Former Students

Abadir M. Ibrahim (Ethiopia) Abadir M. Ibrahim brings to the LL.M. Program the experience of a lawyer and professional who worked in both, practical and academic settings. As a public prosecutor, he has had an acquaintance with working on the frontline where one encounters both human rights protection and abuse. He has a working experience with criminal law and procedure, legal drafting of legal documents, legislative human rights impact assessment, business process re-engineering, and research on crime prevention and rehabilitation. His academic experience includes teaching Human Rights Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Legal Ethics, Law of Persons, Private International Law (Conflict of Laws), and Legal History as a graduate assistant. Scholarly publication on human rights law and jurisprudence has enriched his academic background. On top of teaching, research and publication his experience in academia includes working as the Head of a Law Department. Abadir is fluent in English, Russian, and three other Ethiopian native languages.
Allison Kranz (U.S.A.) Allison Kranz is an attorney and social justice educator from the Metropolitan Detroit area. In Grand Rapid, Michigan, Allison completed a double major Bachelor of Science degree in sociology with an emphasis in social inequality and public administration at Grand Valley State University, where she was named Most Outstanding Student in Sociology and also given the Thomas M. Seykora Award for Outstanding Contribution. This is an honor reserved for a graduating senior who has most affected the University during his or her time there. Allison attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law where she received three Best in Class “Book” Awards and was President of her class. She also received second place in an appellate moot court competition and was named champion of a mock trial tournament. Allison is licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan and soon in the District of Columbia. Her areas of practice include: international human rights, civil rights, immigration, employment discrimination, labor law and criminal defense. Allison is of counsel to Mitrakas and Company of Alexandria, Virginia and is currently seeking full time employment. Allison Kranz can be reached by email at KranzA@gmail.com
Mag.iur. Leyla Nikjou (Austria) In her first year at law school Leyla Nikjou found out that she has a passion for the enhancement of Human Rights and an utter dislike for injustice and human suffering. Therefore, before graduating from the University of Vienna, she applied for the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship, to become what is referred to as an “Ambassador of Good Will”. The LL.M. program in Intercultural Human Rights at St. Thomas University is assisting her to get the knowledge needed and the necessary skills to fight for human dignity. Besides fulfilling the mandatory requirements for this degree, she is working as an Executive Editor in the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review and she is an oralist for the Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition 2010. Being raised in a family that is rich in national, religious, and linguistic diversity she spoke Farsi and German since childhood. At school, she learned English and French. Since she lived in Italy for one year on a scholarship to pursue her studies in law and to work on her thesis she is also fluent in Italian. Due to her Rotary Scholarship Leyla is involved in the Rotarian’s Community work in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Lara Skidelsky (Argentina) Lara Skidelsky was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She graduated from Belgrano University School of Law of Buenos Aires. After finishing her legal studies, she taught Criminal Procedure classes at the Belgrano University and collaborated with two other authors in writing a Criminal Procedure book intended for law students. After graduation, she taught Criminal Procedure at the Argentinean Police Academy and completed an LL.M. in Criminal Law and International Terrorism. At the same time, she was hired by the District Attorney to help with the investigation of the bombing of the AMIA, a Jewish Mutual Association, where 85 people were killed in 1994. She was subsequently hired as an attorney for the Argentinean Government to work for the Intelligence Agency investigating Federal Crimes such as Drug Trafficking and Kidnappings. In 2005, she decided to pursue her legal studies in the United States and enrolled in the Law School at St. Thomas University School of Law. In 2009, she chose St. Thomas University again to further her education After graduation, she will be moving to The Hague to collaborate with the prosecution of the individuals allegedly responsible for the terrorist attack that occurred in Argentina 1994 which will be brought to the International Criminal Court.
Peter Calin (U.S.A.) Peter Calin is a graduate of Cornell University, where he received a JD degree from the Law School and an MBA from the Graduate School of Business. His undergraduate studies were at the University of Michigan and Temple University in Philadelphia. Among his significant practical accomplishments, he includes: being appointed campus Judicial Advisor by the Cornell President; the start-up, staffing and management of a regional tax office for a major Fortune 100 company; leadership, management and coordination of a high-profile bid to develop a 5-star resort hotel; and starting his own successful financial services business. Peter speaks Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian. He prides himself in his language acumen and intercultural sensitivities. He has excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, as well as a diversity of legal and business experiences, including extensive international business and travel experiences, primarily in Latin America and the Caribbean. He loves reading, travel, culture and languages, plays Go, enjoys fitness and practices yoga.
Abby Lund (U.S.A.) Abby Lund is from Connecticut, and she graduated with a BA in Music and a minor in Human Rights from the University of Connecticut. She developed a desire to join the LL.M. program at St. Thomas University because of the reputation of the Program and for experience she would gain from being taught by experts and decision makers from all parts of the world. She has been given the opportunity to pursue her interest in Indigenous rights this summer and fall. She will be participating in an internship at the Western Shoshone Defense Project in Nevada where she will be assisting with the claims of the Shoshone Peoples to stop the US government from destroying their traditional homelands in order to expand their mining revenues. Abby is part of a student association known as ‘Law Students for Human Rights’ at St. Thomas University. She is confident that this program will provide her with the knowledge she needs to be able to pursue a career in indigenous rights, both at the grassroots level or at the international level. In her opinion, indigenous rights are often overlooked in the field of human rights, and it is our job to work to ensure that indigenous groups know what their rights are so that they are able to stand for their own rights.
Keya Canaii (U.S. Virgin Islands) Keya Canaii was born and raised on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Psychology. After an incredibly rewarding experience studying the criminal tribunal for the leaders of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia with the School for International Training and Documentation Center of Cambodia, Keya spent the next year traveling throughout Europe and Northern Africa taking part in different projects of humanitarian nature. She has worked for the Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the 5th Constitutional Convention of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and is currently interning with the International Rescue Committee here in Miami. After graduating from St. Thomas University’s LL. M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, she hopes to pursue a career in humanitarian work and eventually attain a Doctorate in peace and conflict resolution.
Omar Mekky (Egypt) Omar A. Mekky earned an LL.B. from Alexandria University, School of Law. He worked as an attorney for two years in the prominent Samir-Hafez law firm, and is currently employed as a public prosecutor for the Egyptian Ministry of Justice. His responsibilities as a public prosecutor included: the investigation in several criminal cases, attending court sessions as a representative of the prosecution, and supervising the police stations and jails. This experience led him to specialize increasingly in human rights related with the criminal justice system. He was selected to attend several international humanitarian law training courses held by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the League of Arab States in the Middle East. Ranking first in most of these courses he was trained for and earned a certificate as a trainer in this field. Deciding to pursue his studies in human rights, he joined the Intercultural Human Rights Program in St. Thomas University, School of Law. He is confident that this will help him to obtain skills in handling cases concerning human rights and gain a better understanding of how they should be applied properly.
Maudisa Shevonne McSween (Trinidad and Tobago) Maudisa Shevonne McSween hails from the beautiful twin nation Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean, West Indies. Maudisa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland and then earned her Juris Doctorate from Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC. Maudisa’s lifelong dream is to work in the human rights field, specifically in the areas of employment, civil rights, and disability discrimination. Maudisa aspires to work in the policy development field to promote and encourage stricter standards and greater protection for human rights in her home country and throughout the Caribbean. Maudisa enjoys travelling, visiting new places, experiencing new cultures, and occasionally escaping into the fictional world of literature. She especially enjoys spending time and “liming” with family and friends. Maudisa is serving as the LL.M. Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review at St. Thomas University, responsible for making editorial decisions for the upcoming law review issue.
Oswaldo Alvarez (Venezuela) Oswaldo Alvarez was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, and living also in Suriname, Colombia and Brazil. He studied law in Universidade Federal do Estado do Para (Federal University of the State do Para), in Belem, Brasil and received his law degree in "Universidad Catolica Andres Bello" (Catholic University Andres Bello), in Caracas, Venezuela. He engaged in private practice and commercial litigation, assisting small companies and some subsidiaries of foreign firms based in his home country. He is currently residing in Florida where he learned about the St. Thomas University LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights and the purpose it pursued. Finding a program with the highest level of academic excellence and a deep interest in respect for human dignity has been of great significance for him. He is thrilled for pursuing an LL.M. that will allow him to strive in the defense and protection of fundamental rights of human beings in all their dimensions. Participating in this experience has opened a big window for Alvarez and has renewed his interest in the law in a different light. It has been a real privilege which he hopes many others will share.
Benjy Delian (Haiti) Benjy Delian is a native of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. She currently works at Sternberg & Hedler, P.A., a private law firm, as a Director of Client Relations. Due to her experience in the legal field and her passion for people’s rights, she has been actively engaged in her community. She created a weekly radio program, The Benjy Show, which she hosted and produced with the intention of helping families in crisis. The program gave her the opportunity to become an advocate and trustworthy speaker for the Haitian community. She further engaged in legal advocacy work, producing The Legal Corner which is currently airing. The purpose of this radio talk show is to provide legal advice to her fellow Haitians assisted by a legal team. She identifies the community needs along with the legal experts and offer solutions to them. Ms. Delian is able to breach the gap between American culture and the disenfranchised minority group that she feels for. After graduation from the LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights, she aspires to become a human rights lawyer and to be politically involved in South Florida.
Oyunchimeg Tsedev (Mongolia) Oyuna was born in Ulan-Bator, Mongolia. She earned an LL.B from the Mongolian National University, School of Law, specializing in administrative law. Oyuna completed her majoring training at The City Mayor Office and Governor Office of the Capital city of Mongolia, Ulan-Bator. She worked in Mongol Post Bank before attending at English language course in Dublin, Ireland. Oyuna joined Mongolian Properties L.L.C. as a Legal Advisor and Senior Real Estate Agent. She benefited from the experience she gained at Mongolian Properties, which works closely with overseas relocation companies and primarily caters to large organizations with housing needs and assists with all types of property transactions, tourism and mining properties. She holds BBA from the Institute of Finance and Economics and she worked as Executive director of Onlinecard L.L.C. before coming to Miami.
Jose M. Faverola (Venezuela) Jose M. Faverola was born in Caracas, Venezuela and went to school in Georgetown Preparatory School in Rockville, Maryland. He studied law at the prestigious Andres Bello Catholic University, in Caracas, Venezuela. After becoming an attorney admitted to practice law in Venezuela, he founded a law firm dedicated to the representation of socially disadvantaged groups and individuals. Jose is actively involved as an affiliate with the International Law section of the Florida Bar, and is also part of The Florida Justice Association as an out-of-State member. He has served as a Judge in the Jessup Cup of The National Law Student Association and has written many news paper articles covering social issues relating to the protection of the economically disadvantaged members of society. Jose is one of the founders of Global Protection Network (GPN), a non-for-profit organization aimed at helping victims of human rights violations. Jose is employed by the renowned international Professional Association of Krupnick Campbell Malone, et al., where he is involved with cases of global social importance, defending persons against the transgressions of transnational conglomerates and working on environmental law cases.
Brigitte Valbuena (Colombia) Brigitte Valbuena was born in Bogotá, Colombia. She obtained her J.D from La Gran Colombia University. She worked for the Prosecutor’s Office in the Appeals Section as an assistant prosecutor studying and reviewing high profile cases involving serious violations of human rights. During her time in Law School and after her graduation, Colombia was facing a national tragedy marked with violence, drug trafficking, kidnapping, terrorism, displacement of people, widespread homicide, and violation of indigenous people’s rights. Being a witness of the social tragedy and decomposition that Colombians were living in, she became interested in the study of international law and human rights. Currently Brigitte works at the Office the State Attorney, 15th Judicial Circuit, Palm Beach County at the Legal Affairs and Appeals Division as a Paralegal. Once Brigitte graduates from the LL.M. Program in Intercultural Human Rights, she will pursue a career in the International Criminal Court’s Prosecutor’s Office.
Andrea Franco (Colombia) Andrea Franco, was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She is a lawyer with experience in diverse areas of law such as, financial, commercial, civil, and family law. She has had the opportunity to have been involved with Non-Profit Organizations and entities that manage and develop community oriented programs. Andrea feels that she is very fortunate to study in the LL.M. Program of St. Thomas University School of Law, which has enriched her knowledge of human rights and international law and provided her with invaluable professional and personal insight into the experience of colleagues and professors from around the world.
Elton Islamaj (Albania) Elton Islamaj was born and grew up in Albania. His professional career took a turn towards human rights when he started work as a training and field coordinator for the National Democratic Institute (NDI) in Tirana, Albania. In order to make better use of the thinking, leading, and training skills that he acquired while in NDI he established a non-governmental organization, The Bridge Center- Qendra URA. Among other endeavors the Bridge Center implemented a project “Inform and Participate” which aimed toward building a stronger relationship between citizens and local government, a project funded by the Balkan Trust. His growing interest in relationships between citizens and government encouraged him to pursue his studies in law at the Eastern European University in Tetovo, Macedonia, a prestigious school in the region.
Kemarr Latoya Brown (Jamaica) A national of Jamaica as a child, Kemarr L. Brown aspired to become an attorney in order to aid in the reconstruction of the judicial infrastructure of her country as well as bring awareness to defenseless Jamaican citizens whose fundamental rights are violated on a daily basis. She completed a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Political Science at St. Thomas University. She has also acquired two minors in Mass Communications Arts and International Business at the St. Thomas University. Several months prior to concluding her undergraduate career she was introduced to St. Thomas University School of Law LL.M. in Intercultural Human Rights Program by advisor. Upon being admitted in this acclaimed post-graduate program she has set her course to become a human rights activist particularly focusing on the region of the Caribbean. She is currently associated with two renowned non-profit organizations, namely December of Dreams and International Rescue Committee, where she facilitates the work of both organizations by requesting grants from local legislators for funds intended for schools in Latin America and the Caribbean. As an intern with an immigration firm, the Law Office of Florence Chamberlin P.A., she assists attorneys in representing immigrants in courts proceedings, as well as offering legal assistance to Haitian refugees.
Monica Stone (Colombia) Monica Stone was born in Bogota, Colombia, where she grew up and lived until she came to live to the United States. She studied law at the Sabana University, where she received her LL.B. She worked for the government in Colombia, in the office of the High Commissioner for the Peace, in the process of demobilization of the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia (AUC) an illegal paramilitary organization. As part of her duties she was sent into the rural country areas, to finalize peace agreements with members of the organization. During this period she had started a Masters program in Commercial Law, which she completed in 2008. She is pursuing higher education at St. Thomas University in the Intercultural Human Rights Program while at the same time preparing for the American Bar Examination.
Soeurette Michel (Haiti) Soeurette Michel’s interest in law began when she was involved in community service at her Church, St. James Catholic Church in Orlando. There, she learned that many people, especially immigrants, were in great need for assistance when dealing with legal matters. So she decided to take up her dream of becoming an attorney. Over the years, she has come to realize that positive changes can only be accomplished through direct participation in one’s community. The concept of everyone living in harmony by helping each other is one of the major catalysts in her decision to become involved in the legal system. When she completes the program, she especially would love to get involved in helping people in the Haitian community, a sector that is ill-represented as a result of the language barrier.
Dante Lendechy Cornejo (Mexico) Dante Lendechy Cornejo was born in Mexico City and studied law at the Marist University (Universidad Marista) in Mexico City. Dante decided to enroll in the LL.M. Program on Human Rights at St. Thomas University because, while practicing criminal law in his country he was in constant contact with and developed a liking towards questions related to human rights, especially the rights of victims and defendants in criminal proceedings. He aspires to work in the field of immigration law especially in regards to its implications to human rights in the United States.
Omar Christian (Jamaica) Omar Christian who is of a Jamaican background has a degree in political science, interdisciplinary studies, and a minor in sociology. He is a licensed real estate agent. Omar aspires to work hard to establish himself as a successful Black American and become an aspiration to and help young children who are underprivileged and believe they cannot elevate themselves. Omar has set his future toward pursuing a career in children’s rights and particularly their Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Lilia de la Torre (Colombia) Lilia de la Torre earned a J.D. degree in the Universidad Externado de Colombia, in Bogotá, Colombia. Her professional experience in Colombia includes: engagement with analysis and research at the Superintendent of Industry and Commerce, for the modification and amendment of Consumer Rights Law; carrying out family law seminars for psychology students, in the St. Thomas University of Bogota; taking part in the creation and development of workshops to familiarize high school students to the new Colombian Constitution and its social, political, and economic impact in society. Lilia worked as an Immigration Case Manager in the Feldenkrais Law P.A., where she was responsible for the Immigration Department and case management with Clients. She was employed in the Immigration Law Office as an Immigration Paralegal; worked as an attorney at teh Transportadora Maritima Grancolombiana (Bogota-Colombia) where she was in charge of the Legal Documentation Department. In Vernot Abogados Ltda., she worked as an Associate Attorney in family law. She has also drafted and filed lawsuits, in civil, commercial and family law and provided legal opinions in commercial, labor, civil and family law. She has also worked in assisting the Trademark Department in filing lawsuits and complaints at the Superintendent of Industry and Commerce.
Jessica Madsen (U.S.A.) Jessica Madison graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Administration of Justice and a Minor in Women’s Studies. After teaching English in China for a year, she returned to Rutgers to complete a Masters degree in social work where her desire to advocate for the rights of others on a grander scale began to flourish. The opportunities St. Thomas University School of Law provided to her created the perfect outlet to utilize both her passion and commitment to become catalytic in her efforts to strive for the betterment of humanity. After the completion of her first year, she worked closely with human rights attorneys at the St. Thomas University Human Rights Institute who were seeking protection for asylum seekers from Haiti. She participated in a summer abroad program in The Hague to study international law and the courts. During her second year of law school, she was a judicial clerk in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida and an intern at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. She continued her education at St. Thomas in the LL.M. program because of its world renowned Intercultural Human Rights program that is dedicated to effecting global change in the area of human rights and dignity.