Fellowship Program
The Rappaport Fellows Program in Law and Public Policy provides gifted students committed to public policy careers with opportunities to experience the complexities and rewards of public policy and public service within the highest levels of state and municipal governments.
Each year, the Center selects 12 Fellows through a competitive application and interview process. The program includes a $10,000 stipend and coveted summer internships, during which students work with top policy makers and are mentored by members of the Rappaport Center Advisory Board, prior Rappaport Fellows, and respected attorneys in the field, focusing on issues of particular importance to Greater Boston and Massachusetts residents. These mentoring relationships are in addition to the designated supervisor in each summer placement.
The Fellows participate in weekly experiential learning opportunities to explore the intersection of law and public policy.
The Rappaport Fellowships offer an intense, up-close, first-hand look at the life of public policy lawyers and the influence these legal professionals have on the quality of life in our community, state, and region. The Fellows also contribute important intellectual capital to state and local government.
The Rappaport Fellows Program aims to shape future civic leaders and policy makers to make a real difference in society.
The Fellowships are available to law students from eight Massachusetts law schools:
Rappaport Fellows
2023 Fellows
Bhumika Choudhary
Bhumika Choudhary is a 2L at Suffolk University Law School. Over the years, Choudhary has gained a variety of experiences in higher education and non-profit communications, local journalism on state government, and as a TEDx founder and organizer. Prior to attending Suffolk University, Choudhary worked as a Case Assistant at Gordon & Rees LLP, where she supported attorneys in their research and writing needs related to complex commercial litigation. In 2018, Choudhary served as a press aide to the Connecticut House Democratic Office and was awarded a Proclamation for her exemplary service to the Town of Enfield. Choudhary received her Master’s in Public Policy with honors from Trinity College, where she produced a policy memo on voting rights restoration for CT parolees and workforce education opportunities in Greater Hartford. She also received her BA in Creative Writing at Trinity College. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Choudhary served as an intern at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, White Collar and Public Integrity Division within the Criminal Bureau.
Zackary (Zack) Colclasure
Zackary Colclasure is a 2L at Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) and a graduate of Stonehill College where he received his BA in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. Prior to pursuing law, Colclasure served in the Baker-Polito Administration for five years where he focused primarily on building lasting rapport between constituents and local government. In the Governor’s Office, Colclasure’s first responsibilities included overseeing the Office of Constituent Services and managing the Governor’s Internship Program. Colclasure later became the Governor’s Advance Representative and acted as the Governor’s personal aide while traveling across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and beyond in furtherance of the Governor’s daily obligations. During this time, Colclasure discovered his passion for law by bearing witness to the profound influence that lawyers have in solving life’s most immediate challenges. At the end of the Governor’s tenure, Colclasure served as the Governor’s Deputy Director of Advance & Operations where he further helped strategize, coordinate, and execute the day-to-day operations of Governor’s schedule. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Colclasure served as a summer intern at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Allyson (Ally) Crays
Allyson “Ally” Crays is a 3L at Northeastern University School of Law (NUSL) and a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University (BW), magna cum laude, in Ohio where she studied Public Health and Political Science. After graduating from BW, she served as a City Year AmeriCorps member in Columbus, Ohio. Over the last five years, Crays has advocated for various menstrual equity policies to increase access to menstrual products, particularly in schools. Throughout this work, she discovered her passion for working with communities to advance policy changes that increase rights for women and LGBTQ+ people. Last fall, she worked as Legal Intern at the ACLU of Massachusetts in the Legislative Department. Currently, she serves on PERIOD.’s Board of Directors and organizes for state level policy with the Massachusetts Menstrual Equity Coalition. At NUSL, she is also pursuing a graduate certificate in Women, Gender, Sexuality, & Law. Last fall, she worked as a Legal Intern at the ACLU of Massachusetts in the Legislative Department. Crays is interested in reproductive justice, menstrual equity, and public policy. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Crays served as a summer intern in the Office of State Senator Jo Comerford.
Ethan FitzGerald
Ethan FitzGerald, born and raised in Massachusetts, is a 2L at Boston University School of Law. Before pursuing his legal career, FitzGerald earned his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry at Brown University. As a researcher, he published novel findings on pulmonary immunology and previously unknown disease mechanisms of COVID-19. During his Ph.D. candidacy, FitzGerald also served as an associate editor for the Journal of Science Policy and Governance. In that capacity, he supported researchers from diverse disciplines in honing and strengthening their scientifically-informed policy proposals, which were targeted at local, state, and federal policy makers, as well as academia and international organizations. FitzGerald’s experience during the pandemic inspired him to pursue a legal career so that he may help address the critical need for scientists in policy making and advocating for the public interest. He is a graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, MA, where he earned degrees, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, in Political Science and Biochemistry along with a minor in legal studies. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, FitzGerald served as a summer intern at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in the Health Care Division of the Health Care and Fair Compensation Bureau.
Jordana Harper
Jordana B. Harper is a 2L at Western New England University School of Law, and also holds a B.S., magna cum laude, from Mt. Holyoke College, a M.Ed. from Endicott College, and a CAGS from Lesley University in Education Leadership. She served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools prior to law school. In these roles, she had the opportunity to advocate for students, teachers, and families and learned in-depth about the laws affecting public education in MA. Harper is interested in continuing her life-long dedication to public education through work in education law and policy around school equity, students with disabilities, school funding and employment law. She is honored to have been selected as a Rappaport Fellow in Law and Public Policy. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Harper served as a summer intern at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Isabel Hasselbalch
Isabel Hasselbalch is a 3L at Boston College Law School and a graduate of American University where she studied International Relations with a minor in Art History. Following graduation from AU, she worked at the Public Defender Service for Washington, D.C., and in development at a women's behavioral health provider in Lincoln, Nebraska, her hometown. During her 1L summer, she worked at the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee in Quincy, MA. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Hasselbalch served as an intern at the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) in the Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) working in juvenile appeals. Hasselbalch is interested in criminal law and juvenile justice.
Sadie Keller
Sadie Keller is a 2L at Boston University School of Law and a graduate of Oberlin College, Phi Beta Kappa, and a Truman Scholar. After college, Keller taught English at a public university in Mexico City and researched asylum and immigration policies as a Fulbright Scholar. She was then program manager for a national nonprofit, supporting families facing housing insecurity and eviction. Keller has worked on political campaigns and research think tanks, focusing on issues related to immigration, housing, civil rights, and voting rights. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Keller served as a summer intern at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau.
Lucia Martinez
Lucia Martinez is a 2L at Boston University School of Law and a graduate of Occidental College, cum laude, where she studied Latino/a & Latin American Studies and Political Science. Before pursuing her law degree, Martinez worked for seven years at Free Press, a Washington, D.C.-based media and tech policy and advocacy organization, where she advocated for public interest policies at Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and with technology companies. Martinez plans to pursue a public policy career at the intersection of technology law and civil rights and is passionate about digital civil rights, data privacy protections, and working to mitigate the harm caused by algorithmic bias and surveillance technology. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Martinez served as a summer intern at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in the Data Privacy and Security Division of the Public Protection and Advocacy Bureau.
Linda McClellan
Linda McClellan is a 3L at New England Law | Boston and is natively from Philadelphia. McClellan received her BA in Psychology from West Chester University and her MS in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Chestnut Hill College. Before pursuing her law degree, McClellan was a case manager and clinical therapist specializing in trauma and adolescent development. McClellan got her passion for policy and change while working with disenfranchised populations. While engaged in behavioral health service, McClellan worked in outpatient and residential services. At New England Law | Boston, McClellan has implemented a trauma-informed training for students working with clients in the CORI Initiative. McClellan also leads the CORI Initiative policy program, lobbying for bills to reform Massachusetts' criminal justice system. McClellan is the chair of her SBA's Mental Health and Wellness Committee and maintains the food pantry. McClellan also serves on the Black Law Student Association executive board, creating events and linking alumni with the current student body. McClellan has worked in State Senator Lydia Edwards's office for the past year. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, McClellan served as a summer intern at the Policy and Cabinet Affairs Division of the Office of Governor Maura Healey this summer.
Miranda Popkey
Miranda Popkey is a 2L at Northeastern University School of Law. She graduated in 2009 from Yale University with a B.A. in Humanities, cum laude, and from Washington University in St. Louis in 2018 with an M.F.A. in Writing. She has worked as a book editor, undergraduate creative writing instructor, and as a fieldworker at Mass. Audubon's Drumlin Farm. At Action for Boston Community Development, she served as Director of the Generations Advancing Together Through Education (GATE) Program, connecting income eligible Boston-area parents to fully funded job training opportunities. Popkey is passionate about strengthening and expanding the social safety net, including through Universal Basic Income (UBI) initiatives, and believes in funding community-led initiatives that offer alternatives to incarceration. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Popkey served as a summer intern at Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS).
Laura Rodriguez Alfonso
Laura Rodriguez Alfonso is a 2L Public Interest Law student at the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Rodriguez Alfonso graduated from the University of Florida, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a minor in History. While at UF, Rodriguez Alfonso volunteered at PACE Center for Girls as a social service intern which fostered her interest in law. After graduating, Rodriguez Alfonso worked for a domestic violence shelter as a case manager. In this role, she advocated for survivors and assisted in finding housing, filing injunctions, and applying for government assistance. Currently, Rodriguez Alfonso serves as a legal mentor for Discovering Justice. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Rodriguez Alfonso served as a summer intern at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Joseph (Joe) Thibodeau
Joe Thibodeau is a 2L Public Service Scholar at Boston College Law School and a graduate of Tufts University, cum laude, where he majored in American Studies and International Relations. Prior to law school, he spent eight years serving in various roles as a government and campaign staffer for leaders including United States Senator Ed Markey (MA), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), and Massachusetts State Senator Barbara L’Italien (Second Essex & Middlesex). Thibodeau’s prior work has focused on political strategy, coalition building, and community engagement. He is interested in civil rights, public policy, and community organizing. As a 2023 Rappaport Fellow, Thibodeau served as an intern at the Legal Counsel’s Office of Governor Maura Healey.
2022 Fellows
Catherine "Katie" Bekel
Catherine "Katie" Bekel is a 1L at Boston College Law School and a graduate of the University of Vermont (UVM), Phi Beta Kappa, where she studied Psychology and English. After graduating from UVM, she served as an AmeriCorps Member at Groundwork Lawrence in Lawrence, MA, and then followed her passion to pursue a career in sustainable agriculture. Bekel worked and managed small vegetable farms in eastern Massachusetts for nearly a decade. In these roles, she advocated for fairer wages for her staff and herself and created programs to make local produce more accessible for lower-income community members. Throughout this work, she became keenly aware of the challenges facing low-income workers and deeply invested in questions intersecting wealth, equity, and labor. Bekel is interested in civil rights, worker protection, immigration, and public policy. She will be interning this summer in the Office of State Senator Joan Lovely.
Hacibey Catalbasoglu
Hacibey "Haci" Catalbasoglu is a 1L at Boston University School of Law and a graduate of Yale College. Over the years, Catalbasoglu has worked in a multitude of governmental capacities, including in New Haven’s housing department, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong's Office, Connecticut Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz's Office, and US Senator Chris Murphy’s Office (D-CT). In 2017, Catalbasoglu was elected to the City of New Haven’s law-making body, the Board of Alders, to represent a downtown district. In that role, he worked to improve town-and-gown relations, protect immigrants’ rights, and reform the city’s criminal justice system. Between college and law school, Catalbasoglu worked as a cook for two years at his family’s pizza shop, Brick Oven Pizza, in New Haven. This summer, he will be interning at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Alexis "Lexi" Dellaquila
Alexis "Lexi" Dellaquila is a 1L at New England Law | Boston and a lifelong Massachusetts resident. Prior to pursuing her law degree, Dellaquila served in the Baker-Polito Administration for over four years, working to develop programs and policies in direct support of Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. In the Governor’s Office, Dellaquila focused on a variety of special projects related to the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. In this role, Dellaquila worked with members of the Council to lead, develop, and implement policies to help individuals and families live a life free from sexual assault and domestic violence. Her desire to pursue a legal degree rooted in advocacy for victims and survivors of intimate partner violence grew through this work. Additionally, she also developed programming to bolster access to STEM education in schools across the state, working with the STEM Advisory Council. Building on this work, Dellaquila hopes to continue to pursue a career in public service and public policy. She is a graduate of Emmanuel College, where she received a degree in Business Management. Dellaquila will be interning this summer at the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.
Kaye-Alese Green
Kaye-Alese Green is a 1L and dual JD/MD candidate at Boston University (BU) School of Law and School of Medicine. She received a BS in Psychology and Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with a dual concentration in Public Health and Urban Education from the University of Central Florida (UCF). At UCF, she was an NCAA student-athlete and co-captain of the Women’s Volleyball team and a President’s Leadership Council member. Since beginning at Boston University, Green was honored to serve as the inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Fellow for Boston University School of Medicine with a joint appointment as a Visiting Fellow at BU’s Institute of Health Systems Innovation & Policy from 2020-2021. Currently, she is a graduate assistant at Boston University’s Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground and is the incoming president of BU’s Women’s Law Association. This summer, Green will be interning at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Andrea Millard
Andrea Millard is a 1L at Suffolk University Law School and a graduate of Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), where she received her BA in Cognitive Science, magna cum laude, with minors in Public Policy and Psychology, as well as her MA, summa cum laude, in Bioethics and Medical Humanities. While attending college, she interned for both John Snow Inc., where she focused on international public health projects, as well as for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, where she worked in the Chelsea District Court. After graduating from CWRU, she went to work for Boston Medical Center in the Center for Addiction Research and Education as a Program Assistant on the Addiction Medicine Fellowship. At the Center, Millard supported Fellows throughout their placements at health centers across the city of Boston, serving both homeless and low-income individuals throughout treatment and recovery. Millard is interested in addiction policy in Massachusetts, specifically the work being done in Boston surrounding harm reduction and coordination of care. This summer, she will be interning for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Ivy Miller
Ivy Miller is a 1L dual degree JD/MPH candidate at Northeastern University School of Law and Tufts University School of Medicine. After graduating from the University of California Irvine with a BA in Public Health Policy, she worked in both inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings. Her experiences showed her the barriers patients faced throughout the healthcare system and fueled her interest in public health policy and law. This summer, Miller will be working at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission.
Chris Pappavaselio
Chris Pappavaselio is a 2L at Harvard Law School. Chris grew up in northern Massachusetts, earned an MA in Latin from the University of Massachusetts Boston after a BA in Classics from the University of Southern California, and taught at a local public high school for several years. Throughout law school, he has maintained his passion for education and responsible governance through writing a regular civics-themed column for the Concord Monitor and serving as an elected member of his town's school committee. Pappavaselio plans to impact his community through working in the criminal justice field, and he will be interning this summer with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Crimes Strategies Bureau.
Devyn Parry
Devyn Parry is a 1L at Northeastern University School of Law and a graduate of the University of San Diego, where she studied Behavioral Neuroscience. Prior to starting law school, Parry worked in Silicon Valley at 23andMe where she wrote and maintained content related to the health product. Devyn is excited to learn more about the legislative process and explore the relationship between technology, legislature, and public policy as a legal intern for the Office of the Senate Counsel this summer.
Samantha Perlman
Samantha Perlman is a 1L Public Service Scholar at Boston College Law School and dual JD/MA candidate in the Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Program atTufts Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She graduated magna cum laude from Emory University with a BA in History and African American Studies. Focused on closing the civic engagement gap, Perlman worked as a FAO Schwarz Fellow at Generation Citizen, where Perlman helped secure passage of the 2018 Massachusetts civic education law. Most recently, she worked at Scholars Strategy Network, partnering with faculty on national democracy policy and youth voting efforts, as well as serving on the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition’s Advisory Board. In 2019, Perlman made history as the youngest woman and first Jewish woman ever elected to the Marlborough City Council, as well as the first new candidate to top the ticket in a Council race. Currently, in her second term, Perlman is also a proud graduate of Emerge Massachusetts, the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Community Fellows Program, and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship Fellowship. In 2020, she was named one of IGNITE National’s 30 under 30 for womxn to watch in politics. This summer, Perlman will be working in the Office of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.
Jonathan Sturr
Jonathan Sturr is a 1L dual JD/MA candidate at Boston College Law School and the Fletcher School for Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. Prior to graduate school, he spent five years working at the National Democratic Institute on democracy issues in the post-soviet region. During this time, he worked at Institute’s field office in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he contributed to its programming on political party and civil society development, women’s political engagement, LGBTQ rights advocacy, and election transparency. A native of the New York City area, Sturr graduated from Columbia University in 2014, where he studied history and music. This summer, he will intern at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Angela Wu
Angela Wu is a 1L at Harvard Law School. Prior to law school, she worked on reproductive rights impact litigation as a paralegal in the Public Policy Litigation and Law department at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She is a graduate of Princeton University, where she received her A.B. with High Honors in the School of Public and International Affairs with a certificate in American Studies. Her senior thesis research at Princeton focused on municipal immigrant-welcoming initiatives. Wu is passionate about gender justice and immigrants’ rights. This summer, Wu will be interning at the Mayor of Boston’s Office of Immigrant Advancement.
Noam Yossefy
Noam Yossefy is a 1L at Suffolk University Law School and is interested in pursuing a public interest career in healthcare and public health. Prior to attending Suffolk University, Yossefy worked as a Policy Analyst at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO), where she monitored health care trends and transactions, advocated for public health reforms, and supported health-related consumer protection lawsuits. While at the AGO and in her previous role at the Boston Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services, Yossefy compiled a comprehensive account of past and projected damages caused by the opioid crisis in order to inform the State and City’s multibillion dollar lawsuits against more than a dozen pharmaceutical developers, manufacturers and distributors. Yossefy received her Masters in Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she studied healthcare administration, political strategy, behavioral health, and substance use disorders, specifically opioid and e-cigarette use among at-risk youth. She received her BA degree in Public Health at Skidmore College. Yossefy will be spending her summer working in the Office of State Senator Jo Comerford.
2021 Fellows
Briana Broberg
School: New England Law | Boston
Fellowship Placement: Mayor of Boston’s Office of Immigration Advancement
Briana Broberg is a graduate of The City College of New York, where she studied the History of American Foreign Relations with the Middle East. After graduating from CCNY, she went on to study Arabic Language & Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to and throughout law school, she has spent much of her time volunteering with organizations dedicated to providing legal, social, and supportive services to refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrant community members. Broberg is interested in immigration law and public policy.
Julian Burlando-Salazar
School: Boston University School of Law
Fellowship Placement: City of Boston Law Department
Julian Burlando-Salazar is a graduate of Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, cum laude. As an undergraduate, he interned at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, where he participated in wage-theft investigations. At Greater Boston Legal Services, he helped low-income clients file their income taxes and resolve their tax debts. These experiences showed Burlando-Salazar several complex legal barriers that disproportionately target marginalized people. He is continually motivated by the stories of people in his community to use his legal education to expand access to justice and empower our collective success. When Burlando-Salazar is not busy reading, he spends his spare time enjoying the outdoors and caring for his plants.
Jacqueline Dagle
School: New England Law | Boston
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Jacqueline Dagle went to the University of Rhode Island where she received dual degrees in English and Human Development & Family Studies and graduated summa cum laude. From an early age, Dagle knew she was interested in pursuing a career in disability law. As an undergraduate, she interned at the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office where she supported the domestic violence and child abuse unit. This experience inspired her interest in the intersection between disability and sexual violence law and policy. As she moves forward with her professional interests, Dagle’s goal is to use her knowledge and experiences to uplift her community through advocacy, aimed at improving communal accessibility.
Emily Dillan
School: University of Massachusetts School of Law and Bridgewater State University ( JD/MSW)
Fellowship Placement: Office of State Representative Natalie Higgins
A survivor of domestic violence, Emily Dillan found her calling while rebuilding her life in its aftermath. Committed to helping fellow survivors rebuild their own lives, she returned to school to fulfill a childhood dream of becoming an attorney. She began working as a paralegal in a multi-state personal injury firm, which solidified her plans. She has degrees in Business from Massasoit Community College, Highest Honors, and UMass Dartmouth, summa cum laude. Recently, she joined the Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Anti-Discrimination Task Force, and is finding the experience invaluable.
Brendan Kelly
School: Suffolk University Law School
Fellowship Placement: EdLaw Project of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), Youth Advocacy Division
Brendan Kelly spent nine years teaching in Boston and one year working on political campaigns before enrolling in law school. As a teacher, he taught ELA and Social Studies (and two years of Algebra!) at the middle school level in Dorchester, East Boston, and Mattapan. He also coached the debate, mock trial, basketball, flag football, and chess teams during that time. Kelly took a year off from teaching in 2018 to work on political campaigns in Massachusetts and North Dakota. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College in Religion and Philosophy and a Master of Education degree from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education in Secondary English.
Ryan Kenney
School: Boston College Law School
Fellowship Placement: Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office Integrity Review Bureau
Ryan Kenney participated in the Boston College Innocence Program. Prior to law school, as part of the Development team at the Obama Foundation, Kenney helped coordinate hiring, strategic planning, and goal tracking. He also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Before that, Ryan worked at a small law firm as a field organizer on the 2016 Democratic Coordinated Campaign in New Hampshire and interned in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. A native of Sudbury, Massachusetts, Kenney graduated with honors from Northwestern University in 2016, where he majored in American Studies and History.
Patrick O'Connor
School: Harvard Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Immediately prior to law school, Patrick O'Connor spent four years as a math teacher and football coach at Lawrence High School (Massachusetts). Before teaching, he worked for three years in finance and one year as a college football coach. O’Connor holds an EdM from Boston University and a BS in Finance from Wagner College.
Mariatu Okonofua
School: Boston College Law School and the Lynch School of Education (JD/MEd)
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Mariatu Okonofua is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated magna cum laude from Elon University in 2019 with a BA in Policy Studies and Sociology. At Elon, Okonofua served as a member of the President’s Student Leadership Advisory Council, as a Student Coordinator for Black Initiatives in the Center for Race Ethnicity and Diversity Education, and as an Executive Intern in the Office of the Associate Provost. She also served as a student teacher at Walter M. Williams High School and as a tutor at Positive Attitude Youth Center. Following graduation, Okonofua worked as a Kenan Community Impact Fellow at Alamance Achieves, where she used her passion and skill for equity and inclusion to facilitate conversations and countywide efforts around educational equity. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Jessica Rahmoune
School: Boston University School of Law
Fellowship Placement: Office of Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards
Jessica Rahmoune received a BA in economics from New York University. Before law school, Rahmoune worked as a paralegal and program associate at Justice Catalyst Law, where she focused on using creative, cross-disciplinary litigation and advocacy strategies to tackle economic injustices. She has also worked at the French Embassy in New York and the Brennan Center for Justice. Rahmoune is passionate about empowering workers and combating exploitative employment practices.
Ruchi Ramamurthy
School: Northeastern University School of Law and Tufts Graduate School of Arts and Science (JD/MPP)
Fellowship Placement: Office of State Representative Liz Miranda
Prior to attending law school, Ruchi Ramamurthy worked as the Alachua County regional organizer for Planned Parenthood of South, East, and North Florida, where she led electoral work, grassroots organization and advocacy, and reproductive health education. Ramamurthy hopes to continue this work by focusing on the intersection between racial and reproductive justice and drafting effective policies to combat the disparities that result from discrimination in health care. Currently, she pursues these values through involvement at Northeastern University School of Law’s chapters of the National Lawyers Guild, Women’s Law Caucus, and If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice.
Ian Ramsey-North
School: Boston College Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Attorney’s Office
Ian Ramsey-North previously worked in the fields of international development and human rights advocacy. He has worked with community-based organizations in rural Guatemala, Mexico, and Uganda on education, sustainable development, migrants’ rights, and access to justice programs. He has also partnered with international coalitions to promote good governance, conflict resolution, and Indigenous Peoples’ land rights. Ramsey-North was a Law Fellow in the Fellowship at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). Last summer, he worked with the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program’s Crimmigration Clinic on impact litigation at the nexus of criminal and immigration law. He holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Haverford College, where he was awarded the Stephen H. Miller Memorial Award for Political Engagement.
Jennifer White
School: University of Massachusetts School of Law
Fellowship Placement: Office of State Senator Joan Lovely
Jennifer White received her master’s degree in social work from Boston University, and for the first several years after graduation, she worked in the field of Child Abuse Prevention in Southeastern Georgia. White then returned home to Massachusetts, where she worked with adolescent parents for 22 years. Just prior to coming to law school, she was a member of the Healthy Families America national accreditation panel. She has worked with families her entire career and has been inspired by the stories of resilience, strength, and hope. She holds these stories in her heart, and they have driven her to law school to work on changing systemic barriers, particularly economic inequalities that challenge young families.
2020 Fellows
Linette Duluc
School: Suffolk University Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Project Description: Interning at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Linette conducted research and drafted memoranda about Medicaid exemptions, inpatient appeals, and systemic racial bias.
“I want to use my education and my skills to uplift Black and Brown communities. I just want to help people make their lives easier.” “The Fellowship allows me a chance to share my story, which might resonate with someone else with a similar story, and I can pull them up and bring them into it."
Robert Gipson II
School: Boston University School of Law
Fellowship Placement: Office of Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu
Project Description: In response to this summer’s racial justice protests, the Office of City Councilor Michelle Wu immersed Robert in the legal and policy reforms that will holistically transform Boston’s public safety infrastructure. Developing public messages, contributing to Wu’s BPD oversight and 911 diversion proposal, and conducting civilian review board analysis and outreach characterize Robert’s work experience.
“It seems like all of our conversations are lacking the complexity and an intellectual honesty that is going to help us not only reconcile the differences, but then move forward.”
Vannessa Lawrence
School: Boston College Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Project Description: As an intern in the Civil Rights Division of the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, Vannessa has been busy addressing concerns posed by members of the Commonwealth regarding COVID 19 and housing, immigration, and police brutality.
“The Fellowship allows me a chance to share my story, which might resonate with someone else with a similar story, and I can pull them up and bring them into it."
Cate McAnulty
School: Harvard Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
Project Description: As an intern in the Health Care Division of the Attorney General’s Office, Cate worked on a range of issues, from researching and developing COVID-19 health policy recommendations to tracking health data privacy violations.
“Working on health policy issues in the middle of a global pandemic, learning how to make real changes to the racial inequities that we have right now, it’s just a really intense and educational time to be doing this kind of work.”
Chris McDonough
School: Northeastern University School of Law
Fellowship Placement: City of Boston Law Department
Project Description: As a legal intern for the City of Boston Law Department, Chris has contributed to a number of the City’s active litigations, including a brief filed with the First Circuit on a constitutional challenge.
“I have always believed in the power and responsibility of government to improve people’s lives. I wanted to contribute to that work.”
Kris Phipps
School: Boston College Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Inspector General’s Office
Project Description: Kris joined the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General as its first Rappaport Fellow where he prepared an internal memo on interrogatory rights, assisted with a potential fraud investigation, and helped prepare municipal training lessons on real property.
“I knew just how close I was to my whole world kind of falling apart. I was just eking by. I knew I had a support system, but that the people I was helping didn’t have the same privilege that I have.”
Kristen Rosa
School: Boston College Law School
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Project Description: At the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Kristen supported an incredible team of practitioners in work on a range of issues, from the COVID-19 fall guidelines to the new Title IX regulations.
"This is cheesy, but the most patriotic I have ever felt is considering the promise of public education, and the most angry I get is seeing the ways it has failed.”
Julia Sauve
School: Boston College Law School
Fellowship Placement: Committee for Public Counsel Services
Project Description: As an intern in the Youth Advocacy Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, Julia researched the impact that racial biases, childhood trauma, and adolescent brain development have in the juvenile justice system.
“It was either go home and call it a day, or stay. I decided to stay."
Jaime Watson
School: Northeastern University School of Law
Fellowship Placement: Office of Representative Natalie Higgins, Massachusetts House of Representatives
Project Description: As a Fellow, Jaime worked with Representative Natalie Higgins on legislation to assist domestic and sexual violence survivors and on issues of police reform.
“If you’re too far removed from what's actually happening in communities, whatever policy you’re working on is probably not going to be very effective in changing people's lives.”
Caitlin Whitman
School: New England Law | Boston
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD)
Project Description: Caitlin worked in the General Counsel’s Office at the MCAD. She had extensive training as to how the MCAD works, reviewed their statutes and regulations, and met with several Commissioners and staff members. She worked on a special assignment for the Commissioners and wrote several investigative case dispositions.
“Sometimes it’s to my own detriment, but I tend to find myself in the position of speaking out.”
Rachael Wyant
School: Northeastern University School of Law
Fellowship Placement: Office of Massachusetts State Senator Joan Lovely
Project Description: Interning with State Senator Joan Lovely, Rachael researched constitutional issues during public health emergencies, affordable housing and substance abuse legislation, and analyzed consent in state sexual assault statutes. She also liaised with constituents regarding unemployment assistance and police reform debates.
“I understand that that's the reality of a democracy and how things work, but I just want to be on the side of pushing for things I believe in.”
Adam Zwetchkenbaum
School: University of Massachusetts School of Law
Fellowship Placement: Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
Project Description: At the Department of Higher Education, Adam created reports on refund policies of public colleges under an initiative to track fiscal health of Massachusetts campuses.
“There's always a higher priority, always a reason not to do something. The thing about this particular population is that there's no one really huddling up for them and making sure things are taken care of.”
Victoria Arend
Western New England University School of Law
Victoria, a former teacher and active member of her teachers’ union, began her studies at Western New England University School of Law (WNE Law) with a passion for education and labor issues. Prior to law school, Victoria taught French for four years at a public high school in Worcester County. She graduated from Bennington College in 2010 with a BA in French Literature, and, in 2014, earned an MA in French and Francophone Studies from UMass Amherst. Victoria is the first Rappaport Fellow from WNE Law and interned at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Mitchell Carney
Mitchell is a 2015 graduate of Smith College, where he earned his BA in Psychology and a dual minor in Economics and Religion. Prior to law school, Mitchell served as a Victims’ Advocate for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, where he worked with survivors of child abuse, sexual assault, and domestic violence to elevate their voices and achieve justice. Mitchell was excited to bring his passion for advocacy and equity to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.
Margaret "Meg" Green
Prior to law school, Meg served in Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s administration for five years. Starting in Governor Malloy’s policy office, she worked on a variety of issue areas including economic development, child welfare, public safety, education, and labor. In this role, she drafted and championed progressive legislation and authored a report on pay equity. Additionally, she served as Governor Malloy’s press secretary and as a senior policy and communications advisor. Before working in Connecticut state government, Meg served in the AmeriCorps program Public Allies. A native Texan, Meg graduated with High Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 2012 with a BA in History. She iinterned at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in the Appellate Division.
qainat khan
Northeastern University School of Law
qainat worked at WBUR, the NPR news station in Boston, as a newscast producer for a number of years before going to law school. During her time covering local news, the stories she worked on often left her feeling that the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents had little in the way of personal autonomy and that their choices were often circumscribed by rules that they did not have a voice in making. qainat went to law school to consider how laws and policies could be molded—in their creation, substance and interpretation—to promote goals of justice, healing, and collaboration. Her legal interests include housing and racial justice, property law, and land use. qainat earned a master’s degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and studied music and gender studies as an undergraduate at Colby College, graduating magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. Her non-legal interests include farming, gardening, and generally being outdoors. qainat spent her Rappaport Fellowship summer working in the office of Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards.
Dylan Lang
Prior to law school, Dylan graduated magna cum laude from the University of Scranton with a B.S. in Counseling and Human Services and subsequently earned his Master of Social Work degree at Boston College. Dylan is a Licensed Certified Social Worker and Licensed School Adjustment Counselor. During his time in Boston, Dylan has interned with the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Greater Boston Legal Services, Boston Arts Academy, and Youth on Fire. He interned for State Senator Joan Lovely.
Mary Brigh Lavery
University of Massachusetts School of Law
Mary Brigh graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Saint Joseph’s University, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Philosophy, History, and Justice and Ethics in the Law. Mary Brigh’s passion for tackling women’s issues began in college when she became an active board member of the Women’s Leadership Initiative on campus. Her desire to address women’s issues and advocate for women’s rights grew when she studied abroad in Brussels, Belgium and extensively researched women and children in the migrant and refugee crisis while interning at the European Parliament of the European Union. She has previously worked at the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives and Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of General Counsel. She is currently enrolled in the joint Juris Doctor and Master of Public Policy degree program at the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Mary Brigh interned at the Caucus of Women Legislators this summer.
Kaitlin "Kadie" Martin
Kadie graduated from Boston College in 2014 with a BA in Political Science, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. Prior to law school, Kadie worked in the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General’s Division of Open Government. Her team educated public bodies in transparency practices and enforced the Open Meeting Law. Before that, Kadie worked in the Massachusetts State Senate. Kadie is passionate about civic engagement and interested in implementing municipal policies that reflect constituents’ diverse values and community visions. This summer, Kadie interned in the City of Boston Law Department.
Dylan O'Sullivan
Northeastern University School of Law
Dylan is a 2013 graduate of Northeastern University, where he earned a B.S. in Political Science, summa cum laude. Experience as a community and student organizer inspired his career in public service and a commitment to better connecting communities with their government. After graduating, Dylan worked as the Legal Assistant in Governor Deval Patrick’s Office of Legal Counsel, an experience that solidified his decision to pursue a legal education. After the Patrick Administration, Dylan joined the staff of Congressman Seth Moulton where he filled a number of roles establishing the freshman Congressman’s office, ultimately serving as Director of Constituent Services. Dylan is particularly passionate about housing and education policy and the state budget process. He interned in the Office of Senate Counsel.
Tiffany Rodriguez
Tiffany graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2017, majoring in Sociology with a minor in Bioethics, cum laude. While there, she cultivated her passion for the interplay between law, health, and policy, specifically within immigrant communities. Prior to law school, Tiffany worked as a Senior Research Assistant at NAXION, a healthcare-focused consulting group in Philadelphia. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys baking and binging on too many legal dramas. She interned at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Brendan Smith
Northeastern University School of Law
Brendan earned a BA in criminal justice, magna cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, in 2014, and an MA in criminal justice, magna cum laude, from Curry College in 2016. In the pursuit of his master’s degree, he researched the impact of the opioid crisis on communities in the Greater Boston area. A proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Brendan worked as a police officer prior to law school and is currently a supervisor for a Boston-area police department. Brendan interned in the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security this summer.
Emily Smith
Emily graduated from Saint Joseph’s University, with a major in political science and a minor in Latin American Studies. Prior to law school, Emily worked for three years as an investigator at the Defender Association of Philadelphia in the Mental Health Special Defense Unit and spent a year in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps working at the Orleans Public Defenders. Most recently, she has been interning at GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD). Emily is particularly interested in civil rights law with a focus on the intersection of LGBTQ rights and the criminal justice system. She worked at the Attorney General’s Office.
Chloe Sugino
Boston University School of Law
Chloe graduated from Marquette University in 2015, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. Before law school, Chloe served as a Jesuit Volunteer Corps member at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in rural Washington State, working with migrant farm workers and victims of domestic violence. Her family’s history and experiences as a Jesuit Volunteer sparked her passion for immigration policy. Last summer, she interned at Kids In Need of Defense, assisting unaccompanied minors obtain Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. She spent the summer interning at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
2018 Fellows
Michael Anderson
"I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and honored to be joining the Rappaport community. I look forward to exploring public policy and community advocacy within Massachusetts with such an outstanding group of individuals."
Michael graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2016 with a B.A. in English and an Environmental Studies Concentration. Prior to law school, he worked at the Kalamazoo Nature Center - a nationally recognized leader in its field - on recovery efforts for threatened and endangered butterfly species among other environmental initiatives and projects. He has helped establish a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, coordinated citizen science projects, organized local grass-roots efforts surrounding social justice issues, and been a lifelong advocate for the environment. He is interested in the intersection of environmental law and public policy. He interned in the office of State Senator Patricia Jehlen.
Sam Burgess
Boston University School of Law
"I'm ecstatic to join the Rappaport community and contribute to a robust and multi-disciplinary conversation on important public policy issues facing Boston, Massachusetts, and the nation."
Sam graduated summa cum laude from Furman University in 2014. He is fascinated by issues concerning the sustainable and equitable development of modern American cities, especially transit, land use, and housing. Prior to law school, Sam spent three years working at a Fortune 500 financial services company. He worked in the legal department at MassDOT/MBTA.
Garrett Casey
“It’s an incredible honor to be a 2018 Rappaport Fellow. I’m grateful to have an unparalleled opportunity to learn from attorneys and policymakers who are dedicated to building a better Commonwealth.”
Garrett is a 2015 graduate of Bowdoin College, where he majored in English and was editor-in-chief of the student newspaper. Prior to law school, Garrett served as legislative director to Massachusetts State Senator Eileen Donoghue, focusing on issues including student debt, addiction treatment, consumer protection, and climate change. He spent the summer interning in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in the Energy and Telecommunications Division.
Robyn Casper
“The Rappaport Fellowship offers an incredible opportunity to engage with a diverse group of passionate individuals as we explore issues of law and public policy. I am excited and truly honored to be a 2018 fellow.”
Robyn graduated with Honors from American University in 2013 with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Political Science. Prior to law school, Robyn was Policy Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for Boston City Councilor Michael Flaherty. Her passion for public service evolved as she worked closely on a wide array of legislative matters, from housing and public safety to transportation and the environment. Born and raised in Boston, Robyn is committed to impacting positive change in her community. This summer, she interned at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in the Consumer Protection Division.
Lauren Koster
“Becoming a Rappaport Fellow means deepening my commitment to a brighter future for all children while learning more about the Commonwealth and how I can enhance its potential. I am delighted to join a cadre of dedicated advocates and policymakers through a program that so strongly values lifelong careers filled with meaning and impact.”
An advocate for access to high-quality public education since 2004, Lauren Koster came to Boston College Law School as a Public Service Scholar with a deep passion for advancing education policy. At BC Law, Lauren has expanded her focus to include issues of child welfare, special education services, mental health, delinquency, and the rights of incarcerated juveniles. Prior to law school, Lauren taught fourth grade for Teach For America and worked in education advocacy, policy, and organizing in New Haven, Connecticut. Lauren is a 2012 graduate of Yale University with a B.A. in political science. Lauren interned at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education this summer.
Anna Madrishin
“As a law student with a specific niche in public policy, health, and housing, I am deeply humbled and full of gratitude to be a Rappaport Fellow. I look forward to exploring health policy via the legal field with the Health Policy Commission.”
Anna Madrishin graduated magna cum laude from the Ohio State University with a B.S. in Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability. While at Ohio State, Anna was Co-President of a student-lead nonprofit, Nourish International. This organization, with a mission to alleviate poverty in sustainable ways, was the first outlet that inspired Anna to pursue law school. Before attending New England Law | Boston, Anna worked for Highmark Health to integrate the Community Affairs departments of Allegheny Health Network and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. Anna’s passion for the intersection of health and the environment was highlighted while she spent her summer with the Health Policy Commission.
Siri Nelson
Northeastern University School of Law
“I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to benefit from the prestigious status of being a Rappaport Fellow. I am so grateful to be joining this robust network of ambitious and well-intentioned individuals. This formative opportunity will give me insight on issues of innovation and equity in Massachusetts, which will ultimately help me understand more precisely how I am most equipped to give back.”
Siri Nelson graduated summa cum laude from the College of New Rochelle, School of New Resources, with a B.A. in Liberal Arts focused on the Social Sciences. Before attending Northeastern University School of Law, where she is now a rising 3L, Siri was an active member of Black Youth Project 100 and worked as a Staff Assistant to the Director of Information Systems at the College of New Rochelle. Since then, Siri has been curious about how systems design and data processing innovations work within institutions to shape our individual experiences, particularly for marginalized people. Siri spent last fall as the Internet Public Interest Opportunities Program Law Clerk at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC). At EPIC, Siri was able to deepen her interest in technology, social justice, and the law, by authoring EPIC’s webpage and letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee which applied privacy principles to the decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals guidance; reviewing artificial intelligence principles; and assisting in research for EPIC’s amicus brief for Byrd v. United States. Siri interned in the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS).
Dan Ordorica
Boston University School of Law
“I am honored to have been chosen as a Rappaport Fellow, and excited to be joining a cohort of outstanding colleagues in pursuit of the public interest.”
Dan graduated summa cum laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a B.A. in History and earned his M.A. in Teaching Social Studies from Duke University. He then taught high school history for seventeen years in Los Angeles Unified School District and Boston Public Schools. He is currently pursuing a J.D. at Boston University School of Law. Dan interned at the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in the Administrative Law Division.
Jennifer Peterson
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be joining the Rappaport community and look forward to exploring public policy with Fellows who share similar passions and goals of serving the Commonwealth.”
Jennifer graduated magna cum laude from Saint Anselm College in 2016 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Politics. She currently serves as a Medical Service Officer and Platoon Leader in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Prior to law school, Jenny interned with Congressman Joseph Kennedy III, where she became passionate about veterans affairs and policy-making. Jenny hopes to someday provide in-house legal counsel to a state agency. She interned at the Office of Legal Advisor at Boston Public Schools.
Cloe Pippin
Boston University School of Law
“I am so thrilled to be selected as a Rappaport Fellow. I am eager to engage with and learn from policymakers, attorneys, and my cohort to make an impact on our community.”
Cloe graduated with Highest Distinction from Indiana University in 2016 with a B.A. in Political Science and a Certificate in Political and Civic Engagement. In college, Cloe found her passion for local politics and public engagement through moderating political deliberations with fellow students and community members. She hopes to use her law degree to serve the Boston community by solving complex problems through collaboration. Cloe spent the summer interning at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Kayla Venckauskas
University of Massachusetts School of Law
“I am honored and thrilled to be given the opportunity to spend my summer as a Rappaport Fellow and to delve into the inner workings of public policy. I look forward to working with policymakers and others in the Rappaport program on creative approaches aimed at improving the community and advocating for those in need.”
Kayla is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, where she earned her B.A. in Political Science. She is currently a Juris Doctor candidate at the University of Massachusetts School of Law. Kayla spent last summer fighting on behalf of consumers at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. She learned the importance of policy driven legislation as a tool to fight for the rights of others and is hoping to spend her legal career in the political sector. Kayla serves as the President of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and devotes her efforts to end the needless suffering of animals. She has hosted many speaking events, pet food drives, and educational campaigns to help others understand the plight of animals. Kayla spent her summer working in the office of State Senator Mark Montigny.
Meg Ziegler
Boston College Law School (1L)
“I am thrilled and honored to be joining the Rappaport community and look forward to spending the summer engaging with state and local policy initiatives, both through my own work and as I learn from and alongside the other Fellows.”
Meg Ziegler graduated from the University of Vermont in 2015 with a major in Secondary English Education and a minor in Special Education as well as her teaching license. While in Vermont, Meg contributed to research on person-centered planning as a tool to promoting cultural reciprocity between educators and families from diverse backgrounds with children with disabilities. After graduating, Meg received a Fulbright grant to spend a year teaching English in Thailand. The following year, she worked for the Franklin Grand Isle Bookmobile, driving up and down Vermont reading books and promoting early childhood literacy and community engagement. Meg is pursuing a dual J.D./M.Ed. at Boston College in Law and Education Leadership and hopes to pursue a career working in education policy. She spent her summer doing just that at the EdLaw Project.
2017 Fellows
Amy-Lee Goodman
Boston College Law School
“I am incredibly honored to be a Rappaport Fellow and am excited for the opportunity to engage with the policy leaders throughout Massachusetts to learn how to use my law degree to create a positive impact."
Amy-Lee graduated with Honors from Wellesley College in 2010 where she received her B.A. in Political Science. She is the co-author of two non-fiction books on food and health policy, Rethink Food: 100+ Doctors Can’t Be Wrong and The Meaty Truth: Why Our Food is Destroying Our Health and Environment-and Who is Responsible. Prior to law school, Amy-Lee worked at the Brennan Center for Justice on a variety of national policy issues such as voting rights and mass incarceration and contributed research and writing to the book, The Fight To Vote by Michael Waldman. She interned at the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel.
Annie Lee
Boston College Law School
“I am honored and delighted to be joining the Rappaport community, and am excited for the opportunity to engage with policy makers, attorneys, and fellow Fellows at the intersection of law and public policy."
Annie graduated with Honors from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a B.A. in Public Policy Studies and Political Science. While at Chicago, Annie pursued interests in crime and education policy, most recently at the University of Chicago Crime Lab where she provided research support to a project studying the nature of underground gun markets in large cities. She hopes to pursue a career advocating for innovative preventative programs, detention alternatives, and justice reform, particularly in the juvenile realm. Annie spent her summer at the Youth Advocacy Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services.
Celeste Peay
Boston University Law
“I’m deeply honored and grateful to receive a Rappaport Fellowship, and to join such an outstanding group of people dedicated to advocacy.”
Celeste is a M.D./J.D. candidate at Boston University Schools of Medicine and Law. She graduated summa cum laude from Furman University in 2013 with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a Latin American Studies Concentration. Celeste is passionate about ensuring all women have access to excellent healthcare and family planning options. When not studying, she can be found traveling, trying new cuisines, running, and reading the latest non-fiction titles. Celeste interned at the Massachusetts Health Connector Authority.
Kelly Vieira
Suffolk Law School
“I am humbled to have been awarded a Rappaport Fellowship, and I look forward to serving the community and working towards equity and justice.”
Kelly graduated from Tufts University in 2015 with a B.A. in Political Science. Before attending Suffolk University Law School, she did a year of service through AmeriCorps. As a member of the College Advising Corps, Kelly served in a Rhode Island public high school, guiding first-generation students through the college application process. Kelly is passionate about social justice, especially in regards to education and civil rights. In her free time she illustrates, writes creatively, and reads comics. Kelly interned at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Mario Paredes
Boston University Law
“I am humbled to be selected as a Rappaport Fellow because it will give me the opportunity to explore and advocate for community-based approaches to public policy making.”
Mario graduated from Lehigh University in 2011 with a B.S. in Finance and Management and then earned his Master’s degree in Higher Education from Harvard in 2012. Prior to law school, Mario spent years working with various community based organizations, schools, and non-profits. Most recently, Mario served as the Administrator and Development Coordinator at Centro Presente, an immigrant rights non-profit in East Boston, MA, where he currently serves as a Board Member. Mario spent his summer in Senator Will Brownsberger's office.
Micah Jones
Northeastern School of Law
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected as a 2017 Rappaport Fellow and to become a part of the larger Rappaport Community. I look forward to gaining a greater understanding of state and local policy making organizations and how such organizations help to improve the lives of all citizens within the greater Boston and Massachusetts communities.”
Micah graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2010 with a B.A. in Political Science. In 2011, he commissioned from the US Army’s Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA. Micah served four years in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC, before leaving the Army as a Captain to attend law school at Northeastern. During his 2014-2015 year-long tour to Kabul, Afghanistan, Micah served as the aide to the Brigadier General in charge of “Rule of Law” for NATO with the dual missions of preventing gross violations of human rights and countering high level corruption. Micah worked in the office of Senator Michael Rush.
Stephanie Rodriguez-Ruiz
University of Massachusetts School of Law
“I am honored and grateful to be joining the Rappaport Community. I look forward to this amazing opportunity to make a difference in my community and I’m excited to connect with those who share the same passion.”
Stephanie is a law student at UMass as well as the vice president and co-founder of Leading Ladies of Boston. Leading Ladies is committed to uplifting Boston’s at-risk youth by providing educational, emotional, and family support through hands on mentoring. Stephanie recognized the need to support young girls through her own personal experiences as a former student of Boston Public Schools and as a graduate of Boston University. She hopes to pursue a career advocating for Boston students. She worked at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a Rappaport Fellow.
Alexander Nally
Northeastern School of Law
“I am so excited to join the Rappaport Fellows program and eager to utilize our collective efforts to build a Commonwealth where all youth thrive–from the tip of Cape Cod to the tops of the Berkshires!”
Alexander Armand Ribeiro Nally is a recent graduate of MassArt where they earned a BFA in Interrelated Media. Alex served in various capacities at MassArt including Student Trustee and President of the Student Government Association where they increased the amount of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus and developed an inclusive LGBTQ 101 curriculum. Alex is now Vice Chair of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, where they oversee the Safe Schools Initiative, and is a candidate for Juris Doctor/Master of Science in Law and Public Policy at Northeastern University School of Law. Alex interned at the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.
Hannah Jellinek
Boston College Law School
“I am grateful to the Rappaport Center for providing this opportunity to learn more about developing public policy, and I am greatly looking forward to learning from mentors and other fellows this summer.”
Hannah graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Psychology and Art History. She is enrolled in the dual degree J.D/Master’s in Social Work Program at Boston College. Prior to law school, Hannah worked at the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services to help create new initiatives and drug policies to address the Opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. While at Wesleyan, she worked for three years tutoring incarcerated men in the Center for Prison Education program. She is passionate about criminal justice and drug policy. Hannah worked at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Andrew Yarrows
Boston College Law School
“I am thrilled to have this opportunity as a Rappaport Fellow to explore meaningful public policies and advance social justice efforts in our Commonwealth.”
Andrew graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2013 with a B.A. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a minor in Philosophy. He worked as a case manager at a substance abuse clinic and is currently enrolled in the dual degree JD/Master’s of Social Work program at Boston College. Andrew is interested in legal issues impacting healthcare accessibility and the LGBT community. Andrew interned with Senator Jamie Eldridge.
Sherelle Wu
Northeastern School of Law
“The Rappaport Fellowship brings together the ideal elements for a summer experience in the public sphere. I am honored to join such a diverse and talented group of individuals committed to serving others.”
Sherelle graduated summa cum laude from Suffolk University in 2014 where she received a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Crime and Justice. Prior to law school, Sherelle spent two years in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office as Executive Assistant to the Chief of District courts working on criminal cases and collaborative innovations in the criminal justice system such as the Homeless Court Program. She was an integral part in planning a Sequential Intercept Mapping in Suffolk County, identifying resources to help people with mental health and substance abuse issues avoid and reduce criminal involvement. She worked at the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Kristen Zale
Northeastern School of Law
“I am honored to join the Rappaport community. The fellowship is an incredible opportunity for me to learn how the law shapes our education system.”
Kristen graduated from Boston College in 2012 with a B.A. in English and Sociology. Prior to law school, Kristen worked as a teacher and as an organizer in Boston, and she was a Teach for America Corps Member in Mississippi. Kristen interned in the Boston Public Schools Office of Equity.
2016 Fellows
Jaki Fishkin
Northeastern School of Law
Jaki graduated from Connecticut College in 2010, where she earned her B.S. in Human Development. She spent two years teaching students with behavioral challenges in the Boston Public School system before earning a Master’s of Social Work from Boston College School of Social Work. As a Rappaport Fellow, Jaki worked at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Jon Mosher
Northeastern School of Law
Jon has dedicated more than ten years to helping state and local governments ensure fairness in their criminal courts. He is taking a break from his work at the Sixth Amendment Center, where he is co-founder and Deputy Director, to pursue his law degree at Northeastern University School of Law. Jon received a Bachelor’s degree in history from George Washington University in 2003. He interned at the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel.
Stephanie Johnson
Boston College Law School
Stephanie graduated cum laude from Brandeis University in 2013 with a B.A in Politics and is a Public Service Scholar (full tuition awarded) at Boston College Law School. Prior to law school, Stephanie spent two years as a staff member in the Executive Office of the Mayor in Washington, D.C. where she worked on a wide range of legislative issues and led the Mayor's Open Government Initiative. She is passionate about housing and community development. Stephanie worked at the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
Amar Patel
Boston College Law School
Amar graduated from Bowdoin College in 2013 with a B.A. in Economics, and Government and Legal Studies. Prior to law school, Amar worked extensively on data driven housing policy research at Abt Associates. He hopes to pursue a career advocating for innovative and effective policy solutions. Amar worked at the City of Boston’s Office of Innovation and Technology.
Paul Kominers
Harvard Law School
Paul graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2012 with a B.S. in Economics and Political Science. Before starting at Harvard Law School, he worked at Democracy Works, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to modernizing and simplifying the voting experience. Paul interned at the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel.
Courtney Person
New England School of Law
Courtney attended Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, where she majored in Politics and Justice Studies and minored in Psychology and English. While at Claflin, she tutored at-risk high school students, captained the Women's Volleyball team, and was involved in a number of student organizations. Prior to starting law school, she interned at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Columbia, SC. Courtney worked at the Office of the Attorney General in the Policy and Government Division.
Rodline Louijeune
Boston College Law School
Rodline graduated cum laude from Bryn Mawr College in 2011 with a B.A. in Francophone Studies and minors in Mathematics and Africana Studies. Prior to attending law school, Rodline worked at the University of Massachusetts Building Authority developing a program for women and minority owned businesses and workforce compliance. She interned at the State Treasurer’s Office.
Rachel Rose
Boston University School of Law
Rachel is a J.D. candidate at Boston University School of Law where she is an active member of the OutLaws LGBT association and the Public Interest Program. Before she began her studies in the law, Rachel served in the Peace Corps in Kenya and Guyana where she worked in the Deaf Education program. She studied history at Gallaudet University, and worked as a freelance American Sign Language Interpreter in Washington DC for eight years before joining the Peace Corps. She loves traveling, reading, and playing all kinds of sports. Rachel interned in the Civil Rights Division at the Office of the Attorney General.
Mary McBride
UMass School of Law
Mary is a 2011 graduate of Smith College, with a B.A. in English, and was the first student to complete the Graduate Certificate Program in Women’s and Gender Studies at Bridgewater State University in 2013. Prior to attending law school, Mary worked as both a middle and high school teacher and as the archive manager of a private Holocaust foundation. Mary is interested in legal issues that impact women, including domestic violence, the wage gap, human trafficking, and reproductive justice. She interned at the City of Boston’s Office of Women’s Advancement.
Anne Stark
Harvard Law School (2L)
Anne graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2005. She studied at the University of Cambridge and the University of St. Andrews as a Marshall Scholar before attending U.S. Army Flight School and completing the AH-64D Helicopter Qualification Course. She and her husband Aaron served as Army officers in Colorado, Alabama, Afghanistan, and Germany before Anne left the Army in August 2015 to begin law school. Anne interned at the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel.
Kenneth Meador
Boston University School of Law (2L)
Kenneth is a former Army Combat Medic. He served between 2002 and 2009 and now lives in Newton with his wife Anita and two children Brayden (12) and Boston (4). He is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, summa cum laude, and plans to use his law degree to serve veterans. This summer, he will be interning at the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Affairs.
Gustav Stickley
Suffolk Law School
Gustav’s mission is to funnel his passion and intellect into preserving and improving our natural world. In his spare time, Gustav reads history and fiction novels, brews his own beer, and watches documentaries on the modern condition of global society. He strives to be a respected academic in the world of energy, environmental, and administrative law. Gustav interned with Massachusetts Senator James Eldridge.
2015 Fellows
Jessica Acosta
Northeastern University School of Law
Jessica graduated magna cum laude from Colby College in 2011 with a B.A. in Sociology, and is a Public Interest Law Scholar with a full tuition merit scholarship at Northeastern Law. As a Rappaport Fellow, Jessica interned at the Salem Youth Advocacy Division of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, implementing a project aimed at reducing the number of youth with complex social, emotional, and mental health needs committed to the Department of Youth Services and involved in delinquency matters.
Kasha Ambroise
Suffolk University Law School
Prior to attending law school, Kasha, who earned her B.A. in Sociology from Smith College in 2010, worked for several years in the Civil Rights Division of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General. Interested in the connection between juveniles living in low-income and minority neighborhoods and youth involvement in gang-related crime, Kasha worked in the Executive Office of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
Megan Beyer
University of Massachusetts School of Law
Megan is a 2013 graduate of Smith College with a B.A. in Government, and is also the first Rappaport Fellow from the UMass School of Law. Megan, who is interested in ways to combat human trafficking, will be interning in the City of Boston’s Office of Women’s Advancement. Megan worked on several projects, one of which focuses on gender equality in Boston and closing the wage gap between men and women.
James Bor
Boston College Law School
James graduated cum laude from Cornell University in 2012 with a B.A. in Government and Economics. Prior to attending law school, James taught high school math in the Mississippi Delta as a Teach for American Corps Member. James will be interning this summer with the Civil Rights Enforcement Team of the U.S Attorney’s Office (Boston), worked on civil rights and housing discrimination issues.
Sara Dewey
Harvard Law School
In addition to obtaining a B.A., magna cum laude, from Middlebury College in 2008, Sara holds a Master of Environmental Management from the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, earned in 2013. Prior to attending law school, Sara worked extensively on environmental issues as a legislative aide in the U.S. Senate and as policy director of an environmental governance initiative at Yale University. Sara interned in the Environmental Protection Division of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Justin Gomes
Suffolk University Law School
In 2013, Justin graduated with a B.A. in History from Providence College, where he served as President of the Student Body. Justin is a recipient of Suffolk Law’s Congressman John J. Moakley ’56 Scholarship, awarded to a Massachusetts resident committed to a public service career. Passionate about working on the problem of opiate addiction and other types of substance abuse issues that he witnessed while working in the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Justin worked with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force of the U.S Attorney’s Office (Boston).
Yelena Greenberg
Boston University Law School
Yelena graduated summa cum laude in May 2009 from Northeastern University with a B.S. in Economics, and then earned an M.A. in Economics from Northeastern in December 2009. Before arriving at BU Law, Yelena worked for three years as a Research Assistant and Project Manager at the Department of Health Policy & Management at the Harvard School of Public Health. Yelena interned with the Health Care Division of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Rebecca Harris
Harvard Law School
Rebecca graduated from McGill University in 2009 with a B.A. in Political Science and Middle East Studies. Rebecca then worked as a Victim Witness Advocate in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office for five years, with placements in the Superior and District Courts and responsibilities for community outreach. Rebecca interned with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.
Amani Kancey
Boston College Law School
Amani graduated cum laude from Howard University in 2011 with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to coming to Boston to start law school at Boston College Law School, Amani served as a White House Intern and worked for over two years as the Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Interested in transportation policy issues, particularly those involving public-private partnerships, Amani interned with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
Adam Korn
Suffolk University Law School
In addition to graduating in 2011 with distinction from Boston University with a B.A. in Political Science, Adam holds an M.A. in International Affairs from New York University, which he earned in 2012. After working in international development for several years, Adam arrived at Suffolk Law with a full academic scholarship. Interested in energy law, Adam interned with the Energy and Telecommunications Division of the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General.
Malgorzata Mrózek
Boston College Law School
Mal graduated magna cum laude from The Ohio State University in 2011 with a B.A. in History and Political Science. She then taught ESL classes for the Minnesota public school system and worked in Minneapolis as a Teach for America Corps Member. Passionate about education policy, Mal interned in the Boston Public Schools Office of the Legal Advisor.
Colleen Shea
Northeastern University School of Law
Colleen graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College in 2009 as a Park Scholar with a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications, and in 2012, earned an M.S. in Special Education from Hunter College. Prior to attending law school, Colleen taught seventh grade special education in Brooklyn, New York through Teach for America and later worked as a Legal Investigator for New York City’s Department of Education in the Special Education Litigation Unit. Colleen is a Public Interest Law Scholar with a full tuition merit scholarship at Northeastern University School of Law. She interned at the Governor’s Office of Legal Counsel.
