2023 CLEA Student Awards for Clinics and Externships: Baltimore’s Akil Holmes, Jessica Sims, Amy Werner, and Alona Del Rosario

The Clinical Legal Education Association invited law schools to nominate students as their Outstanding Clinic Student or Team and Outstanding Externship student. This series includes submissions from law schools celebrating their outstanding students. 

CLEA Outstanding Clinical Team Award: Akil Holmes, Jessica Sims, and Amy Werner at UBalt Law’s Innocence Project Clinic

Akil, Jessica, and Amy have been a model of collaboration in the Innocence Project Clinic, which represents individuals convicted of crimes they did not commit. They came together quickly as a team and have gone above and beyond to provide excellent, client-centered representation to their client. They have done exceptional casework, mastering a procedurally and factually complex case, while quickly building rapport and trust with their client. The team has completed a thorough and comprehensive investigation, finding witnesses that a hired and experienced investigator was unable to locate! They worked diligently on their client’s Motion to Modify during winter break, organizing over 70 exhibits. In class, they offer insightful and meaningful feedback to their colleagues, elevating the conversation and improving the lawyering skills of all the students. Akil, Jessica and Amy are a model of collaboration and teamwork.

CLEA Outstanding Externship Student Award: Alona Del Rosario at UBalt Law

Alona has completed externships with Sen. Van Hollen’s Office and as a Housing Justice Fellow with the Pro Bono Resource Center. She was a standout extern and has made her commitment to public service evident throughout her law school career. During her time at UBalt Law she has also participated in the Family Mediation Clinic, co-founded the If/When/How’s student chapter, and served on the UBalt Student for Public Interest Board. She has also interned at the Public Justice Center, the Network for Victim Recovery of DC, Maryland Association of Nonprofits, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. She received a Turner Research and Travel Award from UBalt to present at the National Network to End Domestic Violence Economic Justice Summit in April on the intersection between domestic violence and right to counsel in evictions. She embodies the best of UBalt Law’s Externship program through her dedication, self-reflection and contributions to the broader public interest community.