Catching up with the Class of 2023
Megan Dister ’23
What are you most proud of accomplishing at Duke Law?
I’m most proud of my work in my clinics and externship. I loved my clinical and externship experiences in the Environmental Law and Policy Clinic, in the Children’s Law Clinic, and at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Who were your most influential mentors at Duke Law?
The environmental law faculty have been incredible mentors, including Steve Roady, Michelle Nowlin, Lee Miller, and Jonathan Wiener.
Of your classmates, whom do you admire most, and why?
I admire the students going straight into public interest and government work. They are pursuing amazing careers from voting rights work to public defense, to civil rights work, to immigration law, to anti-trust work, and many others. I am inspired by their integrity and focus on pursuing this career at a place like Duke, where it is not always the typical path.
What will you miss most about your time at Duke Law?
I will miss taking fun project-based interdisciplinary courses. I took a Bass Connections course on regenerative grazing to mitigate climate change and got to visit two farms. I also participated in a research tutorial that helped prepare materials for a transboundary marine species conference in D.C. Last fall I took a course on the United Nations Framework Convention on climate change and attended COP in Egypt.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I am clerking for a justice on the Alaska Supreme Court. After my clerkship I plan to pursue a career in public interest environmental law.
Alyssa Reyes '23
What are you most proud of accomplishing at Duke Law?
I’m most proud of serving Mi Gente as president of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA). The board and I worked hard to uplift our members by fostering a supportive community. Although our only goal was to make every Latine student feel like they belonged, we were honored to win the DONE Award for Greatest Role in Building Relationships.
Who were your most influential mentors at Duke Law?
Professor Emilie Aguirre, Duke Law’s first Latine associate professor, is an inspiration to us all. She’s an engaging lecturer who is clearly an expert in her field, and she has been a steadfast supporter of LALSA since she was hired. Representation has always been important to me, so her presence has meant the world to us.
Of your classmates, whom do you admire most, and why?
I most admire the students who are unabashedly themselves and blaze their own trails, yet still hold space to build meaningful relationships with those around them. People like Evelyn Blanco, Neeki Memarzadeh and Ali Rosenblatt come to mind. I will always appreciate those who march to the beat of their own drum.
What will you miss most about your time at Duke Law?
Without a doubt, I will miss the extraordinary people. Between the students, faculty, and staff, the high caliber of talent within the walls of Duke Law School is inspiring. Everybody has a story and is on a path to greatness—my only regret is not getting to know them all. Being surrounded by such accomplished individuals has been a dream.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I will be working with the Infrastructure Group at Nossaman in Los Angeles, California. After several years of living all over the country, it’s time for me and my pug, Bowie, to head home. I couldn’t be more excited to return to Nossaman, and to my L.A. Dodgers!
Mujib Jimoh LLM ’23
What are you most proud of accomplishing at Duke Law?
Duke Law has provided a lot of opportunities for me: from winning the Judy Horowitz Scholarship to being awarded a Salzburg Cutler Fellowship. If I were to rank the accomplishments, I think being selected to participate in the Second Chance Project with the North Carolina Legal Aid — expunging qualified criminal records in New Hanover County during the 2022 Fall Break — remains my proudest accomplishment at Duke Law. It might seem odd; but assisting my clients during the project gave me immense joy.
Who were your most influential mentors at Duke Law?
In no order – Professors Garrett, Helfer, Huckerby, Fujimura-Fanselow and Iyer really motivated me. Professor Garrett trusted me with work at the Wilson Center for Science and Justice shortly after I commenced my LLM. Discussions with Professors Helfer, Huckerby, Fujimura-Fanselow and Iyer have inspired my recent and forthcoming publications. There is a lot to learn from these professors. I will surely miss them.
Of your classmates, whom do you admire most, and why?
Nargiz Kazimova. I am sure that she would probably be shocked seeing this, but Nargiz is kindhearted. A very compassionate being, she is always following up with me to see my progress and asking about my well-being.
What will you miss most about your time at Duke Law?
I will miss my friends! Champion Olatunji, Titilola Afolabi, EvangeLine Inyang, Mikhail Hryharovich, and Abylay Akay. Our conversations are invaluable. These people have made my journey at Duke Law exciting. I will also miss my conversations with Ms. Robinson. During the spring semester, Monica Iyer was extremely helpful! I will miss the emails we exchange.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I plan to explore the opportunities attending Duke Law has to offer.
Denise Borne LLM ’23
What are you most proud of accomplishing at Duke Law?
My proudest moment while attending Duke Law as an LLM student would have to be the entire experience. From taking classes in my third language to engaging in social activities with people from all over the world while participating in club field hockey, being an LLM rep for the IP Law Society, and giving back to individuals as a pro bono volunteer for the Veterans Assistance Project – as well as the Immigrant & Refugee Project. This has truly been an encompassing experience with a high level of educational challenges. I am proud to become an alumnus of this historic and exclusive law school.
Who were your most influential mentors at Duke Law?
The Duke Law community has been very supportive and helpful throughout my time here. Especially the International Office and in particular my career mentor, Professor Jabrina Robinson, have assisted me well in my future and academic decisions. Moreover, Professor Christopher Buccafusco from my copyright class has solidified my interest in IP by providing a surreal academic experience with engaging coursework and fascinating copyright topics.
Of your classmates, whom do you admire most, and why?
I think that our year was full of interesting and intelligent LLM students with some of them having copious amounts of experience while others were relatively new to the legal field. I admire every single one just because they all made such a big decision to move to a new country and culture.
One student that stood out to me was Snir Geuli. I truly admire him because he was able to pursue an LLM as a father and a husband. He was an outstanding student in class, went through a challenging immigration process, held one of the highest GPAs in our year, and was a great friend to me. He has a bright future as an outstanding attorney.
What will you miss most about your time at Duke Law?
I will miss the long walks through the stunning campus and the Sarah Duke Gardens with my husband on the weekends, making new friends who have various cultural backgrounds, and enjoying time outside the classroom with them. Furthermore, I will always remember my times at Cameron Stadium cheering on the Blue Devils to an undefeated home record this season! As a European student, I have never experienced the passion of college sports and now I truly understand why my American husband always watches his favorite undergraduate football team play on Saturdays.
What are your plans after you graduate?
You can find me every day in the Goodson Law Library, where I have already spent so much time studying for the bar exam. After the bar exam, I will join RTI International as a legal summer intern, working on IP-related issues and collaborating with RTI’s Office of Corporate Counsel members. I’m excited about the opportunity to gain experience in the legal field and develop my legal skills within an international research institution