Sara Shivamber
, Editor-in-Chief
Hometown: Huntington, New York
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: Belmont University, Major in Music Business
During her time at Belmont College of Law, Sara currently serves as a law clerk for HMC Civil Rights Law. She has previously worked as an intern with Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, and CMG Worldwide. In addition to being a member of Belmont’s Criminal Law Journal, she participates as a student ambassador and peer mentor.Before entering law school, she spent time working as a legal assistant for Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis. While Sara is originally from New York, she graduated from high school while in Abu Dhabi.
Alayna Buescher, Managing Editor
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: University of Cincinnati, Major in Pyschology, Minor in Sociology
During her time at Belmont College of Law, Alayna worked for a number of years at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in the psychiatric department. While there, she headed the implementation of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in an effort to modernize the hospital’s approach to mental health.
During her time at Belmont College of Law, Alayna served as a legal intern for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. Most recently, Alayna interned with the Nashville District Attorney’s Office, where she utilized her limited license by presenting several preliminary hearings.
Kennedy Krieg, Executive Transcripts Editor
Hometown: Moville, Iowa
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: University of Denver, Major in Psychology and Criminology
During undergrad, Kylie served as an intern at the Office of the District Attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit in Enterprise, Alabama.
During Kennedy’s time at Belmont College of Law, she worked as a legal intern at Freeman & Fuson, and later for May & McKinney as a law clerk. Kennedy was also a peer mentor for 1L students.
Caitlin Kirk, Executive Notes Editor
Hometown: Pennsboro, West Virginia
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: Marshall University, Majors in International Affairs and Political Science
After completing her undergraduate degree and prior to attending Belmont University College of Law, Caitlin worked as a legal intern at Windom Law Offices. During her time at Belmont, she has worked as an intern at Ryan C. Davis Law, a law clerk at Hughes and Coleman, and a summer associate at Cumberland Litigation. She is currently working as an extern at the office of the Tennessee Attorney General in the Healthcare division. Additionally, she is the Vice President of Belmont Law’s chapter of the Health Law Society and the Clinic Coordinator for Belmont Law’s Legal Aid Society
Dean Smith, Executive Editor of Development and Technology
Hometown: Holly Pond, Alabama
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: Auburn University, Major in Finance
During his time at Belmont University College of Law, Dean has worked as a legal intern for NFP’s Sports & Entertainment Division in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation, Dean will join Fuller, Willingham & Carter, LLC in Cullman, Alabama as an associate.
Rylie MacKinnon, Executive Online Content Editor
Hometown: Asheville, North Carolina
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Major in Public Relations and Minor in Social & Economic Justice
During her time at Belmont University College of Law, Rylie has clerked for Morgan & Akins in Nashville since her 1L year. Upon graduation, Rylie will continue to work for Morgan & Akins as an associate. In addition to being a member of the Criminal Law Journal, Rylie has also served as a Peer Mentor for 1L students.
James Santos, Executive Events Manager
Hometown: Hollis, New Hampshire
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina, Major in Political Science and Minor in Criminal Justice
During his time at Belmont University College of Law, James has interned with various private law firms throughout Middle Tennessee. He has gained experience in Family Law, Criminal Defense, and General Civil Litigation. Upon graduation, James will be working for the Ralston Firm in Gallatin, Tennessee as a General Civil Litigation Associate. In addition to being a member of the Criminal Law Journal, James has also served as a Peer Mentor.
Carley Chatterley, Senior Editor
Hometown: Vandenberg Village, California
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: Sonoma State University, Major in Business Administration with a concentration in Management
During her undergraduate career, Carley participated in many extracurricular activities including Student Body President of Student Government, serving as a tour guide for the university, serving on the executive board of her sorority, and raising seeing eye dogs through Guide Dogs for the Blind.
During her time at Belmont College of Law, Carley has clerked at the Office of Counsel at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Foxtrot Family Law in Huntsville, Alabama, and Kious & Rodgers in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Carley also serves as the President of the Student Bar Association and a member of the Belmont Mock Trial team.
Claudia Coco, Senior Editor
Hometown: Johns Creek, Georgia
Current Year: 3L
Undergrad Institution: University of Tennessee Knoxville, Major in Journalism and Electronic Media
During her time at Belmont, Claudia interned for the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Chattanooga. She also interned for the Office of the Public Defender in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Through her limited license, she was able to advocate for indigent clients in court daily. Claudia is the President of the Federalist Society and captain of the mock trial team.
Before law school, Claudia was a television news reporter. Her first job was in Macon, Georgia where she was a multi-media journalist or otherwise known as a one-man-band. She covered everything from hurricanes, crime, and human-interest pieces. Claudia’s second job was in Chattanooga, Tennessee where her reporting largely focused on crime and local government.
During Claudia’s undergraduate career, she played Varsity Volleyball for the Lady Volunteers. During her time as a student-athlete, she served as a representative for her sport on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Claudia consistently received SEC Academic Honor Roll awards; she also received the SEC Community Service Award.
Ally Nawrocki, Senior Editor
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: Rhodes College, Major in Environmental Science and Minors in Spanish and Political Science
During her time at Belmont Law, Ally has served as a Law Clerk for the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and as an intern at the Office of the District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District in Nashville, Tennessee. She has also served as a law clerk for the Environmental Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. She currently works as a Spanish legal translator and law clerk for Counterpoint Legal.
Jonathan Garner, Senior Editor
Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: University of Kentucky – Double Major in Accounting and Finance graduating Summa Cum Laude.
During his time at Belmont University College of Law, Jonathan has interned at the Public Defender’s Office in Montgomery County, and as a legal intern at the State Attorney’s Office in Clearwater, Florida. Also, a peer mentor for incoming 1L students. After graduation, Jonathan intends to return to Florida and work in criminal law.
Morgan Brown, Senior Editor
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Current Year: 3L
Undergraduate Institution: United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, Major in Military History
During his time at Belmont College of Law, Morgan has focused on Criminal Trial Litigation, International Criminal Law and National Security Law. He was selected for Belmont’s Advanced Trial Advocacy program under Professor Donald Q. Cochran, former U.S. Attorney for the Middle Tennessee District. In his 1L and 2L summers, Morgan used those skills during internships with the State Attorney General’s Office for Criminal Appeals, as well as the District Attorney’s Office for the 16th Judicial District. Morgan practiced under a limited license in the General Sessions Court for both Rutherford and Cannon Counties, and he already possesses experience in multiple homicide cases. Morgan’s fifteen years of prior military experience lends him expertise in the area of surveillance law, and that overseas experience is also the source of his respect for the American legal tradition.
Andrew Daffron, Associate Editor
Hometown: Franklin, Tennessee
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: Lipscomb University, Major in Political Science
During his time at Belmont University College of Law, Andrew has worked as an intern for the Metro/Nashville Council Office. Andrew has also served as a peer mentor for incoming students to Belmont Law.
Elizabeth Ashley Wheeler, Associate Editor
Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: University of Tennessee, Majors in Political Science and Global Studies
During Elizabeth’s time at Belmont College of Law, she has worked as a summer intern for the United States Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Tennessee. Elizabeth is a member of both our Criminal Law Journal and the Law School Ambassador for prospective students.
Emily Seaborn, Associate Editor
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Majors in Political Science and Global Studies
Prior to her time at Belmont College of Law, Emily was a paralegal at the law firm, Barret, Johnston, Martin & Garrison, LLC. During her time at Belmont, Emily has interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. Currently, Emily is interning for the Federal Public Defender’s Office.
Max Pafford, Associate Editor
Hometown: Smithville, Tennessee
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: University of Alabama, Major in Economics and Minors in Spanish and History
During his time at Belmont University College of Law, Max has interned for Mrs. Sarah J. Cripps, Attorney at Law.
Alex Redmond, Associate Editor
Hometown: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: Belmont University, Major in Political Science
During her time at Belmont University College of Law, Alex has served as a legal intern at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the Office of Legal Affairs and Kirkland’s Home in the Legal and Risk Management Department. She recently secured a Summer Associate position at Bass, Berry & Sims PLC to commence in May of 2023. She is also a member of Belmont Law’s Black Law Student Organization.
Hannah Jones, Associate Editor
Hometown: White House, Tennessee
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institutions: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Major in Supply Chain Management and Minor in English
Prior to attending Belmont College of Law, Hannah worked as a legal intern at Goldfein, LLC, where she assisted with arbitration cases. During her time at Belmont College of Law, she worked as a Law Clerk at the Tennessee Attorney General’s office in the Education and Employment division.
Riley Jones, Associate Editor
Hometown: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: University of South Carolina, Majors in Political Science and English
At Belmont, Riley is a member of the Criminal Law Society and serves as a Peer Mentor for 1L students. The summer after her first year, she interned with the District Attorney’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit here in Nashville.
Hunter Lindsey, Associate Editor
Hometown: Glasgow, Kentucky
Current Year: 2L
Undergraduate Institution: Belmont University
Hunter has worked during law school to hone his skills as an advocate, especially in criminal litigation, pursuing Belmont Law’s Criminal Law certificate by enrolling in courses like Trial Advocacy and Criminal Procedure. During his 2022 summer internship with the Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Tennessee, Hunter was able to apply the concepts he had learned about criminal law and litigation to the real world of legal practice. He learned that trial may be exciting for attorneys but traumatic for the witnesses, defendants, and victims who may have to relive some of the worst days of their lives. Hunter is now working to further hone his understanding of criminal law and his skills as an advocate so that he can most effectively seek the best outcome for his clients, whether that is trial, settlement, or plea.
