St. Thomas University College of Law alumna, Jenelle E. La Chuisa ‘00, is being celebrated this October for her remarkable achievements in the legal field. Recently, La Chuisa, a litigation partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, was honored with the 2024 Russell E. Carlisle Advocacy Award by the Legal Aid Service of Broward County. This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding dedication to making justice accessible for the poor and disadvantaged, aligning perfectly with her career-long commitment to advocacy.
La Chuisa’s passion for justice was ignited during her time at St. Thomas University College of Law. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls attending a Women in Law seminar which opened her eyes to the realities of gender-based discrimination, equal rights, and the history of equal pay. “That seminar was thought provoking,” La Chuisa shared, and “opened my eyes to injustice, and how the legal process to correct injustice is often slow.”
Her time at STU also introduced her to the world of immigration law. “I enjoyed STU’s immigration clinic and classes with Professor Linda A. Kelly-Hill.” Under the mentorship of Professor Kelly-Hill, La Chuisa became certified to handle asylum cases. Her work did not stop there—she also participated in a Florida Bar Foundation Fellowship, and through the Florida Immigration Advocacy Center (now known as Americans for Immigrant Justice), she traveled across Florida to detention centers, advocating for unrepresented individuals seeking asylum.
In addition to her busy legal practice, La Chuisa co-chairs Hinshaw’s Pro Bono and Community Involvement Committee in Fort Lauderdale, leading a team of attorneys committed to pro bono service. She inspired and led thirteen Hinshaw attorneys who contributed more than 100 hours on various pro bono activities and nonprofit organizations.
La Chuisa has this advice for current STU law students: “If you are interested in pro bono or community involvement opportunities, ask firms about their pro bono policies during interviews.” Essentially, start early. “Participate in public interest law school clinics, apply for fellowships, and do make pro bono work part of your day-to-day schedule from the beginning.”
We are incredibly proud to spotlight Jenelle E. La Chuisa ’00 as a shining example of what STU Law graduates can achieve. She continues to inspire future generations of lawyers to champion the rights of those most in need. Congratulations, Jenelle, on this well-deserved recognition! To read more about Jenelle in the Becker Public Relations press release, click here.
