Writing Fellows

George Mason University School of Law prides itself on its rigorous Legal Research, Writing, and Analysis ("LRWA") program. LRWA classes are legal skills classes and are comprised of four mandatory semesters of legal writing: introduction to legal research, writing, analysis; trial level writing; legal drafting; and appellate writing. The program introduces law students to the fundamental tools of the legal profession by focusing on legal analysis, objective and persuasive legal writing skills, book-based (first semester) and computerized (second semester) research, oral advocacy, and legal citation. Replicating the "law firm" model of practical teaching, class time is split between large discussion lectures by Jennifer Hodge, Director of the LRWA program and smaller breakout sessions run by Writing Fellows. The latter comprises third and fourth year students who have successfully completed the LRWA program and who were selected based on their writing GPA, journal memberships, and professional experience.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Hodge, Director of LRWA or Sherrie Kim, Writing Fellow and First Year Coordinator.

	Susan Courtwright Rodriguez By day, Susan Courtwright Rodriguez is a Policy Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. By night, she is a third year evening student at GMUSL and serves on the Moot Court Board and as 3E Rep. to the Student Bar Association.
	Michael (Mike) Ensminger Mike Ensminger is a third year day student, having recently transitioned from the evening program. Mike is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in political science from Miami University, where he also played basketball. He has worked on Capitol Hill for the last four years for Ohio Congressman Steve Chabot, his hometown representative.
	Patrick (Pat) Foltz Pat is from Pennsylvania. He went to William and Mary, where he majored in English and History. He’s involved with the Writing Program, Moot Court Board, and the Docket.
	Kristen (Kris) Forry Kris has a B.A. in Political Science from Colgate University. She spent last summer working in the Torts Litigation Division of the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Philadelphia Branch. Kris is the Senior Research Editor on the Journal of Law, Economics and Policy. When she actually has spare time, Kris reads novels, watches anime, and generally acts like a geek.
	Michael Gold
	Vesselina Hekimova Vesselina is a third year evening student. She is a senior member of the Federal Circuit Bar Journal. Before going to law school she studied Economics at the graduate level and worked as a development economist at the World Bank. She has been a summer legal intern at the Federal Trade Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission, and has also interned at the Fairfax County Circuit Court through the George Mason Legal Clinic.
	Miranda Jones Miranda has worked for Chief Judge Damich of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and Judge Pauline Newman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This past summer she worked at the Houston office of Vinson and Elkins, and Baker Botts. She is an Articles Editor for the George Mason Law Review and an Executive Editor of the Symposium Issue of the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy.
	Sharon (Sherrie) Kim Sherrie Kim is a fourth-year evening student and litigation law clerk at Kelley Drye Collier Shannon. She is the president of the George Mason American Inn of Court and was the Associate Notes Editor of the George Mason Law Review. Sherrie has completed two summer associateships and has interned with DHS, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Office of Chief Counsel. She holds a B.A. in English from Northeastern University.
	Hean Koo By day, Hean is a patent agent at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. By night, he's an evening student in the IP law track expecting to graduate in May 2009. Before working at a law firm, he developed software at a biotech organization. Feel free to drop him a line at his GMU address if you have questions about law school in general or about IP.
	Ashley Kyle Ashley has a B.A. in Psychology and Cognitive Science from the University of Virginia. This past summer she worked as a summer associate at the Tysons Corner offices of Venable LLP and Hunton & Williams LLP. She hopes to practice real estate law after she graduates. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, wine-tasting, and running with her dog, Cooper.
	Kate Manuel Kate Manuel is a third-year day student. She holds a B.A. in Latin and Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame and an M.S. in Information Science from Catholic University. She is an Associate Editor of the George Mason University Law Review and has interned with the Office of General Counsel, Library of Congress; American Law Division, Congressional Research Service; and the Computer Crimes and Intellectual Property Section, Criminal Division, Department of Justice.
	Kelly Martin Kelly Martin is a third-year student and a Notes Editor for the Federal Circuit Bar Journal. He is a 2005 graduate, magna cum laude, of James Madison University where he received a B.A. in History. Beyond the classroom, he enjoys playing baseball, running and fishing.
	Andrew McNiven
	Anthony Messuri Anthony has a B.S. from St. John’s University. He works in the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice, and enjoys sports, music, and politics in his spare time.
	Jina Moon Jina is a 2005 graduate of GMUSL, and a member of the of the Maryland State Bar. She currently serves as an attorney for the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. Her areas of expertise include employment law litigation and congressional affairs. In her spare time she enjoys sculling past the monuments along the Potomac River.
	Rachel Redfern Rachel graduated from UVA in 2005 with a degree in English and a minor in Spanish. She is a member of the Moot Court Board at GMUSL and has worked the last two summers at small firms doing all types of law. As a break from law school, she loves movies, reading writing, rowing and music.
	Ryan Schmalzle Ryan is from eastern Pennsylvania. He went to East Stroudsburg University, where he obtained a B.A. in Philosophy. Ryan worked for Judge Braden of the United States Court of Federal Claims during his first law school summer. Last summer, Ryan worked for Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, DC. He has also worked as a research assistant to George Mason Law Professors Ross E. Davies and Steven J. Eagle. Presently, Ryan is an Associate Editor on the George Mason Law Review and the Extramural Chairperson on the Moot Court Board.
	Kevin Shehan Kevin (GMUSL '06) is an associate at the firm of Sher, Cummings and Ellis in Arlington, Virginia. His practice includes civil litigation, criminal defense, and some appellate work. Outside of work, Kevin has recently taken up golf. When he performs poorly in golf, Kevin fondly recalls alpine skiing -- a sport he's good at. Also in his free time, Kevin thumbs his nose at the rule of grammar that dictates one not end his sentences with prepositions.
	Jessica Talbert Jessica is a third year evening student who works for a DC trade association in the federal affairs department and political action committee. She graduated from Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida in 2004 with a B.A. in Political Science and Latin American Studies.
	Brandy Wagstaff Brandy is a 3L evening student juggling a full-time job at the Department of Justice, law school and all its extra curricular activities, and raising a teenage son. She’s been working in the Civil Rights Division at DOJ for almost 10 years. Also, as an aspiring academic, she spends most of her spare time reading and writing.
	Jeremy Williams Jeremy is from Roanoke, Virginia and he attended the University of Virginia as an undergraduate where he double-majored in politics and history. At GMUSL, Jeremy studies corporate and securities law. His first summer and second school year were spent at the Pentagon working for the Army. This past summer he worked as a Summer Associate with the law firm of LeClair Ryan in Richmond. Jeremy is actively involved in politics and serves as Vice-President of the Student Bar Association.
	Alex Zektser Alex is a third-year day student. He spent his last two summers at the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division and is an Articles Editor for the Civil Rights Law Journal. Beyond law school, he enjoys soccer, hockey, and random road trips.