humantraFFiCkingandtheBeautYoFrestoration
Trial & litigation Section
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adult in South Florida by a man who would exploit dozens of victims along the way , J was finally able to get away . In 2022 , with J ’ s and other victims ’ assistance , her trafficker was convicted in federal court , sentenced to sixty years in prison , and ordered to pay restitution to the victims . In a recent phone call with J about another legal matter , we learned that after she got away from her trafficker , she went to college and earned a communications degree . It is certainly not uncommon for survivors to pursue an education ; the arc of recovery bends towards achievement . But there was more . Here are her own words :
“ I earned my Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2024 . Through these experiences , I turned a negative chapter in my life into a powerful catalyst for positive change , and I am committed to using my legal career to make a meaningful difference .”
J also shared that without the support of a lawyer who gave her intern opportunities before she went to law school , she couldn ’ t envision herself as an attorney with all she ’ d been through . Recovering and discovering life after human trafficking takes a village , and lawyers are members of that village , not just in providing critical legal services but also in helping breathe life into the dreams of others .
We welcome J into this profession and celebrate her resilience , courage , and the beautiful truth of the human spirit in the face of adversity .
Attorneys interested in serving trafficking survivors may contact the Justice Restoration Center at 727- 940-2282 . n
Authors : Brent A . Woody & Jenay E . Iurato – Justice Restoration Center
Trial & Litigation Section and Government Lawyers Section Host Joint CLE
onnovember1 , thehCBatrial & LitigationandgovernmentLawyersectionshostedaninformative jointCLeonthetopic “ Juryselection101 : aLookintoCriminal , Civil , andappellateBestpractices .” wethankthepanelistsandmoderatorswhoprovidedtheirinsighttotheattendees : rexBarbas ( retiredJudge ), Barbasmediation ; scottharmon , stateattorney ’ soffice ; LaraBreslow , Floridaoffice oftheattorneygeneral ; andmoderatorsalexaCline , officeoftheattorneygeneral , statewide prosecution ; andLaurenv . humphries , Buchananingersoll & rooneypC .
J A N - F E B 2 0 2 5 | H C B A L A W Y E R
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