SBA Executive Board Election Candidates

SBA President

Kurt Brna

My primary focus as SBA President will be to increase the transparency and accountability of the SBA. First, I will publish an agenda one week prior to each monthly SBA meeting to encourage open forum discussions, and increase representative accountability. Second, I will publish an agenda for the biannual Board of Visitors meeting one month in advance. The Board of Visitors is our voice to the Board of Trustees and one of the most effective ways to foster change. Early access to the agenda will ensure that our voice is focused, researched, and well contemplated. Third, I will institute student petitions for the most contentious issues, encouraging active and frank participation by the student body as a whole.

• Worked with Board of Visitors • Two-time SBA Representative • Two-time member of the Public Auction Committee • Member of the 1L Charity Event Committee • Attended every SBA event • Attended all but one SBA meetings as a Representative • Member of the Young Democrats of JMLS • Junior Executive of Organization for PAD.

Maria Phillips

I have been an acting supervisor for the AEP (Academic Enhancement Program) for 1Ls. This program provides supplemental lectures and assessments that mock real law school exams. By helping students with core classes, we improve the school's image through school rankings, funding allocation, and overall reputation.

I have also held the position of MELSA President. In my capacity as president, I, together with my executive board, have hosted a number of events that featured controversial topics, created awareness about global issues, facilitated diversity tolerance, and created open forums consisting of student/professor/guest speaker discussion! As a committee member of LLSA, I helped organize and host Fiesta, the Judges Luncheon and Panel Discussion, and a number of other events and socials. My biggest achievement in the last week has been to renegotiate our contract with the Federal Street parking garage to get our daily $14 student rate reinstated. I believe my track record shows I am qualified to serve as your next SBA President.

Ryan Crotty

Hey Everyone! I'm Ryan Crotty and I'm running for SBA President in the 2012-2013 school year. My first goal as president is to work with school administrators and bar prep companies to create programs for students all the way from 1Ls to 3Ls, educating them about the bar and what courses to take to be prepared in order to increase our bar passage rate. I also plan to create more opportunities to socialize with your fellow students and future colleagues by having more social events, such as movie nights, and by bringing in guest speakers to talk about current legal issues.

I've been an extremely active member of the SBA since I started here at JMLS in 2010, serving first as a representative and currently as the SBA Treasurer. I've made many connections here at JMLS and I will do my best to bring your comments and concerns to the school in a meaningful way and help make this school a great place for students, one that you will be proud to claim as your alma mater.

SBA Vice-President

LeDeidre Turner

I should be elected SBA vice-president because I want to be a voice for students. I’ve developed relationships with members of the administration and I’m comfortable enough to voice student’s concerns. As the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) president, I realize how invaluable a good support system is and I’m prepared to be that for the president. I’ve served in several leadership roles, and I will bring experience and the ability to connect with different people, two necessary qualities for this position. Representing such a large and diverse student body is an awesome responsibility that I will handle with care.

I am LeDeidre S. Turner and I’m a second semester 2L. In addition to being the BLSA president, I’m a member of Trial Ad Honors Council and a graduate assistant with the Office of Diversity Affairs. I‘ve worked as an intern at both the state and federal levels where I have gained practical experience. In addition to my legal activities, I am a mentor to teenagers and a Sunday School teacher to 3-5 year olds. If elected, I will advocate for student nap times built into the school schedule. Just kidding, but I will try to plan the best Barrister’s Ball ever! Vote D for VP!

William Nguyen

My name is William Nguyen and I am seeking your vote for Student Bar Association Vice President for the upcoming year. In addition to supporting the President and other Executive Board Members, my main goal will be to provide better communication between the students and the school. I believe students should be better informed on how to bring about suggesting comments and complaints to improve the John Marshall community. I also will work to improve alumni student relations. No one understands the work required to be a John Marshall student except a John Marshall graduate. I would like to expand on the great alumni programs provided by the Student Bar Association.

I am currently a rising 2L and a 1L section representative. I am also a Student Ambassador and the President of the Intellectual Property Law Society. During my short time at John Marshall, I have worked with the administration to resolve a number of pertinent issues affecting the Class of 2014. As you Vice President, I will continue to use my passion and hard work to make sure John Marshall reaches its full potential. You will WIN with William Nguyen (pronounced [noo - win]).

Secretary

Amy Harriman

As the Secretary for the SBA, I will work closely with the rest of the executive board members, representatives of other student associations, and be an effective liaison to the student body. I believe that the key to being an effective liaison is keeping open communication between not only the SBA and the students, but between the executive board members as well. It is my goal to keep communication open by staying involved with all projects that the board is involved with and send timely emails to notify everyone else of what is going on. I will utilize social media in order to be able to better keep everyone in the know of all events by maintaining the website, email address, Facebook, and twitter page.

This year I was the 1L representative for my section and worked closely in the planning of the first year charity event where we raised a record amount of money.

Treasurer

David Neal

Dave is a 2L and current SBA representative. As treasurer, his goals will be to promote efficient and effective use of student funds and promote a relationship of trust between the SBA and students. If elected SBA Treasurer, David will implement three initiatives. First, David will start issuing receipts to students who purchase books or tickets from the SBA. Second, David will utilize his accounting background to ensure fiscal responsibility and promote equity among the student organizations. Third, David will use technology to improve the book sale resulting in not only shorter lines and wait times but also more money in the pockets of students.

Originally from Milwaukee, WI, David graduated from Saint Louis University in 2009 with a degree in Accounting. During undergrad, he was a Team Leader in JumpStart and Vice-President of his fraternity. After graduation, he worked for a CPA firm handling dozens of clients and advising them concerning financial planning, accounting, and taxes. Currently, he is involved in the Office of Diversity Affairs at John Marshall. He lives in the Gold Coast with his fiancé, Carolina, and his dog, a dachshund named Bimmer the Wiener Dog.

Brittany Anselmo

My name is Brittany Anselmo and I am running for SBA Treasurer. I am currently an SBA representative and was the Co-Chair of the 1L Charity Event. I was in charge of micromanaging everyone on the committee and needed to remain extremely organized, not only with my committee, but communicating with local businesses and administration at JMLS. We ended up raising a record amount of money, more than in any year past. For that event, I was also the treasurer which entailed being in charge of a budget and learning the ins-and-outs of what it means to be treasurer of the SBA. I worked closely with the current SBA treasurer on this event to ensure financial accountability.

I graduated from U of I with a degree in Accounting. As a Business Major, I was required to take many Finance and Accounting classes which focused not only on ensuring funds are correctly accounted for, but making sure the system in place for keeping track of funds is efficient and monitored to ensure security and accuracy. I believe I am the best candidate for SBA Treasurer not only because of my qualifications, but because of my enthusiasm and dedication to making this school the best it can be!

ABA Representative

Brandon Hudson

Joining the SBA as an elected representative of the Student Bar Association (“SBA”), I was elected within the SBA to organize and manage The Annual 2012 SBA Charity Event. Along with my team, I was able to choose and lead a successful event with the Ronald McDonald House of Chicago Land and Northwest Indiana (“RMHCNWI”) raising over $2,400.00. Prior to bringing RMHCNWI to The John Marshall Law School, I volunteered while working as a bank employee.

As a second semester first year law student with a B.S. in Biology/Chemistry and over 7 years of work experience in financial services, I respect and appreciate the demand for diversity, networking, and teamwork. After graduating from Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana, I decided to return to banking prior to pursuing a law degree. I worked for a regional bank for 5 years and then decided to join The John Marshall School. In order to uphold these values, I became active in the law school community during my first semester.

CBA Representative

Kim Pressling

I have served as an SBA rep, and I would use my experience on the SBA and from other student organizations to be an active liaison with the CBA. My goal is to raise more money at next year’s Public Interest Auction than we have in the past two years combined. I plan to do this by soliciting donations throughout the entire school year and by building strong relations with the alumni network. Further, I plan to personally reach out to every graduate on the Alumni Relations’ contact list, as well as the faculty, staff, and local vendors, to invite them and ask for their support. I would launch a public relations campaign to increase attendance and create advertising space in the catalogue to raise additional funds.

I have been a member of the CBA since 2010, and I have extensive event planning experience. As the Vice Justice of Phi Alpha Delta, I planned the Boat Cruise for over 200 guests and obtained donations for our Halloween auction. In the past, I worked for an event planning company in Chicago to help organize events such as the Wells Street Art Festival and Belmont-Sheffield Music Festival.

Laura Tagliere

Not provided.

ISBA Representative

Harrison Keyes

Harrison Keyes is running for Illinois State Bar Association representative for SBA. He believes he can provide a voice for JMLS in the ISBA, and a voice for the ISBA at JMLS. He believes he will be useful as an executive board member because he is a Chicago native and has experience in management, event-planning, promotion, and being a member of a team. He has a desire to make this school better and is willing to assist in any way that he can.

Keyes is a 1L currently in the BA/JD program with Roosevelt University. His undergraduate degree is in Philosophy, and he intends to graduate with a focus in Entertainment Law. He has been an SBA representative since his first opportunity to do so, and assisted in raising almost $3000 dollars for the Ronald McDonald House Charities at the 1L Charity Event.

Evening Student Liaison

Jacob Brown

My name is Jacob Brown and I am currently a second semester 2L. I am currently running for Evening Student Liaison. I feel that the evening students are currently underserved with events and activities that they are able to participate in. With many events and speakers happening during the day there are not as many opportunities for evening students to attend them. I would work for having more events during the evening and on weekends to allow more night students to take advantage of the speakers/events that are presented through the SBA. In general I would like to help evening students become more integrated into the robust student body at John Marshall.

Brown received his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University where he majored in History of Art and minored in Business. His legal interests lie in property of all kinds both real and intellectual. He currently serves as a section representative for the SBA and looks forward to taking on more responsibility by joining the executive board.