Meet the Student Affairs Team

Janet E Stearns

Dean of Students & Lecturer in Law

jstearns@miami.edu

(305) 284-4551
Log in to view address
Janet Stearns, Dean of Students and Lecturer in Law, joined the University of Miami Law School in October, 1999 as director of International and Foreign Graduate Programs. In 2007 she was appointed Dean of Students. Since 2011, Dean Stearns also regularly teaches Professional Responsibility. The ABA COLAP recognized Dean...
Read More >

Farah Barquero

Director, Programs
Director of Law Reviews and Moot Court Programs

f.barquero@umiami.edu

(305) 284-2464
Log in to view address
Farah Barquero is the Director of the University of Miami Law Review, four specialty law reviews, and two Moot Court programs. As part of her role, Farah provides leadership, strategic guidance, and fiscal oversight to these student organizations to enhance their effectiveness and overall student satisfaction. With vast years of experience with...
Read More >

Odetta Clarke

Assoc. Director, Programs

o.norton@umiami.edu

(305) 284-3270
Log in to view address
Odetta Clarke is a 2012 graduate of Miami Law. She came to Miami after earning her B.A. at Columbia University, a Master’s degree at the University of Rochester, a Master’s in Fine Arts at the University of Michigan, and serving as a Fulbright Fellow in Dakar, Senegal. Prior to law school, Clarke worked in an eye surgery...
Read More >

Madeline Raine

Asst. Director, Programs
Assistant Director of Student Life

mck68@miami.edu

Log in to view address
Madeline is a proud alum of the University of the University of Miami School of Law. She earned her J.D. in 2018 and went on to practice civil litigation for 3 years, before returning to academia to pursue her passions in higher education. Madeline received her M.S. in Higher Education Administration at Florida International University, where...
Read More >

Jack F. Townsend

Assoc. Director, Programs

j.townsend1@umiami.edu

Log in to view address
Jack Townsend began his undergraduate career at University of Miami in 2011 as a Dual Degree Honors Student on the Pre-Law Track. As an undergraduate student, Jack pursued a major in International Studies and a minor in the Classics. He also spent a semester at the University of London studying Post-Colonial English Literature. Townsend then...
Read More >

Merissa L Yancey

Sr. Program Coordinator

mlw173@miami.edu

Log in to view address
Merissa Yancey joined Miami Law in Fall 2021. In her role as Senior Program Coordinator of Student Organizations, she is dedicated to working with our student leaders to ensure seamless support of all activities and events, and efficiently managing the finances of SBA, LAFAC, and the Student Affairs team. Merissa received her master’s...
Read More >

Lina Villegas

Director, Student Inclusion & Accessibility

lxv438@miami.edu

Log in to view address
Lina Villegas is the Director of Accessibility Service at the University of Miami School of Law. She is an advocate for neurodiversity and social justice and has dedicated a decade to disability services and resources. Her experience enables her to promote and support inclusive and supportive services for students, countering prejudice,...
Read More >