As evidenced by the college’s national reputation for preparing students to be practice-ready the day they graduate, experiential education is a cultural cornerstone at Stetson Law.

In the fall, the presence of Distinguished Visiting Director of Clinical and Experiential Education Michael Vastine will bolster the college’s efforts to foster confidence and professional development among its student body.

A nationally recognized scholar and litigator in the field of immigrant defense, Vastine joins Stetson Law from St. Thomas University College of Law (Miami), 2004-2024, where he was a tenured Professor of Law, Director of the Immigration Clinic, and Director of Clinical Education.  

Vastine will serve in the role for one year while Director of Clinical and Experiential Education Christine Cerniglia, through the college’s Highbaugh Chair program, takes time away from her teaching and administrative duties to write a course book for Professional Responsibility.

 “We are fortunate to have Michael on our campus this year to learn and grow from his experience and energy,” Cerniglia said of Vastine. 

A storied career in immigration law

Well-known in Florida’s immigration communities for his outreach, presentation on emerging topics, and significant litigation experience, Vastine has a long list of accomplishments.

He has litigated several widely cited cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals and the Florida Supreme Court and authored amicus curiae briefs on matters concerning immigrants’ legal rights before the U.S. Supreme Court, federal Circuits, and state supreme courts, and has published widely on related issues and made hundreds of conference presentations.

He has also held leadership roles at the national level of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the AILA South Florida Chapter (including as Chair), as well as the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) and the Clinical Legal Education Association (CLEA). 

A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, Vastine also holds degrees from Temple University Graduate School of Music and Georgetown Law Center.

Plans for an impactful year

Vastine said he attributes much of his success to clinical education he received early in his career. Even before law school, he held a legal position in a clinic. He went on to spend years directing a litigation-based immigration clinic, where he witnessed students routinely rising to the occasion to meet “near-impossible” expectations.

He said this experience informs his approach to leading clinical and experiential learning while at Stetson Law.

“My goal is for our clinic and externship students to access transformative experiences as they learn invaluable lessons from their clients, realize their potential as self-directed new advocates and find the right blend in pairing authentic personal goals with fulfilling professional lives,” Vastine said.

In an adjunct role, he also will serve as supervising professor of externship courses over the 2024-2025 school year.