Professor Michael Vastine joined the faculty of St. Thomas University College of Law in 2004, where he is a tenured professor of law and Director of the Immigration Clinic. A frequent conference speaker and author, he is also a leader of the immigration bar, with extensive service within the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). From 2011-20, he was elected to serve on the AILA South Florida Chapter Board of Directors, including a term as Chair of the Chapter. Professor Vastine’s AILA national-level service includes multiple terms on the Federal Litigation Section Steering Committee, Annual Conference Planning Committee, and Amicus Curiae Committee. His impact litigation principally relates to immigration and crimes, including the lead case at the Florida Supreme Court establishing the constitutional rights of immigrant defendants to effective representation by their criminal counsel, and multiple cases at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit delineating the immigration consequences of Florida convictions involving controlled substances. Additionally, he has represented AILA and other community-based organizations, as amicus curiae counsel, in forums ranging from the Board of Immigration Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, in matters including the constitutional limits of indefinite detention of immigrants, the due process rights of the physically deported, and the immigration consequences of state crimes. In 2013, Professor Vastine received the AILA (National) Elmer Fried Award for Excellence in Teaching.
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Survivors Who Thrive: A Fireside Chat with Dr. Roza Pati and The Honorable Robert R. Lung
October 20, 2021 | 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
The educational impact of learning from human trafficking survivor leaders is unmatched. Their voice, their resilience, their wisdom should guide all good law, policy and practice. This session will explore the factors that contribute to the empowerment of survivors of human trafficking, and the path that they follow to thrive and become leaders in our global community. Dr. Roza Pati, Founding Director of The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy will facilitate an insightful discussion with a foremost survivor leader – the Honorable Robert R. Lung.
Among his many accomplishments, Judge Lung has received Presidential appointments to the National Advisory Committee on the Sex Trafficking of Children and Youth in the U.S. (2017) and the U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking (2018), on which he served as Chair until July 2020. Judge Lung also provides consultation to the Department of Justice, the Administration for Children and Families, the State Department, and NCMEC. During his childhood he suffered severe complex and chronic child abuse, he was also trafficked and tortured for several years. He regards resiliency and the grace of God for his ability to survive and he gives thanks that he transitioned from victim to survivor to “thriver.”
The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy is honored to have Judge Lung serve on its International Council on Human Trafficking.
This event is free and open to the public with registration by October 18. Light refreshments will be served. This event is approved for 2 CLE credits by The Florida Bar.
(In-Person Attendance Only)
Distinguished Speakers
Professor Dr. Roza Pati
Founder & Director, The John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy
Executive Director, LL.M./J.S.D. in Intercultural Human Rights
St. Thomas University College of Law, Miami, FL
Member, Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, The Vatican
The Honorable Robert R. Lung
District Court Judge, 18th Judicial Circuit of Colorado
Chair (2020) & Member (2018-2020), U.S. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking
Member, International Council on Human Trafficking
Castle Rock, CO