Elon Law welcomes inaugural Business Fellows 

The Business Fellows program is designed to equip future attorneys with the knowledge and skills necessary to become lawyers who understand their clients’ businesses, ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to large, publicly-traded companies, and provide these clients useful counsel on both the legal and business challenges confronting them.

“The breadth of experience Elon Law will provide, and the emphasis on ‘doing’ rather than just ‘studying,’ will help Elon Law Business Fellows to appreciate that modern business clients require their lawyers not just to answer discrete legal questions, but to understand the interconnectedness between legal and business issues,” said Andy Haile, associate dean for academic affairs and associate professor of law.

Accomplished business lawyers and corporate leaders commented on the value of unique approach of the Business Fellows program.

“In a business environment, lawyers serve as key strategic partners in helping a client solve problems and develop creative approaches to achieving their business goals,” said Maureen K. O’Connor, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer and former General Counsel of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, and a member of the Elon University Law School Advisory Board. “Having a strong understanding of the business issues, in addition to the legal issues, will set a lawyer apart in a competitive legal market.”

“Corporate executives value lawyers who contribute to a company’s success by combining their legal skills with clear and practical business advice,” said Donald R. Dancer, former Executive Vice-President, General Counsel and Secretary of International Rectifier Corporation, previously senior counsel to multiple divisions of the General Electric Company, and a member of the law school’s faculty and advisory board. “Law students who develop the capacity to navigate interconnected legal and business challenges position themselves well to excel in the boardroom as well as the courtroom.”

Details about the Business Fellows program at Elon Law are available here.

MEMBERS OF THE INAUGURAL COHORT OF BUSINESS FELLOWS AT ELON LAW:

Chad A. Archer L’15

Archer is a member of the editorial board of the Elon Law Review and vice-president of the Tax Law Interest Group at Elon Law. In 2013, Archer interned with Pisgah Legal Services in Hendersonville, North Carolina and with the City of Greensboro, City Attorney’s Office. Additionally, his experience includes work as a research assistant to Professor Patricia Perkins at Elon University School of Law. Archer graduated from Appalachian State University in 2012 with a degree in political science. Before enrolling at Elon Law in 2012, Archer served as an In-Store Sales and Marketing Representative, working extensively with brands like Samsung and Hewlett-Packard to train retail associates in the use of new technologies.

Adam J. Kindley L’15

Kindley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in marketing and economics. At UNCG, Kindley was a Case Coordinator for the Dean of Students’ Office where he prepared cases for conduct and academic integrity hearings. Kindley served as a legal intern for McGuire & McGuire and interned for the District Attorney’s Office in Lexington, North Carolina over the summer of 2013. Kindley has served many local charity organizations including: the North Carolina Special Olympics, Greensboro Urban Ministries, the American Red Cross and the Greensboro Animal Shelter.

Katherine Anne Lester L’15

Working in the fixed annuity division of Lincoln Financial Distributors from 2007-2012, Lester was recognized in 2011 as the top fixed annuity wholesaler. She holds Series 6 and Series 63 securities licenses from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), as well as North Carolina Life, Health, and Long-term Care Insurance licenses. In the summer of 2013, Lester completed a legal externship with FINRA Enforcement in the Woodbridge, NJ District Office. Lester is a Leadership Fellow at Elon Law, a Board of Advisors Scholarship recipient and a Student Mentor and Orientation Leader for the Class of 2016. She has worked as an instructor, program adviser and personal trainer at several fitness centers. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. 

Timothy Prosky L’15

Prosky graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Moore School of Business with a double major in accounting and real estate. At USC, Prosky was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. Prosky served as a Summer Tax Associate for Harvey, Ballard & Bornstein, LLP and has served as a Legal Intern for the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office in Flemington, New Jersey. Over the summer of 2013, Prosky was a writer/editor for HB Litigation Conferences, a position in which he created legal content that was sold for Continuing Legal Education programs.

Benjamin M. McKaig L’16

McKaig graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in business and enterprise management. While at Wake Forest, McKaig was a visual section leader and recruited for the Spirit of the Old Gold and Black Marching Band. He was the treasurer and a founding member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band society. McKaig served as a media coordinator at Wake Forest, a position in which he organized, publicized and distributed publicity for upcoming concerts for members of the music department. McKaig is experienced in retail sales for musical instruments where he developed an interest in working with small businesses.

Sean P. Walton L’16

In 2013, Walton earned a Masters of Business Administration degree from Hampton University in Virginia, following the 2012 completion of his undergraduate studies in business administration at Hampton. A Merit Scholar and an Alumni Endowment Fellow at Hampton University, Walton was named to the dean’s list in all semesters of his undergraduate studies. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the Golden Key International Honor Society, the Sigma Beta Delta Business Honor Society and the National Black MBA Association. In addition, Walton co-chaired the policy and procedure committee of the student senate at Hampton. Walton’s professional experience includes a business design consultant internship with IBM and internships with the U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service and the RBC Center in Raleigh, N.C.  Walton has served as a volunteer at the Cary, NC YMCA since 2006.