Deans Fellows - 2008-2009

Kristie Abel Kristie Abel is a second-year student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Kristie is a junior staff member of the American University Law Review. Before attending WCL, Kristie worked as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Christopher Smith and at a lobbying firm which represented non-profit organizations. Originally from Philadelphia, she graduated from La Salle University with a B.S. in Marketing and a minor in Spanish. This past summer, Kristie attended the study abroad program in Chile and Argentina and spent the remainder of the summer as an intern for Judge Judith Retchin of the DC Superior Court.
Mel Beras Mel Beras is a second-year law student at WCL. Originally from metro Detroit, Mel graduated from the University of Michigan with a honors degree in Organizational Business. After graduation, she worked at Target Corporation's headquarters as a human resources representative and recruiter. This past summer she returned to Target as a legal intern in their labor & employment law department. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is also a junior staff member on the Administrative Law Review, and a junior research associate for the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG).
Christina Bergeron Christina Bergeron is a second-year student at WCL from Derry, NH. In addition to being a legal rhetoric dean's fellow, she is a junior staff member for the Administrative Law Review. After her first year, she spent the summer working for the Securities & Exchange Commissions' Summer Honors Program. she graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 2006, majoring in Finance. Before WCL, she worked as a paralegal for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston, MA.
Geoff Biehn Geoff Biehn is a second-year law student at WCL. He graduated from the University of Utah in 2007 with a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in International Studies. Geoff spent his summer after first-year working as a Research Assistant in the Legal Rhetoric Department.
Mary Bortscheller Mary Bortscheller is a second year law student and a Dean's Fellow for the Legal Rhetoric Program. A Minnesota native, she graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2004 with a degree in Political Science. Prior to law school, she worked as a legal assistant in a small Minneapolis civil litigation firm, then served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in China for two years. In addition to being a Dean's Fellow, Mary is a junior staff member of the American University International Law Review, and is the Features Editor for the Sustainable Development Law & Policy Publication. She spent her first summer interning for Magistrate Judge Arthur Boylan of the Minnesota District Court.
Meghan Boone Meghan Boone is a second year law student who is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is the vice president of the Women's Law Association, a Gillett-Mussey Fellow and a staff writer on The Modern American. After receiving her B.A. in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, she worked doing social science research on club drugs and youth culture at the Institute for Scientific Analysis in Berkeley, California. In the summer before her 2L year, she worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the Appellate Division of the Office of Federal Operations.
Jackie Burke Jackie Burke is a third-year law student at WCL and is a member of the Administrative Law Review. Jackie graduated with honors from Georgetown University in 2004 with a B.A. in Political Economy. This past summer, Jackie worked as a summer associate at the Washington office of White & Case LLP. During law school, Jackie has interned at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the chambers of the Honorable Reggie B. Walton and the Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section. Prior to attending law school, Jackie worked as a litigation and investigations consultant with Navigant Consulting in Washington, DC and as an analyst at JPMorgan Chase in New York, NY.
Jessica Burt Jessica Burt is a second-year student at WCL. She grew up in Buffalo, New York and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Rochester with a B.A. in French and Spanish. After college, she attended The George Washington University and received an M.A. in International Affairs. Prior to law school, Jess worked at the Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, a nonprofit organization that advocates for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Last summer, Jess worked as a Dean's Fellow for WCL's Domestic Violence and Women and the Law Clinics and as a research assistant. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Jess is a Gillett-Mussey Fellow and on the junior staff of the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law.
Jocelyn Bush Jocelyn Bush is a third year law student at WCL and was born and raised in Washington D.C. In addition to being a Legal Writing and Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is Senior Symposium Editor on the American University Law Review. Jocelyn graduated from Pomona College in 2002 with a major in History and a minor in French. Before attending law school, Jocelyn worked at Strategic Forecasting, Inc. This past summer, she was a summer associate with Shearman & Sterling, LLP.
Edwin (Ned) Childs Edwin (Ned) Childs is a third year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Writing and Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, he is the Senior Federal Circuit Editor of the American University Law Review. Ned graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from The George Washington University with a major in Political Science and minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice. This past summer, Ned was a summer associate at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr in Washington, DC. Before attending law school, he worked at the Department of State's Office of the Coordinator of Cuban Affairs, focusing on sanctions enforcement and expropriated property issues. Following his 1L year, he worked for the Department of Justice's Office of Immigration Litigation. During his 2L year, he interned in the Department of Justice's Commercial Litigation Branch.
Julia Colarusso Julia Colarusso is a second-year WCL student from Pennsylvania. In addition to being a Rhetoric Fellow, she is a junior staff member for the American University Law Review. She graduated from American University in 2007 with a B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Following her first year at WCL, Julia interned at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
Greg Eichelman Greg Eichelman is a second year law student at WCL. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in three and a half years. He majored in history and earned his degree in the honors history program. Prior to law school, Greg worked for a small law firm in Baltimore that dealt exclusively with lead paint cases. During the summer, Greg worked as a Dean's Fellow for the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic and the Trial Advocacy Program. In the upcoming school year, Greg will work as a Research Dean's Fellow and compete with the Mock Trial team.
Jacqueline Erb Jacqueline Erb is from Sarasota, FL. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2007 with a B.S. in Public Health Policy and is now a second-year law student at WCL. She spent this past summer in New York City as an intern for the Honorable Richard Eaton, Judge of the United States Court of International Trade. This fall she is interning at the Department of Health and Human Services in their Civil Remedies Division.
Patrick Evans Patrick Evans is a third-year law student at WCL from Weston, Connecticut. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, he is an Articles Editor for the International Law Review. He graduated from Bucknell University, where he majored in Economics and Spanish and was Sports Editor of the Bucknellian. Following his first year of law school, Patrick worked for Fensterstock & Partners, a law firm in New York City specializing in complex commercial litigation. This past summer, Patrick was a Summer Associate for Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in New York City.
Brenna Finn Brenna Finn is a third-year law student at WCL and a Myer's Society Distinguished Dean's Fellow for the Legal Rhetoric Program. Brenna serves as a senior staff member and note & comment mentor on the Journal of Gender, Social Policy, and the Law and recently the Journal published her note, Save Me From Harm: The Misapplication of the Ordinary Remand Rule to Gao v. Gonzales. She graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 2004, with a BA in History. Brenna spent the summer after her first year working as a summer intern for the Department of Justice, in the Civil Division's Environmental Torts Section, and the summer after her second year working as a summer associate at Keller and Heckman LLP, a firm specializing in environmental and food and drug law. In her spare time, Brenna enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing, and taking photographs.
Patricia (Tricia) Fitzgerald Patricia (Tricia) Fitzgerald is a second year student at WCL. Tricia graduated from Penn State University in 2005 with a major in History and a minor in Art History. Before starting law school, Tricia worked for two years as a litigation legal assistant at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York City. This past summer, she interned in the Civil Frauds Section at the Department of Justice.
Anita Ghosh Anita Ghosh is a second-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Anita is a junior staff member of the Administrative Law Review. She graduated from the University of Maryland - College Park with a B.S. in Computer Engineering. She also has a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Telecommunications. This past summer, Anita was a summer associate in the Washington, DC office of Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.
Robert Greffenius Robert Greffenius is a third-year student at WCL from Brookline, MA. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Robert is the Senior Articles & Critical Essays Editor on the American University International Law Review . Between his second and third years, Robert worked for Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in their Washington, DC office. Robert graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2004, majoring in Political Science and English. Before WCL, Robert worked for two years as a paralegal at Muldoon Murphy & Aguggia, a small banking securities law firm in Washington, DC.
Julie Hamill Julie Hamill is a second-year student at WCL from San Diego, CA. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Julie is a Junior Staff Member on the American University International Law Review. She worked as an extern at the Department of Justice Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism during the summer of 2008. Julie graduated from the University of San Diego in 2003, majoring in International Relations. Outside of school Julie enjoys singing, playing guitar, running marathons, and long walks on the beach.
Jason Hegt Jason Hegt is a third-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Jason is a senior staff member of the American University Law Review and an editor of the Business Law Brief. He graduated Emory University in 2004 with a B.A. in Political Science. Between college and law school, Jason worked for various state elected officials and Members of Congress. During law school, he has worked for the Honorable Vanessa Ruiz, Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and at the U.S. Election Assistance Commission in the Office of the General Counsel. Jason spent this past summer as a Summer Associate at Latham & Watkins LLP.
Catie Hinckley Catie Hinckley is a second year law student at WCL. Catie graduated from Bates College in 2004 with a major in German. Before attending law school, she worked at the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit focused on campaign finance reform. This past summer, she interned at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Utah.
Natalie Huls Natalie Huls is a third-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is a senior staff member of the American University Law Review. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Denver with a BA in International Studies and an MA in International Administration, Natalie spent a year teaching English in China. She spent her 1L summer participating in the London-Paris-Geneva Comparative Law Program and working as a Dean's Fellow for the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. This past summer she worked at small law firm focusing on international business transactions.
Jenna Hudson Jenna Hudson is a second-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Jenna is a junior staff member of the Administrative Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Honor Society. She graduated from The George Washington University in 2006 with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. Between college and law school, Jenna worked as a paralegal at the DC office of a mid-sized firm in the white collar and corporate departments. During the summer after her first year, Jenna was a judicial intern in both the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
Sabrina Jawed Sabrina Jawed is a second year law student at WCL, a junior staff member of the Administrative Law Review, a member of the Moot Court Honor Society, and the director of public relations for the Law and Government Society. She graduated cum laude from Duke University in 2006 with a major in Political Science and a minor in History. During her first year summer she worked at the National Whistleblower Center and completed her comment on FOIA regulations and comparative bullet lead analysis. Outside of law school, Sabrina likes to find ways to be on stage.
Kathleen (Katie) Klaben Kathleen (Katie) Klaben is a second-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Kaite is also a Marshall-Brennan teaching fellow. She graduated cum laude from Georgetown University in 2004, where she majored in Finance and International Business. Prior to law school, Katie spent three years at the financial research firm SNL Financial. Katie spent this past summer interning for the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations within the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Evan Koch Evan Koch is a second-year student at WCL and a junior staff member on the American University Law Review. Evan graduated from Michigan State University in 2006 with a dual degree in International Relations and English. Before coming to WCL, he spent a year teaching English at a college in Beijing, China. Last summer, Evan studied abroad in Turkey then worked in the Office of Civil Rights for the Department of Education. Besides teaching, Evan enjoys basketball and music.
Alex Kwon Alex Kwon is a third year student at WCL, and is a member of the Moot Court Honors Society, as well as the Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law. Alex graduated from University of Maryland, College Park, and worked as a claims adjuster for three years prior to attending WCL. During his first two years at WCL, Alex has worked at the Maryland State's Attorney's Office, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Karr and Allison, P.C., and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Erica Lounsberry Erica Lounsberry is a second year student at WCL, a Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, a Gillett-Mussey Fellow, and a member of the Student Advisory Board at WCL's Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. She graduated summa cum laude from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2004 with a B.S. in Intercultural Studies, after which she spent one year teaching English in Vietnam, one year teaching middle school in Wisconsin, and one year interning for the International Justice Mission in Cambodia, working against human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. During her first year at WCL, Erica was a vice-chair for the Immigrants' Rights Coalition's Trafficking and Labor Committee and participated in the Genocide Teaching Project. She spent last summer as an extern at the Tahirih Justice Center, helping immigrant women and girls fleeing violence.
Kevin Madden Kevin Madden is a second-year law student, Gillet-Mussey Fellow and a junior staff member on the American University law Review. I am originally from Concord, NH and graduated from Bates College in 2005 with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Rhetoric. For the past two years I have worked for U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (NH). I split the past summer studying with the WCL summer abroad program at the Hague, Netherlands and with the Senator's office.
Stephanie Manaker Stephanie Manaker is a second-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is also a junior staff member of the American University Law Review. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2007 with a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and Economics. After her first year of law school, she interned with the Honorable John M. Mott at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
Molly McBurney Molly McBurney is a third year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is a Note & Comment Editor for the American University International Law Review. During her second year at WCL she was a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, participated in the Marshall-Brennan program, and interned at the Department of Justice. During the summer after her first year, she interned with Hon. Rod Smeltzer and Hon. William C. Stewart in the Dunn County, Wisconsin, Circuit Court. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2005 with a B.A. in Germanic Languages and Literatures and minors in the Humanities and Biomedical Physics. Before attending law school she worked for the College of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.
Sarah McGinnis Sarah McGinnis is a third-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is also the Senior Note and Comment Editor of the Journal of Gender, Social Policy, and the Law. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 2005 with a B.A. in Government and a minor in Philosophy. During her second year of law school, she interned in the Department of Justice's Commercial Litigation branch, Civil Frauds section. Last summer, she worked in the health care division of the National Women's Law Center.
Natasha Mikha Natasha Mikha graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Arabic and International Peace Studies. She was a member of the 2007-2008 WCL Moot Court Honor Society and was a summer associate at DLA Piper in San Diego."
Benjamin Mark Moss Benjamin Mark Moss, a former Gillett-Mussey fellow, is in his third of four years as a law student at WCL. In addition to returning this year as a Meyers classroom Dean's Fellow for the Legal Writing Program, he is also the Senior Articles Editor of the American University Law Review. Ben is proud to have served two terms representing the Evening Division as a Senator of the Student Bar Association, where he also held the office of Recording Secretary. Ben graduated with comprehensive honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2005 and cum laude from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Beer Sheva, Israel) in 2006. Ben has also spent six months working as a law clerk with the Department of Justice, where he drafted appellate motions and briefs. This past summer he was thrilled to have the opportunity to work at the Department of Transportation, which he found really moving. Ben's favorite superhero is Batman.
Yasmin Naghash Yasmin Naghash is a 2L at WCL and is interested in International Investments and Arbitration. During the summer of 2008, she clerked at the U.S. Department of State, Office of Legal Adviser-International Claims and Investment Disputes. In this capacity, she researched law regarding NAFTA contract claims against the U.S. Government. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Yasmin studied Political Science and wrote a thesis about the political expression of Muslim women through their clothing. She is a 2006 recipient of the U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship where she lived in Istanbul, Turkey for 6 months to study intensive Turkish.
Mike Nieves Mike Nieves is a third-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, he is also a Note & Comment Editor for the American University Law Review. After his first year, Mike interned with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's Enforcement Division. Following his second year, Mike worked as a summer associate in the New York office of Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Mike is a graduate of the University of Michigan where he majored in Economics.
David Peet David Peet is a second-year law student at WCL, a Gillett-Mussey Fellow, and a junior staff member of the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy and the Law. David graduated from Davidson College with a B.A. in Spanish. Before law school, David worked in the Charlotte office of Alston & Bird, LLP, as a member of the firm?s global finance and debt products group. This past summer, David clerked for the Honorable Robert J. Conrad, Jr., Chief Judge for the US District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Drew Rodgers Drew Rodgers is a third year student at WCL. In addition to being a Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Drew is a senior staff member on the Administrative Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Honors Society. Drew graduated with honors from Washington University in St. Louis in 2004 with a BA in Political Science and Finance. After his first year at WCL, Drew interned with Judge Gerald Bruce Lee in the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. This past summer Drew was a summer associate at Shearman & Sterling in their New York and London offices.
Tim P. Shields Tim P. Shields is a second-year law student at WCL and a MISO Dean's Fellow for the Legal Rhetoric Program. Tim serves as a junior staff member on the Journal of Gender, Social Policy, and the Law in addition to being on staff for the Sustainable Development, Law, and Policy brief. He spent the summer after his first year working as a summer intern for the Department of Education, in the Office of Civil Rights. During the summer, Tim also served as a Research Assistant to Professor Mary L. Clark while writing his Note on issues related to eminent domain. Prior to beginning at WCL, he graduated from Columbia University with an MA in TESOL and from Xavier University in 2005 with a BA in Spanish. In his spare time, Tim also takes amateur photographs and trains for endurance distance running.
Danielle Stampley Danielle Stampley is a third-year law student at WCL, a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, and the Senior Note and Comment Editor for the American University Law Review. Danielle graduated magna cum laude from the University of Missouri with degrees in journalism and political science and a minor in Spanish. Her first summer, Danielle worked for Bernabei and Wachtel, a small employment law firm in D.C. that specializes in civil rights and whistleblower law. During the 2008 Spring semester, Danielle worked as an intern for the Honorable Susan G. Braden in the United States Court of Federal Claims. This past summer, Danielle worked as a summer associate for Sullivan and Cromwell in New York.
Meaghan Shirk Meaghan Shirk is a third-year student at WCL. She is a note and comment editor for the International Law Review and a team leader for the WLC Moot Court Honors Society. She graduated from Millersville University in 2004, cum laude and departmental honors, with a B.A. in History and a Minor in Government and Political Affairs. She earned her M.A. in History in 2006 with a focus in American history and societal unrest in the 19th through the mid 20th century. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Writing Fellow, she has worked as a dean's fellow for numerous professors working on international and intellectual property law. During her 1L summer she worked at Department of the Interior, National Parks Service, National NAGPRA, and during her 2L summer she work at Future of Music Coalition. This year she will be participating in WCL's IP clinic as a student attorney.
Kelli Stephenson Kelli Stephenson is a third-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, she is also the Associate Executive Editor of the American University International Law Review. Last year, she also worked as a Research Associate for the Public International Law & Policy Group (PILPG). She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from Texas A&M University in 2006 with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in History and German. The summer after her first year of law school, Kelli had an externship with the Department of Defense in the Office of Military Commissions, where she assisted defense counsel representing detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This summer, Kelli worked as a summer associate at Haynes and Boone LLP in Houston, TX.
Tom Strong Tom Strong is a second-year law student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, he is a junior staff member of the Administrative Law Review. Tom graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2005, where he majored in Physics and interned with the U.S. Department of State in Bangladesh. Prior to attending law school, Tom worked as a paralegal at Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP. This past summer Tom interned with the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division, Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism.
Tom Vanaskie Tom Vanaskie is a third-year law student at WCL and an Articles Editor for the American University Law Review. Tom graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with High Honors from Lehigh University with a B.A. in International Relations. After his first year, Tom worked as a summer law clerk for the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth in the United States District Court. This past summer, Tom was a summer associate with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher, & Flom in Washington, D.C.
Jon Vukicevich Jon Vukicevich is a second year student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Jon is a junior staff member on the Administrative Law Review. Jon graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Catholic University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in both Politics and German Studies. After graduation, Jon worked for three years as a paralegal in the Litigation Section of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in Washington, DC. During the summer after his first year, Jon returned to Akin Gump where he worked as a law clerk.
Gretta Walters Gretta Walters is a second-year at WCL, a junior staff member of the American University Law Review, and a member of the WCL Moot Court Honors Society. After graduating cum laude from the University of Maryland in 2005 with a joint degree in Government & Politics and English, Gretta worked as a litigation paralegal for Howrey LLP. This past summer, Gretta worked for the Hong Kong government's Intellectual Property Department in Hong Kong.
Justin Winquist Justin Winquist is a third-year student at WCL. In addition to being a Legal Rhetoric Dean's Fellow, Justin is a Note & Comment Editor for the American University Law Review. Justin graduated with a Communications degree from Northwestern University where he was a Radio/TV/Film major. Following his first year of law school, Justin worked in the Office of Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration. He was a Summer Associate for Baker Hostetler in Denver, Colorado after his second year of law school.