GW Law Writing Fellows
The Writing Fellows are selected from a competitive group of applicants. They have excellent legal writing and analysis skills, and represent a wide range of educational, linguistic, and professional backgrounds.
Writing Fellows are trained to work with GW Law JD and LLM students. If you’re a GW student in another program, a law school alumnus, or someone in the community who wants help with a legal writing project, please contact us at [email protected] or 202.994.0264.
The GW Law Writing Center is open throughout the academic year to meet with students in one-on-one writing conferences. To schedule a conference with a Writing Fellow, click on the "Schedule an Appointment" button below. Students can sign up for a conference up to 21 days in advance. Space is limited, so you are encouraged to sign up well in advance of your desired appointment time. Please read the Writing Center policies document before your visit. Questions? Email [email protected].
Christine Allen
Pronouns: she/her
Christine is a 2L with an interest in environmental and international law. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama. Prior to law school, Christine worked for a non-profit in The Bronx and taught English in Madrid, Spain through the Fulbright Program. Her time in Spain reignited an interest in teaching and peer-advising and she is excited to work with fellow GW Law students. In her free time, she enjoys vegetarian cooking, hiking, watching Alabama Football, and harassing her nineteen-pound cat, Quincy.
Tim Appleton
Pronouns: he/him
Tim is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 2021. He is predominantly interested in litigation, which brought him to spend his 1L summer at the DC Superior Court, where he researched legal issues relating to post-conviction relief. When he's not outlining, he can usually be found watching Seinfeld and counting his pennies to try to join a rowing club.
Susannah Bakke
Pronouns: she/her
Susannah is a 3L and returning Writing Fellow. She decided to return as a Writing Fellow due to her love for the editing process and the personal relationships she built while helping students develop their legal writing skills. She is pursuing a concentration in Business and Finance and is the Senior Notes Editor of the GW Business and Finance Law Review. In 2020, Susannah graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BA in political science and minors in business and sociology. This past summer, she worked as a summer associate with King & Spalding in their Atlanta office. Susannah enjoys trying new restaurants in DC and learning how to play golf in her free time.
Aylar Banafshe
Pronouns: she/her
Aylar is a 3L returning Writing Fellow from McLean, Virginia. Her first love is foreign languages—she speaks Persian, Spanish, French, Arabic and English. This past summer, she worked at Goodwin Procter in their DC office, where she focused on corporate work. After graduation, she hopes to pursue private equity and venture capital at Goodwin. In her free time, she loves being with friends and family, and trying new restaurants. Her current favorite is ilili and she recommends the black sesame ice cream for dessert!
Bekah Bass
Pronouns: she/her
Bekah is a 2L who is originally from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and wants to work in civil rights litigation after graduation. Her undergraduate degree is in Sociology with minors in Women & Gender Studies, Spanish, and Religion, from the University of Northern Iowa. Additionally, Bekah worked as a writing tutor during undergrad where she helped students with citations, brainstorming, outlining, and refining many different types of writing. She is excited to make legal writing less intimidating and help build students' confidence in their own writing processes. While in law school, she has interned with the Equitable Housing Institute, and will be a judicial intern at the District Court of DC with the Honorable Rudolph Contreras in Fall 2022. When not studying or napping, Bekah loves to bake cakes and cookies, listen to D&D podcasts, and attempt crafty projects.
Kathryn Belkin
Pronouns: she/her
Kathryn is a 3L interested in employment law, general litigation, and family law. She grew up in Rockland County, New York and graduated from the George Washington University with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a Notes Editor for the George Washington Law Review, a member of the Moot Court board, and is a returning writing fellow. She spent her 1L summer at the Department of Justice- Criminal Division, Narcotic & Dangerous Drug Section, and her 2L summer at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. This fall semester she will be participating in the Family Justice Litigation clinic. Her favorite thing about working in the Writing Center is getting to connect with other students and see unique writing styles. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and yoga.
Nadira Bello
Pronouns: she/her
Nadira is in her second year of law school, she is a member of the George Washington Moot Court Board, and the George Washington Law Review. Before law school, she attended Florida Atlantic University where she majored in political science. At her undergraduate Nadira competed in Model United Nations and advocated for voting rights. She hosted several discussions with federal and local political officials educating students on their voting rights. This past summer, she worked for a child advocacy organization where she advocated for the rights of children in foster homes. Nadira believes inclusivity within the writing center starts with acknowledging all students learn differently and leaning into those differences can help students learn comfortably at their own pace. On the rare occasion she’s not studying or reading, Nadira enjoys running, listening to music, making chai, or binge watching criminal tv shows.
Meghan Briggs
Pronouns: she/her
Meghan is a rising 2L with an interest in energy, environmental, and international law. She arrived in Washington, DC, in August 2021 after 5 years in Brussels. She first moved to Belgium as a Fulbright Scholar and then continued working at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences in teaching, communications, and student recruitment roles. Before that, she taught English as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Java, Indonesia. Meghan holds a master’s degree in European Politics and Public Administration from the University of Leuven in Belgium as well as two bachelor’s degrees in History and French from the University of San Francisco. She is a member of the International Law Review, the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, and the International Law Society's Executive Board. For fun, Meghan likes to cook, garden, ride her bike, and run on the trails in Rock Creek Park. She also enjoys creative writing and has an eclectic taste in books.
Sophie Brown
Pronouns: She/her
Hi! I was born and raised in the Bay Area of San Francisco, and moved to the Midwest for my undergraduate degree at Notre Dame. During college, I majored in business management, studied abroad in Rome for a semester, and went to a lot of football games. I graduated in 2018 and moved to Chicago to work in consulting for about 3 years before law school. I moved to Washington, DC to start law school at GW in the fall of 2021, where I was in the Jackson Inn for my 1L year. At GW, I am also on the Moot Court Board and a member of the GW Law Review. Looking forward to meeting all everyone!
Annabelle Castleman
Prounouns: she/her
Annabelle is a third year law student, and she is excited to return for her second year as a Writing Fellow. Her favorite part of being a Writing Fellow is working with students throughout the year and watching their growth as legal writers from the beginning to the end of 1L. The Writing Center was also a source of mentorship for Annabelle during her first year of law school, and she loves being able to give back and serve as a mentor for 1L students. At GW, Annabelle is also a Notes Editor on The George Washington Law Review, where she helps guide new members through the process of writing their Notes. Annabelle is originally from Charlottesville, Virginia, and she received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Virginia.
James Crisafulli
Pronouns: he/him
James is a second-year law student from Los Angeles, California. He is passionate about environmental justice and plans to explore a career in environmental law, with a secondary focus on international law and human rights. James got his undergraduate degree in political science from Northwestern University and participated in the Coro Fellowship in Los Angeles before coming to GW. Throughout college, James worked as an academic tutor and found it tremendously fulfilling. He has continued to tutor middle and high school students virtually during his time at GW and hopes to use that experience as a Writing Fellow. Outside of law school, James enjoys playing tennis, writing and performing comedy, and drumming.
Minji Doh
Pronouns: she/her
Minji is a 2L interested in Family Law (specifically domestic violence/sexual assault field), Human Rights/International Law, and Criminal Law. She completed her undergraduate degree from Georgetown University with an International Politics major and a Women and Gender Studies minor. Before coming to law school, Minji worked for two years at the ABA Commission for Domestic and Sexual Violence. In the writing center, Minji hopes to help all students feel confident throughout the legal writing process. Within law school, Minji is also actively engaged with Law Association for Women, Asian American/Pacific Islander Law Student Association, and Student Bar Association. Outside of law school, Minji quotes herself as a "self-prescribed foodie" and is always down to give restaurant recommendations.
Sabrina Facey
Pronouns: she/her
Sabrina is a 2L law student from Kingston, Jamaica. She graduated from the George Washington University with a major in Criminal Justice and a minor in Law and Society. Following this she received her LL.M. in American Law prior to beginning her studies at GW Law. She truly enjoys writing, helping others and knows how impossible writing a legal paper can seem and welcomes writers at all levels to a safe space where they can strive to produce the best work possible, and feel confident doing it. Outside of the classroom, Sabrina enjoys watching true crime documentaries, spending a ridiculous amount of time with her roommate's cat and gardening.
Victoria Farris
Pronouns: she/her
Victoria is a 3L and is excited to be returning as a Writing Fellow this year. Victoria is from Florida, and went to college at the University of Virginia, where she majored in Philosophy and Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law. Victoria is interested in litigation and investigations, and spent her 2L summer at a firm in DC. This year, Victoria will be serving as a Notes Editor on the Law Review and will participate in the Criminal Defense and Justice clinic. In her free time, Victoria enjoys exploring new coffee shops, going to concerts, and attending workout classes.
Aeryka Fausett
Pronouns: she/her
Aeryka is a 2L with an interest in Litigation, Labor and Employment, and Administrative Law. She received a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Before law school, Aeryka worked at several non-profit organizations in the DC area. As a Writing Fellow, she strives to be a resource where students can ask questions and receive feedback while they develop their legal voice. Outside of school, Aeryka enjoys going to baseball games, hiking, and hanging out with her dog.
Sydney Fay
Pronouns: she/her
Hello! I am a 2L interested in health and environmental law and plan on having an international career in those practice areas. My career interests stem from my research on health inequities in low-income countries and experience working internationally in human rights advocacy. When I am not studying or working, you will likely find me reading for fun, working on one of my many spotify playlists, or out exploring DC with friends. I love all kinds of books and music and am always wanting to hear about new fun places to visit, so please feel free to give me any recommendations you may have!
Anastasia Foley
Pronouns: she/her
Anastasia is a 2L from Newton, MA interested in civil litigation. She received her BA in English Literature and Economics from the New York University College of Arts and Science in 2021. At NYU, Anastasia served as a Senior Tutor in the Writing Center, where she worked with undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and programs on a weekly basis. As a Writing Fellow, she hopes to continue to foster a collaborative, supportive tutoring practice that helps clients from all backgrounds become more comfortable with legal writing and adjust smoothly to law school. Anastasia is also the President of the Law Association for Women, and she is passionate about women's rights law and policy. When she's not in the Writing Center, Anastasia enjoys watching Survivor, listening to Taylor Swift, and perfecting her iced coffee recipe.
Paul Harryhill
Pronouns: he/him
Paul is a 2L at the George Washington University Law School, and a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (emphasis on the Philosophy and Politics), and minored in East Asian Languages and Civilization, and English. He is from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and made his residence in the incomparable city of Philadelphia until law school. His passion for teaching and helping students was cultivated in his experience as a TA for an Alfred Hitchcock film seminar at Penn. When not in the act of being a law student, Paul can be found hopelessly cheering on any of the Philadelphia sports teams, watching movies, taking film photography, or doing the New York Times Crossword (Monday through Thursday is fine, weekends are dicey).
Rachel Hauser
Pronouns: she/her
Rachel is a second-year law student at GW. She graduated from Purdue University with a major in Economics and minors in Human Rights, Chinese, and International Business. She moved from Indiana to Washington DC to attend law school with the goal of one day becoming an international human rights lawyer. She chose to be a writing fellow because she loves legal writing and meeting new people, and she hopes to be a positive mentor to the incoming 1L class. In her spare time she loves reading, baking, and watching really bad reality TV.
Yolanda Heman-Ackah
Pronouns: she/her
Yolanda is a 2L student who has an interest in healthcare law. Prior to coming to law school, she worked as a voice surgeon, specializing in professional voice care. Her approach to the writing center is centered around allowing the individual to flourish within their own writing style while teaching effective legal writing skills. Her hours are flexible and can accommodate both full-time and part-time evening students. She looks forward to bridging the gap between expressive, creative writing and legal writing and analysis.
Michael Hill
Pronouns: he/him
Michael is a 3L from Denver, CO. He has spent over 200 days sleeping in tents as a long distance backpacker and recently pivoted to law school after failing to make it as a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles (he's super funny though. It wasn't because of a lack of talent...right?). He is returning for his second year as a Writing Fellow after finding that he not only enjoys helping students translate their thoughts onto paper, but meeting new law students and helping them succeed outside of becoming a better legal writer. Michael (who is super cool and is definitely not writing this bio himself) has focused his law school experience on international law, national security, and cybersecurity. He (again, totally not me) is planning to practice litigation after graduation. Michael is a first generation law student and is more than happy to answer all of those law school questions that you didn't even know you should be asking. In case you're wondering, Michael enjoys freshly baked cookies.
Stephon Howie
Pronouns: he/him
Stephon is a 2L from Charlotte, NC. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he double-majored in Public Policy and Global Studies. As a Tar Heel, Stephon voluntarily tutored local elementary school students, acted in original plays, and competed as a decorated member of the undergraduate mock trial team. After graduating, Stephon helped lead a voter registration campaign in his hometown before working in the Recruiting and Administrative Support departments for a couple of law firms in Washington, DC. Currently, Stephon is a member of GW Law’s Moot Court Board, Mock Trial Board, Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, and BLSA. He is interested in employment law and general litigation. Outside of class, you can find Stephon rewatching Parks and Recreation, searching for decent Southern-style sweet tea, or denying the results of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game.
Gillian Isabelle
Pronouns: she/her
Gillian is a 2L at GW. Originally from Delaware, she graduated from the University of Delaware with degrees in Human Services and Criminal Justice. Gillian is a member of BLSA, the ADR Board, and The George Washington Law Review. As a 1L who struggled adjusting to the legal writing process, Gillian is so excited to be able to offer support and guidance to students who feel overwhelmed conquering legal writing. In her free time, she loves to travel, brunch in DC, and watch Criminal Minds or SVU reruns.
Milica Ivanis
Pronouns: she/her
Milica is a 3L and a returning writing fellow. She grew up in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and attended Harvard College. Milica enjoys all forms of writing, whether the final product be an economics research paper or a piece of creative fiction or a legal brief. She hopes to share her enthusiasm for legal research and writing with other law students. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, wandering around DC, and catching up with friends. Milica is a first-generation law student and is always happy to answer any and all student questions.
Rachel Johnson
Pronouns: she/her
Rachel is a 2L pursuing a concentration in Environmental & Energy Law. She graduated from the University of Baltimore in 2021 with a BA in Jurisprudence and a minor in Philosophy. Originally hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, Rachel worked as a summer law clerk with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and will be interning at the DC Superior Court in the fall. Rachel is super excited to help fellow students develop strong legal writing skills and take ownership of their written work. When she's not busy with work or school, Rachel enjoys trying new happy hours/restaurants, running, and lounging at home with her cat.
Jordyn Johnson
Pronouns: she/her
Jordyn is a 2L interested in communications, media law, and litigation. She is a GW Law Moot Court Board member, the Co-Director of Events for the Law Association for Women, and an Inns of Court Program Student Advisor. Jordyn is originally from South Charleston, West Virginia and graduated from West Virginia University with a double major in Journalism and Multidisciplinary Studies. Through her work as a reporter, she found a passion for the collaborative aspect of the editing process, and she hopes to share that passion with other students through Writing Center sessions. Outside of GW, Jordyn loves traveling, watching Law & Order: SVU, and hanging out with her cat, Millie.
Jessica Killeen
Pronouns: she/her
Hello, my name is Jessica Killeen. I am a 3L currently interning at the Department of the Interior, Civil Rights Division. I am most interested in Civil Rights Litigation and have worked on ADA cases at the Department of Justice and the US Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of Virginia. My interests include pottery and ceramics, walking my dog, and exploring art museums.
Noah Kostick
Pronouns: he/him
I am a second-year law student from Jacksonville, FL. I graduated from Baldwin Wallace University, a small school in Cleveland, OH. During my first year, I found the writing center to be extremely helpful in improving both my legal writing and my analytical thinking. My goal is to help others have the same experience. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, rock climbing, watching tv/movies, and spending time with friends.
Tessa Lasser
Pronouns: she/her
Tessa is a 2L at GW Law and a 2021 graduate of Fairfield University in Connecticut. At Fairfield, Tessa majored in psychology and minored in philosophy and leadership ethics. Now at GW, Tessa is a member of the Moot Court Board and The George Washington Law Review. She is interested in litigation and hopes to work at a firm as a summer associate next summer. Outside of school, Tessa enjoys trying new restaurants around DC, watching the Red Sox, and traveling.
Olive Lee
Pronouns: she/they
Olive is a 3L and returning Writing Center Fellow. She received a BA from the University of Virginia in 2017 where she wrote her senior thesis on hip-hop and technology. In undergrad, Olive tutored ESL students and was a peer health educator. She loves to work with writers of all backgrounds to help their unique voices and styles shine through. When she's not at school, Olive enjoys solidcore, playing the cello, and visiting local coffee shops.
Michelle Lenze
Pronouns: she/her
I'm very excited to be joining the Writing Center this year! I am interested in immigration law and poverty law, and I'm always happy to talk to anyone outside of our Writing Center appointment who is thinking about a public interest career. Outside of school, I spend most of my free time with my dog, and I enjoy playing board games.
Micah Leval
Pronouns: he/him
Born and raised in Maui, Hawaii, Micah graduated from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa with a BA in Political Science and Communicology. Prior to law school, Micah held positions in state and federal lawmaking, government affairs, and political campaigning. His practice areas of interest include telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) law, and he is the Senior Articles Editor of the Federal Communications Law Journal (FCLJ). Micah plays the alto saxophone, having twice performed at Carnegie Hall, and is currently learning how to DJ. In his free time, Micah enjoys cooking, playing Clash Royale, and going to way too many concerts. In fact, he has seen live performances of all top five artists on his Spotify Wrapped List. Book a Writing Center appointment with him to find out who they are!
Aliya Levinstein-Kossover
Pronouns: she/her
Aliya is a 3L and a returning writing fellow. She is originally from the Hudson Valley in New York, but moved to DC ten years ago to attend American University. After working for a few years she decided to attend law school, looking to learn more about national security law, international law, and civil and human rights with an ultimate goal of a career in the federal government. One of her favorite things about law school is being a writing fellow because it gives her an opportunity to support and work with students to develop and refine the skills that are critical to being a member of this profession. In her free time, Aliya enjoys eating good food, playing board games, and spending time exploring the outdoors.
Devin Louis
Pronouns: he/him
Devin is a 2L at GW Law. He graduated from Haverford College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a Concentration in Peace, Justice, and Human Rights. After graduating college, Devin worked in Philadelphia, on class action lawsuits representing survivors of human trafficking and cults, as well as in New York, doing employment arbitration and mediation. At GW, he also holds positions on The George Washington Law Review, South Asian Law Student Association, Jewish Law Student Association, the GW Defenders, and the SBA Student Health & Wellness Committee. During his 1L summer, he worked for the Fairfax Public Defender’s Office in Virginia, and hopes to pursue a career in criminal justice reform. In addition to criminal law, Devin is interested in civil rights law, human rights law, and anything in the realm of public interest. Devin is excited to be a Writing Fellow because he enjoys helping others to communicate their thoughts, as well as supporting people in progressing through their individual professional journeys. He hopes to help other law students feel empowered in expressing their voice and confident in their ideas and writing! For fun, Devin loves to fence (épée or foil), meditate, cook vegetarian food, have deep conversations with his friends about anything and everything, and watch the sunset whenever he can!
Emily Margolin
Pronouns: she/her
Emily is a 2L from Richmond, Virginia who graduated from Villanova University in 2020 with a BA in Psychology and minors in Creative Writing and Political Science. As a creative writing minor, she participated in multiple writing workshops wherein she provided written and oral feedback on her classmates' work. She hopes to work in entertainment and sports law after graduation. In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking, spending time with her friends, showing people unsolicited pictures of her dog, and watching--and yelling about--Villanova basketball.
Augusta Nau
Pronouns: she/her
Augusta is a 2L student, and a former member of the Jackson inn. When she is not in school, she loves hiking in the DMV area, hanging out with her dogs Chicken and Coconut and curating early 2000’s playlists. Augusta is a member of the GW Moot Court Board and the GW Mock Trial Board. She is also a member of the Law Association for Women and the GW Law Running Club. Augusta spent her summer working as a judicial intern at the DC Superior Court for the Honorable Heidi Pasichow. This year she will be interning at the US Court of Federal Claims for the Honorable David Tapp. Before coming to law school she spent two years teaching history and philosophy at the Hotchkiss School, while concurrently pursuing her Masters in Education at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. Augusta loves the editing process and is passionate about helping students become more confident writers. She is excited to get to know new 1Ls this year in the writing center!
Annie Nguyen
Pronouns: she/her
Annie is a second-year JD candidate at GW Law. She is excited to continue exploring her career interests, but has a special place in her heart for Criminal Law and Public Interest work. While studying Political Science and Psychology at UC Irvine, Annie also published her undergraduate thesis with the Asian American Studies program. Her thesis analyzed how humor makes characters in sitcoms universal, especially in radicalized and gendered representations. She still loves to overanalyze tv shows and is at her happiest at a movie theater with friends. Annie is also passionate about grassroots advocacy work and spent time in the Legislative Affairs office of her undergraduate student government as well as in the Civic Engagement branch of a local nonprofit in California. Inspired by the on-the-ground efforts, she came to GW Law with the goal of working on systemic legal change at the federal level. She is also on a journey to find the best ice cream spot in DC. As a Writing Fellow, Annie wants to ensure every student walks away feeling confident in their writing. Understanding that the process of writing can be a daunting and lonely process, she hopes to support GW Law’s bright students at every stage.
Brandon Padgett
Pronouns: he/him
Brandon is a 3L pursuing a career in public service. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2020 with degrees in French and Psychology. He loved DC (and disliked himself) enough to stick around and try out law school. He is interested in international law and international human rights law. He has also developed an interest in space law after writing his Note on the potential legal liability for the United States when Elon Musk finally loses it and crashes a satellite. Brandon is the Senior Notes Editor at the International Law in Domestic Courts Journal and a research assistant for Professor Laura Dickinson.
Ally Patterson
Pronouns: she/her
Hi! I am Ally Patterson, originally from Lima, Ohio. I moved out to the DC area for college, and I loved it so much I had to stay. I studied history, politics, and philosophy. I decided to attend law school following my experience interning in British Parliament, where I watched politicians and lawyers try to navigate the post- Brexit environment. Since coming to GW, I've joined International Law Society and LAW. I am also a proud member of International Law Review, and I hope to pursue a career in the international field. I look forward to working with the incoming 1L class!
Diego Perea
Pronouns: he/him
Diego is a second-year law student with a strong interest in litigation. Diego is passionate about criminal defense and has been volunteering with the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project since the beginning of 2022. In the 2022 Fall semester, he will be interning with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia. Diego is heavily involved in the GW Law Mock Trial Board, serving as treasurer for the 2022-2023 academic year. He also earned 1st place at the 2022 GW Law First Year Mock Trial Competition and is planning to compete in external competitions for 2022-2023. During his 1L summer, Diego was a summer associate at Epstein Becker Green, PC, working on various health law related projects. For his 2L summer, Diego will be joining Latham & Watkins as a 2023 summer associate hoping to get exposure to litigation and white-collar defense work. Prior to law school, Diego graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in Actuarial Science and worked as an actuary for 6 years. In his spare time, Diego likes to play tennis, read crime novels, guest judge mock trial tournaments, and play video games to wind down.
Catherine Ryan
Pronouns: she/her
Catherine is a 2L at GW Law. She received a BS in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance, from California Polytechnic State University in 2017, and worked in Finance and Business Strategy at Cisco prior to attending law school. Catherine is partial to Oxford commas, Russian literature, and California figs. In her free time she enjoys boxing, reading, and visiting museums in DC. Catherine is passionate about writing as a form of self-expression and delights in finding the perfect word to describe a feeling. She approaches her role as a Writing Fellow with a growth mindset, focusing on continuous improvement and building the confidence with the writer.
Gi Beom Ryu
Pronouns: he/him
I was born in South Korea, but I grew up in Argentina where I lived for almost 20 years. Thanks to that, I’m fluent in both Korean and Spanish, and for the same reason, I feel much more comfortable being called Fabian or Fabi than by my Korean name. I got my undergraduate degree in Law from the University of Buenos Aires, and I practiced corporate law in Argentina for three years before coming to study at GW Law. I am a rising 2L, and I joined the Writing Center because when I first came to the US I had a hard time adapting my writing style to the expected legal writing standards, and I wanted to help others go through that same transition. My goal is to help them reconcile their own creative critical thinking, cultural background, and past experiences with the seemingly inflexible legal writing format. When I am not studying or working, I enjoy playing and watching soccer and reading about Asian and Latin American history.
Margo Schwartz
Pronouns: she/her
Margo is 2L set to graduate in 2024. She graduated from University of Florida in May 2020 with a BA in Political Science and Minors in Women's Studies and Anthropology. During her junior spring in 2019, she studied abroad in Florence, Italy. At GW Law, she is a member of the Journal of Energy and Environmental Law (JEEL) and the Co-VP of Programming for JLSA. When she's not studying, she loves trying new workout classes, bars, and restaurants around DC. She is excited to meet and work with students this year at the Writing Center!
Isabella Schwarze
Pronouns: she/her
Isabella is a 2L who studied English and Political Science in her undergrad. She is a member of the Moot Court Board, the GW Law International Law Review, the Mock Trial Board, and SIPLA. However, her favorite GW activity is running club, where she serves as the social chair.
Ben Soullier
Pronouns: he/him
Ben is a rising 2L, with a passion for Criminal, Media, and First Amendment Law. He received his bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University, studying European history and Mass Communications. Before starting at GW Law, Ben worked in higher education market research and social media. With academic and professional careers focused mainly on writing, Ben is passionate about helping others develop their own voice and analytical skillset. Legal writing can be difficult for anyone to adapt to, but through open communication and a desire to see others succeed, Ben is thrilled about the opportunity to help fellow students with their written work this year. In his free time, Ben plays guitar and sings in a band. He also plays rugby for an amateur team in DC.
Emmalee Sproul
Pronouns: she/her
Emmalee is a 2L from Anaheim, California with interests in public interest, criminal justice, and family law. In addition to being a writing fellow, she works on JEEL, and recently finished her summer at the Riverside District Attorney's Office. In spring 2020, she received her BA in English from the University of California, Irvine where her she participated on a research team focusing on rural inequalities, various gaps in justice, and residents’ experiences in poverty. She additionally worked various jobs including lifeguarding and waitressing, and also competed on her junior college’s water polo and swim teams. She’s excited for her time in the writing center where she hopes to facilitate an open working environment where students can bring drafts/outlines/ideas, no matter at what stage, and receive feedback to develop their work further. In her free time she enjoys going for walks, attending baseball games, getting coffee with friends, spending time with her cat Eeva, and FaceTiming family back home in California (including her two dogs, Elvis and Hamilton).
Ethan Syster
Pronouns: he/him
Ethan is a 2L at GW Law focusing his studies on Government Procurement and Antitrust Law. He studied Political Science and Economics at UNC (go heels!) and is excited to be continuing his education at GW Law. Ethan has chosen to be a writing fellow because of his own experience as a 1L in Fundamentals of Lawyering. After braving the TREAT method his first semester of 1L, Ethan is excited to use his own experiences to support other students through the legal writing process. He interned with the TSA Chief Counsel's Office this past summer, within the Acquisitions, Property, and Other Transactions group, and is clerking with the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals this fall. Outside of law school Ethan enjoys the outdoors and true crime podcasts.
Carly Uehling
Pronouns: she/her
Carly is a 2L interested in civil and human rights, as well as international law. In undergrad, she studied Political Science and History with a focus on Middle Eastern history and politics. She is a Phillies fan who attempts to drown out boos with cheers when Bryce Harper is in town. In her free time, she enjoys baking and gardening. Carly wanted to be a writing fellow because she realized how much hearing different perspectives strengthened her writing as a 1L and she hopes to help students most effectively articulate their ideas. She is also a member of The George Washington Law Review, the International Refugee Assistance Project, and the GW Law Softball Club.
Kailee Vick
Pronouns: they/them
Kailee is a second-year law student from Rochester, NY pursuing a career in litigation. They graduated from Syracuse University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. At GW, Kailee serves as Political Chair for Lambda Law, a member of the George Washington International Law Review, and a member of the Dean's Student Advisory Board. This past summer, Kailee worked as a Litigation Intern at Brady United, one of the country's oldest gun violence prevention non-profits. In their free time, Kailee enjoys cooking, going to trivia nights, and exploring DC with friends. With years of experience as a writing tutor, Kailee is excited to work with GW Law students as a Writing Fellow!
Katya Wagstaff
Pronouns: she/her
Katya is a 2L interested in trademark, copyright, and privacy law. She is also a staff editor for the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) Quarterly Journal and involved in the Alternative Dispute Resolution Board, Mock Trial Board, and Student Bar Association. Prior to law school, she worked in marketing after graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in communications with a minor in theater. While she will happily talk your ear off about recent Broadway shows while strolling around a farmers market, she is also passionate about cheering you on through the often frustrating legal writing process. She values collaboration and looks forward to working with you.
Jessica Wasserman
Pronouns: she/her
Jessica is a 2L at GW Law interested in working with survivors of power-based personal violence. She studied Political Science at UC Irvine and graduated in 2020. While at UC Irvine, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega and a Peer Coordinator at UC Irvine's Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) Office. As a Los Angeles native, Jessica appreciates the variety of free museums and events DC has to offer. In her free time, Jessica enjoys cooking new recipes and going to coffee shops. She looks forward to helping students strengthen and improve their writing skills.
Claire Williams
Pronouns: she/her
Claire is a 2L student at GW Law interested in litigation, health law, and environmental law. In addition to being a Writing Fellow, Claire is an associate staff editor on the Federal Circuit Bar Journal, a Moot Court Board member, and an ADR Board member. Claire is originally from Kansas City and spent six years living in New York before law school. She attended NYU as an undergrad majoring in Political Science and, after graduating, worked in the Rackets Bureau at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Claire loves to cook for her friends, play tennis, and scour the DC area for the best flat white and pastry combos in her spare time. Claire has experience working with students in all stages of the writing process. Through her writing services, she hopes to emphasize the importance of patience during the drafting process and tailors her feedback to each student's needs. She encourages all students working with her to feel free to speak openly and ask any questions they have about legal writing, law school, and beyond.
Wintana Yohannes
Pronouns: she/her
Wintana is a third-year student and is excited to be returning as a Writing Fellow this year. Born and raised in Abu Dhabi, UAE, she graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Global Development Studies. Prior to law school, she joined Teach For America and taught high school English at a charter school in Boston for three years. Wintana's passion for working with student writers stems from her time in the classroom. She is interested in anti-corruption and investigations and spent her 2L summer at Hogan Lovells in DC. In her free time, Wintana enjoys going to concerts, visiting local coffee shops, and long walks.
Will Yu
Pronouns: he/him
Will is a second-year student at GW Law. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2018 with a degree in International Studies. During college, Will spent a year in Bologna and studied international relations and European politics, where he developed an interest in Italian wine. Having grown up in China and the U.S. at the same time, Will is looking forward to helping students from various backgrounds adapt to law school through the Writing Center.
Yanshu Zhang
Pronouns: he/him
Before coming to GW Law, I studied history at NYU and the University of Cambridge. I also worked at a chicken farm for one year in Hunan, China. As a non-native writer, I learned English writing by reading, imitating, and practicing. I was helped by many students and professors in colleges and here at GW Law. This time, I hope that I can help the incoming 1Ls.