Staff
Student Staff | Professional Staff | Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
JURIST is a public service project powered by more than 100 law students at 60+ law schools across six continents working under the guidance of professional staff and academic leadership based in Pittsburgh and Boston.
JURIST’s North American staff in the United States and Canada are law students at:
JURIST’s South American staff in Peru are law students at:
JURIST’s European staff are law students at:
JURIST’s African staff are law students at:
JURIST’s South Asian staff are law students at:
JURIST’s Australasian staff are law students at:
JURIST’s Chinese staff are law students at:
Student Leadership Team
JURIST’s Student Leadership Team is composed of experienced student staffers who take leading roles in managing and writing JURIST.
Global Chief of Staff
JURIST’s Global Chief of Staff is Edgar Odongo.
Managing Editors
JURIST’s News Managing Editor is JP Leskovich (he/him). JP is a third-year student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US) and has been on JURIST’s staff for two years. JP has contributed to JURIST’s News, Dispatches, and Commentary content and previously served as JURIST’s US Bureau Chief. JP is passionate about democracy and human rights and hopes to pursue a career in public interest law.
JURIST’s Deputy News Managing Editor is Derren Chan. Derren is a 3L student at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia (CA) and a law student at the University of Hong Kong. Derren previously served as JURIST’s Hong Kong Bureau Chief and has a particular interest in constitutional law and international law.
JURIST’s Managing Editor for Long Form Content is James Joseph (he/him). James has completed his Master’s in politics and international law from Keele University School of Law in the UK and has been a staff correspondent for JURIST for two years. James also provides secretariat for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hazara in the UK Parliament and will start his PhD at Queens University Belfast School of Law in the fall.
JURIST’s Dispatches Managing Editor is Mashal Asim. Mashal is in her final year of LLB at the University of London. Beyond the classroom, she has gained practical experience through internships at law firms where she had the opportunity to work on a range of legal cases. Mashal is very interested in exploring the intersection of law with social justice concerns, including human rights and gender equality.
Senior News Editors
Sonja Rzepski is a Senior News Editor for JURIST. Sonja is a 3L at Vermont Law, concentrating on energy and international environmental policy. She was a staff correspondent for the JURIST before becoming an editor and enjoys writing about the law and its implications for peace, justice, human rights, tolerance, solidarity, and respect for the earth.
Ashley Wong is a Senior News Editor for JURIST. Ashley is a third-year student at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law.
Senior Editors for Long Form Content
Sharon Basch is a
Senior Editor for Long Form Content at JURIST.
Qurrat Ul Ain Rehman is a Senior Editor for Long Form Content at JURIST. With over nine years of legal experience, including a senior partnership at QR Law Associates and Consultants, she brings a wealth of expertise in diverse legal areas, ensuring meticulous client representation and satisfaction. Currently pursuing an LLM in International Human Rights Law at Brunel University London, her commitment to education is evident through her tenure as a Senior Lecturer at Bahria University, where she mentored students and organized events to foster a passion for law. Additionally, her role as a Gateway Assessor in the Citizen Advice Bureau provides her with a unique opportunity to contribute to society by assessing and advocating for the rights of individuals, ensuring equitable access to justice. Combining her passion for education with her dedication to community empowerment, she strives to make a positive impact in both academic and social spheres.
Tarazi Mohammed Sheikh is a Senior Editor for Long Form Content at JURIST. Tarazi is a final-year BRAC University (Bangladesh) law student. She serves the International Law Students Association (ILSA) as a Student Director. Tarazi has a keen enthusiasm for exploring and engaging with public international law and human rights issues and is actively striving to make impactful contributions in these fields. She has also garnered recognition on national and international stages for her performance in debates, legal research, writing, and journalism. Tarazi is committed to making a lasting impact on the future of international legal education in South Asia and globally.
Pitasanna Shanmugathas is a Senior Editor for Long Form Content at JURIST. Pitasanna is a 3L at Vermont Law & Graduate School and a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy.
Apoorv Vats is a
Senior Editor for Long Form Content at JURIST. Apoorv is a third-year student at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad (IN).
Mykyta Vorobiov is a
Senior Editor for Long Form Content at JURIST. Mykyta is a political science student at Bard College, Berlin.
Bureau Chiefs
JURIST’s Australia/New Zealand Bureau Chief is Sophia Richards. She is a fourth-year student at the University of Newcastle Law School (AU). Sophia joined JURIST in October 2022 as a News writer before becoming an editor and Bureau Chief. She has a passion for Constitutional Law, Rule of Law advocacy, and judicial independence.
JURIST’s Canada Bureau Chief is Jeffrey Wang. Jeffrey is a 2L at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law (CA).
JURIST’s East Africa Bureau Chief is Natasha Kahungi. Natasha is a finalist law student at the University of Nairobi Faculty of Law and a Certified Public Accountant in training, currently serving as the Editor in Chief of the University of Nairobi Law Journal (UNLJ). With a fervent passion for the intersection of law and technology, digital rights, children and the law, human rights, gender rights, and data privacy, Natasha is dedicated to advocating for these areas of law to make a positive impact in the world.
JURIST’s South Asia Bureau Chief is Shashank Pandey (he/him). Shashank is a third-year student at the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences in Kolkata, India, pursuing a law and humanities degree. He is interested in researching and writing about socio-legal issues, with a particular emphasis on using his writing to advocate for reforms.
JURIST’s UK Bureau Chief is Elisabeth Driscoll. Elisabeth (Libs) is a second-year LLB student at the University of Bristol (GB). After joining the staff in December 2022, she became the UK Chief of Staff in May. She is passionate about a variety of legal sectors, particularly human rights law and the politics of lawmaking and enforcement. After her 2025 graduation, Libs would like to continue to pursue her interest in legal journalism alongside qualifying as a barrister.
JURIST’s US Bureau Chief is Madeline Yingling (she/her). Madeline is a second-year law student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US) and joined JURIST in September 2023 as a News writer. She is primarily interested in international law and human rights.
Chiefs of Staff
JURIST’s
Canada Chief of Staff is
Tyler Li. Tyler is a 2L at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law.
JURIST’s East Asia Chief of Staff is Chi Wai Hu. Chi Wai is currently a final-year student at the University of Hong Kong studying law and politics. He has been a news writer since December 2023. He previously worked at a public interest law firm in Hong Kong and is particularly interested in the interaction between international relations, geopolitics and law.
JURIST’s Europe Chief of Staff is Nova Kruijning. Nova is a graduate of Maastricht University in The Netherlands, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree in European & International law. After completing her undergraduate degree, she pursued the post-graduate Diploma of Law in the UK. She has a keen interest in international law and global affairs, and after completing her Masters’ degree in 2025, would like to work in the field of international law alongside continuing to pursue her interest in legal journalism.
JURIST’s North Africa Chief of Staff is Abir Khlif (she/her). Abir is a dedicated legal scholar currently pursuing a Master of Law: Common Law at the University of Carthage. Abir’s expertise in legal advocacy, honed through academic achievements and practical experiences, positions her as a leading voice in advancing legal discourse in the region.
JURIST’s
South America Chief of Staff is
María Paz Rodríguez Galiano. She is a fifth-year student at the Facultad de Derecho PUCP (PE).
JURIST’s South Asia Chief of Staff is Ojjaswini Gupta (she/her). Ojjaswini is a third-year law student pursuing B.A. LL.B. (Honours) at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Law University, Sonepat. Her fervor for criminal law is matched by her deep-seated concern for human rights challenges, both within the conflicted corners of India and across the globe. She not only holds this concern close to her heart but actively delves into researching these critical issues. She aims to pursue a Masters degree and ultimately enter the judicial services. Outside her legal studies, she finds solace in exploring and reliving history through visits to ruins and significant historical sites, traveling to new destinations, and composing poetry.
JURIST’s
US Chief of Staff is
Jonnette Oakes. Jonnette is a 3L at Washburn University School of Law.
JURIST’s West Africa Chief of Staff is Lana Osei. Holding an LLB degree from the prestigious Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), she serves as the executive secretary to the Centre for African Diplomacy and Global Engagement (Afroglobals) in Accra, Ghana. Beyond these pursuits, Lana is a thought leader, fuelled by a desire to shape the future through insightful writing. For Lana, writing is not merely a skill, but a “manifesto to her future self,” a powerful tool to envision a better world and advocate for the actions needed to achieve it. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Lana takes the helm with humility and the distinct privilege of leading a team that shares her values. She is committed to empowering her colleagues, fostering collaboration, and amplifying their voices to bring about positive change across the African continent.
JURIST’s Chief of Staff for Correspondents is Aynsley Genga. She is a third-year student at the University of Nairobi School of Law (KE).
Alumni Engagement Coordinator
JURIST’s
Alumni Engagement Coordinator is
Sean Nolan. Sean is a 3L at Southwestern Law School.
Correspondents
JURIST Staff Correspondents file exclusive first-hand reports from locations around the world.
Afghanistan
JURIST has a number of law student correspondents filing regularly from Afghanistan. Due to security concerns under the Taliban government we cannot reveal their names or their law school affiliations.
Belarus
Ulyana Belaya is a student at the European Humanities University (LT).
Katsiaryna Vasilionak is a law student at the European Humanities University (LT).
Canada
Mélanie Cantin is a 3L at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law.
European Union
Oksana Bidnenko is a student at Riga Graduate School of Law (LV).
Jacky-Long Mouthuy is a student at Maastricht University Faculty of Law (NL).
Mykyta Vorobiov is a political science student at Bard College, Berlin.
Ghana
Lana Osei is a recent graduate of the GIMPA (Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration) Faculty of Law.
India
Soumyabrata Chakraborty is a student at Gujarat National Law University.
Vedika Chawla is a second-year student at Jindal Global Law School.
Nakul Rai Khurana is a second-year student at Jindal Global Law School.
Samar Veer is a third-year student at National Law University, Delhi.
Iran
Sharareh Abdolhoseinzadeh is a law student and a PhD in Political Sociology in Tehran.
Israel
Sharon Basch is a 3L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Yael Iosilevich is a student at Tel Aviv University Faculty of Law.
Mayan Lawent is a student at Tel Aviv University Faculty of Law.
Kazakhstan
Aidana Tastanova is a 4th year law student attending the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (RU).
Kenya
Senior Correspondent Aynsley Genga is a 2023 graduate of the University of Nairobi School of Law.
Griffins Ogada is a student at the University of Nairobi School of Law.
Kosovo
Ernesa Shala is a JURIST staff correspondent in Kosovo and a recent graduate of the University of Pristina Faculty of Law.
Myanmar
JURIST has a number of law student correspondents filing regularly from Myanmar. Due to security concerns during the military coup, we cannot reveal their names or their law school affiliations.
Nepal
Jony Mainaly
Pakistan
Chief Correspondent Rabia Shuja holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law from Griffith College, Dublin.
Peroozi Asif Durrani is a law student following the University of London LLB external degree program at the Institute for Legal Studies (TILS).
Abu Bakar Khan is a final year law student at University Law College, University of the Punjab.
Izhar Ahmed Khan is a 2022 LL.B. graduate of the Pakistan College of Law (University of London International Program).
Mashal Asim Khan is an LLB student in the University of London External Programme at The Institute of Legal Studies (TILS).
Peru
Samanta Berenice Chavez Quispe is a law student in the Facultad de Derecho y Ciencias Políticas, Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco.
Sri Lanka
Senior Correspondent Naveera Peerera is a graduate of the University of London External Programme at CfPS Law School.
Türkiye
Hasan Yacı is a senior law student at Galatasaray University Law School in Istanbul.
Uganda
Lawrence Alado is a third-year student at the Makerere University School of Law (UG).
Ukraine
Senior Correspondent Justin Esiobu is an LLM student at Ukrainian Catholic University.
United States
Justin Lindsay is a 3L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Uzbekistan
Farzona Kayumova is a law student at Tashkent State University of Law.
Associate Editors
JURIST’s Associate Editors are experienced anchors, editors, researchers and technical specialists.
Loice Adwera is a second-year student at Strathmore Law School (KE).
Sean Beeghly is a 2L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Alexis Boddy is a second-year student at City University London (GB).
Sarah Ferguson is a 2L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Malaika Grafe is a third-year student at Maastricht University Faculty of Law (NL).
Bryn Andrew Singers is a third-year student at the University of Waikato Faculty of Law (NZ).
Joshua Villanueva is a 2L at UC Law San Francisco (US).
Caitlin Williams is a 2L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Assistant Editors
JURIST’s Assistant Editors are new anchors, editors, researchers and technical specialists.
Harkirt Singh Anand is a second-year student at Jindal Global Law School (IN).
Millie Billingham is a first-year student at Newcastle University (GB).
Gijs de Bra is a 2L at Cornell Law School School (US).
Bekim Bruka is a recent graduate of Columbia University (US).
Ishrat Chahal is a first-year student at National Law University, Delhi (IN).
Kennedy Danagher is a first-year student at the University of Limerick School of Law (IE).
Polina Dvornikova is a third-year student at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University (UA).
Hannah Fang is a first-year student at the University of Hong Kong (HK).
Cooper Feiner is a 1L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Srishti Gaur is a first-year student at National Law University, Delhi (IN).
Aabshar Ghassi is a 1L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Rahel Helmhart is a third-year student at the University of Groningen Faculty of Law (NE).
Mahjabeen Khan is a 2L at Vermont Law & Graduate School (US).
Yevheniia Khoroshun is a first-year student at V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University School of Law (UA).
Jiahang Li is a third-year student at the Beijing Institute of Technology (CN).
Sheila Macharia is a third-year student at the University of Nairobi School of Law (KE).
Kate Marley is a second-year student at Newcastle University (GB).
Christopher Mwai is a third-year student at University of Embu School of Law (KE).
Yuqi Nie is an LLM student at NYU Law School (US).
Nwe Mon Mon Oo is a student at Chulalongkorn University (TH).
Jabes Ojwang is a second-year student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (KE).
Gabrielle Pasternak is a 1L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (US).
Matteo Piccioli is a first-year student at Maastricht University Faculty of Law (NL).
Daniela Pulido is a third-year student at the Facultad de Derecho PUCP (PE).
Ruby Richards is a third-year student at Newcastle University (GB).
Tiffany Rojas is a second-year student at the Facultad de Derecho PUCP (PE).
Chris Rufo is a 2L at New England Law | Boston (US).
Anam Sadaf is a second-year student at National Law University, Odisha (IN).
Merle Sandhop is a third-year student at Maastricht University Faculty of Law (NL).
Miu Satake is a second-year student at Maastricht University Faculty of Law (NL).
Ritisha Sinha is a third-year student at National Law University, Delhi (IN).
Prakhya Tamraparni is a second-year student at National Law University, Delhi (IN).
Helena Tian is a final-year student at Nankai University (CN).
Fiona Tsamny is a 2L at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law (CA).
Mitsue Valencia is a fourth-year student at the Facultad de Derecho PUCP (PE).
Viënna van der Beek is a student at Maastricht University Faculty of Law (NL).
Emanuel Xhindi is a third-year student at the University of Tirana Faculty of Law (AL).
Professional Staff
Jaclyn Belczyk is JURIST’s Executive Editor and a Professor of Practice at the
University of Pittsburgh School of Law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US. Jaclyn is a 2008 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, from which she holds a JD and a Certificate in Latin American Studies. She also holds a BA in Anthropology and Philosophy and a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh.
Ingrid Burke Friedman is JURIST’s Editorial Director. A 2011 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, she served as Managing Editor during her 3L year. After graduation, she moved into full-time journalism for several years, and then served with the US Department of State as a Consular Officer. She now divides her time between JURIST and a research fellowship at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian & Eurasian Studies.
William Hibbitts is JURIST’s Deputy Editorial Director. He graduated from Bates College Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude in 2021 with a degree in politics and sociology. William began volunteering for JURIST in 2014 and joined the professional staff in 2023.
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
