EDLS STUDENTS PRACTICE ADVOCACY SKILLS AT CARIBBEAN LAW CLINIC

EDLS congratulates year one students, Ainsa Hepburn and Valdere Murphy, and year two student Janessa Murray, on their performance at the recent Caribbean Law Clinic (CLC).

The clinic, a biannual programme of the American Caribbean Law Initiative (ACLI), was hosted at the Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law Ft Lauderdale, Florida from November 9-11, 2016.

The CLC provides law students with an opportunity to develop their advocacy skills and collaborate with students from other law schools to research, analyze and present legal opinions based on the law in the jurisdiction of the host school. At the Fall clinic, student teams tackled challenging issues based on U.S. immigration law, such as, the rights of non-national veterans, suspected terrorists and persons who overstay visas.

The teams comprised students of ACLI member schools: Eugene Dupuch Law School, Hugh Wooding Law School, Norman Manley Law School, Nova Southeastern University, Truman Bodden Law School, Stetson School of Law and Florida Coastal Law School. “I embraced this opportunity to gain experience in transnational practice and to improve my marketability and advocacy skills,” said Valdere. “As a result of this experience, I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming Price Media Law Moot Competition.”

Teams presented arguments and responded to intense questioning from a panel of legal experts, Principal Tonya Bastian Galanis, commended the students on their performance. “Our students represented EDLS very well. We were proud of their contributions to the Clinic.”

“The team received positive feedback, the panel seemed impressed with the quality of the presentation of the EDLS students,” remarked Janessa. Ainsa benefitted greatly from the experience, “This was my first mooting opportunity and although I am not usually very comfortable with public speaking, this was a great exposure to litigation.”

Team advisor, Mrs. Raquel Williams and Principal Bastian Galanis accompanied the team. The students were extremely grateful for the advice and support offered throughout.