Education
J.D., University of Maryland School of Law, 1992
B.S., University of Maryland, 1988

Dean Benavides graduated from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1992. Following her graduation from law school, she worked as an associate and managing attorney in the law offices of Patrick J. Christmas & Associates in Washington, D.C. She became the law firm administrator of the Washington, D.C.-based firm Feldesman, Tucker, Leifer, Fidell & Bank in 1999.

Dean Benavides relocated to Tallahassee and joined the administration of the law school in September 2000 as the Director of Career Planning & Placement and she became Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in 2002. She currently serves as chair of the American Association of Law Schools Student Services Section and is a member (inactive status) of the Maryland State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar.