Michaèl’s Déborah Saint -Vil is a Native of Brooklyn, New York, raised in Haiti. Her family migrated to the United States in the early 2000s and settled in Northern California. Déborah is a passionate advocate for fellow immigrants, Her legal practice began with Catholic Legal Services, ADOM Inc. (CLS). CLS provides legal services to immigrants of any faith or national origin who cannot otherwise afford representation. Serving as supervising attorney she focuses on training newer attorneys, providing legal services, and educating a vulnerable immigrant population about their rights Nationwide. She represents clients from the immigration court, the Board of Immigration appeals (BIA), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Asylum Office, and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).
She is the Manager of the Immigration Legal Services in the Office of New American Division at the Miami-Dade County CAHSD. She is working towards the mission to help the integration of immigrants in the County.
Throughout the years, Déborah has been actively giving back to her community and serving those in need. Her experience ranges from volunteering with different local volunteer bar associations, taking on leadership roles within those organizations, and mentoring youth in elementary through law school. Déborah serves as the Director of the Adventurers at Mount Pisgah Seventh-Day Adventist Church. In addition, she serves as the President-elect of the Haitian Lawyers Association. She’s the treasurer of the Haitian American Professional Coalition. Déborah is a Leadership Fellow Class VI of the Dade Legal Aid- Put Something Back. She is a Class X Fellow for the Florida Bar William Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy. Déborah is a Fellow of the 2023 New Leaders Council Broward Institute. She is a current Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter NBA’s Inaugural Judicial Academy Fellow.
Déborah has been recognized for leadership and selfless work in the community recognition from Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Florida Immigrant Coalition and Legal Services of Greater Miami, Inc.. She received the 2022 Young Haitian American Professionals (YoPros) “Top 20 Under 40” award. Déborah is the recipient of the 2024 Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Service Award. The award recognizes public service or legal aid performed by a lawyer who is 35 or younger or who has not practiced for more than five years.
Déborah earned her bachelor’s degree from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, and her Juris Doctor from Saint Thomas University School of Law in Miami, Florida. In law school, she was an Advisor at the United Nations, working for the permanent mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, where the focus was mainly on the law of the sea. She also was a competitor for the International Moot Court and a member of the Intercultural Human Right Law Review. Following law school, she volunteered at various firms and organizations, working with victims of crimes, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Déborah is very passionate about her work for the betterment of the community. Her most important accomplishment is being the proud mother of her precious daughter. In her spare time, Déborah likes to travel, cook, plan and coordinate events, and spend time with family and friends.
