The Jacqueline Allee Smith Legal Fellowship Program

Jacqueline Allee Smith headshot

Jacqueline Allee Smith was a pioneer and leader in the legal community. She was the third dean of the St. Thomas University School of Law and one of only six women serving as law school deans in the country in the 1990s. Prior to taking the leadership of St. Thomas, Jackie was a partner and head of the bankruptcy department at Holland & Knight. Through our Jacqueline Allee Smith Legal Fellowship Program, Legal Services offers a variety of practical and rewarding experiences to law students who wish to gain experience in a public interest law firm.

The fellowship program accepts applicants for summer, fall and winter/spring placements. All fellows participate in a law clerk training program. Summer law clerks also participate in other organized summer events and programs aimed at helping introduce law students to the public interest legal community.

Our fellowship program offers firsthand experience of what it is like to practice law serving the underrepresented population. Fellows assist our attorneys who practice in state and federal court, in administrative proceedings, and in appellate courts. A fellow’s duties may include any of the following:

  • interviewing clients in person and by telephone; conducting factual investigations, including visiting a client’s home;

  •  performing legal research and writing;

  • drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery requests;

  • reviewing documents;

  • preparing for and observing administrative and court hearings;

  • participating in after-hours legal clinics and community education events, and

  • attending/presenting at weekly case review.

Many of our law clerks ultimately end up working as attorneys at Legal Services or other public interest law firms.

Fellows Are Generously Funded By:

 

  • Jacqueline Allee Smith was a pioneer and leader in the legal community as the third dean of the St. Thomas University School of Law and one of only six women serving as law school deans in the country in the 1990s. Prior to St. Thomas, Jackie was a partner and head of the bankruptcy department at Holland & Knight. This fellowship prioritizes a student of the St. Thomas University School of Law.

  • H.T. Smith was a staff attorney, a Board member, and then Board President for Legal Services throughout the 1980s. His ongoing commitment to professional and community service is demonstrated by his generosity to fund a fellow.

  • In 2017, the law firm formerly known as Harke Clasby & Bushman made an extraordinary, endowed gift to Legal Services to establish the Social Justice Fellowship in Honor of Nancy T. Clasby. The gift continues in perpetuity the social justice legacy of Nancy T. Clasby, an Assistant Professor at the University of Miami, who developed the University’s Black Studies Program and helped lead the integration of Miami’s public schools. The fund continues today through gifts made by her daughters, Alison Harke and Sarah Engel.

  • Paul L.E. Helliwell was an attorney who committed his career to his country and understood the importance of service. His daughter, Anne E. Helliwell, through the Helliwell Family Foundation sponsors this fellowship to honor his dedication to the pursuit of justice because he believed fairness matters and everyone, regardless of their financial stature, should have the opportunity to have legal representation.

  • Julie Azuaje was General Counsel for Ryder Dedicated Transportation Services, and she was also a devoted Legal Services Board Director for almost 15 years and the First Vice President of the Board. Julie was a dedicated leader and fierce advocate for the underserved. The Ryder Charitable Foundation funds Julie Azuaje Legal Fellows.

  • Funded by a gift from the Yavitz Cypen Foundation, in memory of Stephen H. Cypen’s father Irving and his uncle Harry

  • Kaufman Rossin provides professional services to businesses and their leaders. As part of its rich tradition of social responsibility, Kaufman Rossin established this fellowship to provide future accountants the opportunity to work in the field of public accounting while also supporting the local community. This fellowship provides socially minded, talented students the opportunity to develop essential skills working in Legal Services’ finance department.

  • Gwen S. Cherry was a pioneer attorney at Legal Services of Greater Miami

    when it was founded in 1966. To honor her, the Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association (GSCBWLA) established a Law Student Fellowship in her name. The Fellowship provides the opportunity for a rising young law student to continue Gwen S. Cherry’s Legacy of Equal Justice and, at the same time, make it possible for Legal Services to help more individuals and families resolve critical legal problems.

  • Each year the Caribbean Bar Association (CBA) awards scholarships or Judicial Internship opportunities to Caribbean-American law students. Through its Minority Clerkship Program, the CBA plays a significant role in encouraging and increasing diversity in the legal profession and ensuring greater access to justice.

To complete our law clerk application for spring 2024, please click here.