2018-2019 Board
Bradie Williams, President, Class of 2019
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin
Hometown: Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Legal Interests: Litigation, Government and Public Policy
1L Summer (2017): Philadelphia Legal Assistance
2L Summer (2018): Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP - Philadelphia, PA
Email: bradiew@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was raised in a small town in South Central Wisconsin. My dad is a landscaper, and my mom is in sales. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, becoming the first in my family to earn a college degree. Prior to coming to Penn Law, I worked on President Obama's re-election campaign in Wisconsin and served in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Education. I am proud to say that my younger sister graduated from college last year, and my brother hopes to join our ranks soon. I also serve on the Board of the Youth Advocacy Project – which provides comprehensive support to kids prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system in Pennsylvania – and serve as Co-President of Penn Law for Philly.
Undergrad: University of Wisconsin
Hometown: Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Legal Interests: Litigation, Government and Public Policy
1L Summer (2017): Philadelphia Legal Assistance
2L Summer (2018): Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP - Philadelphia, PA
Email: bradiew@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I was raised in a small town in South Central Wisconsin. My dad is a landscaper, and my mom is in sales. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, becoming the first in my family to earn a college degree. Prior to coming to Penn Law, I worked on President Obama's re-election campaign in Wisconsin and served in the Obama Administration at the U.S. Department of Education. I am proud to say that my younger sister graduated from college last year, and my brother hopes to join our ranks soon. I also serve on the Board of the Youth Advocacy Project – which provides comprehensive support to kids prosecuted in the adult criminal justice system in Pennsylvania – and serve as Co-President of Penn Law for Philly.
B.J. Courville, Vice-President for External Affairs, Class of 2020
Undergrad: Louisiana State University
Hometown: Port Allen, Louisiana
Legal Interests: Compliance and Regulation, Sports Law, Government and Policy
1L Summer: Research Assistant at the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice
Email: cbritt@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: B.J. Courville grew up on a bayou in rural South Louisiana. She attended LSU and earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in linguistics. After college, she moved to Boston where she worked as a bartender near Fenway Park for a year and as a legal assistant in Harvard Square for two years. As a 1L at Penn, she participated in many student organizations and affinity groups, including Lambda, First-Generation Professionals, BLSA, and the Law School Apparel Store. B.J. also founded Penn Law’s first affinity group for law students with disabilities and participated in Penn Law Acapellants as an alto and featured soloist.
Undergrad: Louisiana State University
Hometown: Port Allen, Louisiana
Legal Interests: Compliance and Regulation, Sports Law, Government and Policy
1L Summer: Research Assistant at the Quattrone Center for the Fair Administration of Justice
Email: cbritt@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: B.J. Courville grew up on a bayou in rural South Louisiana. She attended LSU and earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in linguistics. After college, she moved to Boston where she worked as a bartender near Fenway Park for a year and as a legal assistant in Harvard Square for two years. As a 1L at Penn, she participated in many student organizations and affinity groups, including Lambda, First-Generation Professionals, BLSA, and the Law School Apparel Store. B.J. also founded Penn Law’s first affinity group for law students with disabilities and participated in Penn Law Acapellants as an alto and featured soloist.
Mary Jane Dumankaya, Vice-President of Internal Affairs, Class of 2020
Undergrad: New York University
Hometown: Elmont, New York
Legal Interests: Intellectual Property, Privacy, and Internet Law
1L Summer: Google Legal Scholar/O'Melveny & Myers - San Francisco, CA
Email: mduman@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio:I grew up on Long Island to parents who immigrated from Turkey. I am a first-generation college graduate and a first-generation American. After learning Turkish as my first language, I have continued to speak it fluently. I am grateful for the sacrifices my parents made so that I could be the first in my extended family to attend law school. I am also inspired by the opportunities available to me in the U.S. as a first-generation American. Through FGP, I hope to foster a community that empowers other first-generation professionals to succeed in the legal field.
Undergrad: New York University
Hometown: Elmont, New York
Legal Interests: Intellectual Property, Privacy, and Internet Law
1L Summer: Google Legal Scholar/O'Melveny & Myers - San Francisco, CA
Email: mduman@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio:I grew up on Long Island to parents who immigrated from Turkey. I am a first-generation college graduate and a first-generation American. After learning Turkish as my first language, I have continued to speak it fluently. I am grateful for the sacrifices my parents made so that I could be the first in my extended family to attend law school. I am also inspired by the opportunities available to me in the U.S. as a first-generation American. Through FGP, I hope to foster a community that empowers other first-generation professionals to succeed in the legal field.
Elise Brumbach, Co-Director of Professionalism, Class of 2020
Undergrad: New York University
Hometown: Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Legal Interests: Corporate, Government Affairs, Child Advocacy
1L Summer: Schneider National, Inc.
Email: elisebb@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio:I grew up in Central Pennsylvania. My mother is a nurse and my father is in construction. I earned my bachelor’s degree at New York University. During my time at NYU, I was awarded the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State to prepare young people of diversebackgrounds for careers in diplomacy. I then earned a Master in Public Policy degree with a concentration in Social and Urban Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. Just prior to law school, I served as a U.S. diplomat for nearly five years, including assignments as a consular officer in Nigeria and an economic officer in Spain. Throughout my academic and professional career, I’ve benefited from classmates, colleagues, and mentors who helped smooth my journey in academia and the work place. Through Penn Law FGP, I hope to pay forward the mentorship I’ve received and advocate for others who are also among the first in their family to attend professional or graduate school. I look forward to serving all first generation professionals, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and anyone at Penn Law who may feel a little underprepared to take on law school alone—FGP welcomes you.
Undergrad: New York University
Hometown: Sunbury, Pennsylvania
Legal Interests: Corporate, Government Affairs, Child Advocacy
1L Summer: Schneider National, Inc.
Email: elisebb@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio:I grew up in Central Pennsylvania. My mother is a nurse and my father is in construction. I earned my bachelor’s degree at New York University. During my time at NYU, I was awarded the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State to prepare young people of diversebackgrounds for careers in diplomacy. I then earned a Master in Public Policy degree with a concentration in Social and Urban Policy from Harvard Kennedy School. Just prior to law school, I served as a U.S. diplomat for nearly five years, including assignments as a consular officer in Nigeria and an economic officer in Spain. Throughout my academic and professional career, I’ve benefited from classmates, colleagues, and mentors who helped smooth my journey in academia and the work place. Through Penn Law FGP, I hope to pay forward the mentorship I’ve received and advocate for others who are also among the first in their family to attend professional or graduate school. I look forward to serving all first generation professionals, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and anyone at Penn Law who may feel a little underprepared to take on law school alone—FGP welcomes you.
Sam McHale, Co-Director of Professionalism, Class of 2020
Undergrad: Skidmore College
Hometown: South Portland, ME
Legal Interests: Litigation, Regulatory
1L Summer: Intern for Judge Randolph D. Moss, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
Email: smchale@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in southern Maine, went to college in upstate New York, and spent my post-graduate years teaching United States History in New England and Eastern Europe. During that time, I also earned a master's degree in education, got engaged, adopted a beautiful but ornery dog, and moved to the mid-Atlantic. I am now grateful to be attending Penn Law and I am excited to be working with First Generation Professionals to help a diverse group of students transition into the legal profession.
Undergrad: Skidmore College
Hometown: South Portland, ME
Legal Interests: Litigation, Regulatory
1L Summer: Intern for Judge Randolph D. Moss, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
Email: smchale@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in southern Maine, went to college in upstate New York, and spent my post-graduate years teaching United States History in New England and Eastern Europe. During that time, I also earned a master's degree in education, got engaged, adopted a beautiful but ornery dog, and moved to the mid-Atlantic. I am now grateful to be attending Penn Law and I am excited to be working with First Generation Professionals to help a diverse group of students transition into the legal profession.
Ian Crampton, Director of Mentorship, Class of 2020
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Kennett Square, PA
Legal Interests: Corporate/Real Estate
1L Summer: Camden County Prosecutor's Office
Email: idc@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: As the first in my family to receive a college degree and now the first to attend law school, I’ve had to overcome many obstacles in getting to this point. Luckily, I had incredibly supportive parents who made innumerable sacrifices that put me in a position to succeed. In FGP, I hope to connect with other students who share a similar background and be able to assist those who may be going through some of the same experiences I encountered. I believe the University of Pennsylvania has made a concerted effort to increase the enrollment of first-generation students, and I’d like to do my part to continue that trend.
Undergrad: University of Pittsburgh
Hometown: Kennett Square, PA
Legal Interests: Corporate/Real Estate
1L Summer: Camden County Prosecutor's Office
Email: idc@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: As the first in my family to receive a college degree and now the first to attend law school, I’ve had to overcome many obstacles in getting to this point. Luckily, I had incredibly supportive parents who made innumerable sacrifices that put me in a position to succeed. In FGP, I hope to connect with other students who share a similar background and be able to assist those who may be going through some of the same experiences I encountered. I believe the University of Pennsylvania has made a concerted effort to increase the enrollment of first-generation students, and I’d like to do my part to continue that trend.
Cynthia Tremonte, Director of Admission, Class of 2020
Undergrad: Princeton University
Hometown: Florham Park, NJ
Legal Interests: Corporate law
1L Summer: NJ Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law, Consumer Affairs Counseling
Email: ctrem@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in northern New Jersey and am the first in my family to receive a college degree. My parents always supported me so that I could become educated and improve my socio-economic status. I was fortunate enough to attend Princeton University, where I received a degree in philosophy in 2016. After graduation, I worked with an AmeriCorps organization called City Year New York, where I was an assistant teacher and tutor in an East Harlem middle school. I look forward to meeting other FPGers this year and to connecting other students to the resources and networks necessary to navigating the legal field.
Undergrad: Princeton University
Hometown: Florham Park, NJ
Legal Interests: Corporate law
1L Summer: NJ Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law, Consumer Affairs Counseling
Email: ctrem@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I grew up in northern New Jersey and am the first in my family to receive a college degree. My parents always supported me so that I could become educated and improve my socio-economic status. I was fortunate enough to attend Princeton University, where I received a degree in philosophy in 2016. After graduation, I worked with an AmeriCorps organization called City Year New York, where I was an assistant teacher and tutor in an East Harlem middle school. I look forward to meeting other FPGers this year and to connecting other students to the resources and networks necessary to navigating the legal field.
Alexander Christian, Director of Communications, Class of 2020
Undergrad: The College of New Jersey
Hometown: Milltown, NJ
Legal Interests: Trademark/Copyright, Sports & Entertainment Law, International Law
1L Summer: Intern at the U.S. District Court of New Jersey (Trenton)
Email: axian@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I am from a small town in Central New Jersey and I attended an equally small undergraduate school – The College of New Jersey. At TCNJ, I studied Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy and played first base on the baseball team. Neither of my parents are college graduates, but both are very intelligent people and instilled in me at a young age the value of hard work and education. As a first-generation college student and the first in my family to attend law school, I am extremely proud to be involved with the First Generation Professionals group. I am thankful and excited to work with the FGP community and look forward to helping develop a strong community of proud first-generation professionals.
Undergrad: The College of New Jersey
Hometown: Milltown, NJ
Legal Interests: Trademark/Copyright, Sports & Entertainment Law, International Law
1L Summer: Intern at the U.S. District Court of New Jersey (Trenton)
Email: axian@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: I am from a small town in Central New Jersey and I attended an equally small undergraduate school – The College of New Jersey. At TCNJ, I studied Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy and played first base on the baseball team. Neither of my parents are college graduates, but both are very intelligent people and instilled in me at a young age the value of hard work and education. As a first-generation college student and the first in my family to attend law school, I am extremely proud to be involved with the First Generation Professionals group. I am thankful and excited to work with the FGP community and look forward to helping develop a strong community of proud first-generation professionals.
Michael Frieda, Director of Networking, Class of 2020
Undergrad: California Lutheran University
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Legal Interests: Litigation, First Amendment Issues, Internet Law, Copyright & Trademark
1L Summer: Intern to Judge Means and Judge Shaffer, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Email: mfrieda@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: After my early childhood on Long Island, my immediate family moved to Thousand Oaks, California. My family life was somewhat different as my father spent one week at home in California and one in New York for most of my life. I attended Thousand Oaks High School where my grades left much to be desired. Fortunately, I was given an opportunity to attend the liberal arts college less than one mile down the road, where I excelled for the first time. Upon the receipt of my B.A. from California Lutheran University, I became the first in my family to obtain a four-year degree.Throughout my first year at Penn, I continually struggled with imposter syndrome. It was hard to shake the feeling that there must have been some mistake in my admission! How could I deserve to be here along so many accomplished and brilliant people? The 2Ls and 3Ls of FGP reminded me that I earned my spot at Penn Law. FGP made my first year at Penn Law all the more enjoyable and fostered strong friendships. As a member of FGP, I want incoming and current students to know that they have earned their place here at Penn Law. No matter your life’s journey, you arrived here. We are all on the same playing field, each stressed to the max but full of passion. I look forward to both serving as a resource and growing alongside you here at Penn Law.
Undergrad: California Lutheran University
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA
Legal Interests: Litigation, First Amendment Issues, Internet Law, Copyright & Trademark
1L Summer: Intern to Judge Means and Judge Shaffer, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Email: mfrieda@pennlaw.upenn.edu
Bio: After my early childhood on Long Island, my immediate family moved to Thousand Oaks, California. My family life was somewhat different as my father spent one week at home in California and one in New York for most of my life. I attended Thousand Oaks High School where my grades left much to be desired. Fortunately, I was given an opportunity to attend the liberal arts college less than one mile down the road, where I excelled for the first time. Upon the receipt of my B.A. from California Lutheran University, I became the first in my family to obtain a four-year degree.Throughout my first year at Penn, I continually struggled with imposter syndrome. It was hard to shake the feeling that there must have been some mistake in my admission! How could I deserve to be here along so many accomplished and brilliant people? The 2Ls and 3Ls of FGP reminded me that I earned my spot at Penn Law. FGP made my first year at Penn Law all the more enjoyable and fostered strong friendships. As a member of FGP, I want incoming and current students to know that they have earned their place here at Penn Law. No matter your life’s journey, you arrived here. We are all on the same playing field, each stressed to the max but full of passion. I look forward to both serving as a resource and growing alongside you here at Penn Law.
Steven Mills, President Emeritus, Class of 2019