About the Program
Our Founding Partner, Chesterfield Smith, combined a very successful private practice of law with a remarkable career in public interest work. Chesterfield believed that our profession has a fundamental obligation to provide access to the justice system for those who cannot afford to pay for our services.
The goal of the Chesterfield Smith Fellowship Program is to find young lawyers who, in the tradition of Chesterfield, want to have a very successful private practice while at the same time fulfilling their professional commitment to providing access to the justice system for those who cannot afford to pay for legal services. Thus, participants in the Chesterfield Smith Fellowship Program come to us after exceptional performance both in college and law school, frequently after completing a prestigious federal clerkship.
Smith Fellows spend their first two years with us as part of the Community Services Team primarily doing pro bono work under the supervision of Holland & Knight partners and frequently working on major cases where we co-counsel with nationally-recognized advocacy organizations. They also work on selected cases for our paying clients.
After completing this two-year term primarily doing pro bono work, Smith Fellows are then assigned to one of the firm's practice areas as third-year associates. Even then, we expect Smith Fellows to continue performing at least 100 to 200 hours of pro bono work each year.
Smith Fellows receive the same compensation and benefits as other associates and advance within the firm on the regular partnership track.
Current Smith Fellows
School, Graduating Year
Harvard Law School, 2004
Clerkship(s):
Honorable Petrese B. Tucker, United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania (2004-2005)
Background:
2001 cum laude graduate of Duke University, where LaKeytria was a Truman Scholar, a Reginaldo Howard Scholar and a B.N. Duke Scholar, and was an Earl Warren Scholar at Harvard
LaKeytria works primarily on impact litigation related to access to counsel, prisoner rights and indigent defense in courts around the country.
School, Graduating Year
Harvard Law School, 2004
Clerkship(s):
Honorable John Paul Stevens, Supreme Court of the United States (2005-2006)
Honorable Harry T. Edwards, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (2004-2005)
Background:
2000 magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University
Sam represents indigent prisoners in federal habeas corpus challenges, and in civil litigation designed to ensure that the conditions of their confinement satisfy constitutional standards. He also works on voting cases seeking to protect the equal rights of people of color to participate in the political process.
Corrine Irish
2007-2009
Office Location
New York
School, Graduating Year
Harvard Law School, 2004
Clerkship(s):
Honorable Barrington D. Parker, United States District Court of Appeals, Second District (2006-2007)
Honorable William G. Young, United States District Court, District of Massachusetts (2005-2006)
Background:
1999 cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania
Corrine works on pro bono matters in the areas of indigent defense, death penalty, and civil rights.
Transitioned Smith Fellows
Zac Potter
2007-2009
Office Location
San Francisco
School, Graduating Year
Yale Law School, 2001
Clerkship(s):
Honorable Richard Cardamone, United States District Court of Appeals, Second District (2001-2002)
Background:
1998 magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University
As a Smith Fellow, Zac worked with public interest organizations on matters involving immigration and disability rights. Zac successfully prosecuted a class action lawsuit on behalf of disabled recipients of Medicaid in California regarding the denial of critical medical benefits. Since transitioning from the Smith Fellowship to a litigation associate, Zac has worked in Holland & Knight offices throughout the country on cases ranging from the defense of a nationwide class action in the transportation industry to litigation involving international business disputes. He continues to lead our pro bono efforts by performing a significant amount of pro bono work each year.
School, Graduating Year
Yale Law School, 2003
Clerkship(s):
Honorable Daniel T.K. Hurley, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida (2003-2005)
Background:
1999 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
As a Smith Fellow, Leon represented immigrants through the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center as well as other indigent people in civil rights actions through other legal service agencies in Florida. Leon represented immigrants in the Federal Courts of Appeals, District Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Administrative Appeals Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He also represented prisoners in excessive force lawsuits in federal court and persons on death row seeking greater funding for post-conviction counsel. Leon continues to lead our pro bono efforts by performing a significant amount of pro bono work each year.
School, Graduating Year
Harvard Law School, 2004
Clerkship(s):
Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee, United States District Court, Eastern District of Northern Virginia (2004-2005)
Background:
2000 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland
During her Fellowship, Harmony worked on pro bono matters with a focus on criminal justice issues. She focused on litigation in the areas of indigent defense, death penalty, and civil rights. Harmony continues to lead our pro bono efforts by performing a significant amount of pro bono work each year.