The Robert C. Josefsberg Leadership Academy

Applications for Class IX may be found at the bottom of this page.

Dade Legal Aid Celebrates Leadership Academy Class VIII Graduation and Renames Academy after Robert C. Josefsberg, Esquire

Dade Legal Aid celebrated the graduation of Class VIII of its Leadership Academy at a reception hosted by Jones Walker LLP. The event was organized by Nicole Grimal Helmstetter, an attorney with the firm and a member of the Leadership Academy’s inaugural class. The reception featured keynote remarks from Chief Judge Ariana Fajardo Orshan of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, who commended the Fellows for their dedication to serving the community and emphasized the importance of pro bono service in ensuring equal access to justice. Twenty-two attorneys completed Class VIII, representing a wide range of practice areas and firms. Class VIII Graduates include: Antonio Bayuelo, Jordan Benatar, Stephanie Cruz, Richard Cruz, Reunie Faustin, Aimee Garces, Nadine Gedeon, Thomas Graham, Karenin Hache, Andres Hidalgo, Jae Huckaba, Judelande Jeune, Christian Kohlsaat, Elisabeth Magloire, Spencer Mayer, Scott Merl, Leticia Mora, Meagan Nicholson, Emma Refuveille, Sydney Smith, Emmanuella Telfort, and Tanisha Wright.

Robert C. Josefsberg, Esquire, of Podhurst Orseck, P.A., presented to the Leadership Academy every year and was a dedicated supporter. His leadership, professionalism, and passion helped shape the Academy and inspired each Class of Fellows since its inception. The renaming of the Academy to The Robert C. Josefsberg Leadership Academy recognizes Mr. Josefsberg’s extraordinary legacy, decades of leadership, and profound impact he made on generations of lawyers.

About the Leadership Academy

The Robert C. Josefsberg Leadership Academy prepares talented young lawyers for greater leadership roles throughout the community and beyond. Fellows gain invaluable experience and opportunities in a series of engaging sessions and networking facilitated by legal leaders that provide them with the tools and information necessary to expand and hone their leadership skills. Click Here to read more about it in the Florida Bar News.

Leadership Academy News

The Robert C. Josefsberg Leadership Academy is a program that brings together young leaders in the community, showcasing their achievements and dedication to the legal profession, and aiding those less fortunate.

“The Robert C. Josefsberg Leadership Academy is a unique program designed to mentor the next generation of leaders in our legal community, with a focus on pro bono service as a key component of legal practice,” said United States District Court Judge Rodolfo Armando Ruiz II. “The continued success of the program highlights the commitment of these young leaders to help underserved individuals navigate the legal system.”

Class VIII Fellows include Antonio Bayuelo of Quintairos, Priero, Wood & Boyer, P.A., Jordan Benatar of Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, Stephanie Cruz of The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Cruz, PA., Richard Cruz Blanco of Cruz Legal Firm, PLLC, Reunie Faustin of Americans for Immigrant Justice, Aimee Garces of Davis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, Nadine Gedeon of Gedeon & Morales Law Group, PLLC, Thomas Graham of Thomas Graham Injury Law PLLC, Karenin Hache of The Hache Law Firm, P.A., Andres Hidalgo of Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A., Jae Huckaba of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Judelande Jeune of Weiss Serota, Christian Kohlsaat of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Elisabeth Magloire of Magloire Law Firm PLLC, Spencer Mayer of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP, Scott Merl of Scott Merl PA, Leticia Mora of Kasowitz Benson Torres, Meagan Nicholson of Greenspoon Marder LLP, Emma Refuveille of Shutts & Bowen LLP, Sydney Smith of Jeffrey Law, Emmanuella Telfort of Catholic Charities Legal Services, and Tanisha Wright of Bast Amron LLP.

Class VIII Fellows:

Antonio Bayuelo
Jordan Benatar
Richard Cruz Blanco
Stephanie Cruz
Reunie Faustin
Aimee Garces

Nadine Gedeon
Thomas Graham
Karenin Hache
Andres Hidalgo
Jae Huckaba
Judelande Jeune

Christian Kohlsaat
Elisabeth Magloire
Spencer Mayer
Scott Merl
Leticia Mora

Meagan Nicholson
Emma Refuveille
Sydney Smith
Emmanuella Telfort
Tanisha Wright

Past Fellows include a variety of prominent members of our legal community:

Adam Finkel
Adrian Acosta
Alec Shelowitz
Alex Saiz
Alexa Philossaint
Alexandra Mesa
Alexander Strassman
Amber Kornreich
Andrea Picco
Andres Gamardo
Ashley Juchawski Rich
Austen Caraker
Beau Blumberg
Berit Griffin
Brandon Rose
Brian Toth
Brianna Hathaway
Caitlin Trowbridge
Carmen Cartaya
Cristina Cossio
Daniel Benavides
Daniel Wolfe
Daryl. A. Greenberg
David J. Emas

Elizabeth Coppolecchia
Eric Kay
Erin Weinstock
Evan Robinson
Francesse Lucius
Frank Florio
Freddi Mack
Freddy Kasten
Ingrid Benson-Villegas
Jacob Koffsky
Jacob Monk
Jeffrey Snyder
Jennifer Junger
Jennifer McLoon
Jennifer Ruiz
Jeremy Korch
Jeremy Solorzano
Jessica Saiontz
Jesus Hernandez
Jillian Postal
Joe Wasserkrug
Jordan Shaw
Joshua Wintle
Julian Jackson-Fannin

Karissa Peralta
Kayla Mosquera
Kelly Cox
Kimberly Slaven
Klugy Mathurin
Krishna Vasudevan
Kristen Corpion
Lacee Monk
Lisa Taormina
Lissette Alvarez
Mahalaxmi Subramanian
Marissa Hight
Mark St. Vil
Matt Kohen
Meily Perez
Michael Davis
Michael’s Deborah Saint-Vil
Michelle Sealey
Monica McNulty Kovecses
Monique Hayes
Nathalie Sosa
Nicole Comparato
Nicole Grimal Helmstetter

Nicole Sohn Wolfe
Nora Rotella
Otgna Dorno
Paige Comparato
Pedro Alejandro Perez
Phoenix Barker
Rachel Forman
Rail Seoane
Ronnell Robinzine
Sergio Guarneros
Stephanie Gomez
Stephanie Grosman
Stuart Weissman
Tammy Brito
Tara Faenza
Ta’Ronce Stowes
Todd R. Friedman
Vanessa Joseph
Victoria DeBayle
Wesley Colgan
Yohan Gomez
Zachariah Evangelista
Honorable Zachary James