3Ls:
Editor-In-Chief
Courtney Squires– Courtney is the Editor in Chief of the Public Interest Law Review, Volume XXVII. Originally from Iowa, Courtney received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Iowa. Prior to law school, Courtney worked as a Legal Analyst at GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After her first year at Richmond Law, she worked for the Virginia Poverty Law Center in its Center for Family Advocacy. For her second summer, Courtney worked at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to PILR, Courtney is a member of the Moot Court and Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (NADR) boards, the former Vice President of Richmond Women’s Law, and an Admissions Ambassador. Her favorite part of law school has been working as a Student Attorney with the Children’s Defense Clinic. Courtney hopes to continue with juvenile defense work and children’s rights advocacy after graduating in May 2024.
Executive Editor
Rachel Ranieri – Rachel Ranieri is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She graduated from Samford University in December 2020, with a degree in Law, Politics, and Society, and Spanish. During the summer of 2022, Rachel interned at the Legal Aid Justice Center in their Economic Justice Program. In addition to membership on PILR, Rachel is an RWL member, an Admissions Ambassador, Alternative Dispute Resolution Board Member, and Trial Advocacy Board Competition Co-Chair for the 2022 Internal Competition.
Managing Editor
Heather Barden – Heather Barden is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She received her B.A. degree from Christopher Newport University in 2012 and her Masters in Teaching degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2015. From 2015-2018 she taught 8th grade Civics and Economics in Henrico County. In 2018 she began working at VCU Health System as an Instructional Designer (a job she still holds today). She creates regulatory and compliance training for the health system along with designing and developing internal professional development programming. After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in litigation.
Senior Manuscript Editor
Kat Beatty – Kat Beatty is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She graduated from Adelphi University in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. In addition to PILR, she is the Student Bar Association’s Director of Programming. A fun fact about Kat is that she has been to 49 out of 50 U.S. States!
Director of Programming
Laney Flanagan – Laney Flanagan is a third-year at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is from Charlotte, NC, and graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2019 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Prior to law school, Laney worked as a paralegal for an IP firm in D.C. She spent her 1L summer as an intern for Chief Judge Reidinger in the Western District of North Carolina. This past summer, Laney worked for an IP firm in Boston as a summer associate in the trademark and copyright group. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, and spending time outdoors.
Copy Editor
Abby Scanga Blackburn – Abigail Scanga Blackburn is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. In 2014, she graduated from Messiah College where she received a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Chinese Studies. She received her M.A. in applied Human Rights from the University of York in York, England in 2016. Prior to law school, Abby worked as a legal advocate for victims of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence. She formed her county’s human trafficking task force, and brought together a multidisciplinary board of professionals to better identify and assist victims of trafficking. She also served as a youth development volunteer for the Peace Corps in Morocco. During the summer of 2022, Abby interned with Senior Judge Gibney of the Eastern District of Virginia. After graduation, she will serve as Senior Judge Gibney’s term clerk from 2024-2025.
Copy Editor
Madison Neale – Madison Neale is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. In 2018, she graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.A. in Political Science. Before Law School, Madison worked for the Richmond firm, BrownGreer, managing damages claims from individuals affected by the 2015-2019 California wildfires. During her first summer of law school, she interned with the Henrico Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. After graduation, Madison hopes to pursue a career in criminal prosecution.
Symposium Editor
Erin Sweet – Erin Sweet is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2019, and spent the following two years in Wilmington, Delaware as an AmeriCorps Volunteer and non-profit coordinator. For her 1L summer, she worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and the Virginia Poverty Law Center. After graduation, she hopes to work in education law and policy. Outside of law school, Erin spends time with her dog, Tad, attempts to garden, and explores all the great food Richmond has to offer.
Symposium Editor
Nicole Evans – My name is Nicole Evans and I am originally from Altmar, NY. I went to undergrad at the State University of New York at Oswego. I am passionate about disability issues and would like to go into a related field after graduation. This summer I interned at the disAbility Law Center of Virginia. A fun fact about me is that I am a figure skater and have been skating since I was 4 years old.
General Assembly Editor
Benjamin Raab – Ben Raab is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. He is originally from the Detroit area. Ben attended undergrad at Michigan State University where he majored in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and History. Ben spent this past summer interning for a member of the United States House of Representatives.
General Assembly Editor
Mariam Rasooli – Mariam Rasooli is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Originally from Northern Virginia, she graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs in 2019. In addition to being a member of PILR, she is the Vice President of the Public Interest Law Association. Mariam spent the summer of 2023 interning for the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor.
General Topics Editor
Ashley Davis – Ashley is member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is originally from Northern Virginia and graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018. Prior to law school she worked for Richmond Symphony and Richmond Ballet, she is interested in returning to nonprofit work after law school.
General Topics Editor
Bailey Ellicott – Bailey Ellicott graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2018. Prior to starting her J.D., she worked for the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the Eastern District of Virginia. She spent the summer of 2022 interning for the Halifax Office of the Public Defender. In addition to her membership on PILR, she is a member of the Honor Council and Richmond Women’s Law, in addition to working part-time for the Federal Public Defender in Richmond. She hopes to become a public defender after law school and in her spare time enjoys live music, hanging out with her dog, and knitting ill-fitting sweaters.
Notes & Comments Editor
Courtney Mason – Courtney is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is originally from Richmond and returned to the city for law school after graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Radford University. In addition to being a PILR staff member, Courtney is the 2023-2024 President of the Black Law Students Association and a Research Assistant for two professors on campus.
Notes & Comments Editor
Amanda Palini – Amanda Palini is a member of the Class of 2024 at Richmond Law. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Experimental Psychology. At Richmond, she is a Law School Admissions Ambassador, a member of Richmond Women’s Law, TAB, ADR, and the president of If/When/How. Last summer Amanda worked for the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office in their special victims unit. She is interested in criminal law, and hopes to prosecute SVU cases after graduation.
Publications & Online Editor
Danni Bian – Danni Bian is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Before starting her J.D., she was a marketing and media specialist in a public institution. She is currently the Alumni Chair of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association at Richmond. During her 1L summer, she worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable Andrew P. Gordon and the Honorable Jennifer A. Dorsey in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.
Publications & Online Editor
Kyara Rivera Rivera –Kyara Rivera Rivera is a member of the Class of 2024 at Richmond Law. She graduated from Christopher Newport University in December 2020 and proceeded to work as a Worker’s Compensation paralegal for roughly 9 months before law school. After graduation, Kyara will begin her career at Troutman Pepper as an Associate in their Regulatory, Investigation, Strategy, and Enforcement (RISE) practice group!
Blog & Social Media Editor
Melissa Hernandez – Melissa Hernandez is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Originally from Miami, Florida, she graduated from Florida International University in 2021 where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations.
Blog & Social Media Editor
Eric Ramputh –
Manuscript Editor
Kennedy Eagle – Kennedy Eagle is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Born and raised in Virginia, she graduated from the University of Virginia where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Education and majored in Youth and Social Innovation. In the summer of 2022, Kennedy served as a Judicial Intern for The Honorable Thomas T. Cullen in the Western District of Virginia and worked as a Law Clerk for the Advocates for Justice and Education in Washington, DC. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in education law.
Manuscript Editor
Frank Morris – Frank is a former carpenter from Hudson, NY. He received a B.A. in History from the University of Texas in 2020 and is pursuing a career in public defense.
Manuscript Editor
Daniel LaLonde – Daniel LaLonde is originally from Colonial Heights, Virginia, which is slightly south of Richmond. He attended Liberty University for his undergraduate studies, graduating in 2015 with a degree in Business Administration. After undergrad, he worked in banking and personal finance from 2015
until 2021, when he began law school. The summer after his 1L year, he interned at the Virginia Department of Corrections. After law school, he wants to work in litigation in the area of prisoners’ rights.
Manuscript Editor
Marley Manjarrez – Marley Manjarrez is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. In 2016 she graduated from the University of Washington where she received a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology. Prior to law school, Marley primarily worked in programs at food justice non-profits, both on the NGO and community scale. During the summer of 2022, Marley interned at the City of Richmond’s Office of Sustainability. After graduation, she hopes to expand on her public service and community engagement experience through environmental and food justice policy work.
Manuscript Editor
Laura Youngquist – Laura Youngquist is a member of Richmond Law’s Class of 2024. Laura is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a concentration in Childhood and Youth, as well as a minor in Childhood Studies. Before law school, she spent three years in San Antonio, Texas where she worked for a record retrieval and court reporting company, dipping her toes in the personal injury legal world. At Richmond Law, Laura is a member of Richmond Women’s Law (RWL), Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), and the Mindfulness in Law Society (MILS); she is also a legal research teaching assistant for the law library. Laura’s passions lie in family law and child advocacy, and she will be participating in the Children’s Defense Clinic in the Spring of 2023.
Senior Staff
Reagan Cavanaugh –Reagan Cavanaugh is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Originally from Central Virginia, she graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2021, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Marine Science. During her 1L summer, Reagan interned in London at Whitestone Chambers, working on international environmental law and business sustainability. After her internship, she attended the University of Cambridge, where she studied international law. During her 2L summer, Reagan interned for the Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention and continues her internship during her 3L year.
Senior Staff
Tanmay Gupta – Tanmay Gupta is from Yorktown, VA. He graduated from UVA in 2021 with a bachelors degree. Prior to law school, he helped edit the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics: Crystal Ball newsletter. This past summer he primarily interned at the Petersburg Commonwealth Attorney’s Office. At the moment, he is mostly interested in criminal law.
Senior Staff
Sarah DeLoach – Sarah is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond, School of Law. She is from South Carolina and graduated from Wake Forest University in 2021 with a double major in Politics & International Affairs and Communication. During her 1L summer, she interned with Heart of Adoptions Alliance and the Law Offices of Jeanne T. Tate in Tampa, Florida. Sarah hopes to pursue a career in family law.
Senior Staff
Zachary Lisner – Zach Lisner is a member of the Class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. In 2021, he graduated from Susquehanna University, where he received a B.A. in Political Science and Editing & Publishing. During the summer of 2022, Zach interned at the Attorney General’s Office of New Jersey in the ABC Law department. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career within the criminal law sector.
Senior Staff
Kaitlyn Grant – Kaitlyn Grant is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is from Oswego, NY and graduated from Adelphi University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. During her 1L summer, she interned at the Caroline County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and partook in the University of Richmond’s Cambridge Study Abroad Program. She is interested in pursuing a career in either criminal law or medical malpractice. A fun fact about her is she was a member of the Adelphi Women’s Bowling Team.
Senior Staff
Kristie Thompson – Kristie Thompson is a member of the class of 2024 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is from Manassas, Virginia and graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. During her 1L summer she was a legal intern at the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman in Richmond, Virginia.
2L Staff:
Sarah Gokelman – Sarah Gokelman is a member of the class of 2025 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Originally from San Antonio, TX, she moved to Chicago, IL for school and graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2020, where she majored in Theatre. In addition to her PILR membership, Sarah is involved in the Negotiation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board (NADR) and Moot Court Board.
Jim Geary – Jim Geary is a member of the Class of 2025 at the University of Richmond Law School. Jim is originally from Missouri, and graduated from the University of Missouri with an Economics degree. Before law school, he was a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh and organized with the graduate student union. This past summer, he interned at the Virginia Office of Employment Dispute Resolution.
Nick Kaye – Nick Kaye is a member of the class of 2025 at the University of Richmond School of Law. He is a graduate of Middlebury College, where he studied English and American Literature. Before beginning law school, Nick worked as an assistant editor at a non-fiction book publisher, a canvasser and field manager for several electoral and issue-based campaigns, and an assistant contract manager for a court reporting and legal transcription company. Nick is passionate about indigent criminal defense, immigration defense, and impact litigation to promote civil liberties and civil rights. He spent the last summer interning at the Richmond Public Defender’s Office. In addition to serving on PILR, Nick is involved with the Trial Advocacy Board, the National Lawyers Guild, and the Student Advocate Corps.
Andrew Jacobs – Andrew is a member of the Class of 2025 at the University of Richmond School of Law. In 2022, he graduated from Clemson University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. He spent the summer of 2023 working as a Law Clerk with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. After graduation, Andrew hopes to pursue a career in environmental or administrative law.
Alberto Wray – Alberto Wray is a member of the Class of 2025 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Born in Quito, Ecuador, and raised in Maryland, he graduated from Hobart College in 2020 with a double major in Political Science and Latin American Studies. Prior to law school, Alberto spent two years working with the National Campaign to Stop Violence. In the summer of 2023, he served as a Legal Intern for The disAbilty Law Center of Virginia. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in education law.
Gracie Elliott – Gracie Elliott is from Lexington, Kentucky, and attended the University of Kentucky where she majored in English and minored in Spanish. At Richmond Law, Gracie is involved with the Student Bar Association as the Director of Communications, and is a member of the Women’s Law Forum as well as the Law and Business Forum. During her 1L summer, Gracie clerked for the Virginia Department of Corrections. She is looking forward to exploring the intricacies of civil litigation while working at Geoff McDonald and Associates during her 2L summer.
Katie Hall –
Sophie Fields – Sophie Fields is a member of the Class of 2025 at the University of Richmond School of Law. She is from Leesburg, Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia in 2018 with a major in Studio Art. She spent her summer interning for a judge at the Court for the Eastern District of New York. In her free time, Sophie loves reading, running, and drawing!
Caroline Brady – Caroline is a member of the class of 2025 at Richmond Law. From Charlotte, North Carolina, Caroline graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2022 with Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense. Last summer, Caroline interned with the Fairfax Public Defender’s Office. Outside of school, Caroline can be found walking, hiking, or playing in a park with her dog, Buddy.
Emma Wilson – Emma Wilson is from Richmond, Virginia and graduated from Virginia Tech in 2022. Emma spent her 1L summer working for a city attorney’s office and hopes to pursue environmental law after law school.
Hope Wilder – Hope Wilder is a member of the class of 2026 at the University of Richmond School of Law and Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work where she will receive her M.S.W. She graduated from George Mason University, where she studied Criminology, Law and Society and minored in Forensic Psychology. In addition to Hope’s membership on PILR, she is the Alumni Chair for the Public Interest Law Association, a member of Richmond Women’s Law, and if/when/how. In the summer of 2023, Hope worked as a legal intern at the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance in Richmond, VA.
Payton Ward – I am from Kansas City, Missouri. I went to the University of Kansas for undergrad and got a Bachelor of Science in Management / Leadership and Marketing, with a minor in Human Resources. In addition to being on PILAR, I am involved in several organizations and am the secretary of Richmond Women’s Law. I also spend two days a week volunteering and helping teach an ESL (English as a second language) course!
Tucker Weiser – Born and raised in NYC, Tucker has a strong passion for public service. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Boston University, and interned last summer with New York State Assemblyman Alex Bores. In the future, he’d love to continue drafting and researching legislation. In his pastime, he enjoys fencing and trying to be funny.
Victoria Hagerott – Originally from Ft.Lauderdale, Florida, but graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2022 with a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Also a member of the Criminal Law Society and works as vice president and treasurer of the National Security and Intelligence Law Organization.
Molly Calo – Molly is a member of the University of Richmond School of Law class of 2025. Originally from southwest Virginia, Molly pursued her bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Molly spent her 1L summer at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia in Roanoke. She currently serves as the President of Richmond Women’s Law.
Liza Garrity – Liza Garrity is a member of the Class of 2025 at the University of Richmond School of Law. Originally from Brooklyn, she graduated from Vassar College in 2017 and moved to Beijing to work as a college counselor. Liza is also a member of the executive board for NADR and APALSA and a co-president for NLG. This summer, she interned with the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman and is interested in child welfare law and juvenile justice.