Dear Friends,
It is with great joy that we introduce to you the 2024 class of CEO civil rights fellows. Between Monday, August 5 and Friday, August 9, 2024, fellows will participate in an intensive seminar-style program in Washington, D.C.
This fellowship is a first-of-its-kind program within which fellows receive instruction and training in civil rights caselaw, enforcement practices, and public policy. For example, fellows will learn the history of major civil rights laws, become familiar with major Supreme Court decisions in this area, and learn about current controversies surrounding civil rights law and enforcement.
The seminars will be led by law and policy experts, litigators, former government officials, and other thought leaders. Fellows will also receive media training on writing effective op-eds, engaging with the media, and making the most of interviews.
We are very pleased with the continued interest among law students in our program. Thank you to our friends and supporters for helping us to find this exceedingly talented and interesting group of fellows.
Warm regards,
Devon
Caleb Fisher
Campbell Law School
Caleb Fisher is a rising 2L at Campbell Law School. Prior to law school, Caleb earned a BA, summa cum laude, in Political Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with minors in Pre-Law and Leadership. Outside the classroom, Caleb is Vice President of Campbell Law’s chapter of the Federalist Society, Co-Founder of the ABA Student Judiciary Division, and speaker at Christian Leadership events. This summer, Caleb is interning for Justice Berger on the North Carolina Supreme Court. In his free time, Caleb enjoys spending time with his wife, practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and watching UFC.
Kareen George
University of Florida
Kareen George is a rising 2L at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Prior to law school, Kareen earned a BA, magna cum laude, in Political Science and English Literary Studies. While at Bucknell, Kareen was newsletter editor for the Griot Institute for the Study of Black Lives and Culture where she established “COVID Corner”—a column shedding light on the pandemic’s impact on marginalized communities due to disparities in outreach and policies in the United States. Kareen’s studies also included exploring the intersection of racial disparities and the profitability of the tourism industry in the Caribbean, and research on the African slave industry in the Caribbean, focusing on sugar mills and their historical significance in islands like St. Kitts Nevis and Antigua. In law school, Kareen is involved in her chapters of the Black Law Students Association and the Caribbean Law Students Association. In her free time, she enjoys nail and hair artistry, charcoal drawings, and graphic design.
Sara Haile
University of North Dakota
Sara Haile is a rising 3L at the University of North Dakota School of Law. Before starting her legal studies, Sara earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Winnipeg, where she graduated with the highest distinction and was recognized by the Golden Key International Honour Society. After graduation, she spent two years working as a counselor, gaining valuable experience in client interaction and problem-solving. In law school, Sara has externed with both state and federal judges, and has participated in moot court competitions that addressed cases involving sex and race discrimination. Sara is president of the Federalist Society and the Black Law Student Association, and is an incoming Associate Editor for the North Dakota Law Review. Sara’s personal interests include cooking, watching hockey and spending quality time with her husband and their dog.
Amanda Hichez
George Washington University
Amanda Hichez is a rising 2L at The George Washington University Law School, where she serves as President of the Law Association for Women and Academic Chair for the Black Law Students Association. She earned a BA, summa cum laude, from Drew University, and studied abroad in Spain at Saint Louis University Madrid. Prior to law school, Amanda served as an intern to the Honorable Michael A. Shipp for the District Court of New Jersey and clerked at the Hudson County Probate Court. A product of the New Jersey public school system, Amanda attributes her academic and professional achievements to the myriad opportunities she was offered during her formative years. Amanda’s upbringing drives her commitment to civil rights advocacy, while her academic studies shape her approach to creating opportunities for marginalized groups. This summer, she will join the Gault Center’s 2024 Racial Justice and Youth Defense Internship Program.
Jack Leodric
Michigan State University
Jack Leodric is a rising 3L at Michigan State University College of Law. Before attending law school, he earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. Jack has a diverse background, having lived most of his adult life abroad. He has participated in a study abroad program in West Africa to study African philosophy, a counter-terrorism study abroad program in the Middle East, and he attended a film school in Asia. Professionally, Jack has worked in surveillance, search engine optimization, and teaching. He has a strong commitment to civil rights and civil liberties for all and has taught in a First Amendment clinic. He is dedicated to fighting for equal rights concerning issues of speech, faith, protection, and privacy. In his free time, Jack enjoys writing, training martial arts, and weightlifting.
Isaac Martin
Michigan State University
Isaac Martin is a rising 3L at Michigan State University College of Law. During law school, Isaac externed in the chambers of Justice Brian K. Zahra of the Michigan Supreme Court. He graduated with a double major in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Oakland University before working as a systems engineer on autonomous vehicles at Ford Motor Company. Born and raised near Detroit, a city pocked from ethnic animus, Isaac is an advocate for reconciliation and therefore colorblind justice as well. He is the president of the Federalist Society at MSU, husband to an Ohio State Buckeye, and presumptive father of one.
Logan Rajendran
University of Colorado
Logan Rajendran is a rising 2L at the University of Colorado Law School. Originally from Malaysia, Logan earned his undergraduate degree in Marine Biology, spending the first three years in Borneo before completing his final year at California State University, Monterey Bay, on a Fulbright scholarship. Before entering law school, he gained valuable experience working in the criminal unit of the Monterey County District Attorney’s office. At Colorado Law School, Logan actively contributes to the student community through his involvement with the groups Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, OUTlaw, and the Colorado Law Animal Legal Defense Fund. This summer, he will be interning with Justice Monica M. Márquez at the Colorado Supreme Court. With a unique background as a marine biologist, Logan approaches civil rights through the lens of environmental justice. Outside of law school, Logan enjoys reading fantasy books, cooking, and swimming.
Develah Valdes
Ava Maria School of Law
Develah Valdes is a rising 2L at Ave Maria School of Law. Prior to attending law school, she earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida. Develah has gained invaluable experience working in the world of sales, marketing, and clinic management. She has lived in Florida for most of her life after immigrating to the United States as a child and has traveled to many countries all over the world. Her travels have allowed her to gain an immense appreciation for all different people and cultures and she makes it a mission to encourage diversity. Develah plans to use the knowledge she gains through the Center for Equal Opportunity Fellowship in her career as an attorney to make sure she is always fostering a welcoming and inclusive practice.
Nicole Vahlkamp
University of Miami
Nicole Vahlkamp is a rising 3L at the University of Miami School of Law and a HOPE Public Interest Scholar. As a law student, she serves as the President of the Cardozo Jewish Legal Society, an active member of the Federalist Society, on the Public Interest Leadership Board, and as the Symposium Editor of the Inter-American Law Review. As a 2L, she interned for federal District Judge Roy K. Altman and Judge Laurel M. Isicoff, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, in the Southern District of Florida. Before law school, Nicole worked as a consultant, coach, and entrepreneur, assisting companies with their digital marketing and communications strategy. Nicole earned a B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park in Government & Politics, and Economics, where she graduated summa cum laude, an International MBA from Bar Ilan University in Tel Aviv, Israel, and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. This summer she will work at Saul Ewing, LLP. After law school, she plans to practice litigation and remain active in the Miami legal and Jewish communities, where she intends to teach and implement the policies of equal opportunity that CEO stands for.
Connor Vasile
University of Miami
Connor Vasile is a rising second year law student at the University of Miami School of Law. He graduated cum laude from New York University with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.F.A. in Theatre. He received his Master of Science in Project Management and Operations from Southern New Hampshire University. Connor is the Program Director of his school’s Federalist Society chapter and is interning with Judge William Altfield of the 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida this summer. Outside of school, Connor is an author, writer, and commentator. He has been published in the Washington Examiner, The Federalist, FEE, Free the People, Inside Sources, and others. He has also made appearances on Fox Radio, Stacy on the Right, and The Gary Nolan Show to discuss politics and economics. His book “The State Knows Best” is available on Amazon.
