PBCBA BAR BULLETINS pbcba_bulletin_sept2018 | Page 10

CDI C o r n e r
Learning Beyond the Textbook
Coffee and Bagels with the Judges
Socialize with the Judges of the
15th Judicial Circuit and other
local attorneys!
MINA DAWOUD
The journey that I have taken to get
to where I am today has been far from
smooth. I was born and raised in South
Florida. My parents, however, are both
immigrants, who fled from their home,
their work, and their families to give my
sister and me a better life. They left what
was comfortable and easy for them to make
life more comfortable for us. I watched my
parents work enormous amounts of hours,
but somehow they always ensured that
they had time for my sister and me. They
instilled their amazing work ethic and
morals in me from a young age, and I can
never thank them enough for that.
From a very young age, those around
me always said I would become an
attorney. I would argue about anything
and everything, and I would negotiate
whatever I could with as much vigor as I
could muster. Today, friends and family
call me to go car shopping and apartment
hunting with them to help negotiate a good
deal. Anyone who is close to me would
admit that being in a field that values
negotiations is a dream come true for me.
Law school has been an amazing experience
for me thus far because I have learned
about everything I love. With two years
under my belt, I am prepared to enter my
final year at the University of Miami School
of Law as a different student. I began this
final year with a completely different pair
of eyes because of my experience this past
summer as an intern at Roberts, Reynolds,
Bedard & Tuzzio, P.A.
At Roberts, Reynolds, Bedard, and Tuzzio,
I learned so many lessons about being
a lawyer that cannot be taught in a
classroom or through a textbook. Under
the exceptional leadership, guidance, and
mentorship of Managing Partners Lyman
H. Reynolds and Benjamin Bedard, I learned
what it took to be not just an attorney, but
a great one.
With two years of law school already
behind me, I began the summer with an
understanding of some basic litigation
concepts. During the summer, however,
Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Bedard, as well as the
many other attorneys at the firm, taught me
how to meticulously analyze every decision
and how to give detailed explanations of
the analysis behind any assignment. For
example, after completing a motion that was
assigned to me, the partners encouraged me
to observe the hearing on the motion to see
how the leg work I did was put into practice
in court. I fully expected learning to be a
by-product of working at a civil litigation
firm. What I did not anticipate, however,
was for the firm to value my learning above
everything else.
Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Bedard went above and
beyond to teach me a lesson every chance
they had. Whether it was in the office or at
lunch, there was never a single conversation
that was not used as an opportunity to
teach me something new. In addition, they
provided constant reassurances that it was
okay to make mistakes the first time I take
on a new challenge, which gave me the
confidence to produce great work products
and consistently perform at a high level.
The firm gave me the opportunity to work
on almost every aspect of the civil litigation
process and allowed me opportunities to
analyze cases and strategize rather than
just telling me exactly what to do. I grew a
lot this summer and I am more excited than
ever to graduate and become a practicing
attorney thanks to the opportunity I was
privileged enough to have this summer,
made possible through the Diversity
Internship Program.
Mina is a rising third-year law student with
the University of Miami School of Law.
Please join us for the award
winning, Coffee and Bagels
with the Judges, held the second
Tuesday of every month in the
north end of the cafeteria at the
main courthouse.
This is a series of fun, casual events
meant to foster relationships and
dialogue between the judiciary
and members of the bar.
Upcoming dates:
September
October
November
December
No registration is required
Sponsors include:
Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart
& Shipley, P.A.
The Law Offices of Todd Stewart,
P.A.
Peterson Bernard
Domnick Cunningham &
Whalen
Gunster
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