Moot Court

Aicha Elola
Aicha Elola is from Jersey City, New Jersey, and currently resides in East Providence, RI. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Peter’s University. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Aicha was invited as a guest speaker to discuss the importance of diversity in university curriculums in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Additionally, she completed internships at the Hudson County Superior Court, working with Judge Venable, and at the Jersey City Reentry Program, under Former Governor of New Jersey, Jim McGreevey. In 2019, Aicha earned a Masters in Legal Studies with a concentration in criminal law from Drexel University’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law. During her 2L year, Aicha was awarded Best Oral Advocate at the 2022 Esther Clark internal Moot Court competition. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for the Writing Center and the Race and Foundations of Law class during the summer. Furthermore, Aicha interned at the Rhode Island Judiciary, specifically in the Family Law division. In her 3L year, Aicha plans to continue her role as a Teaching Assistant while participating in the Criminal Defense clinic and the Prosecution externship. Apart from Moot Court, Aicha is a member of the RWU Law Trial Team, participating in both internal and external competitions. Following law school, Aicha aspires to pursue a career in criminal and civil litigation..

Tori McDonald
Tori McDonald is from Westport, MA. She attended Northeastern University in Boston as a History major, and remained in Boston working as a marketing manager at a real estate firm. Tori is active in political volunteering, various on-campus groups, and is the board member of a charity group that provides dental and medical services to remote communities. She currently serves as the treasurer of the RWU Democratic society, fundraising chair of the Quahogs softball team, and secretary of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. Outside of school, Tori enjoys outdoor sports, movies, and finding new recipes.

Romer Cisneros
Romer Cisneros is from Lima, Peru, and immigrated to the United States at age seven. Romer graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2018, with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, and a minor in Law. Prior to attending law school, he worked at a general practice firm in New York City as a paralegal prioritizing in immigration law. In the summer following his first year of law school, Romer interned at the Rhode Island Public Defender’s office. During the second semester of his second year, Romer continued to intern at the Rhode Island Public Defender as a Rule 9 Student Attorney and served as an Evidence teaching assistant for Professor Bernard Freamon. As a third-year law student, Romer will take part in the New York Pro-Bono Scholars program where he will do a semester in practice at a public interest office in New York City. Outside of law school, Romer enjoys outdoor activities and cheering on New York sports.

Kat McCorkle
Kat is from Geneva, New York and graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Arts in English. While at RWU Law, Kat has volunteered extensively with the Eviction Help Desk Project, worked as a Sea Grant Law Fellow, and interned with the Honorable Elizabeth Ortiz of the Rhode Island Family Court as well as with the Committee for Public Counsel Services in Fall River, MA. Kat is also a member of Law Review and will be a TA for the Writing Center this year. After graduation, Kat hopes to pursue a career in public interest law.

Pia Piscitelli
Pia Piscitelli is from San Diego, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Boston University. Pia volunteered with Street Law and at PrYSM for Alternative Winter Break during her 1L year. Pia is a Law Review member, Vice President of the Association for Public Interest Law, and a student admissions counselor. In her spare time, she likes to read, hike, and try new coffee shops.

Jessica Viel
Jessica Viel is from Milton, New Hampshire and graduated from Plymouth State University. At RWU Law, Jessica is the Chairs of Communications and Records for the Moot Court E-Board, Vice President of the Criminal Law Society and Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, and a First Generation Student Mentor. During the summer of rising 3L, Jessica was a student attorney for the New Hampshire Public Defender’s Office. Jessica has also worked as a law clerk for a plaintiff's employment law firm. She will be a judicial extern to the Honorable Brian Stern during Fall 2023. 

Morgan Alger
Morgan Alger is a Rhode Island native. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and a minor in General Business. After graduating, she worked in the finance industry for several years. At Roger Williams, Morgan is a Dual Degree student working on a Master of Science in Criminal Justice while pursuing her Juris Doctor. Morgan was a finalist in the 2022 Esther Clark Competition. She is also the President of the Criminal Law Society. Morgan interned with Circle Surrogacy after her 1L year conducting research and drafting contracts. During her 2L summer, she was a Rule 9 Intern at the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office in the Narcotics & Violent Crime Unit. After graduating, Morgan plans to pursue a career as a prosecutor.

Jordyn Carpenter
Jordyn is from Mashpee, Massachusetts. Jordyn graduated from Westfield State University with a Bachelor's of Science degrees in Biology and Criminal Justice, with a minor in Chemistry. While at Westfield State University, she served as a member and captain of the softball team. Currently, Jordyn is also the Assistant Women's Softball Coach at Roger Williams University, in addition to being a law student. She spent her second year of law school as a law clerk at ODU Law Firm while also interning with Martin Legal Services. In her spare time, Jordyn focused on pro-bono work serving as a chat operator for LawHelp NY. Jordyn spent this past summer working as a 3:03 Summer Intern with the Plymouth County District Attorney's office. She plans to continue this internship throughout her last year of law school.

Matt Cavanagh
Matt Cavanagh is from Columbia, Connecticut. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Matt interned at Andersen in Boston over the summer and has been a research assistant for Professor Spacone, Professor Bogus, and Professor Heyman. Matt enjoys basketball, volleyball, and chess in his spare time.

Ruth Coccio
Ruth Coccio is a lifelong Rhode Islander and currently resides in Cranston. She graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2012 with a major in English and a minor in Philosophy. During her rising 2L summer she interned at the Office of the Rhode Island Attorney General splitting her time between the Civil and Community Rights and Government Litigation Units and during her rising 3L summer she interned at Formisano and Company focusing on employment discrimination. At RWU Law, she served as Treasurer of the Association of Public Interest Law during her 2L year. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys yoga, her book club, and spending time with her husband and son.

Michaela Conley
Michaela Conley is from Middletown, RI and currently lives in Newport, RI. She graduated from the University of San Diego, with a bachelor's degree in International Relations. Prior to starting law school, Michaela worked at a law firm in Providence, RI, specializing in veteran's benefits. At Roger Williams University School of Law, Michaela is a member of the Honors Program, an Executive Articles Editor for Law Review, and a board member of Moot Court. After her first year of law school, Michaela was a judicial intern at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, and last semester, she externed at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. This summer, Michaela is a summer associate at Locke Lord LLP in Providence. In her free time, Michaela loves to garden, go to concerts, and attend Boston sports games.

Molly Crippen
Molly Crippen is from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies from Rhode Island College. Prior to enrolling at Roger Williams University School of Law, Molly was a paralegal in the Criminal Division at the Rhode Island Office of Attorney General. In the summer following her 1L year, Molly interned for The National Criminal Defense College Trial Practice Institute. Aside from practicing law after graduation, Molly would like to teach and mentor law students. Outside of school, Molly enjoys spending time with her friends and family.

Madeleine Fenderson
Madeleine grew up in Falmouth, Maine, and currently lives in Newport, Rhode Island. She graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science in 2018 and received her Master in Marine Affairs Degree from the University of Rhode Island in 2020. She worked at the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office in the Environment and Energy Unit before her 2L year. Madeleine is also a member of the Law Review.

Hilary Levey Friedman
Hilary Levey Friedman is thrilled to be pursuing a JD, and even more thrilled to be a member of Moot Court. In law school, she is a member of the Law Review, a Presidential Scholar, and part of the Honors Program. She also externed for Judge William Smith in the District of Rhode Island and interned in the Civil and Community Rights Unit at the Attorney General's office. Hilary holds degrees in Sociology from Harvard College, University of Cambridge, and Princeton University. Prior to law school, she taught at Brown University and wrote primarily about childhood socialization and popular culture. Originally from Michigan, she now calls Providence, RI home with her family (most importantly, her tween sons). Hilary has previously served as President of the Rhode Island chapter of the National Organization for Women, on the United Way RI’s Public Policy Committee, and as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Maya Maldonado-Weinstein
Maya Maldonado-Weinstein is originally from Takoma Park, Maryland. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2013 with a BA in Linguistics. Prior to law school, Maya had a career in the dental field in Boulder, Colorado. During the summer before her 2L year, she worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Michael J. Yelnosky and as an AmeriCorps Paralegal at the Legal Assistance of Western New York in the Regional Consumer Unit. Aside from Moot Court, Maya is a member of the Honors Program and Law Review.

Hannah Schilling
Hannah is from Webster, Massachusetts. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Norwich University in 2021, where she double majored with her Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science and Psychology with a minor in criminology. While there Hannah was a student liaison for the Title IX Office and participated in the Corps of Cadets. At Roger Williams, Hannah is a TA for Administrative Law, Maritime Practice and Procedure, and a member of Moot Court. Hannah has previously interned with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office in the Environmental Unit, and in the summer following her 2L year she was a 3:03 Intern with the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office. 

Andrew Walsh
Andrew Walsh is from Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Music and Psychology. Before choosing to pursue a legal career, he was an animal trainer with experience training dolphins, otters, and dogs. He chose RWU Law and moved to Rhode Island for greater access to ocean and coastal environmental law. During his time at RWU, he has been a Sea Grant Law Fellow with the Marine Affairs Institute and interned with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of General Counsel. He is currently a student editor for the Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce and is also pursuing his Master of Marine Affairs through the dual-degree program with URI.

Mark Weeden
Mark Weeden is from Riverside, Rhode Island. He graduated summa cum laude in 2021 from Johnson & Wales University. Before law school, Mark was enlisted in the United States Army and later worked for one of Citizens Bank’s claims departments. At Roger Williams University School of Law, Mark is a member of the Honors Program, Military Law Society, Moot Court, and Law Review. During the summer after his 1L year, he interned for the Honorable William E. Smith at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Cindy Balog-Chavez
Cindy is from Los Angeles, California, where she attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. During her first year of law school, she participated in Street Law and Alternative Spring Break. In the summer after her first year of law school, Cindy was an intern with the non-profit Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and was also a judicial intern with the Honorable Mary S. McElroy at the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Outside of law school, Cindy enjoys rockhounding and amateur astronomy.

Aidan Boisvert
Aidan Boisvert is a native of Woodstock, Connecticut. He graduated from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Management and a minor in Pre-Law. At Roger Williams University School of Law, Aidan joined the Law Review and Moot Court, in addition to participating in alternative spring break. Over the summer he worked extensively at the Public Defender's Office at Danielson Superior Court in Connecticut racking up over 300 hours of Pro Bono work. Outside of law, he enjoys hobbies like hockey, running, technology, history, and chess.

Jordan Carvalho
Jordan Daniel Carvalho is from Rehoboth, Massachusetts and currently lives in Swansea,
Massachusetts. He graduated cum laude from Endicott College with a Bachelor of Science
Degree in Criminal Justice in 2021. While studying at Endicott College, Jordan played on the
Men’s Baseball team. Prior to law school, Jordan was a warehouse manager for C.P. Pools in
Swansea, Massachusetts and a bartender at a local restaurant, S.S. Dion, in Bristol, Rhode Island.The latter of which he still does today. The summer after his first year of law school, Jordan was a legal intern at the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General. Specifically, he was an intern within the Narcotics and Violent Crime unit. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Abby Cook
Abby Cook is from Thompson, Connecticut. She graduated magna cum laude from Wheaton College, MA, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minors in Legal Studies and Hispanic Studies. During her 1L year, Abby participated in the Street Law Pro Bono Program.

Meredith Daigle
Meredith Daigle is from Belle Rose, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Theology from Providence College in 2020. Prior to attending law school, she earned her Masters in Secondary Education in 2022. While working on her Masters, she taught in Worcester for 2 years, where she taught American History. During her time teaching, she also coached the girls' track and cross-country teams. At Roger Williams University School of Law, Meredith is a member of the Civil Justice Society and a fundraising chair for the Quahogs RWU Softball team. She spent her rising 2L summer working as a legal intern for the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations and working at Newport Vineyard. Outside of school, Meredith enjoys spending time with her friends and family.
 
Keishia Dormena
A rising 2L, Keishia Dormena is a Brooklyn native that enjoys reading, mooting and self care. Keishia aspires to be an appellate attorney where her oral advocacy skills learned from moot court can help provide the justice people deserve!

Anna Fennell
Anna Fennell is from Niantic, Connecticut. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Statistics and a minor in Business Fundamentals. At Roger Williams University School of Law, Anna is a member of the Honors Program and the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. She is currently working at the Law Office of Robert Coulter in Newport, Rhode Island. In her free time Anna enjoys running, reading, and playing ice hockey.

Julia Keefe
Julia Keefe is originally from North Attleboro, MA and currently resides in Newport, RI for law school. Prior to law school she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bryant University. After serving two terms as President of the Bryant Fashion Forum she set off for a career in supply chain operations management in the fashion industry. That experience sparked her interest in applying to law school. As a law student, she is the 2L Rep for the Tax and Business Law Society and the student leader for the Volunteer Income Tax Pro Bono Program. She spent her summer interning at Rhode Island Legal Services Newport Office. Her current hobbies are knitting and watching the sunset on Ocean Drive.

Austin Lentz
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Austin Lentz completed undergraduate studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a degree in Physics. After graduation he worked in a number of industries ranging from electric utilities to sales. Before law school, Austin was enlisted in the United States Army, with the 82nd Airborne, and later worked in the tech industry in the Austin, Texas metroplex. At Roger Williams University, serves as the SBA Treasurer and is a member of the RWU Law Trial Team. He also thoroughly enjoyed his experiences with the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education, having participated in the Street Law, VITA, Alternative Spring Break programs. During the summer after his 1L year, Austin interned for the Honorable John J. McConnell, Jr. at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island.

Ethan MacDonald
Ethan was born in the city of Cranston and raised in Smithfield, making him a proud native of Rhode Island. He hails from a large and loving family, comprising his parents and three younger brothers. In 2020, Ethan graduated from Roger Williams University with a major in American history and a minor in professional writing. During the summer months, he finds enjoyment working as a server in both Newport and Narragansett.
An avid sports enthusiast, Ethan passionately supports professional Boston teams as well as local ones. When he's not occupied with work or sports, he spends his free time hiking and immersing himself in nature. Moreover, he dedicates time to training for upcoming triathlons, making fitness and outdoor activities essential components of his life.

Spencer MacDonald
Spencer is originally from New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, and graduated from Dalhousie University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Economics. Prior to attending law school, Spencer gained valuable experience through an internship at Sobeys Inc, where she worked in finance and customs. During the past school year, Spencer participated in Alternative Spring Break at Housing Works RI, located on the Providence campus, and became a member of the International Law Society.
In her first year of law school, Spencer interned at MacGillivray Injury and Insurance Law, focusing on personal injury cases and the aspects of claims related to medical and rehabilitation expenses. As Spencer progresses into their second year of law school, she plans to continue her involvement with Moot Court and explore various Pro Bono opportunities at RWU Law. Outside of her legal studies, Spencer enjoys activities such as reading, hiking, and visiting the beach.

Rafael Rodriguez
Rafael Rodriguez was born in El Salvador and immigrated to Los Angeles at the age of six months. He is a Posse Scholar who attended Syracuse University in upstate New York. During his time there, Rafael excelled in club gymnastics, eventually becoming a trainer. Graduating in 2018 with a degree in Supply Chain Management, he went on to work as a Supply Chain Manager for CVS Health, earning recognition with the Breakthrough Achievement Award for his supply chain innovations. 
Rafael attended Roger Williams School of Law in 2023, where he is a member of the Honors Program, Moot Court, serves as President of the Latino Law Student Association and is an Academic Teaching Fellow. He interned with Professor Melanie Shapiro, filing mandamus lawsuits concerning Humanitarian Parole Applications for Afghan Nationals. His interests span all aspects of litigation including federal and immigration litigation. Beyond law school, Rafael remains a fitness coach at a local gym in Pawtucket, RI, sharing his passion for fitness with others.

Leticia Salgado
Leticia is from Phoenix, Arizona. She received a BA in Political Science from Arizona State University. She was selected as a Just the Beginning Scholar and was a judicial intern after 1L year. Leticia hopes to use her law degree to serve her community. Leticia enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and reading Jane Austen novels.

Elijah Santos
Elijah Santos is from Westport, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, in 2022 and holds dual degrees in English and Philosophy. While a member of Moot Court, Elijah is a student editor on the Roger Williams University Law Review and a member of the Honors Program. During his 1L, Elijah spent his spring break at the Federal Public Defenders Office in Fort Worth, Texas, and worked as a summer associate at Sulloway & Hollis, P.L.L.C.

Jonathan Tonico
Jonathan Tonico, hailing from Long Island, NY, holds a bachelor's degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology from SUNY Old Westbury. He is an active member of several organizations, including SBA, BLSA, MESALA, and the Criminal Law Society. During the previous summer, Jonathan gained valuable experience as an intern at the Rhode Island Center for Justice, where he dedicated himself to upholding the civil rights of incarcerated individuals. Upon graduation, he aspires to pursue a career in criminal litigation. Beyond his legal studies, Jonathan finds enjoyment in socializing with friends, maintaining an active lifestyle through workouts, and indulging in hiking adventures.

Tyler Williams
Tyler Williams was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Tyler graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science, and Spanish, and was a student-athlete. In addition to his position on the Moot Court Board, Tyler is a member of the Honors Program, works as a student editor for the Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce, and serves as a class representative for the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. After his 1L year, Tyler interned with The Immigrant Coalition of Rhode Island and Coastal Legal Affiliates P.C. In his free time, Tyler enjoys playing guitar, rolling jiu-jitsu, and is the assistant coach for the Roger Williams University wrestling team.