MIAMI (July 2025) - Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney hosted its fourth annual externship program in collaboration with local Miami-Dade County high schools, Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and Saint Brendan High School.
The two-day interactive externship program is designed to introduce students to the diverse career opportunities available across the legal profession.
"Our Miami office's steadfast commitment to this program emphasizes how the firm values service to our communities and to the legal profession. Buchanan continues to be intentional about how we support and increase opportunities for young talent interested in the practice and business of law," said Lloyd Freeman, Chief Experience Officer. "We are honored to work with the students, and we hope to empower them to pursue their professional aspirations."
Patrick Coyle, President of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, said this about the program: "Opportunities like these at organizations like yours provide our students with invaluable experiences."
Steve Piscitelli, Law & Global Business Academy Co-Chair, Alumni Liaison at St. Brendan High School, added: "The law firm of Buchanan is providing a unique and invaluable opportunity for high school students that is unparalleled in the legal community. St. Brendan High School is proud to be a participant in this externship program."
The program kicked off with the students meeting Jim Newell, Chairman and CEO; Dani Rosetti, Chief Talent Officer; Scott Angelo, Chief Information Officer; and Michael Etkins, Managing Director of Practice Administration, to learn more about the business of a large law firm. They also had lunch and networked with the attorneys in the Miami office, discussing a wide range of practice areas, including litigation, tax, finance, and real estate. The first day concluded with a presentation from Viviana Garcia, Corporate Counsel at Del Monte Foods, about her legal career at a large corporation.
On the second day of the program, the students went to the courthouse to observe a trial. After the trial, Judge Marlene Fernandez-Karavetsos spoke with the students about it. Following the courthouse visit, Buchanan's business development team gave the students a presentation on "Networking 101." The program ended with a reception with legal alumni of each school, where students and lawyers networked.
Jennifer Olmedo-Rodriguez, shareholder and Head of the Miami office, and Jorge De La Hoz, associate, who are alumni of Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, respectively, continue to lead and organize the program.