Detroit Mercy Law Dean's Fellows

Admitted students who have demonstrated excellence prior to law school through academics, leadership, professionalism, and service are invited to interview for fellowship consideration. Dean’s Fellows receive full-tuition scholarship support and alumni mentors, as well as leadership, networking, and service opportunities throughout law school.

 

Alexandra Biederman
Alexandra holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Kettering University. She has experience working as a regulatory affairs engineer, which has allowed her to use her engineering degree and has exposed her to the law. She first became interested in pursuing IP law during an internship for BASF at the GM Flint Assembly Paint Shop during her undergraduate studies. 

 

Andrew Majchrzak
Andrew holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University. He worked for several years as an engineer before deciding to pursue law school. He plans to use his background to become a patent attorney and to serve others by protecting their intellectual property. Read Andrew's feature in the Legal News

 

Sarah Wilson Meyre
Sarah holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. She is a registered patent agent and worked at a law firm specializing in IP law. She plans to use her law degree to help support local businesses and serve clients seeking protection of their intellectual property rights. Read Sarah's feature in the Legal News.

 

Fellow Rachel Schulte
Rachel holds a B.S. in Physics with minors in Mathematics and Leadership. She has experience as a Patent Classification Specialist working with private companies that perform contract work for the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Rachel hopes to use her background in STEM to be a patent attorney. Read Rachel's feature in the Legal News. 

 

Christopher Storms
Christopher holds a B.S. in Physics and a M.S. in Electrical & Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He is a registered patent agent and worked as a patent engineer. He was inspired to pursue working with patents and intellectual property law after working on his own patents, of which he has two. Read Christopher's feature in the Legal News

 

Matthew Clayton
Matthew holds a B.A. in Asian Cultures & Languages and Asian Studies from The University of Texas at Austin and a M.S. in National Security from The University of New Haven. He is pursuing a Canadian & American Dual JD to help future clients navigate the immigration systems of both countries. He previously worked as a paralegal and food pantry director at a Catholic nonprofit serving the immigrant community in New Haven, CT.

 

Isabella Filary
Isabella holds a B.A. in Political Science & Communications from University of Detroit Mercy. She is inspired by the Detroit Mercy mission and is looking forward to continuing her education in the Canadian & American Dual JD program to impact the greatest number of people in need. Read Isabella's feature in the Legal News.

 

Fellow Maxim Musyj
Maxim holds an Honours B.A. in Law and Politics from the University of Windsor. He is interested in emerging fields of technology law, and hopes to practice securities litigation in the areas of digital assists and blockchain. Max led the planning of a food drive in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic that delivered 2 million pounds of food to those in need.

 

Fellow Payton Armstrong
Payton holds a B.S. in Political Science from Wayne State University. She is interested in pursuing civil rights law and international law. She is excited to continue her education in the city of Detroit and chose Detroit Mercy Law because of her connection to the mission. Read Payton's feature in the Legal News. 

 

Fellow Monique Christopher
Monique holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Social Studies from York University. She is pursuing a law degree because of her desire to make an impact on the lives of others. She is interested in pursuing family law focusing on mediation due to her experience volunteering in a law firm. Prior to law school, she worked as a marketing coordinator of a non-profit for seniors and an instructor for a science program for children.

 

Rita Dunne Banner
Rita is an Honors College graduate of Michigan State University's Residential College in Arts and Humanities. Rita worked as an English instructor in Tokyo, Japan. She was drawn to the social justice mission of Detroit Mercy Law.

 

Alexis Farmer
Alexis holds a B.A. in Public Policy from the University of Michigan and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. She hopes to use her law degree to help those who have been affected by the criminal justice system. Her master's thesis focused on making the case for a government initiated expungement process in Louisiana.

 

Bianca Ivezaj
Bianca holds a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Michigan. She also studied the Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian languages. She was inspired by her family's immigration experience to pursue a law degree and help people who are going through the immigration process. Read Bianca's feature in the Legal News

 

Heather Keery
Heather holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice & Philosophy from University of Detroit Mercy. She was a member of the Division I women’s lacrosse team during her undergraduate studies. She is interested in laws and policies that impact border crossing and international business transactions.

 

Craig Luca Banner
Craig holds a B.S in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. He has experience working as a Patent Analyst and Patent Classification Specialist. Craig is looking forward to using his background to advance new ideas and innovation. Read Craig's feature in the Legal News.

 

Fellow Briyhan Martin
Briyhan holds a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Science from the University of Michigan. She hopes to use her foundation in health sciences to help those who have suffered because of injustice in the medical system, especially women of color. Briyhan is originally from Detroit but went to a Jesuit high school in Atlanta, Georgia. She was drawn to Detroit Mercy Law because of the Jesuit mission.

 

Fellow Tijani Mohamed
Tijani holds a B.A. in Criminology from Western Ontario University. His decision to become a lawyer became clear after escaping the Sudanese civil war during a trip to see family in 2023. He hopes to use his law degree to help others with complex immigration matters, especially for those escaping high conflict zones.

 

Analise Robinson
Analise holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish from Grand Valley State University. She hopes to be able to use her law degree to bring justice to those who have been wronged. Analise has been inspired to pursue the law because of many influential figures and hopes she can be influential to others in the future. Read Analise's feature in the Legal News.

 

Fellow Carelis Rios-Santiago
Carelis holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. She is passionate about social justice and would like to work on issues related to housing and helping Detroiters stay in their homes. Carelis is inspired by her social work background to bring empathy and compassion to her practice of law. Read Carelis' feature in the Legal News.

 Abigale Schaefer
Abigail holds a B.A. in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University James Madison College. She plans to use her law degree to serve the public and utilize her privilege to ensure justice for others. She has experience working as a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate and Mental Health Court Intern.

 

Sabrina Soka
Sabrina holds a B.S. in Global Supply Chain from Wayne State University. She has been interested in pursuing a law degree since elementary school. She inspired her mother, a former alumna fellow, to attend law school. She is interested in civil disputes and commercial litigation. Read Sabrina's feature in the Legal News.

 

Matthew Toma Banner
Matthew is inspired by the Jesuit and Mercy traditions of Detroit Mercy Law and plans to use his law degree to stand up for the voiceless in the Arab-American community. 

 

jack vanlue Banner
Jack holds a B.A. in Political Science from Oakland University. He is a part of the JD 3+3 program with Oakland University. He is still deciding exactly what area of law he wishes to pursue but is interested in working in the auto industry and revitalizing the city. 

 

Nigel Wright
Nigel holds a B.A. in Political Science & Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University. He hopes to use his law degree to help those who have been wrongfully convicted and prevent false convictions from happening in the first place. Through his work as a legal assistant, he discovered a passion for litigation. He also hopes to provide more Black representation in the legal community and to inspire others.