2023–2024 Candidate Members
To join the National Security Law Journal, Scalia Law 1D, 1E, 2D, 2E, and 3E students are invited to participate in the all-Journal Write-On Competition or the NLSJ’s Comment-On Process. After demonstrating a commitment to the Journal through spading and completing a publication-ready student note or comment, full membership may be extended.
Michael Billotto
Michael Billotto is a rising second year law student at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. Prior to law school, Michael earned a BA, magna cum laude, from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with minors in History and Philosophy. In his thesis, Michael focused on the Age of Enlightenment’s influence on U.S. founding principles, documents, and its governmental structure. Michael was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and is eager to learn more about national security law with the goal of using that knowledge to serve his community and country.
Brittney DePoto
Brittney DePoto is a second-year law student at Antonin Scalia Law School and a native of Northern Virginia. She graduated from George Mason University in 2022 with a B.S. degree in Mathematics and a minor in Legal Studies. Brittney has served as an intern under the Deputy Town Attorney of the Town of Herndon for four years. Throughout her internship, she has assisted in numerous criminal prosecution cases. During the summer, she worked as a summer associate at Carroll & Nuttall, PC. Throughout her time there, she assisted with various legal cases such as criminal defense, divorce and custody proceedings, personal injury claims, and victim advocacy.
Julia donnelly
Julia Donnelly is a second-year law student from Long Island, NY. She graduated from Binghamton University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Human Rights. Julia also attended Trinity College Dublin, where she graduated with an LL.M in International & Comparative Law. This summer, she is interning with the Department of Justice.
samantha Hargis
Samantha Hargis is a second-year law student from Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.A. in History, as well as a B.A. in Communication. She also minored in Global Terrorism. I am currently working for a Criminal and DUI Defense Firm in Baltimore.
Jared Forbes
Jared Forbes is a second-year day student from Raleigh, North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a B.A. in Political Science. Prior to attending law school, Jared worked as an intern with Maynard Nexsen, PC. This summer, he is interning with Larson LLP.
Kate McKain
Kate McKain is a 2L from Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Gonzaga with a BA in international relations and political science, and a minor in psychology. This summer she is interning at the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office in their Capitol Siege Unit.
Mercedes McPhee
Mercedes McPhee is a second-year law student originally from San Diego, California. She graduated from George Washington University with a B.A. in International Affairs and Economics and a concentration in Security Policy. Prior to law school, Mercedes worked at the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, and she currently interns at SpaceX.
Brendan O'Keefe
Brendan O’Keefe is a second-year J.D. candidate from Vermont. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Political Science. After graduating from UVM, Brendan was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tete, Mozambique. During his 1L summer, Brendan was a judicial intern for the Honorable Thompson M. Dietz at the United States Court of Federal Claims.
Francesca Romaniello
Francesca Romaniello is a second-year law student from San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a double-major B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in International Security in the Middle East and Italian Studies. Prior to attending law school, Francesca worked as an immigration paralegal and in refugee resettlement. This summer, she is interning with the Department of Justice in the Office of Immigration Litigation in the Appellate Division.
Camryn Runyan
Camryn Runyan is a second-year law student from Eastern Oklahoma. She graduated from Baylor University in 2022 with a B.A. in Political Science and Journalism. This summer, she worked as a law clerk for the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Danielle Saman
Danielle Saman is a second-year law student, originally from Maryland. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and double minor in Philosophy and Law. She is currently interning at Brownstone Law completing appellate criminal defense work for the firm.
Joe Szczesny
Joe Szczesny is a second-year law student from Maryland. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a major in both International Business and Marketing. Before law school, he worked for three years as a Director of Operations in freight brokerage.
Riley Schulz
Riley Schulz is a second-year law student from Southern Wisconsin. Prior to law school she attended Wisconsin Lutheran College. She graduated from there in 2022 with a B.A in Politics and Law with an emphasis on pre-law studies. Riley is currently working as a law clerk for a solo practitioner who specializes in animal law.
Not pictured: Natalie Nachman