Suzette was involved in many extracurricular activities at ILS including cheerleading, softball, student council, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, French Honor Society, and Peer Ministry. She was also the recipient of The Don Bosco Royal Lion Award. Suzette recalls with fondness her classes with Mr. Crotty, (World History), MS. Garcia (English) Sr. Emi (Geometry) and Ms. Bohr (Anatomy). After graduation, Suzette attended the University of Miami and obtained a B.A. in History with a minor in Secondary Education. She also continued her cheerleading by cheering for the Miami Hurricanes from 1998 to 2001 and was the assistant coach for the all-girl team from 2003-2005.

She obtained her Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University in 2004 and had the privilege of interning for the Honorable Jose E. Martinez and at the Miami Dade State Attorney’s office during her time in law school. Her success in her chosen legal profession as a civil trial attorney in the law firm of Hamilton. Miller. and Birthisel LLP, in which she is a partner, is no surprise to the ILS community. Her accomplishments reflect her drive and discipline, and she chose her career because she wanted to be part of a profession that uses knowledge of the law to protect people from injustice. In addition to her demanding career, Suzette is the current secretary of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association, a Bar that has been in existence since 1916 and once installed as President, she will be the first Hispanic women President of the association.

She has also served on the St. Jude Research Children’s Hospital Walk/Run Committee and has also done Pro Bono work for the Dade Legal Aid/Put something back program. Recalling how she had never experienced anything like the challenge of Law school, Suzette’s sound advice to today’s ILS students is to be very clear in their motivations for studying the law. She recommends that students considering becoming a lawyer exam their motivations carefully and decide that they really want to dedicate themselves to the law and to not do it just because it is considered a prestigious profession.

Suzette is a role model for today’s ILS students and it is evident that she has put in a lot of hard work and sacrifice to become the successful person she is today and that message of dedication, commitment, and achievement is important for today’s ILS students to hear.