International law program equips students to thrive in a global setting | FIU News

Alina Fernandez Portela

Alina M. Fernandez Portela ’15, J.D. ’19 is an associate at the Miami business of Hogan Lovells U.S. LLP, a world-wide legislation agency acknowledged as 1 of the world’s leading firms advising on company, finance, litigation, regulatory and mental house law. It was stated in Forbes’ America’s “Top Reliable Company Regulation Firms” in 2019.

In her part, Fernandez Portela researches lawful concerns, drafts persuasive arguments and participates in all phases of advanced arbitration proceedings – a system identical to litigation that usually takes area in front of 1 or three chosen arbitrators – in English and Spanish and in various industries from development to telecommunications.

After arriving from Cuba when she was 20 decades previous, Fernandez Portela earned an associate’s diploma from Miami Dade University, a bachelor’s diploma in English from FIU and went on to law faculty at the university.

Although at FIU Legislation, Fernandez Portela was a member of the moot court docket staff and obtained the “Outstanding Advocate Award”. She was also the 2017 oral advocacy champion at FIU Law’s 15^th Once-a-year Moot Court Level of competition.

She competed two times at the annual Phillip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competitiveness, in which she was awarded “Top 10 Orator” the two instances. She also participated in Moot Madrid, an international commercial arbitration competition in Spain. All through regulation school, she labored for many law companies in Miami and served as a judicial intern for Maria M. Korvick of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.

Fernandez Portela observed her contacting in global regulation.

“I felt there was an opportunity for me,” she suggests. “I often pictured myself carrying out anything at the worldwide stage that involved traveling and executing a thing crucial, significant. I discuss Spanish and Latin The united states is an crucial and expanding lawful market, so I knew my language expertise would be place to very good use.”

She suggests taking part in FIU’s moot court and the prestigious global competitions have been pivotal for her career.

“It was the best point that ever transpired to me in legislation college,” she states. “At 1 stage, I felt I was just getting the chances within just FIU. Probably the alternatives have been getting me. It was a make a difference of ‘just hold going’ and just take advantage of individuals options.”