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Virginians for Equal Justice

In 2007, Equal Justice America launched its Virginians for Equal Justice campaign to increase legal services to the poor by creating additional Law Student Fellowships in the state, putting more law students to work with Virginia’s legal aid organizations.

Funding for EJA Fellowships for Appalachian, Liberty University, Regent University, University of Richmond, Washington & Lee University and William & Mary law students derive from our Virginians for Equal Justice campaign. (To be eligible for an EJA Fellowship, students from these schools must find placements with legal aid organizations in Virginia.)

The following law students have received EJA Fellowships since our launch of Virginians for Equal Justice. Your support will help us expand our program to put more law students to work in Virginia on behalf of the poor.

We Need Your Help!

(Equal Justice America is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation unaffiliated with any law school.)
Please click the links below to read more about the students’ EJA Fellowships.

"I will surely carry the lessons from this summer with me throughout my legal career. I am grateful to Equal Justice America for providing the funding that enabled me to have this experience."
April Emerson
University of Richmond School of Law
EJA Summer Fellow, 2020
  • Summer 2023
    • Rio Dennis (Georgetown University) worked at the Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Fredericksburg.
    • Christina Murphy (Regent University) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in Hampton.
    • Audrey Van Winkle (Washington and Lee University) worked in the Economic Justice Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville.
    • Brianna Wainczak (University of Virginia) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Charlottesville.
  • Summer 2022
    • Salwa Ahmad (University of Virginia) and Malak Shahin (Washington University) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Maya Artis (University of Virginia) worked at Disability Law Center of Virginia in Richmond.
    • Madelyn Bellew (Washington and Lee University), Evan Carcerano (University of Virginia), Gabriel Rody-Ramazani (Boston University) and David Tisel (NYU) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.
    • Madison Howell (Washington and Lee University) and Arthur Troy (Washington and Lee University) worked at the Low Income Tax Clinic of Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington.
    • Colleen Karlovich (Washington and Lee University) worked at Blue Ridge Legal Services in Harrisonburg.
    • Stephanie Turrentine (University of Virginia) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Fredericksburg.
  • Summer 2019
    • Jack Andrade (Washington & Lee), Charles Bonani (Washington & Lee), Hayley Hahn (University of Virginia) and Moriah Wilkins (Northeastern University) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Richmond and Charlottesville.
    • Alexandra Brumfield (George Washington University) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
    • Jason Drake (William & Mary) and Matthew Woodward (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in Norfolk.
    • Ka’Turah Francis (University of Richmond) and Regina Williams (Regent University) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Petersburg and Richmond.
    • Kebkab Gelaw (Georgetown University) worked at the Ethiopian Community Development Council in Arlington.
    • Patrick Savage (Washington & Lee) worked at Blue Ridge Legal Services in Harrisonburg.
  • Fall 2018
    • Rachel Thinnes worked at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Petersburg.
  • Summer 2018
    • Hamna Ahmad (University of Virginia) and Kimberly Rothenberger (George Mason) worked at the Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
    • Clare Balawajder (Regent University), Megan Cai (William & Mary) and Hans Schalembier (Regent University) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia.
    • Brittany Barnett (University of Richmond), Emily Lopynski (University of Richmond) and Taylor Mitchell (University of Virginia) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Tyler Braun (William & Mary) and Maria Stickrath (William & Mary) worked in the Special Education Advocacy Clinic at Parents Engaged for Learning Equality (PELE) at William & Mary Law School in Williamsburg.
    • John Dorsey (Washington & Lee), Brandon McFarlane (University of Richmond) and Scottie Fralin (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.
I am grateful to have had the breadth and depth of exposure to the legal profession. I am also grateful to the gracious and generous attorneys at Legal Aid Justice Center who coached me, reviewed and critiqued my work, and encouraged me throughout the summer. I am grateful, as well, for the kindness and generosity of the EJA team and sponsors. Thank you for supporting my public interest career.
Emily Lopynski
University of Richmond School of Law
EJA Summer Fellow, 2018
  • Fall 2017
    • Norma Volkmer (William & Mary) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.
  • Summer 2016
    • Kristin Donovan (American University) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville.
    • Jay Jaewon Ha (Washington & Lee) worked at Blue Ridge Legal Services in Winchester.
    • Austin Hill (University of Virginia) worked in the JustChildren Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Naomi Iser (Georgetown University) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Falls Church.
    • Lucinda James (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Petersburg.
    • Danielle Mayfield (University of Richmond) worked at The Community Tax Law Project in Richmond.
    • Louisa Rich (University of Virginia), Josh Ryu (University of Virginia) and Trevor Topf (University of Virginia) worked in the Civil Advocacy Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Michael Srstka (University of Virginia) and Samuel Yergin (University of Virginia) worked at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Charlottesville.
  • Summer 2015
    • Charles Ansley (University of Richmond), Daniel Cohen (University of Virginia), Jasmine Esmailbegui (University of Virginia), Krishna Jani (William & Mary) and Jessica Wright (University of Richmond) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville and Richmond.
    • Ryan Asalone (University of Richmond) and Christopher Doyle (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.
    • Amy Lowery (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in Williamsburg.
    • Niccole Sandora (University of Richmond) worked at the Battered Women’s Justice Project – National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith and Credit in Arlington.
  • Fall 2014
    • Ian Vance (University of Richmond) worked at Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Richmond.
  • Summer 2014
      Susana Bass (University of Richmond), Morgan Lingar (University of Virginia), Georgia Maclean (William & Mary), Cynthia McGrath (University of Virginia), Kate Perino (University of Virginia), Edhilis Pouerie (University of Richmond) and Dana Wallace (University of Virginia) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Petersburg and Richmond.
    • Lacey Coppage (William & Mary) worked the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in Williamsburg.
    • Valle Hauspurg (Boston College) worked at the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
    • Ryan Kile (Catholic University) and Lara Mangum (University of Virginia) worked at the Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Fairfax.
    • Noelle Quam (Washington & Lee) worked at the Blue Ridge Legal Services in Harrisonburg.
  • Spring 2014
    • Christina Sorenson (University of Richmond) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Petersburg.
  • Summer 2013
    • Justin Collins (George Mason University) worked at the Clinic for Legal Assistance to Servicemembers and Veterans.
    • Laura D’Elia (George Washington University) worked at the Immigrant and Refugee Appellate Center in Alexandria.
    • Andrew DeMaio (George Mason University), Sharon Fieldman (George Washington University) and Jodi LeBolt (George Washington University) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Alexandria and Fairfax.
    • Cassandra Edner (University of Richmond), Brittany Love (Washington & Lee), Catherine Martin (University of Virginia), Amy McKinlay (University of Virginia), Thereza Osias (University of Virginia), Cassie Powell (University of Richmond) and Madeline Starbranch (University of Virginia) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Petersburg and Richmond.
    • Amanda Evans (University of Richmond), Dara Gibson (William & Mary), Ashley Hart (Washington & Lee), Noelle Quam (Washington & Lee) and Kathryn Skilton (University of Virginia) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Richmond and Charlottesville.
    • Jesse Gentry (Liberty University) worked at the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Farmville.
    • Elizabeth Hasse (Boston University) worked at the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
    • Ian Vance (University of Richmond) worked at the Virginia Poverty Law Center in Richmond.
    • Sara Waugh (University of Virginia) worked at The Community Tax Law Project in Richmond.
  • Summer 2012
    • Benjamin Aiken (University of Virginia) and Amorya Orr (University of Virginia) worked with the JustChildren Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville.
    • Brent Barbour (Liberty University) worked at Refugee Resettlement, Immigration and Interpreter Services of Roanoke.
    • Dwayne Barrs (William & Mary) worked at the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Suffolk.
    • Michelle Carmon (University of Virginia), Elizabeth Dobbins (University of Virginia), Stephanie Fitzgerald (University of Richmond), C. Doris Okafor (Washington & Lee) and Ian Vance (University of Richmond) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Petersburg and Richmond.
    • Amanda Cottingham (Washington & Lee), Amanda Huggins Moyer (University of Richmond) and Britney McPheron (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Richmond and Petersburg.
    • Andriana Estevez (Catholic University) and Madeline Taylor (Catholic University) worked at Ayuda in Sterling.
    • Colin Fox (University of Richmond) worked at The Community Tax Law Project in Richmond.
    • Patricia Klanke (George Washington University) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Fairfax.
  • Spring 2012
    • Jennifer Kruidenier (Liberty University) worked at the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Lynchburg.
  • Summer 2011
    • Amber Boyd (Washington & Lee) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Petersburg.
    • Julia Bizer (University of Richmond), Hillary Brown (University of Richmond), Kati Kitts (University of Richmond) and Kevin O’Donnell (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Richmond and Petersburg.
    • Diane Eikenberry (George Washington University) worked at the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
    • Aimee Fausser (University of Virginia), Nazia Khan and Anisha Singh (University of Virginia) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Petersburg and Falls Church.
    • Brittany Hamilton (University of Richmond) worked at The Community Tax Law Project in Richmond.
    • Rachel Hepkins (Liberty University) worked at Commonwealth Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigrant Services in Roanoke.
    • Panagiota Kalamaras (University of Richmond) worked at Blue Ridge Legal Services in Harrisonburg.
    • Lance Murashige (University of Virginia) and Priscilla Ochu-Arthus (University of Virginia) worked with the JustChildren Program at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville.
    • Karlee Shelton (Liberty University) worked at the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Lynchburg.
  • Fall 2010
    • Gail Deady (Washington & Lee) worked at the Central Virgina Legal Aid Society in Charlottesville.
    • Nicole Dooley, Harvard Law Class of 2009, began a two-year $80,000 post-graduate EJA Fellowship at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Petersburg, VA.
I cannot begin to express my gratitude to Equal Justice America and the donors who funded my grant. As a consequence of my time at [the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society], I will enter practice with an intimate understanding of the influential role an attorney plays in the lives of clients; no matter how big or small, and rich or poor. I will also carry into my career a commitment of compassion, ensuring that I personally dedicate time to providing an access to justice to those who would otherwise go without. I look forward to contributing to your organization in the future so that the next generation of students is able to benefit from experiences like mine and clients can benefit from those students willing to devote their talents.
Samuel Yergin
University of Virginia Law School
EJA Summer Fellow, 2016
  • Summer 2010
    • Elizabeth Chan (Unviersity of Virginia), Alexandria Cuff (University of Richmond), Estelle Hebron-Jones (University of Virginia), Christina Leaton (University of Virginia), Noor Merchant (William & Mary), Kristin Russell (University of Virginia) and Samantha Vrscak (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Charlottesville, Petersburg and Richmond.
    • Mariana Elias (George Mason University), Marni Kostman (George Washington University) and Christine Park (George Mason University) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia in Arlington, Fairfax and Manassas.
    • Michael Hartley (Washington & Lee) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley in Roanoke.
    • Rebecca Imholt (University of Richmond), Jeromy Lewis (University of Richmond), Alvin Shields (William & Mary) and Alex Solomon (University of Virginia) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Richmond, Petersburg and Charlottesville.
    • Tyler Laughinghouse (Washington & Lee) worked at the Virginia Legal Aid Society in Danville.
    • Michael Mariani (University of Richmond) worked at the Community Tax Law Project in Richmond.
    • Kaj Nielsen (University of Virginia) worked at the Virginia Poverty Law Center in Richmond.
    • Emily Riggs (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia in Williamsburg.
    • Katherine Turner (Liberty University) worked at Refugee and Immigration Services in Roanoke.
  • Spring 2010
    • Ashley Carter (William & Mary) worked the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virgnia.
  • Fall 2009
    • Zach Burroughs (George Mason University) worked at the Potomac Legal Aid Society.
    • Elizabeth Kiernan (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Maakor Quarmyne (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia.
  • Summer 2009
    • Sydney Avery (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.
    • Joseph Bailey (University of Virginia), Myron McClees (William & Mary) and Brock Smith (William & Mary) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Christopher Bettis (William & Mary) and Michael Gembitsky (Appalachian) worked the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia.
    • Jennifer Black (University of Richmond) worked at The Community Tax Law Project in Richmond.
    • Aaron Cook (Washington & Lee) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley.
    • Sophie Coy (George Mason University) and Ghazal Shaikh (University of Richmond) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
    • Gail Deady (Washington & Lee) and Grainne Mc Ananey (Washington & Lee) worked at Rappahannock Legal Services.
    • Sadie Feeley (Harvard) worked at the Potomac Legal Aid Society.
    • Rebecca Imholt (University of Richmond) worked at Blue Ridge Legal Services in Harrisonburg.
    • Jessica Jackson (Appalachian) and Rachel Mack (Washington & Lee) worked at the Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society.
  • Spring 2009
    • George Mason University law students Christina Black, Zachary Burroughs and Philip Garin worked at the Potomac Legal Aid Society.
  • Fall 2008
    • Geraldine Doetzer (William & Mary Law Class of 2008) began a two-year $80,000 post-graduate EJA Fellowship at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Petersburg.
    • George Mason University law students Christina Black, Philip Garin and Bethany Rasheed worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
  • Summer 2008
    • Christina Black (George Mason University) and David Smith (University of Virginia) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
    • Spencer Bolander (University of Richmond), Ari Craig (Regent University), Troy Green (Regent University) and Jennafer Tallant (Appalachian) worked at the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia.
    • Erin Crowgey (University of Virginia), Andrew Hanlin (William & Mary), Amanda Lavin (University of Richmond), Crystal Shin (University of Virginia), Miriam Sincell (University of Richmond), Daniel Sullivan (University of Virginia) and Kyle Wamstad (University of Virginia) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Melinda Douros (Appalachian) and Jessica Jackson (Appalachian) worked at the Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society.
    • Anne Jenkins (University of Richmond) worked at Rappahannock Legal Services.
    • Vanessa Keasler (University of Richmond) worked at Blue Ridge Legal Services.
    • Kristen Wagner (Pace University) worked at Northern Virginia Family Service.
  • Spring 2008
    • George Mason University law students Catherine Evan, Rosalie Freeman and Joan Rothenberg worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
  • Summer 2007
    • Ashley Brott (George Mason University), Jason James (University of Virginia), Parag Khandhar (American University) and Bradley Warby (George Mason University) worked at Legal Services of Northern Virginia.
    • Jessica Burke (Washington & Lee) and Vanessa Keasler (University of Richmond) worked at Blue Ridges Legal Services.
    • Kara Glascoe (University of Richmond) and Christina Parrish (University of Richmond) worked at Rappahannock Legal Services.
    • Floyd “Tripp” Isenhour (Liberty University) worked at the Virginia Legal Aid Society.
    • Danielle Lacoe (University of Richmond), Ameenah Lloyd (University of Virginia), Devin Pope (University of Richmond), Michelle Scott (University of Virginia) and Whitney Watson (University of Richmond) worked at the Legal Aid Justice Center.
    • Jillian Laudin (Catholic University) worked at the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church.
    • Naomi Ryan (University of Richmond) worked at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.

© 2021 EQUAL JUSTICE AMERICA and the Equal Justice America logo are registered trademarks of Equal Justice America.
Equal Justice America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, EIN number 13-3708596

This organization supports and values the uniqueness of all individuals and promotes a work environment where diversity is embraced.

© 2021 EQUAL JUSTICE AMERICA and the Equal Justice America logo are registered trademarks of Equal Justice America.
Equal Justice America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, EIN number 13-3708596

This organization supports and values the uniqueness of all individuals and promotes a work environment where diversity is embraced.