Ariel Cavazos is the 2017-2018 Holland & Knight Scholar,
a designation that landed her a summer associate’s position at the Top 10 law
firm as well as a full-tuition scholarship for her second year at Florida
A&M University College of Law.
Holland & Knight, LLP selected Cavazos after a panel
interview with law firm partners and an application process that included
several other FAMU Law students who, like her, excelled in first-year classes
based on grades following their first semester of law school. As the 10th
recipient of one of the law school’s most prestigious honors, Cavazos said she
proudly represented the FAMU College of law during summer 2017 while honing her
practical skills.
“I’ve been exposed to many different areas of the law and
have gotten invaluable experience that as a rising 2L I would not have received
anywhere else,” she said.
As a summer associate, she was packed with legal research and writing assignments – analyzing live cases, meeting with actual clients, and gaining first-hand knowledge of what it is like to be in court.
Cavazos admits she was more of an introvert before the
internship, which is why she hoped the experience would raise her legal and,
more importantly, her communication skills to the next level.
“In a firm such as Holland & Knight, one meets many
different personalities,” she said. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely
with partners as well as associates and have learned so much from each one’s
style, which in return has added to my own work style. Practical experience is
important.”