Stetson Law Student Completes Summer Diversity Internship With Tampa DUI Law Firm

Allana Forte is a third-year law student at Stetson University and she will enter the doors of The Law Offices of Finebloom & Haeneal, a criminal defense and DUI Law Firm in Tampa and Sarasota, for the last time today. Forte just spent the last 10 weeks interning in the Sarasota office thanks to the Sarasota County Bar Association diversity scholarship sponsored by Tampa lawyers Darren Finebloom and David Haenel. The purpose of the scholarship is to bring talented and diverse attorneys to Sarasota.

“I applied for the Sarasota Bar Diversity Scholarship so that I could work and become familiar with the Sarasota legal community in hopes to work in this area upon graduation,” said Forte. “My expectation was to become an asset to my law firm and become involved in the Sarasota legal community.

“My expectations were more than met. This summer I have had the opportunity to learn about both misdemeanor and felony cases, research case law and see my efforts unfold daily in front of my eyes. I have been afforded the opportunity to work with both managing partners in the law firm and also work on a daily basis with a former state prosecutor who taught me that seeing both sides of a case is one of the most important attributes to being a successful attorney.”

The Sarasota Bar Diversity Scholarship didn’t only benefit Forte it was a great experience for the lawyers of the firm as well. Mentoring young lawyers is near and dear to the hearts of not only the partners in the firm but fellow-University of Florida grad, former prosecutor and current associate at Finebloom & Haenel AnneMarie Rizzo. Rizzo spent much of the 10 weeks working hand-in-hand with Forte.

“I have been practicing law for quite some time now but it doesn’t seem that long ago I was getting ready to enter my third year of law school so I can absolutely relate to where Allana is at in this stage of her career and the challenges she will face over the next 12 months,” said Rizzo. “Having her in the office gave us all a fresh perspective and hopefully also helped Allana learn what it is like to work at a criminal defense firm.”

Forte spent much of her summer observing the attorneys in court battling for their clients on DUI charges, traffic offenses, battery cases and numerous other felony and misdemeanor charges. The experience she was afforded due to the Sarasota Bar Diversity Scholarship and the Law Offices of Finebloom & Haenel was invaluable according to the Jacksonville native.

“My interaction with the court on a daily is basis was extremely beneficial,” said Forte. “I have learned so much about the legal process just by attending court with the attorneys.”

Forte also had the unique opportunity to gain valuable insight into how a law firm is run from the management side thanks to David Haenel taking time each week to help Forte understand how to secure and keep clients, avoid conflicts of interest, create a good rapport with the legal community and serve as a zealous advocate while providing good legal representation to all clients.

“David Haenel has also given me invaluable insight on the management side of running a law firm. On a weekly basis he takes time out of his schedule to teach me what it takes to build and run a successful practice like they have in Tampa, Sarasota, Pinellas and Orlando,” said Forte.

“It was a real pleasure to work with the Sarasota Bar Association in helping to bring a future lawyer with Allana’s credentials to Sarasota,” said Haenel. “Our firm is proud to be a part of this excellent program and we probably got more out of Allana’s time in our offices than any of us could have ever hoped for.”

While the internship may have come to an end this week, it may not be the last the Sarasota legal community sees of Forte. She will return to Stetson and prepare for the Bar Exam and then decide where her next step will take her.

“This summer I have grown quite fond of the legal community in Sarasota,” said Forte. “I would love to work in an area with such a small close knit professional legal community. I have had the opportunity to meet both judges and attorneys that I have enjoyed getting to know and I hope I have the opportunity to work with them in the future.”

For more information about the Law Offices of Finebloom & Haenel Tampa DUI Attorneys or for a free consultation please call us at 813-649-8690 or 1800-FIGHT-IT. You can also visit their website at www.fightyourtampadui.com. For helpful advice help with your Tampa DUI or Tampa criminal case you can visit their blog at http://www.floridacriminaldefenseattorneyblog.com.

The Law Offices of Finebloom & Haenel
3426 W. Kennedy Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33609

1-800-FIGHT IT
813-649-8690

www.fightyourtampadui.com
www.fightyourcase.com

This release was published on openPR.