Mahlia Lindquist is an attorney and the Executive Director for LEAP, a pre- and post-release program for incarcerated women. LEAP is looking for mentors, volunteers and new board members for its incredible program.

The below blog post is an excerpt of a post that Mahlia initially wrote for her own website reflecting on her experiences with LEAP. She was kind enough to share it with us in the hopes that it might inspire some of our Miami-Dade FAWL members to volunteer their time. If, after reading this, you are interested in learning more about LEAP or volunteering, please contact Mahlia at mahlia@leapforladies.org. 

...  I am outside the [Homestead Correctional Institute], waiting to meet a woman who has been incarcerated for almost five years. I am mentoring her as part of LEAP.

 

Thirteen fellow mentors and I cluster at the entrance to the prison. We are dressed conservatively, with only our driver's license and car keys, per prison rules.  The prison officials were expecting us, yet kept us waiting half an hour in the blazing sun before letting us in. They did not explain the delay, nor I suppose, should they. We had an appointment at a prison, not dinner reservations. 

 

Still, it seemed inconsiderate. I felt powerless at not being able to demand to speak to a manager. However, even for visitors, in prison there's nothing to be done except submit. 

 

I considered how much more degrading it must be for the prisoners. While the prison guards have a thankless task, my sympathies were more with the convicted felons than the guards trying to make a living. I imagine that's because it's easier for me to empathize with the inmates. I can't envision being a prison guard, it's not something I would actually choose. But, as for being a prisoner... "there but for the grace of God...."

 

When we finally got in, an officer provided us with our own personal panic button. If pressed, the guard explained, the prison would go on lock down and send security to our rescue. She also cautioned us not to accidentally sound the alarm. The guard's admonishment launched us into a state of anxiety, as we imagined being the idiot to accidentally put the entire prison in a state of emergency. Or worse, a situation that would justify panic.

 

Walking across the grounds to meet our charges, we passed inmates who looked on curiously, said hello, and politely stepped aside to let us pass. My anxiety over the panic button subsided, only to be replaced by a new one -- fear of failure.

What on earth did I have to offer an incarcerated woman studying to be an entrepreneur? Other than a two person law firm, I have never run a business, and my only experience with criminals was to put them behind bars. I never felt so unqualified for a job since I arrived home with my first newborn. Surely, someone trying to start a new life after prison deserved better than me.

 

The women were seated at desks and looked the mentors with giddy anticipation. As we were paired up, it was a cacophony of talk, lots of girl talk: "oooh, I love your pants!" ..."cute haircut."

 

Because the inmates do not have access to the internet, they were to explain their business plan and be prepared with a list of questions for their mentors to research. While there was business talk, the women mostly seemed to bask in having a special someone genuinely interested in their life.  I got to mentor "Beth," 37, who planned to open a hair salon. Beth was already licensed to cut hair, and is also good with make-up and wanted to combine beauty services. She asked me to look into the licensing requirements for doing permanent make-up.

 

I do not claim to have learned everything about Beth. However, I do know Beth regrets what she did and genuinely wants to lead a good life when she gets out. I also know that Beth is not a lost cause, and was terrified of how she would get by post-prison. Beth was released a couple of months ago. While it hasn't been easy, thanks to LEAP she has not relapsed, is working, and still plans to open her salon some day.

***

In an 18-page decision issued on May 9, 2016, long-time Miami-Dade FAWL supporter and member,  Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Milton Hirsch declared Florida's new death penalty law (Florida Statute Section 921.141) unconstitutional. His ruling followed a recent overhaul to the state's capital punishment system by the legislature in March, 2016 in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Hurst v. Florida, 14-7505, 577 U.S. ___ (2016).

By: Elisa D'Amico

Every semester,  Professional Responsibility and Ethics Program (PREP) Director  Jan Jacobowitz and students visit with attorneys at various bar associations to present interactive legal ethics CLE programs. Miami-Dade FAWL has hosted a successful UM Law PREP social media program for the past few years, and this year was no different.

Both the attending attorneys and presenting students were able to engage in thoughtful discussions, creating both an enjoyable and valuable experience for everyone. In addition to Miami-Dade FAWL, the PREP students presented at the Cuban American Bar Association as well. At both sessions, the topics discussed were "hot topics" that included updates to social media discovery rules, attorney advertising and professionalism, and cyber security.

On April 14, 2016, K&L Gates LLP hosted this year's program entitled "Ethical Issues in Social Media." PREP Director Jan Jacobowitz brought along three of her students to present to Miami-Dade FAWL: Ivana Alvarez, Dalisi Otero, and Daniel Hentschel. The students had prepared immensely three hypothetical examples that incorporated each of the "hot topics." And the students also prepared a take-home flyer for attendees citing the applicable professional responsibility rules, in the hopes that attorneys could and would use this flyer if an issue ever came up. For example: students presented on the topic of whether it was forbidden for lawyers to "friend" judges on Facebook, and explained that the main problem here would be a violation of the judicial canons (by the judges). As a secondary matter, lawyers have a duty to act ethically and cannot aid a judge in violating a canon. Attendees questioned this rule, though, since many of the attorneys present had contact information for judges in their mobile phones, and were fri ends.

By: Freddi Mack

On April 13, 2016, Miami-Dade County Court Judge Jason E. Dimitris hosted the third and final installment of this season's Miami-Dade FAWL's Broadway series at the Adrienne Arsht Center. Before enjoying the evening's performance of Cabaret, Judge Dimitris and guests discussed various topics related to community-mindedness, a topic very dear to our host's heart.

Judge Dimitris began by talking about his time as a volunteer firefighter in Jericho, New York, explaining how he felt tremendously inspired by the way his community would come together in trying times. He also spoke about his work as both an EMT and as a teacher. In fact, Judge Dimitris revealed that he made the decision to go to law school because of his passion for teaching and his desire to benefit the education system. There is no denying that Judge Dimitris has dedicated his life to service; he even spent some time as  Inspector General and Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Along the way,  Judge Dimitris also developed a love for the courtroom as a state and federal prosecutor and, ultimately, as a judge.

He encouraged the event's attendees not only to work hard to achieve success at their careers, but also to find ways to get involved with the people and places around them, whether through volunteering with natural disaster relief organizations, exploring public works, or even just frequenting local establishments and utilizing community resources. 

 

Miami-Dade FAWL would like to thank Judge Dimitris, as well as Adam, Craig, and Calin of the Adrienne Arsht Center, for making our Cabaret outing a night to remember!

Check out the Miami-Dade FAWL Insider panel below for details on summer shows and our members-only discount code. Enjoy!