Meet The 2025 Fellows

Stacy Cleveland

​

Stacy has been dedicated to public service her entire life. Born into a military family, she was exposed early on in her life to the impact of service. While attending college at Florida State University she worked with organizations like Habitat for Humanity. She balanced several leadership positions with her schoolwork and an active life in her sorority. Her balanced perspective helped her succeed in getting admitted to the Florida State University College of Law. In law school she continued to serve others by serving as a student ambassador and working with clubs like JAWS, an organization dedicated to helping law students manage stress and develop healthy coping. Upon graduating she accepted the position as a prosecutor with the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office where she has worked her way up to become a specialized unit prosecutor for the Economic Crimes Unit. Even in this career she finds time to work with Teen Court and spends time helping expunge the criminal records of those who qualify.

Emily Demetree

​

Emily is a seasoned litigator. With a strong foundation in both oral and written advocacy, Emily brings a unique perspective to their practice, having previously served as an Assistant Public Defender for the Miami Dade Public Defender’s Office. Her experience in both the public and private sectors has equipped her with a deep understanding of the legal system and a commitment to justice. Emily’s experience in handling trials and evidentiary hearings as first chair has allowed her to develop a strong sense of confidence in the courtroom. Emily is a “double-cane,” a proud alumnus of both the University of Miami and University of Miami School of Law. She was a member of the International and Comparative Law Review, a participant in the Health Rights Clinic, and graduated with honors. In her free time, she has been a dancer for life, and as an adult has become an avid runner, taking full advantage of Miami’s beautiful weather.

Veronique Malebranche

 

Veronique moved to Miami with her family after 15 years of living in Haiti. She graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in international business and earned her juris doctor from St. Thomas University Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. During law school, Veronique served as the liaison for the Public Interest Law Society, connecting her school with various campus organizations, and as a student attorney, achieving a favorable outcome for her client at the San Antonio Immigration Court. As a member of the moot court team, Veronique argued before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. After graduation, Veronique received the Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional Award from the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Florida and graduated from The Florida Bar’s William Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy with an award. She serves on The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division’s Board of Governors and is the immediate past president of the Haitian Lawyers Association. With a deep passion for the law and commitment to personal growth, Veronique actively seeks to leverage her platform to support others.

Cassandra N. Milnes

 

Cassandra has built a distinguished legal career, specializing in government cases, personal injury, contract disputes, and constitutional law. Before becoming an assistant city attorney, she served as in-house counsel for a national insurance firm, worked as a public defender, and represented thousands of homeowners. She has handled 16 trials and has been recognized for her tenacious litigation skills; in addition, Cassandra is pursuing board certification in civil trial law from The Florida Bar. In 2024, Cassandra was named a Rising Star by the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (MDFAWL), and she previously received the Pro Bono Service Award and the Joseph Reyes Scholarship from Florida International University College of Law in recognition of her dedication to public service. She has contributed to her alma mater by serving as an assistant trial coach, the vice president of the Women’s Law Society, and the president of the school’s chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Currently, Cassandra serves as an affiliate board member and a co-chair of the Government Law Committee of the Miami-Dade Bar, and a co-chair of the Pro Bono Committee of MDFAWL. In the coming year, she plans to volunteer as a guardian ad litem and reinforce her commitment to community service.

Mallorie Milord

 

Mallorie focuses her practice on civil litigation, managing cases from initial claim through trial or settlement. She excels at analyzing case facts to develop effective defense strategies, drafting substantive motions, and overseeing discovery. Mallorie represents clients in depositions, mediations, and court appearances, ensuring cases are trial-ready by court deadlines. With a focus on efficiency and strong litigation tactics, she consistently delivers favorable outcomes while navigating complex legal matters. Before joining the firm, Mallorie worked at national and regional litigation firms, where she developed comprehensive litigation plans, led mediations, and handled high-stakes depositions. She also has experience with reviewing commercial contracts for compliance. Mallorie earned her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law and interned at Boca Raton Regional Hospital and with the Honorable Anuraag Hari “Raag” Singhal at the Broward County Courthouse. She holds a B.A. in management information systems from Florida International University. In her free time, Mallorie enjoys reading widely and staying active by running and through fitness courses.

Carolyn Morway

 

Carolyn serves as a staff attorney at Catholic Legal Services in Miami, where she provides immigration legal assistance to underserved communities. A magna cum laude graduate of Brooklyn Law School, she previously served as a term staff attorney for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and clerked for Criminal Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. Carolyn approaches her work with a collaborative mindset, valuing both teamwork and individual contribution. Her career is driven by a commitment to helping others. Beyond the legal field, Carolyn enjoys participating in community activities. She actively volunteers with the Florida Immigrant Coalition and is a committed member of her community composting program. An avid reader and traveler, Carolyn considers Miami one of her favorite places to live. At home, she enjoys spending time with her husband, who she met playing soccer, and their three rescue cats.

Deepti Orekondy

 

Deepti is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, Deepti was an active member of the University of Miami Business Law Review and served as its senior writing editor, and participated in the Honor Council, and the South/West Asian and North African Law Students Association. During this time, she also served as the student affairs representative for the Student Bar Association for the University of Miami Board of Trustees. While in law school, Deepti was actively involved with the Immigration Clinic, where she represented underserved members of the community in their immigration cases before immigration courts of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and other divisions of the federal government, which sparked her interest in pursuing a career in immigration law. Deepti has been practicing law since 2017 and is currently an associate with Littler Mendelson P.C., where her practice focuses on business immigration. She is passionate about giving back to her community and hopes to use her network to provide opportunities for young minority women in the legal field.

PatRICIA Patino

 

Patty focuses her practice on assisting clients in complex business disputes in state and federal courts, as well as arbitration forums. Patty’s breadth of experience in handling business disputes involving claims of breach of contract and commercial torts, and in class actions and appeals. She also has experience in product liability and antitrust matters. In the courtroom, Patty excels at oral advocacy, which is critical to achieving optimal outcomes for clients. In recognition of her skills, Patty was selected as One to Watch in the commercial litigation category by Best Lawyers. Before entering private practice, Patty served as a law clerk to the Honorable Jay P. Cohen at the District Court of Appeal for the Fifth District of Florida, where she was responsible for researching and recommending the disposition of issues raised in civil appeals, including  jurisdiction, contractual and statutory interpretation, damages, and attorneys’ fee awards. In her free time, Patty enjoys spending time with her husband and their cats, taking girls’ trips to fun, new locations, and trying different exercise classes.

Cecilia Ruiz

 

Cecilia serves as corporate counsel for Internova Travel Group, one of the world’s largest travel services companies. Prior to joining Internova, she was corporate counsel for Univision and Claro, where she gained experience negotiating commercial transactions and advising on commercial law. Although originally from Cartagena, Colombia, Cecilia grew up in Ottawa, Canada from the age of 4. She moved to Miami to attend Florida International University College of Law in 2017 and has lived in the area ever since. During law school, Cecilia worked at the International Law Commission of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, where she assisted in drafting speeches and researching topics such as crimes against humanity and peremptory norms of general international law. In addition, Cecilia was the vice-president of the Intellectual Property Law Student Association. In her free time, Cecilia enjoys spinning, traveling (she has been to over 15 countries), and improving her underhand serve in pickleball.

Christina Scott

 

Christina Scott is a staff attorney in the Community Economic Development unit of Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc. She represents non-profit organizations and small businesses with respect to business formation, transactions, commercial leases, and contract negotiation and drafting. She also provides training, support, and counsel on business and corporate governance matters. Previously, Christina was an assistant state attorney for Miami-Dade County, in the Child Support Division. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and travel.