Craig Almond

Craig graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in German. Prior to enrolling at Elon Law, Craig lived in Charlotte and worked for five years at 160/90, an Endeavor Company. He spent much of his time servicing the agency’s account with DICK’S Sporting Goods. In addition to day-to-day client and media relations, Craig represented DICK’S in several brand marketing deals with athletes, influencers, and other talent.

At the University of South Carolina, Craig served as president of his fraternity, Sigma Nu, and was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society. As a Dean’s Scholar at Elon Law, Craig is exploring multiple practice areas including corporate law and sports and entertainment law.

Todd Bowyer

Todd is from Roanoke, Virginia, and graduated from James Madison University with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in sport management. After graduate school, Todd worked for a decade in higher education, specifically in student affairs as a campus recreation administrator, which included stops at East Stroudsburg University, Roanoke College, and Ferrum College.

At Roanoke, Todd served as the director of campus recreation, leading a comprehensive recreation department that included aquatics, fitness, recreational sports, and outdoor adventure programs while supervising three professional staff members and 100 student employees. He was also appointed to the student conduct council and served as an investigator for Title IX cases.

Todd has interest in both education and sports law, and he hopes to pursue opportunities in those and other areas at Elon Law. When he’s not studying, Todd enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters, reading biographies and memoirs, following professional and collegiate sports, and playing golf.

Jacob Dippold

Jacob graduated in 2021 from Wofford College in South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in Government (concentration in American Politics) and English (concentration in film and digital media). While at Wofford, he played baseball for four years, serving as team captain in multiple seasons. Academically, Jacob was president of the Pre-Law Society, an Orientation Staff Leader, a prosecutor and defender on the Honor Council/Judicial Commission, vice-chairman of the Republican Society, and a screenwriter in the Wofford Film Festival. Jacob also volunteers his time at the Guilford Animal Shelter and helps coach a high school baseball team.

Jacob is exploring practice areas including criminal, sports and entertainment, civil litigation, and real estate law.

KimberMarie Faircloth

KimberMarie graduated magna cum laude from the College of Charleston in 2018 with a Bachelor os Science in anthropology. She then worked as a leasing agent for Kane Realty Inc. at Revolution Mill Apartments in Greensboro for two years before law school. Since then, KimberMarie has interned at California Lawyers for the Arts (Sacramento, California) with its mediation programs and for BBB National Programs (McLean, Virgina) on its Privacy Initiatives team. She also served as chief symposium editor for Volume 16 of the Elon Law Review.

Kate Mendez

Kate came to Elon Law after working in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years.  She has worked in a variety of social service sectors including homelessness, rape crisis, and reentry.  Most recently, she served as the director of operations for a large public foundation in South Carolina where she oversaw data analytics, compliance, and $15 million in grants. Kate has served on multiple nonprofit boards including The Mujer Project, Keep Greenville County Beautiful, and the Upstate Human Trafficking Task Force.

Kate moved with her husband and daughter to North Carolina to attend Elon Law and she plans to pursue a future in Fiduciary Law. She has interned for the past two summers at the Forsyth County District Attorney’s Office.

Cassandra Saxton

Cassandra grew up in New Britain, Connecticut, and graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Africana Studies. While at UConn, Cassandra was involved with several organizations, including Public Interest Research Group, the African American Cultural Center, Women’s Legacy advocacy group, and Alima International Dance Team. She worked in various health clinics before pursuing her Juris Doctor at Elon Law.

As a law student, Cassandra is interested in a wide array of fields including Public Interest Law, Health Law, Public Policy, and Military Law. Her focus is to work for the good of the public; wherever that sentiment takes her in her career, and while in law school, she is sure it will be an adventure.

Caroline Wray

Caroline received a Bachelor of Arts from Randolph-Macon College in Sociology with a double minor in Black Studies and Women’s Studies. She received the Sally Ride Gender Equality Award by the Women’s Studies Department. Before her 2019 graduation, Caroline was involved in various leadership positions including the Student Conduct Board and Student Government Association. She interned with the Hon. David J. Novak in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia where she observed a variety of court proceedings and settlement conferences.

Caroline also interned for the Virginia 2020 General Assembly Session in Senate Committee Operations. She provided administrative support for Senate standing committees and clerked subcommittee meetings. Caroline aspires to a career in family or public interest law.

Kathryn Caudill

Kathryn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and Spanish applied language with a minor in criminal justice and a certificate in business Spanish. At Charlotte, Kathryn was a staff writer for the Niner Times and secretary of the Model United Nations Club. She served as the 2022 Secretary General for the Carolinas Conference, a high-school introduction to Model UN, and worked with Southern Regional Model United Nations as both assistant director and director of committees.

At Elon Law, Kathryn is an Academic Fellow and student mentor. She spent her 1L summer interning in District 17B under the Hon. William F. Southern III. Kathryn is interested in practicing probate law.

Ashton Hopson

Ashton graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Florida in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in political science. While at USF, Ashton was involved in several student organizations including Sigma Tau Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, and the USF English Honors Program. During her time at USF Ashton also worked as the university’s English department intern, a family law clerk, and a congressional intern.

In addition to being a Leadership Fellow, Ashton is OUTLaw’s director of communications and she is actively reviving Elon’s chapter of the National Lawyer’s Guild. She spent her 1L summer interning in a firm practicing elder, estate planning, corporate, civil litigation, and real estate law. Ashton is exploring multiple practice areas but plans to pursue a career in public interest and child advocacy.

Andrew Livingston

Andrew is from Newberry, South Carolina, and graduated from Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Arts in history. During his time in Clinton, he was a part of the 2021 Big South Championship baseball team that played in the first round of the NCAA tournament at the Nashville Regional. Additionally, Andrew participated in various community outreach programs that included mentoring residents at the Whitten Center, planting a community garden, and assisting with local food drives.

After his first year of law school, Andrew worked at the Forsyth County Public Defender’s office, and he is interested in the practice areas of criminal defense, civil litigation, and real estate law.

Naisha Mercury

Naisha graduated from East Carolina University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in health service management. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, but raised in Charlotte. Her time at East Carolina University was spent serving as a resident advisor, Pirate Navigator, and vice president of Future Healthcare Executives.

As a student at Elon Law, Naisha is currently an Academic Fellow, a student mentor, a research assistant, and president of the Society of Health Law and Bioethics. Naisha is exploring practice areas in healthcare law. Her focus is to work with regulation reform for various healthcare entities.

Ayooluwa (Ayo) Onasanya

Ayo graduated from Elon University in 2021 with bachelor’s degrees in public health and music. While attending Elon, Ayo was an Honors Fellow, student performer, active volunteer in the community, and served as president of Elon Motorsports. He worked over his 1L summer as a legal intern for Southeast Toyota Distributors, and he plans on pursuing a career in business law.

At Elon Law, Ayo is a class representative for the Student Bar Association and is active in the Black Law Students Association.

Robert Retic

Robert was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, which he proudly proclaims “the Soul and Barbeque Capital of the World.” After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on active duty for five years before graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from The College of Saint Rose. During his time at Saint Rose, Robert was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success (Presidential List). At Elon Law, he serves as a research assistant, as a mentor to the Elon Law Class of 2025, as a Leadership Fellow, as president of the Military Law Society, and as the community outreach director for the Elon Law affinity group Parents Attending Law School (PALS).

During the summer following Robert’s first summer of law school, he served as Deuterman Law Group’s first-ever VA Law Clerk, which reflects his passion about the military and ensuring that veterans receive benefits earned by risking their lives. It further cemented his interest in veterans compensation and benefits law, though he is open to exploring other practice areas. Robert is married and a seasoned father of three beautiful children.

Rebecca Bailey

Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from Queens University of Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in political science. During her time at Queens, she was chief justice of the Honor Council, president of the Psychology Club, a student mentor, and a tour guide, along with numerous other involvements. Rebecca completed an internship with Safe Alliance as a court advocate, which is what pushes her to pursue family law. Rebecca worked before law school as an event coordinator for a large nonprofit organization.

At Elon Law, Rebecca looks forward to getting involved with the Family Law Society, the Fellowship of Christian Lawyers, and the Women’s Law Association.

Holden Bryant

Holden hails from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, and attended Lenoir-Rhyne University where he majored in environmental science & policy. While at LRU, Holden played four years of varsity soccer. Upon graduation in 2018, Holden began working for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. After a short stint in the Public Water Supply Section, he worked as an environmental specialist II for the Division of Air Quality in the Laboratory Analysis Branch in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Holden is passionate about law relating to air and water quality concerns. He also has interests in real estate and sport & entertainment law. Outside of study hours Holden still likes to play and watch soccer and enjoys a good Brandon Sanderson novel. He and his fiancé, Brooke, moved to Greensboro in 2023 with their dog, Georgie, so that he could pursue his Juris Doctor at Elon Law.

April Franklin

April received her bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a dual master’s degree in business administration and gerontology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is also a graduate of Leadership High Point’s Class of 2022 and serves as vice president of member engagement for the High Point Jaycees, where she was recently recognized as the 2023 Outstanding Vice President award recipient at the North Carolina Mid-Year Convention.

April has a passion for working with senior adults and family caregivers and has been instrumental in developing several programs and creating helpful resources to serve these populations. At Elon Law, April is interested in exploring multiple practice areas, with a particular interest in learning more about Elder law and Sports and Entertainment law.

Lillie Kieken

Lillie graduated summa cum laude from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts in theatre and English. While attending Converse, she served as vice president for the Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honors Society and was a member of the Civitas Council, which served to protect the rights and privileges of the student body. After graduating in 2021, Lillie took two years off and worked for a law firm in Greenville, South Carolina, specializing in civil litigation and criminal defense. During that time, Lillie also worked in fine dining as a bartender and server, in addition to assisting the dining company with sales and accounting.

Lillie is excited to be joining the Innocence Project and Pro Bono board at Elon Law and is interested in pursuing a career in either civil litigation or entertainment law.

Nyla Lewis

Nyla is from Charlottesville, Virginia, and graduated cum laude in 2022 from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and American studies with minors in Spanish and leadership. While attending CNU, Nyla was a dual-sport athlete in field hockey and track and field. She also was a member of the President’s Leadership Program and earned a Service Distinction Award. Nyla worked as a Summer Scholar Undergraduate Researcher, as a student employee on the CNU athletic event staff, and as an intern for the Leading Captains Program. In her gap year before law school, she worked as a Division III Assistant Coach for the field hockey and track and field. Nyla is interested in pursuing sports and entertainment law while at Elon Law.

Dmitri McKinney

Dmitri graduated from North Carolina State University in December 2021 with degrees in chemistry and political science with pre-medicine experience. While at NC State, Dmitri was a student in the University Honors Program where he also served as an Honors Fellow and wrote a capstone examining disparities in health outcomes in North Carolina. He was also an undergraduate research assistant and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee member in the chemistry department. Outside of his curricular activities, Dmitri has been involved in several different causes, volunteering and interning for several nonpartisan organizations focused on voting rights. He has experience with political campaigns ranging from volunteering for local county commissioner candidates to working for presidential campaigns. In between undergraduate and law school studies, Dmitri worked as a pharmacy technician.

While at Elon Law, Dmitri aims to explore a bevy of interests, including constitutional, civil rights, health, and international human rights law. In any free time, Dmitri loves to road and mountain bike, exploring what North Carolina has to offer on two wheels.

Saniya Pangare

Saniya graduated from North Carolina State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in zoology and minors in animal science and applied ecology. While attending NC State, Saniya was a member of the University Scholars program and worked as a writing consultant and an orientation leader. She participated in researching the effects of pollen on bumblebee parasites and served as a research assistant in the development of a critical thinking platform for the philosophy department. After graduation, she worked as an associate in research at Duke University, researching evolutionary genetics in fruit flies.

At Elon Law, Saniya is interested in exploring several practice areas including environmental law, health law, and public policy law.

Kristin Swilley

Kristin graduated in 2017 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in history and minors in secondary education and political science. During her time at Charlotte, she was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society. In 2021, Kristin completed her Master’s degree in History from the University of North Carolina, completing exam fields in British Imperialism, Free Labor During the Civil War, and Brown vs. Board of Education.

From 2017-2023, Kristin worked as a public secondary educator, teaching teen leadership, world history, American history, African-American studies, and civics. She also worked with multiple high school marching bands as a color guard instructor. Kristin served on various leadership committees both within her school and within her district, including committees focused on technological innovation and personalized learning for students.

Kristin aspires to serve as a legal advocate in education, practicing education law with a focus on policy and legislation, but she also has a passion for public interest law. When she’s not studying, Kristin enjoys spending time with her partner, Tyler, and their daughter, Eleanor.

Brigid Tournoux

Brigid graduated summa cum laude from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Business in Business Administration while competing in cross country and track and field. Academically, Brigid was the vice present of the Pre-law Student Association, a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and vice president of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Society. She also was an actor in the premier play of “The Way We Say Goodbye” by Donna Gay Anderson. She has spent much of her time volunteering at The Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, in downtown Hammon, Louisiana.

Brigid is currently undecided about which area of law she wants to pursue.