FIU Law Assistant Public Defenders

AssistAnt PUBLiC deFenders

FIU LAW ALUMNI : DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED 2013

established in 2002, the Florida international

University College of Law is proudly south Florida’s only

public law school. FiU Law believes education should be

focused and individualized. With fewer than 500 students

and an average entering class size of about 160, its students

and faculty actively engage with one another, enriching the

classroom experience. FiU Law prides itself on graduating

professional, practice-ready attorneys, many of whom are

committed public servants.

FiU Law is a rapidly-ascending institution of academic

excellence. since 2009, FiU Law has ascended from unranked

to #105 in the U.S. News & World Report ranking—an increase

of more than 40 spots. its incoming students’ median LsAts

and GPAs match those of many higher-ranked law schools.

its graduates have ranked #1 among Florida state law schools

on two of the last four administrations of the Florida Bar exam.

the Florida Legislature founded FiU Law on the ideal that

a high-quality legal education should be affordable and

accessible. FiU Law is a majority-minority institution. it ranks

as the most diverse law school in Florida, the 3rd most diverse

nationally, and it graduates the highest percentage of Hispanic

attorneys of any law school in the nation.

With only nine classes graduated and just over 1000 alumni,

FiU Law has trained more than forty assistant public

defenders. this publication tells their stories.

9

Rita Chernyak ’13

Igor Hernandez ’13

Denita L. Jones ’13

Claudia Carrazana Lavastida ’13

Kimberlee Martin ’13

W. Clint Moore ’13

Matthew Rogoff ’13

Phillip L. Colesanti II ’12

David Goudreau ’12

Dayana Nogareda ’12

Kathleen Shea ’12

Amanda Wright ’12

Adam Bair ’11

Mark Bartle ’11

Lauren Dwyer ’11

Javier A. Gonzalez ’11

Kelsey D. Moldof ’11

Joshua Mott ’11

Joseph Michael Oertel ’11

Tiernan Cole ’10

Lauren Dubno ’10

Gary Evans ’10

Heather Smith ’10

Michael Swinton ’10

Elsa M. Fernandez ’09

Erica Catalano Francis ’09

Danny Gonzalez ’09

Evan S. Rosenberg ’09

V. Danielle Williams ’09

Dianne Caramés ’08

J. David Ellzey Jr. ’08

Amy L. Rabinowitz ’08

Celine Abramschmitt ’07

Tara Namat Kawass ’07

Rachel Kuhl ’07

Dionne McDonald-Josephs ’07

Victoria J. Sica ’07

Olga Viana Urbina ’06

Katena Roberts-Turner ’05

Rosann M. Spiegel ’04

AssistAnt PUBLiC deFenders

Florida International University College of Law 11200 S.W. 8th Street, Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall

Miami, Florida 33199

305-348-1118 | law.fiu.edu

Igor Hernandez is a Special Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. At FIU law, Hernandez served as the Vice President of the FIU Law chapter of the National Lawyers Guild and as the liaison for the FIU Law chapter of the Dade County Bar Association. He also worked as a law clerk for the Kionne L. McGhee Law Group, PLLC., a Certified Legal Intern for the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel of the Third District, and a Certified Legal Intern for the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office.

During his final year at FIU Law, Hernandez received scholarships from the American Board of Trial Advocacy, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and earned the Book Award for the highest grade in Advanced Trial Advocacy. Hernandez was a member of the FIU Trial Team, which he helped represent in three competitions.

iGor HernAndez ’13Office of the Public Defender, 11th Judicial Circuit, beginning fall 2013

2 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

ritA CHernyAk ’13

Office of the Public Defender, 11th Judicial Circuit, beginning fall 2013

Rita Chernyak began working for the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office as a Certified Legal Intern while in law school. While interning in the Juvenile Division, Chernyak tried cases with her supervising attorney and had several cases assigned to her independently.

At FIU Law, Chernyak served as an Article and Comments editor for the FIU Law Review. She also interned for the Honorable Don S. Cohn on the 11th Judicial Circuit, and served as Historian for the FIU Law chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund.

“The legal system cannot function if indigent clients are not afforded the same procedural guarantees which are afforded to individuals able to hire an attorney. The public defender is the voice for the voiceless and helps balance the scales of justice.”

CLAUdiA CArrAzAnA LAVAstidA ’13


At FIU Law, Claudia Carrazana Lavastida interned for the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office for a year, working in the Padilla Unit. She subsequently worked in the Felony and Misdemeanor Traffic Jail divisions as a Certified Legal Intern.

Carrazana Lavastida also served as a Certified Legal Intern in the Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at FIU Law. There, she helped detained immigrants who had been victims of human trafficking, child abuse and drug cartels remain in the United States. Carrazana Lavastida also worked as a Research Assistant to Professors Robert Savage and Peggy Maisel.

Carrazana Lavastida was born in Havana, Cuba. She came to the United States in 2005 and earned her B.A., cum laude, Florida International University.

“A Public Defender is a guardian of liberties

and procedural fairness; a protector of the

presumption of innocence.”

At FIU Law, Denita L. Jones served as a member of the Trial Team, competing in the final round at the Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Memorial Mock Trial Competition, where her team won Second Place. Jones also served as President of the FIU Law chapter of the Black Law Students Association. Under her leadership, the Association’s members competed in the National BLSA International Negotiation Competition and won second place, the first time a BLSA team from FIU Law placed in the competition. Jones was also a member of the Criminal Law Society and Women’s Law Society.

In 2011, Jones was selected to participate in the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Diversity Internship Program and served as a Certified Legal Intern in the Juvenile Division of the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office.

denitA L. Jones ’13Office of the Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit, beginning fall 2013

ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDERS | 3

4 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

“I am excited to begin my career at the Miami -Dade County Public Defender’s

Office. It is a terrific opportunity to help my community, while serving an

important role in the criminal justice system.“

– Matt Rogoff ’13


Kimberlee Martin came to FIU Law as a Dean’s Scholar and graduated cum laude. At FIU Law, Martin served as Secretary of the Board of Advocates, Day-Division Representative on the Student Bar Association, Founding President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and competed with the Trial and Moot Court teams. As a competitor, Martin received the Best Orator Award at the Susan J. Ferrell Intercultural Human Rights Competition. She served as a judicial intern at the Florida Supreme Court and interned for the Honorable Don S. Cohn at the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida. Martin also worked as a Certified Legal Intern in FIU Law’s Carlos A. Costa Immigration and Human Rights Clinic. Upon graduating, Martin received awards for Excellence in Advocacy and Excellence in Service to the Board of Advocates.

kiMBerLee MArtin ’13 Office of the Public Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit, beginning fall 2013

MAttHeW roGoFF ’13


At FIU Law, Rogoff served as a member of the Board of Advocates Moot Court Team and was a finalist in both the Susan J. Ferrell Intercultural Human Rights Moot Court and the FIU Law Intramural Moot Court competitions. Rogoff received the Book Award for the highest grade in Trial Advocacy and interned for the Public Defender’s Office in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. Rogoff earned his law degree, cum laude.

W. CLint Moore ’13


Clint Moore will begin serving the residents of Miami-Dade County as an Assistant Public Defender in the fall of 2013. At FIU Law, Moore clerked at The Pena Law Firm and served as a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office.

6 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

dAVid GoUdreAU ’12

Office of The Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit, 2012-present

David Goudreau is an Assistant Public Defender in the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office, where he serves in the County Court Division.

At FIU Law, Goudreau served as President of the Sports & Entertainment Law Society and founding Vice President of the Criminal Law Society. He also served as Treasurer of the FIU Law Student Bar Association and was a member of the Trial Team, where he competed in four competitions. Goudreau earned the Book Award for the highest grade in Criminal Procedure and interned at the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office and the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office.

“What we do is not heralded. It is seldom

celebrated. But what we do is absolutely

critical to protecting our system of justice.

Our representation of indigent clients

is the epitome of defending our

Constitution and is noble work.”

Philip L. Colesanti is an Assistant Public Defender in Hillsborough County. Prior to becoming an Assistant Public Defender, Colesanti served as a Certified Legal Intern in the Office’s Felony Division.

At FIU Law, Colesanti was Vice President of the Federalist Society and Attorney General for the FIU Student Government Association. He was also a member of the Family and Education Advocacy Clinic, where he earned the Book Award for the highest grade. Colesanti also earned the Book Award in Criminal Procedure and was a member of the Dean’s List.

In addition to interning at the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, Colesanti also interned at the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office and worked with Law Enforcement Memorial High School as a trial team coach.

PHiLLiP L. CoLesAnti ii ’12Office of The Public Defender, 13th Judicial Circuit, 2012-present

AMAndA WriGHt ’12

Office of the Public Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit, 2012-present

Kathleen Shea is an Assistant Public Defender in Orange County. She began work at the Office in the Booking and Release Center, where she represented individuals at first appearance.

At FIU Law, Shea served as a Teaching Assistant to Professor Christyno Hayes for Legal Skills and Values II. She also served as an Articles and Comments Editor on the FIU Law Review and was a member of the Symposium Committee. Shea was also a member of the Moot Court Team and represented FIU Law in New York City at the American Bar Association Moot Court Competition. During her second year, Shea served as a law clerk to the Honorable Frank Shepherd of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal.

kAtHLeen sHeA ’12Office of the Public Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit, 2013-present


dAyAnA noGAredA ’12


Dayana Nogareda is an Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office, where she is currently assigned to the County Court Jail Division. She represents individuals accused of committing misdemeanor offenses.

Throughout her second and third year at FIU Law, Nogareda volunteered as an intern in the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. Nogareda was also a student advocate in the FIU Law Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, where she assisted non-citizens in obtaining legal immigration status.

8 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

“Legal counsel is not, and should never be, a luxury reserved for those

who can afford private representation. It is often those who cannot afford

counsel that need help the most.” – Javier A. Gonzalez ’11

MArk BArtLe ’11

Office of the Public Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit, 2011

Javier A. Gonzalez served as an Assistant Public Defender for the 20th Judicial Circuit, where he was assigned to the Misdemeanor Division. Gonzalez previously served as lead Juvenile Division attorney, handling juvenile felony cases.

Gonzalez began practicing law as an FIU Law Graduate Fellow, working as a volunteer Assistant Public Defender at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office, during which time he handled a full case load in the Juvenile Division.

At FIU Law, Gonzalez worked as a law clerk at Marrero Bozorgi, P.L. and also interned at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office. JAVier A. GonzALez ’11

Office of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, 2012-2013


LAUren dWyer ’11 (not pictured)


AdAM BAir ’11


10 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

JosHUA Mott ’11


Joshua Mott is an Assistant Public Defender in DeLand, Florida. Mott has served in the Juvenile, Drug and Misdemeanor units. In 2013, he was promoted

to the Felony Division. Mott has handled over 1300 cases, and has served as lead counsel in thirteen trials. He recently served as second chair in his first homicide trial.

At FIU Law, Mott was an Articles Editor for the FIU Law Review and interned at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. Mott earned his law degree, cum laude, and is a member of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

JosePH MiCHAeL oerteL ’11


keLsey d. MoLdoF ’11


Kelsey D. Moldof is an Assistant Public Defender at the Broward County Public Defender’s Office. She worked at the Office during her entire time as a law student, interning during her first two years and then serving as a Certified Legal Intern in the Felony and Juvenile divisions in her final year. Moldof began her career at the Office in the Misdemeanor Division and is currently working in the Felony Division, where she represents clients charged with second- and third-degree felonies.

LAUren dUBno ’10



tiernAn CoLe ’10 (not pictured)


GAry eVAns ’10


At FIU Law, Gary Evans interned at the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office and continued interning at the Office for most of his law school career. After being admitted to the Florida Bar, Evans began working at the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office. He currently defends individuals charged with felony offenses.

HeAtHer sMitH ’10


12 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

“It is rewarding to be able to give back to my community and help

those in need.”

– Kathleen Shea ’12

MiCHAeL sWinton ’10


As an Assistant Public Defender, Elsa M. Fernandez has represented more than 1000 clients. She began her career with the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office in the Juvenile Division and was subsequently promoted to the Jail Division in County Court where she represented in-custody clients charged with misdemeanor offenses. Recently, Fernandez joined the Felony Division, where she represents individuals charged with second- and third-degree felony offenses.

At FIU Law, Fernandez was the recipient of several academic awards and was a member of the Dean’s List. She was also a member of the Board of Advocates and Trial Team, and earned 2nd place in the Honorable E. Earle Zehmer Statewide Mock Trial Competition. Fernandez also served as a Legal Fellow for The Lawyers for Literacy initiative.

Fernandez holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Florida International University.eLsA M. FernAndez ’09

Office of the Public Defender,11th Judicial Circuit, 2010-present


Evan S. Rosenberg began as an Assistant Public Defender in the Misdemeanor Division of the Broward County Public Defender’s Office before being promoted to the Felony Division, where he represented individuals charged with crimes including burglary, robbery, and major drug offenses. In 2011, the Broward Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers recognized Rosenberg with its annual “Hat Trick” Award for obtaining three consecutive not guilty verdicts in one calendar year.

At FIU Law, Rosenberg served as Vice President of the Student Bar Association and President of the Jewish Law Students Association. He also clerked at the law office of Rubinstein & Associates, where he handed cases related to commercial litigation, real estate and family law.

Rosenberg is currently a partner at Fisher, Butlien, & Rosenberg, P.A., where he practices criminal defense, family law and civil litigation.

eVAn s. rosenBerG ’09Office of the Public Defender, 17th Judicial Circuit, 2010-2013

14 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

dAnieL GonzALez ’09


eriCA CAtALAno FrAnCis ’09


“My service at the Office of the Public Defender was an experience like no

other. It gave me tools and resources necessary to become a better lawyer

and powerful advocate for the accused.”

– Evan S. Rosenberg ’09


V. Danielle Williams is an Assistant Public Defender at the Palm Beach County Public Defender’s Office. She began her career in the Domestic Violence Unit before moving to the County Court Division. Williams was subsequently promoted to the Juvenile Trial Division, where she defended individuals accused misdemeanor and felony offenses. Williams is currently a member of the Felony Trial Division, defending those accused of first-degree felony offenses.

At FIU Law, Williams served as the President of the Black Law Students Association and was a member of the Trial Team and the Moot Court Team. Williams also worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Carlton Waterhouse and interned for the Willie Gary Law Firm, Holland & Knight, LLC, and the Probate Division of the 15th Judicial Circuit. William also worked as a Certified Legal Intern with the Juvenile Justice Clinic.

V. dAnieLLe WiLLiAMs ’09Office of the Public Defender, 15th Judicial Circuit, 2010-present

diAnne CArAMés ’08


eriCA CAtALAno FrAnCis ’09


16 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

“Working at the Public Defender’s Office gave me the chance to do what

I set out to do when I entered law school—help people who need it most.

Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner.”

– J. David Ellzey Jr. ’08

CeLine ABrAMsCHMitt ’07


Celine Abramschmitt attended FIU Law as a Dean’s Scholar and graduated magna cum laude. She received the Book Award for

the highest grade in four classes and published two articles while in law school. As an Assistant Public Defender, Abramschmitt represented juveniles and adults on charges ranging from misdemeanors to second-degree murder. Abramschmitt is the founder and President of Abramschmitt Law, PLLC, a criminal defense firm in Broward County.

AMy L. rABinoWitz ’08


Amy L. Rabinowitz began working for the Palm Beach County Public Defender in the Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Division. She subsequently served in the County Court Division and currently handles appeals for the office. Rabinowitz frequently appears before Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal and the 15th Judicial Circuit.

J. David Ellzey Jr. is an Associate at Buckmaster Law where he handles criminal, family and immigration law issues. He previously served as an Assistant Public Defender in Volusia County, where he began his career representing individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses. He then served in the Felony Division, managing a caseload of over 100 cases and defending individuals charged with first-degree felonies. Ellzey Jr. was a “Capture the Flag” Award recipient numerous times for not guilty jury verdicts. In addition to his legal work, he is a Special Olympics coach and continues to serve the State of Florida in the Florida Air National Guard.

At FIU Law, Ellzey Jr. was awarded a Public Service Fellowship to work with the Clean Water Network of Florida, advocating for enforcement of the Clean Water Act. He later became a Certified Legal Intern in the FIU Law Juvenile Justice Education Clinic.

J. dAVid eLLzey Jr. ’08Office of the Public Defender, 7th Judicial Circuit, 2009-2013


dionne MCdonALd-JosePHs ’07


At FIU Law, Dionne McDonald-Josephs volunteered at the Guardian Ad Litem Program where she advocated for abused, neglected and abandoned children in dependency proceedings and worked as a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. McDonald-Josephs was also the Secretary of the Black Law Student Association and a member of the Caribbean Bar Student Association. Upon graduating, McDonald-Josephs joined the Felony Division of the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office. She has successfully litigated over forty trials, resolved over 1200 cases, and managed a caseload of up to 140 clients simultaneously.

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, the landmark case that ensures legal counsel for the indigent accused. It gives me honor to know that Gideon originated in Florida and this constitutional right gives me the opportunity to bring my clients and the criminal justice system meaning and respect.”

18 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

rACHeL kUHL ’07


tArA nAMAt kAWAss ’07 (not pictured)


ViCtoriA J. siCA ’07


Victoria J. Sica began her legal career as an Assistant Attorney General for the Honorable Bill McCollum in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, where she supervised investigations of healthcare fraud, patient abuse, neglect and exploitation. She also trained law enforcement, drafted legislation and advised the Managed Care Team. Sica graduated from FIU Law as a Dean’s Scholar Recipient. She received the award for Greatest Overall Excellence in Oral Advocacy and the Book Award for the highest grade in Health Care Law and the Juvenile Justice Clinic.

Sica earned certificates for Outstanding Advocacy Skills, Service and Dedication, and was the recipient of the G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian

Award. Additionally, Sica served on the Student Bar Association and was a member of the Moot Court Board of Appellate Advocacy.

Sica was a quarterfinalist in the Intramural Moot Court Competition, interned at the Third District Court of Appeal for the Honorable Linda Ann Wells, and was a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office.

Sica joined the Miami-Dade County Public Defender’s Office Felony Division in 2010 and has tried over sixty cases ranging from misdemeanors to aggravated felonies. She also served as a member of the Criminal Justice Practice Guidelines Committee.

“Public service work is rewarding

in ways that cannot be

measured. In public service

there is human compassion;

and in human compassion

there is fulfillment.”


rosAnn M. sPieGeL ’04


Rosann M. Spiegel was the first to graduate FIU Law and the first FIU Law graduate to pass the Florida Bar. Spiegel is currently an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and the Assistant Program Director of Didactic Education for the Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice Programs in Anesthesiology at Barry University. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the Barry University School of Podiatric, and serves as Of Counsel for John J. Spiegel, P.A. Spiegel is also a member of the Faculty Senate Ethics Committee of Barry University and the Government Relations Committee of the Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

At FIU Law, Spiegel was the founding President of the Student Bar Association and chair of the committee charged with drafting the SBA Constitution. Spiegel graduated from FIU Law third in her class, magna cum laude, and received the Book Award for the highest grade in six classes. She was a member of the Moot Court Team and the Board of Advocates, and worked as a Certified Legal Intern at the Office of the Miami-Dade Public Defender. Spiegel was the first FIU Law graduate to be hired as an Assistant Public Defender, and in 2006, she received an award for “Loyalty, Dedication to the Cause of Justice and Outstanding Contribution.”

20 | FIU LAW ALUMNI

oLGA ViAnA UrBinA ’06


kAtenA roBerts-tUrner ’05

Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office, 2011-present

“Not only did I learn valuable skills as an Assistant Public Defender, I was

also mentored by a group of dedicated attorneys who modeled core values

of providing outstanding legal representation for indigent clients while

maintaining high ethical standards.”

– Rosann M. Spiegel ’04


Close and spin the book for Assistant State Attorneys.

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FIU Law Assistant Public Defenders

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