Category: 2022

Billy Febuary, LAW’24, is a 2022 Law & Public Policy Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law. Billy graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) in 2017 with a B.A. in History and minor in Labor Studies. While at UCSB, Billy was the president of Phi Alpha Theta history honors society and produced independent research on the living and working conditions of students in Isla Vista, California. He went to the California State University, Sacramento to obtain an M.A. in History and wrote his master’s thesis on the history of the Food Stamp Program. Billy was part of the editing team of the history journal Clio where he published a book review.

As a Law & Public Scholar, Billy will be a research assistant this summer for Professor Erika Douglas working on antitrust issues. His policy interest includes public assistance programs and federal regulations.

Arlo Blaisus is a 2022 Law and Public Policy Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he is a 1L representative of the American Constitution Society (ACS), Temple Law Chapter. Arlo graduated from Warren Wilson College summa cum laude in 2013, where he studied history and political science.

Prior to attending law school, Arlo spent several years performing as a professional musician playing mandolin and guitar. He then spent five years working as a facilities manager at Ozark Natural Foods Cooperative in his hometown of Fayetteville, AR. There, he worked to provide access to affordable healthy food for underserved communities, support the local economy, and advocate for sustainable agricultural practices.

As a representative of the ACS Temple Law Chapter, Arlo has continued his community advocacy by organizing a successful student-led campaign to have the law school encourage democratic participation by canceling all classes on election day. As a Law and Public Policy Scholar, Arlo is working as a legal intern at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the General Counsel, Office of Legislation and Regulations. He is committed to creating tangible improvements in everyday life by reforming public institutions to better serve community needs. His current focus is on identifying ways to use the resources of existing public services to support and promote democratic values.

Jonathan D. Edelman LAW ’23 is a 2022 Law & Public Policy Scholar. In 2014, he graduated magna cum laude from Temple University’s Fox School of Business Honors Program with a B.B.A. in Economics.

After graduation, Jonathan worked as a consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers, assisting large companies with Oracle and SAP systems optimization and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. He began work in Philadelphia politics in 2016 as Field Director for Jared Solomon’s campaign for State Representative for the 202nd District of Pennsylvania. In 2017, he became a legislative aide at the Office of State Representative Jared Solomon where he performed legislative research, provided recommendations on PA House bills, and assisted constituents with issues relating to housing, utilities, medical care, tax delinquency, property foreclosure, education, and criminal justice.

At Temple Law, Jonathan has served as the President of the Tax & Bankruptcy Law Society and worked as a teaching assistant for Professor Jane Baron and as a research assistant for Interim Dean Rachel Rebouche. He is currently interning with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission, Enforcement Division. Jonathan’s policy interests include tax, bankruptcy, trusts and estates, and corporate law.

Shelby Cherilyn Dolch, LAW ’24, is a Law and Public Policy Scholar and Beasley Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law. Shelby graduated from Swarthmore College in 2021 with a B.A. in Black Studies and Peace & Conflict Studies. While at Swarthmore, Shelby studied abroad in Rwanda where they participated in a Post-Conflict Restoration and Peacebuilding Program. As part of this program, they served as a Peacebuilding Intern with Never Again Rwanda, where they studied post-conflict healing methods. In this role, Shelby helped develop youth peace education curriculum and participated in field work with local community healing groups. Shelby also participated in a course study trip to Israel-Palestine where they studied the conflict and met with stakeholders from different local communities.

Prior to Temple, Shelby worked as an intern with the Nationalities Services Center, assisting refugee survivors of torture adapting to life in Philadelphia. They have also worked with the Capital Habeas Unit for the Federal Community Defender’s Office of Eastern Pennsylvania as a legal intern.

At Temple, Shelby has worked extensively with the Temple Law Name Change Project. Next year, they will serve as the Student Coordinator Administrator for the Project, working to ensure client care and volunteer support systems. They have also volunteered with the NLG Pardons and Expungement Clinics.

Shelby has served as a 1L Representative for the Political & Civil Rights Society, the NLG Expungements Clinic team, the Student Public Interest Network Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and the Student Bar Association.

This summer, Shelby is working at the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Pardon Attorney. Shelby’s policy interests include death penalty and prison abolition, anti-racist public policy, genocide prevention, and transitional justice. They are particularly interested in exploring alternatives to punishment that center restorative justice and survivor support.

Samantha Weber LAW ‘24 is a 2022 Law & Public Policy Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Sam graduated from St. Lawrence University in 2015 with a B.A. in English and Environmental Studies and a minor in Art and Art History. After college, she took a job as the sole reporter at a small newspaper near Bozeman, Montana. She then earned an M.A. in Environmental Science & Natural Resource Journalism from the University of Montana in 2019. During her graduate program, Sam reported for national news outlets and completed a master’s portfolio focused on the Blackfeet Nation’s efforts to enhance tribal natural resource sovereignty. She also interned at the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana. There, Sam created advocacy content about a wide variety of issues, including an informative video series with an immigration activist seeking to dispel stereotypes about undocumented immigrants. Her experience at the ACLU of Montana sparked Sam’s interest in making a career shift to law.

As a Law & Public Policy Scholar, Sam is a summer law clerk for the Indian Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Her policy interests include natural resource management, climate change and sustainability, and immigration.

Patrick Afriyie, LAW ’24, is a 2022 Law and Public Policy Scholar and Conwell Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law. At Temple, he is active in the Student Public Interest Network, Temple University Student Recreation Board. He is also the Vice President of the Black Law Students Association. Patrick graduated from Colgate University in 2018 with a B.S. in Psychology.

Before law school, Patrick spent one year as a professional football player for the Los Angeles Chargers, where was signed to multiple contracts as an undrafted free agent. During his time on the team, Patrick focused on developing intense critical analysis and strategy skills and implemented strategies successfully to on-field situations. Prior to attending law school, Patrick was a Legal Intern for Zingaro and Cretella LLC where he worked on active case files in the Connecticut Superior Court. He also was a Council on Legal Education Opportunity Summer Pre-Law Program associate.

As a Law and Public Policy Scholar, Patrick is working for Sandy Hook Promise Legal Department. He has an interest in gun reform, civil rights litigation, and racial inequalities and inequities.

Mikiko Galpin, LAW ’24, is a 2022 Law and Public Policy scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law where he serves as a student coordinator for the Temple Law Name Change Project and Secretary for the International Law Society. Mikiko graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.F.A. in Creative Writing.

During his undergraduate studies, he participated in a research seminar abroad in Poland and published a paper through the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum focusing on the lack of acknowledgement for the Romani genocide during World War II. Mikiko has also published work in both fiction and nonfiction, exploring the experiences of marginalized identities, particularly transgender men.

This summer, Mikiko is interning with the National LGBTQ Task Force as a Holley Policy Law Fellow. Mikiko’s policy interests include LGBTQ+ rights and international human rights with a focus on atrocity prevention.

Michael Creighton LAW ’24 is a Law & Public Policy Scholar and Beasley Scholar at the Temple University James E. Beasley School of Law. Michael graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Villanova University with his B.A. in Political Science in December 2020.

A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, Michael’s first experience in public service was as a student representative on his public school board. During and after college, Michael served in several positions in state and local government, including the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

As a student, Michael has engaged in numerous initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom and throughout campus life. Michael is proud to be the first member of his family to pursue a law degree.

Michael’s policy interests include civil rights, labor and the economy, and the environment.

This summer, Michael will be serving as a Law Clerk for the American Law Division of the Congressional Research Service in the Library of Congress.

Melanie Kersey, LAW ’24, is a Law and Public Policy Scholar and Law Faculty Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law. Melanie graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in Public Management and Policy in 2018, and a Master of Public Administration in 2019.

Prior to law school, Melanie held various administrative and coordination positions at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, Pima County Attorney’s Office, University of Arizona, and the Town of Oro Valley. While at the Pima County Attorney’s Office, Melanie worked within the Training Division to coordinate and manage all training for the Criminal Division attorneys. Working side-by-side with talented and passionate prosecutors solidified Melanie’s interest in criminal justice and inspired her desire to become a lawyer. Melanie also has extensive experience in theatre arts and has worked to merge this interest with her passion for public service. In 2018, while serving as an Ensemble Member with the Winding Road Theatre Ensemble, she developed and produced a concert of the musical Spring Awakening as a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Arizona.

This summer, Melanie will be working at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Her policy interests include criminal justice reform, specifically relating to drug crimes and the prosecution of those suffering from addiction, and reproductive rights.

Megan Palmer LAW ’24 is a Law & Public Policy Scholar at Temple University Beasley School of Law. She graduated from Brigham Young University in 2020 with a B.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Public Relations and minors in both Business Management and Nonprofit Management.

Prior to law school, Megan served as a teacher-aide and freelancer for food bloggers across the country. She taught elementary-age children braille, technology, and daily living skills. She often spoke with parents about their rights and tools of advocacy available to them. After the school year ended, Megan created a small summer camp to help students continue to learn how to cook, clean, and conduct daily living skills. While teaching, Megan spent her time freelancing for food bloggers. She helped publish two cookbooks, coordinate events, create content, and test out the delicious food.

As a 2022 Law & Public Policy Scholar, Megan is interning at the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Her policy interests include tech innovation, tax, and health law.