Jocelyn Hernandez is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. Jocelyn’s interests include criminal law, reproductive rights, and social justice. Her favorite part of her fellowship was interacting and interpreting for Spanish-speaking clients to ensure they were fully aware of their legal options. Jocelyn is also the daughter of immigrants herself.
Joseph Mitchell is a rising 2L. This summer, he completed a fellowship with Advocates for Justice and Education, where he performed legal research and writing, supported school meetings and hearings, and engaged in coalition-building. The overarching goal of his work was to dismantle systems of oppression that prevent Black and Latino children, especially those with disabilities and special health care needs, from accessing systems vital to their health, well-being, and career advancement. He says it was an amazing feeling to work in a field where he got to help people have a voice and feel heard.
Miranda Burk is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the PG County State’s Attorney’s Office. She is originally from Pittsburgh, PA, and she got her undergraduate education in Ohio, where she majored in forensic psychology and minored in criminalistics and cross-cultural psychology. Her post-grad plans are to work in criminal law.
Ashley Turner is a rising 2L at UDC Law with a strong interest in family and housing law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with Bread for the City. Ashley earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University. Before law school, Ashley worked as a Senior Loan Processor at Discover Financial Services, where she honed her attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to navigate complex financial transactions.
Courtnae Brown is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with Legal Services of Northern Virginia. Courtnae is originally from the Midwest and is driven by a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. At UDC Law, she is a dedicated member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the Sports and Entertainment Law Students Association (SELSA). Outside of school, she enjoys running and spending time with her two dogs.
Jemmy Hernandez Garcia is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Immigration & Human Rights Clinic at UDC Law. Jemmy is a first-generation Latina from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges that families face, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds. These experiences have fueled her ambition to pursue a career in law, with a focus on Family and Immigration Law.
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James Gontarski is a third-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, he completed a fellowship with the U.S. Department of Labor. He graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Coastal Carolina University with a concentration in Domestic Politics. James says this fellowship has given him the opportunity to pursue his dreams of becoming an effective advocate in public service, employment law, and employment discrimination.
Kendra Edwards is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel. Kendra graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies, concentrating on Corporate and Homeland Security, and holds a Master of Science in Law and Public Policy. Before law school, she interned with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Over the past nine years, she has worked in private firms as a Senior Paralegal, handling legal work in areas such as Employment Law, Personal Injury, Contracts, and Opioid Litigation. Kendra has a strong interest in personal injury, civil, and criminal litigation and hopes to explore these practice areas further during her time at UDC Law. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to different countries, sports, cooking, and working as a Water Safety Instructor.
Patricia Peterson is a rising 3L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the D.C. Superior Court. Patricia has over 30 years of Government and Policy experience. She served on the White House National Security Council Staff, as Director for Non-Proliferation and Strategic Trade, and as a Senior Advisor for Arms Transfer and Technology Release in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She also served the President’s National Economic Council staff, designing strategies to promote the defense industrial base, spur innovation, and enhance U.S. competitiveness in various technology areas. She has also led the President’s Export Control Reform Task Force and much more.
Sydney Edwards is a second-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, where she was responsible for conducting comprehensive legal research for complex criminal cases, maintaining a detailed legal database, facilitating case management, and regularly observing public defenders during felony and misdemeanor matters in both the district and circuit court. Sydney has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Boise State and worked as a family law paralegal before attending law school.
Rockaya Ndoye is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the D.C. Superior Court. Rockaya is the eldest daughter of six and has always been passionate about helping those around her. She realized that she wanted to be an attorney at a young age and sees advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves as a duty. She also serves as the 2L representative for UDC Law’s BLSA and Clerk for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Inc.
Rachel Hirsch is a second-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Children’s Law Center, where she worked as a policy law clerk. Her current interests center around civil and human rights, and she plans to pursue work in those fields after graduation. Rachel is from Florida and graduated from George Mason University. She also has a paralegal associate’s degree from Palm Beach State College. Rachel worked as a paralegal for many years before deciding to pursue higher education and built a strong understanding of client advocacy and fundamental legal skills.
Michael McFarland is a third-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, he completed a fellowship with the Public Defender Service of DC. Michael is originally from Georgia and graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a minor in Spanish. He is interested in criminal defense work because he likes to help and work with people.
Medelina Charles is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Legal Services of Northern Virginia in the housing division. Medelina received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of South Florida. She is fluent in Haitian-Creole, French, and Spanish, with introductory knowledge of ASL and Japanese. Additionally, she is a certified legal and medical interpreter. Medelina is actively involved in various student organizations, including the Student Bar Association, Black Law Students Association, Latin Law Students Association, Christian Legal Society, and Criminal Law Society.
Allison Risewick is a Turkish-American who is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Honorable Leslie A. Meek at the Superior Court of the District of Columbia in the probate and tax division, where she conducted legal research, drafted bench memos, and wrote court orders for the judge. Allison is passionate about immigrant rights and hopes to become an immigration attorney after obtaining her Juris Doctorate.
Cherish Sara Dargan is a third-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, which has enabled her to pursue her passion for public interest further. She has a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She also has significant professional experience in legal compliance and policy implementation, having served as an Employee Relations Specialist at the U.S. Government Publishing Office and as a Project Intern at the International Association of Chiefs of Police. She has also supported attorneys at Rising for Justice by conducting client and witness interviews related to landlord-tenant matters.
Deliza Elizee is a second-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with UDC Law’s Community Development Clinic. She says that this fellowship has deepened her understanding of the law and boosted her confidence in her ability to pursue a career as an attorney. Deliza has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) but decided to take a different career route after learning about the opportunities available at UDC Law, recognizing the profound impact a juris doctorate could have on her ability to contribute to society.
Desiree Cortes is a second-year law student at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship at the Georgia Court of Appeals Judicial Clerk, where she engaged in complex legal research and contributed to drafting judicial opinions. Desiree says this fellowship has affirmed her dedication to public service and social justice. Desire was raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and is a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University. While in Georgia, she engaged in various volunteer initiatives through her church. She has also had internships with the Cobb County Magistrate Court and other community organizations, such as the Leonard Phillips Foundation.
Gabrielle Kershaw is a rising 3L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Public Defender Service of DC. She says that public defense is a field of law that truly works for the public, and she finds it rewarding to speak up for those who have no voice. Gabrielle is from
North Nashville.
Gabriela Guzman is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the DC School of Law Foundation. Gabriela is a first-generation American and the first in the first in her family to do many things. She completed her undergraduate studies at George Mason University and has been working as an academic advisor for many years. Gabriela’s goal is to become an immigration attorney because of the hardships her family had to face as immigrants in the US.
Jack Satti is a rising 3L at UDC Law. This summer, he completed a fellowship with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, where he worked in the disclosure unit reviewing allegations of wrongdoing within the federal government. Previously, Jack worked as a law clerk for the FAA’s Office of Chief Counsel, Employment and Labor Law division. Prior to law school, he also worked as a legal assistant at Wilkinson Stekloff LLP in Washington, D.C.
Ja’Dore Nichols is a rising 3L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the D.C. Superior Court. She is originally from Fayetteville, NC, and attended undergrad at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she majored in Political Science (Pre-law) and earned a Minor in Women’s, Genders, and Sexuality Studies. In the future, Ja”Dore has plans to pursue a judicial clerkship or earn her Collaborative Practice license to become a Mediator in Family Law cases.
Jenaya Moore is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with DC Superior Court. Jenaya is originally from New York and plans to pursue anti-trust law after graduation.
Jeremiah Baltimore is rising 3L at UDC Law. This summer, he completed a fellowship with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Jeremiah is the Senior Managing Editor for UDC Law Review and a writing mentor. Before law school, he was a Temple University graduate majoring in criminal justice with a minor in psychology.
John Compere is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, he completed a fellowship with the Office of the State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County. John is interested in pursuing a career in criminal law and is driven by a passion for justice and advocacy. He earned his undergraduate degree at McDaniel College, majoring in Sociology with a specialization in Criminal Justice.
Katherine Cheer is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender. Katherine has a passion for criminal justice and LGBTQIA+ rights. After law school, she wants to work as a public defender or on LGBTQIA+ policy.
Kierrah Harris is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project. Before attending law school, she graduated from Loyola University Maryland. Kierrah was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. She plans to practice immigration law in the DC area after graduation and is passionate about breaking down the barriers that immigrants face.
Kini Reid is a rising 3L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue. Kini is driven by a passion for tax law and its intricate complexities and has actively engaged in coursework that delves into the nuances of tax controversies. Outside the classroom, she has actively contributed to the legal community, participating in tax-related clinics, moot court competitions, and taking on leadership positions as SBA Financial Secretary and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity’s Vice.
Kobe Potter is a rising 2L at UDC Law. This summer, she completed a fellowship with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General in the Correctional Litigation division. Originally from the Virgin Islands, Kobe has a strong interest in criminal defense law. As she continues her legal education, she is eager to deepen her knowledge and skills in this field to advocate for justice and defend the rights of individuals within the criminal justice system.