JD Candidates (EST and CST)

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Rachel Kaiser

Rachel is a 1L at University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. While serving in the military, she earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Southern New Hampshire University, and a bachelor's degree in Arabic from the Defense Language Institute. Rachel lives in Maryland with her two young children and one elderly dog and is passionate about environmental justice as a means to secure a cleaner, healthier tomorrow for her family. In her free time, Rachel is an avid reader and consumer of reality competition shows.

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Mark Parrino

Mark is a rising 2L at the University of Michigan Law School. He earned his bachelor's degree in Quantitative Social Science with a focus on Environmental Studies at Dartmouth. Previously, he performed climate change research at the Climate Institute and helped mobilize environmental voters at the Environmental Voter Project. Mark enjoys running, reading, and spending time with friends in his spare time.

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Connor Wilson

Connor is a Rising 2L at Northeastern University School of Law. He earned his B.A. from Gordon College in Communication Arts and English. Prior to attending law school, he worked for over five years performing advocacy and admissions for dialysis patients in the private sector. In his free time, Connor enjoys playing basketball, reading, and writing.

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Louisa Reitzel

Louisa is a 3L at Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) where her focus is based in Environmental Law, and prior to law school, Louisa graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Studies from SUNY E.S.F. During her time at VLGS Louisa has worked as a student clinician at the Environmental Justice Clinic and she is currently the Public relations chair for both the Environmental Law Society and the First Generation Law Student Association at VLGS. In her free time Louisa enjoys playing her saxophone, hanging out with her cat Yeti, and spending time with her friends."

Branden East

Branden is a rising 3L at Syracuse University College of Law. He earned his bachelor's degree in Biology and Political Science from Syracuse University. Last summer, he interned with the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. In his free time, he enjoys working out, music, basketball and football, and walking his dog.

Mick Reilly

Mick Reilly is a 1L at Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. In 2024, he graduated from University at Albany with a degree in Environmental Science before working in the New York State Legislature. In his free time, he enjoys rowing, baking, and reading.

Elaine Bodendorfer

Elaine is a rising 2L at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has previously worked in property and family law but is excited to merge her B.S., personal interests, and current studies in the field of environmental law to help people. In her free time, she enjoys thrifting and spending time with her friends.

Julia Liedtke

Julia is a 1L at Vermont Law and Graduate School. After receiving her Bachelors of Art in Political Science from Texas Tech University, she worked in estate and tax law for two years in Dallas. While attending law school she volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) which assists those who are low-to-moderate income file their tax returns. Her interests areas include environmental law.

Olivia Mas

Olivia is a rising 2L at Vermont Law and Graduate School with a concentration in Animal Law. She has a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship, which she has used to found and run a pet care

business for the past four years. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with animal rescue organizations throughout New England, traveling, hiking, or spending time at home with her

cats.

Nicole Zehner

Nicole is a rising third-year law student at University of Maryland. She recently served as a Legal Extern with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Chief Counsel and will be externing with the American Clean Power Association in the fall. She is co-president of the Maryland Environmental Law Society and will be clerking for Justice Killough at the Maryland Supreme Court after she graduates.