About the Leadership Academy
Dade Legal Aid 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
On January 23, 2025, Dade Legal Aid’s Leadership Academy held a workshop for fellows of Class VIII featuring happiness coach and attorney Rochelle Gapere. The event was generously hosted by Greenspoon Marder LLP. Throughout the interactive session, Ms. Gapere shared her unique approach to achieving happiness and cultivating a positive mindset, despite life's inevitable ups and downs, especially those challenges encountered by young lawyers.
The Dade Legal Aid 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 Dade Legal Aid 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 Mausner 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.
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
