The National Security Law Journal is pleased to announce its Editorial Board for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Alex Buttram – Editor-in-Chief
Alex graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a dual-major B.A. in Political Science and Communication in 2017. Before law school, Alex worked in commercial real estate brokerage and on political campaigns in his home state of Missouri. He has interned for the Missouri State Public Defender System and for Curcio Law. This summer, he will clerk for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency in Quantico, Virginia.
Nikolai Karavodin – Executive Editor
Nikolai graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of California, Berkeley. He has served as a clerk on the Balkans and Caucasus team at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program, as an extern in the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps, and as an intern in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Nikolai plans to complete his J.D. concentration in national security law and policy.
Gabriella Hensinger – Managing Editor
Gabriella graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Global Affairs and a B.A. in Conflict Analysis & Resolution, with concentrations in Human Security and Global Engagement. Previously, Gabriella has interned on Capitol Hill, at the U.S. Department of State, and at the National Security Institute. She is currently a law clerk at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Alec Menzies – Senior Research Editor
Alec earned his M.A. and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado. He previously interned at the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Alec also serves as the Vice President of Communications for the Mason Intelligence and National Security Law Association. His legal interests include intelligence, cybersecurity, and national security.
Hilary Boerger – Research Editor
Hilary graduated with a B.A. in History from Thomas Edison State University, and worked as a paralegal for three years prior to law school. While at Scalia Law, Hilary has interned on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and for the United States Coast Guard.
Marci Rizzo – Senior Notes Editor
Marci graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a B.S. in Biology, minoring in Theology. Prior to attending law school, she was a Medical Technologist and Policy Analyst for the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. Her interest in national security arose from the intersection between science and threats to national security – namely, biochemical weapons. Marci will work for a personal injury firm this summer, and plans to pursue a career in either biochemical products I.P. or medical malpractice.
Steven LaRussa – Notes Editor
Steven graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Public Policy & Public Service. This summer, he will be returning home to work for the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Steven is also the President of the Criminal Law Society and a member of the Moot Court Board.
Lizelle Saah – Notes Editor
Riley Fritz – Senior Articles Editor
Riley graduated from the University of South Dakota with a B.A. in Philosophy and Communication Studies. She has interned with the in-house counsel of a digital marketing agency, and has a strong interest in a career in national security law.
Brittany Havens – Articles Editor
Brittany graduated from West Virginia University in 2012, with a B.A. in Criminology and a minor in Communications. Brittany is a third-year evening student at Scalia Law, where she is a Student Bar Association Representative and a Mason Mentor for incoming 1L and 1E students. Brittany currently works for the Committee on Ways and Means in the U.S. House of Representatives.
