Barry’s Center for Advanced Study of Environmental and Earth Law is leading the way in environmental law. The center’s academic programs are innovative and practical, designed to equip graduates to step into the legal world with broad vision and focused academic experience.

Spring 2024 Students

Julia Battalino

Julia Battalino is a student clinician for Barry University School of Law’s Environmental
and Earth Law Clinic. She is in her third year of law school with an anticipated graduation date of December 2024. She graduated from the University of South Florida in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in business studies with a concentration in accounting.

Julia is originally from the Connecticut shoreline where she grew up hiking, snowboarding, and exploring the stunning environment of the Northeast. She is currently living in Florida and taking in all the beauty of the diverse landscape of the state through hiking and kayaking. Julia has a strong passion for preserving the natural environment for future generations to enjoy and appreciate

Keana Franck

My name is Keana Franck and I am currently in my last semester at Barry University and will
graduate in May 2024. I was originally born and raised in Jacksonville, FL, but after joining the military, I have lived in various parts of Florida. I am currently a member of the United States Air Force Reserves, where I have served for 12+ years as an Integrated Avionics Technician focusing on the communication and navigation systems of C130J and HH60 airframes, and I have loved every minute of it. I have my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of North Florida and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Advanced Applied Behavioral Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Before attending law school, and outside of the military, I have worked for various law firms gaining experience in Personal Injury, Insurance Defense, and Business Law. I have a desire to help people and feel that that passion and my background in psychology will make me an asset to the legal community. In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, spending time with my two girls, and binge-watching a good TV show.

Janine Gordon

Janine Gordon, a trailblazing 3L student, proudly represents the rich cultural heritage of Jamaica in the corridors of law school. Hailing from the coastal haven of South Florida, Janine has been immersed in the beauty of nature from a young age, instilling a profound appreciation for the environment.

As a first-generation American and law student, Janine brings a unique perspective to the field,
driven by a deep-seated passion for environmental advocacy. Embodying a modern hippie spirit,
Janine has chosen to make a difference through the study and practice of environmental law,
finding a purpose in the law school's Environmental and Earth Law Clinic.

Janine's commitment to advocacy extends beyond personal interest; it is rooted in a genuine
desire to champion sustainability and justice. With a particular focus on agriculture, Janine aims
to understand and challenge the legal intricacies surrounding food production. This interest
transcends national boundaries, as Janine is dedicated to exploring and comparing agricultural
laws across different countries.

Looking towards the future, Janine envisions herself as a landowner, cultivating her own food in
harmony with ethical and sustainable practices. This aspiration is not only a reflection of a
personal connection to the land but also a commitment to scrutinizing government regulations
that govern our food supply. Janine Gordon is poised to make a lasting impact in the
environmental law arena, armed with a blend of cultural insight, personal experience, and an
unwavering dedication to advocacy.

Daniel Rodriguez

Daniel Rodriguez is a third-year law student at Barry University School of Law. He graduated
from Florida International University in 2018 with a bachelor’s in International Relations.
Originally from Cuba, Daniel lived in Miami, Fl before moving to Orlando to attend Barry.
Before attending law school, he worked as a lead cargo operations agent for two different cargo
handling companies at Miami International Airport, providing services to Emirates, and Atlas
Air. Between semesters, Daniel has also worked in two different first-party property insurance
litigation law firms. Post-graduation, Daniel plans to apply the skills and knowledge he has
gained in law school towards a career in public service at any branch of the United States Armed
Forces.

Keiyla Rodriguez

Keiyla Rodriguez, a native of South Florida, completed her undergraduate studies in Political Science and pre-law at Florida International University. Currently in her third year at Barry Law, Keiyla is on track to graduate in May 2024. Throughout her academic journey at Barry Law, she has been driven by a profound passion for justice, human rights, and the ongoing pursuit of equity.

Demonstrating her dedication to advocacy, Keiyla has authored her upper-level writing on the commitment to fostering a healthier and more informed future for all. Her particular focus on the food industry and the impacts and benefits of technology on the environment reflects her deep passion for these areas.

Keiyla Rodriguez stands as a testament to the belief that genuine change originates from individuals who are steadfastly committed to making a positive difference.

Anita Sanchez

Anita Sanchez is an experienced paralegal of three years. She loves traveling, nature, and puzzles. She has been a paralegal since 2020, with prior experience in criminal law, family law, divorce law, and traffic law. Anita received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Norwich University, graduating cum laude. She is currently working towards her Juris Doctorate at Barry University School of Law.
Education:
BA in Criminal Justice, Norwich University, May 2020
Certificate
Notary Public, State of Florida

Hannah G. Smith

Hannah G. Smith is in her second year of law school and is excited about graduating in May 2025. She is a student clinician for Barry University School of Law’s Environmental and Earth Law Clinic and is currently the Secretary of the Environmental Law Society at Barry. She is also an Associate Editor on the Environmental and Earth Law Journal at Barry, wrote a blog post on Florida’s Springs, and is currently writing an article for the Journal.

Before attending law school, she came from the small island town of Cedar Key, Florida. Later, one of her first jobs was working as a Legal Assistant for several years at a Probate and Estate Planning Law Firm. She also served as a Board Member for the Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. In her free time, Hannah is a musician, fantasy writer, scuba diver, and an active Florida mermaid who advocates for the health of the nation’s waters, Florida’s Springs, and aquatic wildlife.

Fall 2023 Clinic Students

Dorean Gonzalez

Dorean Gonzalez is a third-year law student at Barry University School of Law. He graduated from Georgia Gwinnett College in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Western Civilization. Originally from New York City, Dorean experienced living in various states in both the Northeast and Southeast, before moving to Florida with his dog, Maximus. Prior to law school, Dorean worked as a paralegal in various law firms, such as Family, Immigration, Personal Injury, Workers Compensation, and Criminal Defense. Dorean plans to apply the invaluable experience he gained to become a zealous environmental advocate. 

Justyce Kegg-Almond

Justyce is a 3L at Barry Law, eager to graduate in May 2024. She is a born, raised, and
graduated Buckeye, being native to Columbus, Ohio, where she received her B.A. in Strategic
Communications from the Ohio State University. Justyce believes she was truly born to be a part of progressive change as her passions revolve around justice, human rights, and the fight for equity. She has a love for nature and appreciates capturing scenery and beautiful images of Earth’s creations. Currently, Justyce is the president of the NAACP at Barry, as well as, the Vice President of the Caribbean Law Student Association and a founding member of the Sharing Success team. Justyce actively participates in rights-focused advocacy while utilizing her social media presence, Justyce4Justice, to raise awareness and advocate against social injustice.

Post-graduation, Justyce plans to fight for equity, be a voice for the most vulnerable, and challenge the integrity of the political & criminal justice systems globally with the hopes of one day changing the world.

Zachary Schneider

Zachary Schneider is a 3L at Barry Law School with a desire and drive to protect Florida’s
natural resources. Zachary is currently the President of the Environmental Law Society at Barry
Law School and is working to bring awareness to the Right to Clean and Healthy Water Act, a
proposed amendment to the Florida State Constitution. He spent the first 30 years of his life
living in Camden County, New Jersey. He attended Haddon Township High School and
graduated from Rutgers-Camden University with a degree in Political Science before attending
Barry University School of Law. He is also an active member of the trial team and is focused on
a potential career as an environmental and civil litigation trial attorney. Prior to law school, he
worked nearly three years as a paralegal at a Plaintiff’s law firm in Philadelphia, and he also
interned at the Public Defender’s Office of the Ninth Judicial Circuit for five months during his
2L year at Barry.
Outside of his legal career, Zachary is a passionate Philadelphia sports fan, a jazz saxophonist,
and guitarist. Zachary believes that protecting the Earth is common sense, and that every living
being possesses a legal right to exist. He also believes that Environmental Law is a non-partisan
political issue and that the building blocks to establish a fundamental Rights of Nature exists; it
is only a matter of time that the concept of Earth jurisprudence spreads like wildfire across the
United States.

Spring 2023 Clinic Students

Sam Huffman

Sophia Thomas

Sophia Thomas is a second-year law student at Barry University School of Law. In 2021, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University. Originally from Homestead, Florida, Sophia spent much of her youth fishing in the Florida Keys where she developed a deep appreciation for the world’s interconnected marine ecosystem!

Ally Levy

Ally is a 3L at Barry University Law and is thrilled to be joining the Environmental and Earth Law Clinic. She received both her BS and MS in Marine Biology from the University of Miami and worked as a scientist in the environmental sector for many years before going to law school. Animal rights have always been important to her, and this past semester she got to see first-hand the influence of animal law by serving as a legislative extern for the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Ally hopes to continue learning more about how she can combine her passion for the environment and yearning for change while working for Barry's clinic. 

In her free time you can find Ally traversing the globe at 30,000 feet in the air as a flight attendant or performing at her favorite theme parks. When not being a work-a-holic, Ally also serves as Vice President of the Environmental and Animal Law Club and is a Senior Editor on Law Review. 

Throughout her journey in law school, she has gained experience in multiple areas of the legal sector from criminal law to judicial clerkships to contract and construction law, but always finds herself gravitating back to her environmental roots. While she is not sure where her future will take her, Ally hopes working with the clinic will open her eyes to the possibility of environmental justice issues she can embark on after graduation.   

Fall 2022 Clinic Students

She just didn’t know how to do it just yet. During law school, is where Dayana focused on taking environmental courses to expand her knowledge on Earth Law. She took the course Environmental Law and Earth Jurisprudence in conjunction with being a part of the Environmental and Earth Law clinic and was an Associate Editor for the Environmental & Earth Law Journal.

Additionally, Dayana was concerned by how rapidly the ocean levels were rising world-wide, threatening not only her home state, but all of the other homeowners that were living on the coast of Florida. She researched information and wrote about what Florida is currently doing to combat rising sea levels. Her article was chosen to be published in Volume 12 of the EELJ, becoming one of the three EELJ Published Student Authors for the year 2022. Currently, Dayana is the Editor-in-Chief of the Barry University Environmental & Earth Law Journal, from which she intends to create awareness about the environmental issues that affect the community.

She hopes to help change and promote laws that prevent more harm to the environment by educating others about the important of Earth’s rights and conservation. Dayana enjoys spending her free time with her family and her cat, working out outdoors, and traveling to new places.

Robin Jones

Robin is a third-year law student at Barry University School of Law. She graduated from Kent State University in 2015 with her Bachelor’s in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Japanese. She has studied abroad in Japan learning the Japanese culture and language. In Japan, she became passionate about their environmental laws and dedication to preserving Japan’s natural environment which piqued her interest in America’s environmental law. She currently works as a legal intern at the Attorney General Office. Robin has earned her certificate as a County Court Mediator by the Florida Supreme Court. She is a volunteer Child Welfare Advocate for the Florida Guardian ad Litem Office. Robin is passionate about criminal law and environmental law. Working with the Center for Earth Jurisprudence and the Environmental and Earth Law Clinic at Barry, Robin hopes to help local communities in preservations efforts and environmental justice issues. 

Kelsey Hansen-Walter

Kelsey is a third-year law student at Barry University School of Law. She graduated from Queens University of Charlotte in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies, and then obtained a Master’s Degree from University of South Florida in 2017 in Global Sustainability. She is originally from New Bern, North Carolina. Kelsey grew up playing sports and loves to explore the outdoors, especially the many natural environments that Florida has to offer. She loves to go on outdoor adventures with her husband, Andrew, and their two dogs, Stilgar and Puppy.

Kelsey was involved in Barry’s Environmental & Earth Law Clinic in the Spring of 2022 and is now an Advanced Clinician. She is also the Secretary of the Environmental and Animal Law Club. She has worked on growth management, land use, and land conservation issues in Central Florida for the Clinic and will continue her research as the Advanced Clinician.

Kelsey is a Fellow for the Center for Earth Jurisprudence at Barry Law. She hopes to continue her research on growth management and land conservation in Florida and to promote sustainable development in the area through policy implementations and local regulations. Kelsey hopes to pursue a career in land use and work with non-profit organizations to preserve natural spaces in Florida and throughout the country.

Hannah Roux

Hannah Roux is a third-year law student at Barry University School of Law. She graduated from Stetson University 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science. She is originally from Lakeland, FL.

Prior to law school, Hannah worked as a paralegal at Morgan and Morgan. During her time as a fellow, she plans to learn how she can develop meaningful relationships with the community, advocate for more sustainability in the environment, and educate others about conservation.

In her free time, Hannah spends time with her dogs, watching movies, or baking.