2021 1L Sidney B. Williams, Jr. Scholars
Timon Amirani
Mr. Amirani is pursuing his J.D. degree at UCLA School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Cornell University. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Amirani was employed at Analog Devices, Inc, where he worked as a Product Engineer in the High Speed Converters group. His daily work included working in a lab environment to characterize & evaluate digital to analog (DAC) signal converters, as well as lead a small team in evaluation planning and management for new transceiver technologies.
Jacon Benford
Mr. Benford is pursuing his J.D. degree at Stanford Law School. He received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin– Madison. While at UW–Madison, Mr. Benford was an instructor, teaching assistant, & volunteer tutor for initiatives that teach technology skills to underrepresented youth groups. Prior to entering law school, he was employed as a Senior Software Engineer at PerBlue Entertainment, Inc, where he developed mobile games, working with partners at Disney Interactive to bring Disney & Pixar IP to the small-small screen.”
Justin Brown
Mr. Brown is pursuing his J.D. degree at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Mathematics from South Carolina State University. While a student at South Carolina State, Justin served as the Student Body Vice President & Student Body President. After completing his bachelor’s degrees, he began his career as a software engineer for Eli Lilly and Company where he currently delivers automation solutions across multiple emerging technologies to help Lilly increase its speed and efficiency within the drug development lifecycle.
Jaylon Carr
Mr. Carr is pursuing his J.D. degree at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Norfolk State University, & while at Norfolk State, he was a member of the Dozoretz National Institute for Science & Applied Mathematics. Mr. Carr worked as an undergraduate researcher at the Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research in renewable energy resources including quantum dots, & lithium-ion batteries, & served as a Norfolk State Summer Bridge mentor & chemistry tutor. He was a University of Houston Law Center Pipeline Program Scholar II, worked as a Government Relations Intern for Bracewell LLP’s Policy Resolution Group, & interned for the Honorable Wayne A. Humphrey of the Westchester County Family Court.
Aaron Chow
Mr. Chow is pursuing his J.D. degree at New York University School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. As an undergraduate, he served as a physiological researcher in a life sciences laboratory & presented his work at the International C. Elegans Conference & UCLA Research Showcase. Prior to entering law school, he worked as a Litigation Paralegal at Ropes & Gray LLP. During his time there, he participated in the patent application process for a novel pharmaceutical & facilitated the launch of the firm’s Life Sciences Litigation Blog. He also served as a member of Ropes’ Diversity & Inclusion Committee, where he sought to promote greater cultural awareness at the firm.
Haley Chow
Ms. Chow is pursuing her J.D. degree at Stanford University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering at Princeton University where she graduated with Honors. In her Senior year of her undergraduate education, she was elected to the Sigma Xi Honor Society. Prior to starting law school, she was employed as an Intellectual Property Litigation Consultant for Elysium Digital, An Aon Company. In her work, she was able to use her technical expertise to consult to counsel on a variety of legal matters including Patent and Trade Secret Infringement, generally surrounding products or services that involve technology.
Victoria Fang
Ms. Fang is pursuing her J.D. degree at Stanford University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, with a second major in History of Science, Technology, and Medicine. While pursuing her Bachelor of Science degree, she conducted imaging and oncology research at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, & Massachusetts General Hospital through Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology. She also served as Business Development Lead for a patent-pending drug delivery cranial implant project. She currently works as a Patent Examiner at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the medical imaging and diagnostics space and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House of DC.
Devdhi Kasana
Ms. Kasana is pursuing her J.D. degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign College of Law. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering with a specialization in Cell and Tissue Engineering, along with a minor in Business, & a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. At Illinois Tech, she was a Camras Scholar, a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society, and an active collegiate member of Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority and the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society. She held several executive board positions during her undergraduate studies & represented fraternity & sorority life to Congress during the Fraternal Government Relations Coalition Capitol Hill Visits.
JC Kerr
Ms. Kerr is pursuing her J.D. degree at Lewis and Clark College. She received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Portland. After completing her Bachelor of Science degree, she provided tutoring services to Native Hawaiian students, assisting with schoolwork & aiding them in navigating remote learning during the pandemic. Prior to entering law school, Ms. Kerr worked as a steward for native land & plant conservation in Hilo, Hawai‘i. She is a member of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, which enhances the cultural, economic, political, & community development of Native Hawaiians & supports underserved communities in Hawai‘i.
Mariam Khan
Ms. Khan is pursuing her J.D. degree at the University of Illinois College of Law. She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Houston with a minor in Politics & Ethics. While completing her Bachelor of Science degree, she worked as an undergraduate laboratory researcher for the UH Department of Chemistry. In addition, Ms. Khan is an alumna of the University of Houston Law Center Pipeline Program. After completing the Program, she was recognized as a Southwest Water Company Pre-Law Fellow & interned for the Honorable Kathie E. Davidson, the Supervising Judge of the Family Courts for the 9th Judicial District. She also interned with the Honorable Maria Vazquez- Doles, Orange County Supreme Court. Prior to entering law school, Ms. Khan served as the Pipeline Program’s Bridge Intern for Jackson Walker LLC.
Layla Kousari
Ms. Kousari is pursuing her J.D. degree at Harvard Law School. She received a Bachelor's degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology from Harvard University. While pursuing her degree, Ms. Kousari worked as a research assistant in a genetics lab at Harvard Medical School and a tutor for various STEM classes. In her fourth year, she was awarded the Endicott Peabody Saltonstall Prize and the Henry Shaw Post-graduate Traveling Fellowship. She is a current board member of the Harvard Iranian Alumni Association.
Christine Neipert
Dr. Neipert is pursuing her JD at UNH – Franklin Pierce School of Law with a special focus on intellectual property. After receiving her PhD, she headed intellectual property and business development efforts for a number of biotech and healthcare start-ups and has been frequently retained as a consultant by venture capital to assist with investment target diligence. Dr. Neipert received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from USF and is a Registered US Patent Agent.
Chisom Nwakama
Ms. Nwakama is pursuing her J.D. degree at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Creighton University, with minors in Biology, Mathematics, and Philosophy. While at Creighton, Ms. Nwakama was awarded the Clare Boothe Luce Scholarship during her junior and senior years for her excellence as a female researcher and in the classroom. Her research on the physics of cancer is slated to be published in the near future.
Kylie Palmer
Ms. Palmer is pursuing her J.D. degree at the Northeastern University School of Law. She received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California. Prior to entering law school, Ms. Palmer worked as a Project Engineer for The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, where she led teams responsible for completing multi-million dollar construction projects. Working as a biracial woman in the male-dominated construction industry reinforced the importance of diversity in the workplace for Ms. Palmer. She plans to study IP law and hopes to serve as a mentor for those who are underrepresented in the field.
Cecelia Rivera
Ms. Rivera is pursuing her J.D. degree at UC Davis School of Law. She received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. While completing her degree, Ms. Rivera was a member of the Society of Women Engineers and Engineers Without Borders. Prior to law school, Ms. Rivera worked as a process engineer at bio- and nanotechnology start-ups in the Bay Area.
Alexander Toney
Mr. Toney is pursuing his J.D. degree at the University of Virginia School of Law. He received a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a B.S. in Chemistry (Biochemistry emphasis) from the University of Florida. While at UF, Alex was a grader for operations research and industrial quality control, where he assisted in teaching and evaluating approximately 200 students in those topics. During his senior year, Alex was also a Virtual Student Federal Service intern at the U.S. State Department, where he co-authored a cable showing how queueing theory and simulation techniques could be used to optimize consular services.
Jefferson Toro
Mr. Toro is pursuing his J.D. degree at Drexel University Kline School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics from Villanova University where his major research endeavors involved double perovskite semiconductors and spatial networks. While pursuing his degree, Mr. Toro was an active member of Villanova’s LGBTQ+ club, representing students and organizing events. Prior to entering law school, Mr. Toro was employed by IQVIA Inc. as a data analyst.