Staff 2023-2024
Editorial Board
Nicole Ryu
Editor-in-Chief
Nicole Ryu is pursuing her J.D. at Rutgers Law School in Newark. Before coming to law school, Nicole worked in finance after graduating from Duke University with a political science degree. In addition to the journal, she is the Outreach Chair for the American Constitution Society at Rutgers and Co-Vice Chair of the Public Interest Law Student Association. Nicole hopes to integrate her interest in technology and love of pop culture into her law career.
Gabrielle Beeferman
Managing Editor
Gabrielle graduated from NYU Gallatin in 2018 with a concentration in Music and a minor in German. She is currently a 3L at Rutgers Law in Newark. When not studying for classes, she is probably practicing one of her instruments, or finding new music to listen to.
Michelle Nestor
Managing Editor
Michelle is a 3L from Monmouth County, NJ and a graduate of Drew University with a Specialized Honors Degree in Political Science and minor in Business. She is the fundraising coordinator for the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Society and a member of the Women’s Law Forum. Michelle is interested in both family and business law and looks forward to joining the NY/NJ legal community after graduation. When not reading for class, you can find Michelle watching/playing sports (Go Yankees!), going to country concerts or hanging out with friends and family.
Brenda Alves
Managing Articles Editor
Brenda graduated from Rutgers New Brunswick in 2016 with a degree in Women’s and Gender Studies and Criminal Justice. She worked for The New York Times for 4 years before coming to Rutgers Law. She hopes to work in compliance or data privacy and eventually become a professor. In her free time, she enjoys baking, yoga, and reading.
Esther Hwang
Managing Articles Editor
Esther is a 3L from Irvine, California. She was a Human Biology major at University of California, San Diego and graduated from a pre-dental program at Pacific Union College. She spent summer 2022 working at McCarter & English as a law clerk and she will be returning to McCarter as a summer associate next year in the Business Litigation Practice Group. Esther is also active as co-president of Health Law Society, co-vice President of APALSA, and a MSP teaching fellow. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and experiencing new adventures with her husband Josh.
Connor Brophy
Publication Editor
Connor Brophy is originally from Crofton, MD, and graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in Civil Engineering. He now resides in Hunterdon County with his wife, Kate. Connor is interested in Intellectual Property and Patent Law and hopes to practice in this field after graduation. He enjoys skiing and ice hockey when the weather allows.
Erik Lascano
Publication Editor
Erik is from Clifton, NJ. He graduated from William Paterson University with a double major in Legal Studies and Political Science. His plan after law school is to work for a NJ or NY firm that has a corporate department/group to do transactional work, specifically venture capital or capital markets. Fun facts about Erik are that he is a vegetarian and has been vegetarian for 7 years. He also enjoys baking. Lastly, he has a family dog, a Shiba Inu named Sky.
Samuel Reich
Publication Editor
Sam Reich is a 3L at Rutgers Law School in Newark. He grew up in River Vale, NJ and graduated
with a degree in Operations & Information Management and Legal Studies with a minor in Economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Sam enjoys relaxing with friends outdoors, playing sports, and watching TV. He is interested in corporate and injury law.
Alexander Slizewski
Publication Editor
Alexander Slizewski attended Stevens Institute of Technology and graduated on the Dean’s List with Honors in 2018. After joining Rutgers Law- Newark in August 2021, Alexander interned at Essex County Legal Services in Newark during his second semester, and within West Pharmaceutical’s in-house legal department over the Summer of 2022. Alexander is also the Co-President for the Association of Latin American Law Students (ALALS), and an active student member of HBA-NJ.
Francis Tiongson
Managing Notes & Comments Editor
Francis Tiongson graduated Seton Hall University in 2016, majoring in Social and Behavioral Sciences. Prior to law school, Francis worked several years in positions ranging from finance to B2B sales, to being a paralegal for the Manhattan District Attorney. He spent Summer 2022 working for the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and will spend next summer at Fox Rothschild’s Morristown office. His interests in law include contracts, labor and employment, intellectual property, corporate, and creditor debtor law. Francis is also active as a member of Rutgers’ Moot Court Board, co-treasurer for APALSA, and events coordinator for the LGBTQ+ Caucus. Francis enjoys video games, museums, board games, weight lifting, and archery.
Sydney Monroe
Managing Notes & Comments Editor
Samantha Egge
Managing Technology Editor
Samantha is currently a 3L at Rutgers Law – Newark. She received her BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a Graduate Certificate in Security and Resilience Policy from Northeastern University. Prior to attending Rutgers, Samantha was a member of the inaugural cohort for Govern for America. At Rutgers, she is a member of the Women’s Law Forum, Courtroom Advocates Project, and Minority Student Program.
Varun Lakshminarayanan
Managing Business Editor
Varun is a current J.D. candidate at Rutgers Law School – Newark, class of 2024. He graduated from Stony Brook University with a major in Business & Marketing. After graduating, he worked in the Corporate Sector before deciding to pursue his J.D. He is interested in Corporate Law and the intersection between it and technology. In his free time, you’ll likely find him watching basketball, football or Star Wars for the millionth time.
Anthony Conte
Managing Symposium Editor
Anthony is a JD candidate at Rutgers from Hillsdale, NJ. He graduated from Villanova University in 2021 with a Biology major and Economics minor. Anthony is interested in exploring different legal fields including patent law, corporate law, and international law. Outside of school Anthony enjoys hiking, skiing, and practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Zaniya Lewis
Managing Symposium Editor
Suk-Yeon Won
Managing Development Editor
Sukyeon currently a 3L in Rutgers Law School. He attended UCLA for his Bachelor’s in Psychobiology. He previously wanted to become a medical doctor but later chose to go into intellectual property and patent law. His ultimate goal in life is to become a TV talk show host, and he want to have my own talkshows in both the USA and South Korea.
One fun fact about him is that he has a fraternal twin sister. She is currently in South Korea working as a graphic designer.
Jake Davis
Managing Research Editor
Jake Davis is from Ocean City, NJ, and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2021 with a degree in Physics. When Jake is not studying for his classes or editing Articles, you can find him on the golf links or lounging on the beach. After Rutgers, Jake plans to pursue a career in either Mergers and Acquisitions or Tax Law. Go Eagles!
Susan Derasmo
Managing Research Editor
Susan (’24) graduated from Elon University in 2020 with a BA in Policy Studies and Strategic Communications (double major). Before law school, Susan graduated with her Master’s in Higher and Postsecondary Education in 2021 from Teachers College, Columbia University while also working in graduate admissions for Columbia’s School of Social Work. While her interest in the law began with education policy, Susan is also interested in intellectual property, contracts, corporate law and privacy law.
Benjamin Bafumi
Managing Research Editor
Prior to attending Rutgers Law School, Benjamin graduated from Rutgers University magna cum laude with a B.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He hopes to merge his technical background with his legal education to practice patent and intellectual property law following graduation. Next summer, he will be joining Baker Botts as a summer associate in their NYC office. Outside of school, Ben is a marathon runner and film enthusiast.
Elissa Knight
Senior Editor
Elissa is a 3L evening student at Rutgers Law School – Newark. She graduated from Boston College in 2015 with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Geoscience and received a master’s in Sustainability Management from Columbia University in 2018. She works full-time leading energy efficiency programs in New York City. Outside of work and school, she enjoys traveling, exercising, and trying out new restaurants.
Associate Editors
Frishta Abdul Wali
Associate Editor
Ian Cullen
Associate Editor
Alicia Damiano
Associate Editor
Justin Garlisi
Associate Editor
Michael Gonzalez
Associate Editor
Victoria Isaiah
Associate Editor
Max Kim
Associate Editor
Madeline Kopp
Associate Editor
Yechiel Lefkowitz
Associate Editor
Christina Little
Associate Editor
Jonathan Lu
Associate Editor
James Park
Associate Editor
Shakira Ramirez
Associate Editor
For past members, see Staff Archive.