? The students, professors, and admissions team were more than willing to help me through the admissions process and answer any questions I had. I already felt like a part of the family before starting law school.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? FIU Law provides us with many opportunities to become involved in the legal community. Not only are we getting a high-quality education, but we are constantly being provided with networking opportunities.
Loune-Djenia Askew
Undergraduate Institution: Florida Atlantic University
Email Address: laske002@fiu.edu
Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Legal Affiliation: Black Law Student Association, Public Interest Network, Caribbean Law Student Association, Haitian Lawyers Association, Broward County Bar Association.
Journals/Competition Teams: Law Review, International Commercial Arbitration
Why FIU Law? FIU is a law school with a community atmosphere. The staff, faculty, students and alumni are very supportive of student success.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is its great reputation in the legal community.
Chris Casey
Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Email: ccasey@fiu.edu
Hometown: Davie, Florida
Legal Affiliations: American Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, American Bar Association Section of Litigation, American Bar Association State and Local Government Law Section, Broward County Bar Association, Disability Rights Law Association, South Broward County Bar Association
Why FIU Law? I could go on for hours. We have incredible faculty, who have real world experience, and are looking out for students’ best interests. We have an awesome administration that puts the students first. We have been developing a great reputation in the South Florida legal community, and we, as a school, have made it a point to actually go into the community and try and help, by giving legal services, and helping people with their problems. We’re in the heart of Miami, and we actually try and help the people of Miami. We have a bunch of incredibly intelligent people who are constantly pushing each other to be their best selves, and that has lead us to have continued success both passing the bar and in the practice of law. Not to mention, I don’t come from a family that can help me pay tuition, so, aside from setting me up for future success, I’m not going into massive debt to get where I want to be. FIU Law is the total package, and we’re only going to get better.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is the family atmosphere. It might sound cliché, but we really do want nothing but the best for each other. It’s such a blessing to be around people that, honestly, want you to succeed. It’s something that has really been cultivated by the administration, and is apparent on every level, whether it be from faculty, staff, administrators, older students, younger students, and alumni. While the work may not be easy, I rest easy, knowing that I’m surrounded by people who aren’t trying to tear me down, or make it harder for me to do well. You can be competitive without being cutthroat, and that’s something that really stands out about FIU.
Nicholas Collazo
Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email: ncoll018@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Legal Affiliation: Business Law Society
Why FIU Law? FIU Law has everything you could possibly look for in a law school: great diversity, great performance, great faculty, and great peers.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is its commitment to its students. FIU Law truly cares about you and your future.
Daniel Cortes
Undergraduate Institution: Kutztown University
Email: dcort026@fiu.edu
Hometown: Colombia & Reading, Pennsylvania
Legal Affiliations: Cuban American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Federalist Society, H.T. Smith Black Law Students Association, Public Interest Network
Why FIU Law? FIU is a small but very motivated school. The rigor and opportunities are unique and the environment is very supportive.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? The family environment and the fact that everyone is so warm and friendly.
Michael Joseph Ellis
Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University
Email Address: melli052@fiu.edu
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL
Legal Affiliation: American Constitution Society, American Civil Liberties Union
Competition Team: FIU Trial Team
Why FIU Law? Small class sizes, low tuition, and highest bar-pass rate in the state. Yes, there are older, more “reputable” law schools. But I chose FIU for the amazing opportunity to help build the reputation of a younger, hungrier school. We’re building our reputation every day, we’ve got to work harder than anyone for it, and we do. If that excites you and you see that as an opportunity, the FIU COL family is for you. If you’ve felt like you’ve had a chip on your shoulder in life, this is the law school for you.
Favorite thing about FIU law? The sense of community among students, faculty, and staff. We work harder than anyone, but we work together. It’s a competitive environment where excellence is expected, but never at the expense of collegiality.
Allison Gordon
Undergraduate Institution: Florida Gulf Coast University
Email: agord041@fiu.edu
Hometown: Manassas, Virginia
Legal Affiliations: American Civil Liberties Union, Business Law Society, Caribbean Student Bar Association, Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, H.T. Smith Black Law Students Association, Jamaican American Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta, Women’s Law Society
Why FIU Law? I picked FIU Law because I could feel the strong sense of community within the school itself. I did not want my law school experience to be something that I would dread being apart of or looking back on, and I could tell that would not be the case here. I could see that the staff actually cared about the students, simply through the application process and that is why I have continued to stay.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? Not feeling like just a number and how easy it is to get involved in everything the school has to offer.
Tremaine L. Hemans
Undergraduate Institution: Nova Southeastern University
Email: thema002@fiu.edu
Hometown: St. Ann, Jamaica
Legal Affiliations: Caribbean Student Bar Association, Disabilities Rights Law Association, Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, H.T. Smith Black Law Students Association, Immigration Law Association, Jamaican American Bar Association, Women’s Law Society
Why FIU Law? I worked as a paralegal while attending NSU alongside FIU Law alumni. I was told about the low tuition cost, bar passage rate, the sense of community here and I was very impressed. Upon interacting with faculty and staff, I decided that the reputation of the institution in terms of bar passage rate and employment success and the sense of community mattered most to me and I have no regrets.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is the zeal of those charged with our legal education. The faculty and staff are very invested in our success and provide us with every opportunity to do so, which is reflected in the curriculum and programs. There is an open door policy on campus, meaning there is always someone there to answer a question about class material, curriculum, internships or sometimes just to vent. On any given day our Dean can be seen walking about campus interacting with the law students which I find to be very special. Also, the comradery amongst the students is inspirational. Although we are all in a competitive environment, we want to see each other succeed and are willing to help when asked. There is no other school I would rather be attending and I am very confident that my decision to attend FIU will allow me to be successful in my future legal career.
Adrian Karborani
Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email: Adrian.Karborani@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Legal Affiliations: Cuban American Bar Association, Dade County Bar Association, Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Society, Federal Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association, Intellectual Property Student Association
Journal: FIU Law Review.
Why FIU Law? In deciding where to attend law school, three things about FIU Law greatly influenced my decision. First, the cost and scholarship opportunities offered by FIU Law are superior to other Florida, or similarly situated law schools. With how saturated the job market is, graduating with little to no debt was a major deciding factor. Second, I knew I wanted to practice in South Florida, and it is wise advice to go to school where you want to practice. The opportunity to accept internships and jobs during the semester, while building a reputation and establishing contacts in the job market you want to practice in is invaluable. This profession is just like any other; most of the time it comes down to who you know, not just what you know. Finally, the opportunity to stand out in a small school, or the opportunity to be the “big fish in a small bowl.” FIU Law has small class sizes, our incoming class does not even hit 150 students (and that is between Day, Evening, and LLM students). Not only will your success in law school be magnified, but the class size is conducive to a learning environment that is unrivaled by any Florida school. You will get a truly tailored education at FIU Law.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? The true sense of community (or more appropriately, collegiality). At FIU Law you are not just another student, a number, or a seat to fill. Each student is hand picked by our admissions office for their ability to succeed in this truly diverse and incredible academic environment. After you graduate–not only will you be an attorney that only had to sit for the bar once–but you will have acquired a new family. A family you will have for the rest of your life, whether or not you ever decide to practice law.
Alcides J. Martinez
Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email Address: amart429@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, FL
Legal Affiliation: Libertarian Law Student Association
Why FIU Law? I have always considered South Florida to be my home. With the help of many people, I was fortunate enough to be offered the opportunity to join the ranks of the highly bright and impressively promising future legal professionals that are the students of the FIU College of Law. Here, I can appreciate daily the quality of instruction and the lucrative paths laid out for us.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law so far is a tie between the wealth of legal expertise and pedagogical abilities of the professors and the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and most importantly points of view that characterize our student body. I proudly arrive to class each day knowing I will leave back home with a wide range of newfound legal wisdom as well as bonds of friendship that will last me a lifetime. Moreover, all these wonderful advantages have been made available through an evening class program that has allowed a father and working professional like me to be able to pursue and to participate in law school. I’m humbled each day by the swell of gratitude and well-being that overcomes me here at the FIU college of law.
Allison Mayberry
Undergraduate Institution: University of Florida
Email Address: amayb01@fiu.edu
Hometown: Hollywood, FL
Legal Affiliation: Student Bar Association-3L Day Representative, Disability Rights Law Association, Federalist Society, and Broward County Bar Association.
Why FIU Law? I chose FIU Law for the smaller class sizes, bar passage rate, and employment statistics. Also, because the admissions staff made me feel welcome.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? The sense of community and the quality of our professors and staff. I know this law school cares about their students and prepares them to succeed.
Amirah Mohammad
Undergraduate Institution: Lamar University
Email: amoha097@fiu.edu
Hometown: Originally from Ramallah, Palestine, born in West Palm, Florida, and grew up in Amman, Jordan.
Legal Affiliations: Criminal Law Society, Federal Bar Association, International Law Student Association
Journal: FIU Law Review
Why FIU Law? I chose FIU Law because I saw how qualified many of the professors were and I knew that a smaller law school would be a better way to have a more personal relationship with some professors. Furthermore, despite being a newer school, FIU Law has consistently high bar passage rates which was definitely appealing.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? One of my favorite things about FIU Law is definitely the sense of community. FIU Law is a smaller law school, which creates a better atmosphere to develop closer relationships with my colleagues and professors.
Joshua Padron
Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University
Email: jpadr038@fiu.edu
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Legal Affiliations: Business Law Society, Cuban American Bar Association
Why FIU Law? I fell in love with the college of law on my tour. I had toured other schools and liked them, but as soon as I toured FIU and met the students and faculty, I knew this was the school for me.
Favorite thing about FIU? The family-like community.
Alan Persaud
Undergraduate Institution: Florida International University
Email: apers022@fiu.edu
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Florida
Legal Affiliation: Business Law Society
Journal: FIU Law Review
Why FIU Law? The most attractive things about FIU Law are its convenient location, high bar passage rate, and close-knit community comprised of helpful faculty and students.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? The opportunity to grow as a student and future attorney through FIU Law’s unique student organizations is my favorite thing about FIU Law.
Kassandra Ramos
Undergraduate Institution: University of Central Florida (Go Knights!)
Email: kramo019@fiu.edu
Hometown: Hialeah, Florida
Legal Affiliations: American Bar Association Section of Litigation, Business Law Society, Cuban American Bar Association
Journal: FIU Law Review
Why FIU Law? The main reason I chose FIU Law is because of the familial atmosphere that resonated throughout the school the second I entered for a visit. Knowing that the quality of the education at FIU Law is top notch, I wanted to make sure that FIU LAW would make me feel comfortable as a student and individual, which was confirmed for me during the school visit and admitted students’ weekend. Each student is valued for their own individual contribution to FIU Law’s success. Overall, if I had to make the decision as to which law school I would attend all over again, I’d pick FIU Law every time.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is being an FIU Law ambassador. Nothing gives me more pride than knowing I have the honor of representing FIU Law to prospective students considering law school as I was just a few years ago.
Annasofia A. Roig
Email: aroig015@fiu.edu
Legal Affiliations: Criminal Law Society, Cuban American Bar Association, FIU Law Student Bar Association
Competition Team: FIU Law Trial Team
Journal: FIU Law Review
Kathryn Simpson
Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University
Email: ksimp026@fiu.edu
Hometown: Boca Raton, Florida
Legal Affiliation: Business Law Society
Why FIU Law? I chose FIU law because I commute from Boca to FIU every day and heard great things about the opportunities that they present their students with all over Florida, not just in Miami. Also, when I went and visited FIU Law, when I was making my decision on which law school to attend, I was taken on a tour by a former ambassador. This ambassador was so friendly and so honest with her experience that it truly made me feel at home and like I belonged here.
My favorite thing about FIU Law? My favorite thing about FIU Law is how close the whole community is. You can go to any part of the school at any time and will be met with a smiling face or conversation by at least one of your fellow students, staff, or professors. It makes you feel way more comfortable when you are here.
Spencer Woodstock
Undergraduate Institution:
Undergraduate Institution: USC Upstate
Email Address: swood073@fiu.edu
Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Legal Affiliation: H.T. Smith Black Law Student Association B.R.O. Ambassador 2
Why FIU Law? I chose this auspicious institution because they work tenaciously to fulfill student goals and further our careers. After my tour, I was convinced that the institution as a whole was adamant on proving its worth in the legal world; molding high quality students with tools unique to FIU. With this formula, FIU Law seemed hell-bent on making their mark as a relatively new school in the bustling world of legal academics. After realizing this, that they have had the highest bar passage rate in the state for three consecutive years, and their success in getting graduates employed — my choice was simple. The question I posed to myself was never “why FIU Law” — it was “how could I not?”
My favorite thing about FIU Law? How amicable the students are in comparison to other law schools which tend to have an overly competitive environment. In the same vein, I truly appreciate how the teachers are willing to go out of their way in helping advance students’ goals and aspirations.