By: Brianna Sainte

For legal professionals, supporting student debate is not charity. Rather, it is an investment in the next generation of advocates, thinkers, activists and change-makers.

Last week, the Miami Dade Urban Debate League (the League) launched its 2025–26 season with the Shubin Law Group Policy Debate Season Opener. For many of our participating debaters, comprised of both middle and high school students, it was more than just a competition—it was a moment of transformation.

Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Shubin Law Group, last weekend’s tournament was the embodiment of vibrant energy and academic achievement as students from across Miami-Dade County, many of them from Title I schools, gathered for a day of rigorous debate.

As a former debater myself, watching the students huddle over laptops in their crisp suits and preparing to deliver passionate speeches, reminded me of why this work matters so much—and why the League must continue to grow.

As president and chairwoman of the League, and as an attorney and associate at the Shubin Law Group, I know firsthand the benefits and long-term value of debate, from learning how to articulate and effectively argue one’s point, thinking critically under pressure, and to being able to speak confidently before an audience—skills that I use every day in the courtroom. But even more importantly, I see how debate impacts students who have too often been told, implicitly or explicitly, that their voices don’t matter.

At its core, debate is more than just winning rounds or obtaining medals. It’s about owning one’s story, defending your ideas, and challenging societal norms with evidence and logic. A large percentage of the League’s student population come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and many of them attend Title I schools. Nevertheless, these are brilliant, passionate, curious young people who simply need the opportunity to showcase their talents. For students from these Title I schools—institutions that are chronically under-resourced, underfunded and overburdened—that opportunity is often revolutionary.

The League was founded on a simple but poignant truth: talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Our goal is to bridge that gap by providing an accessible environment of high-quality thinking and debate to students who may not have otherwise been exposed to such events.

Year after year we see our debaters go on to top colleges. Roberto Carmona, for example, was an active participant in the League for the last two years, competing in policy debate tournaments and honing his advocacy skills and was subsequently accepted into Harvard University under the early action program. Carmona immigrated to the United States at just 13 years old, attended Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School, and joined Miami-Dade County Public Schools in 2021. Many students, like Carmona, credit debate not just with helping them get into school—but with giving them the confidence to speak up in class, the discipline to study harder, and the resilience to keep going when things get tough.

This is why partnerships are so critical. The generous support of organizations like the Shubin Law Group allows the League to expand our reach, improve our programming, and ensure that financial barriers never stand in the way of a student who has a passion for debate. I’m proud that both I and our vice president, Ben Mitchel—also an associate at the Shubin Law Group—are able to bring our personal and professional passions together in this way.

For legal professionals, supporting student debate is not charity. Rather, it is an investment in the next generation of advocates, thinkers, activists and change-makers. As an attorney, I know very well the power of words. Debate imbues students with the skills to reclaim that power for themselves while continuing to navigate communities where power is often wielded against them.

If you’ve never attended a student debate tournament, I encourage you to come to our next one. You’ll witness 13-year-olds breaking down the implications of federal policy and advocating for alternative resolutions. You’ll see 10th graders respectfully disagreeing on distribution of resources or green energy, citing legal precedent. You’ll see the future of civic engagement—bring your sunglasses, because it is bright.

As we look ahead to the rest of this season, I’m filled with appreciation and optimism. Appreciation for the educators and volunteers who make this possible. Optimism for the students who are discovering their voice. And determination to keep growing this League, so every student in Miami-Dade—regardless of zip code—has a chance to rise through the power of words.

Debate isn’t just an extracurricular activity. For our students, it’s a lifeline to a better future.

Brianna Sainte is an associate with Shubin Law group where she focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation matters. She also serves as the president and chairwoman of the Miami Dade Urban Debate League.

Reprinted with permission from the September 18, 2025 edition of the Daily Business Review © 2025 ALM Global Properties, LLC. All rights reserved. Further duplication without permission is prohibited, contact 877-256-2472 or [email protected].