Introducing our 2026 1L Clerkship Class
(Updated Weekly)
Weslyn Harmon
Faegre Drinker, Intact Insurance
Vanderbilt Law School
Weslyn is a J.D. Candidate at Vanderbilt Law School, with an interest in Antitrust and Competition litigation and compliance work. Weslyn completed her B.A. at Howard University in Political Science, and while in D.C. she interned on Capital Hill, and served as a student worker at the Howard University Center for Women, Gender & Global Leadership. She also participated in the Young Innovators Program with the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota to host a summer sewing and entrepreneurship program in 2023. Upon graduating, she took a gap year to work as a paralegal in Minneapolis before starting law school. This summer she will be a summer associate at Faegre Drinker and also a Judical Extern in the U.S. District Court for the Northen District of Illinois.
Ben Hackett
Nelson Mullins, Pentair
University of St. Thomas
Ben is a rising 2L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law with an interest in commercial litigation, transactional, and election law. Ben first became interested in a legal career while he worked in a congressional office directly helping and being an advocate for constituents. This interest was solidified when he later worked as a program coordinator at LegalCORPS, a Minnesota legal aid organization. Outside of law school, Ben loves to camp, hike, and rock climb. Ben also loves running and has run Grandma’s and the Twin Cities marathons. Ben loves to yap (and drink coffee), so feel free to reach out to him at hack4373@stthomas.edu to connect!
Aimee Christenson
University of St. Thomas
Meagher + Geer, Ameriprise
Aimee is a rising 2L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She is currently exploring multiple areas of law, with a particular interest in sports and entertainment law. Before law school, Aimee earned a B.A. in Political Science at Bemidji State University with minors in International Relations and History. During her time at Bemidji, Aimee worked in NCAA compliance where she assisted in monitoring eligibility requirements, adhering to NCAA regulations, and supporting student-athletes and staff. She was a four-year member of the softball team, earning numerous academic accolades throughout her collegiate career. Aimee brings the same work ethic, discipline, and competitive drive from her experience as a student-athlete into her legal studies and professional pursuits.
Jett Bailey
University of Minnesota
Kennedy & Graven
Jett is a J.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota Law School and plans to work in the Twin Cities after graduation. Before law school, he studied Education Policy at the University of Wisconsin Madison and worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District as an Employee Relations Analyst conducting staff misconduct investigations. He also worked at the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau as a Compliance Auditor and served as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guards 132D Army Band. Jett is passionate about disability rights, veterans issues, government accountability, and education law and policy. He hopes to build a legal career counseling governmental entities and other regulated institutions, something he is already gaining experience with this summer at Kennedy & Graven, Chartered. Reach out to Jett at bail0593@umn.edu to connect!
Yusuf Mohamed
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Arthur Chapman, LifeTime
Yusuf Mohamed is a J.D. candidate at the University of St. Thomas School of Law with a strong interest in litigation, particularly in products liability, and complex civil matters. His decision to attend law school was shaped by his early exposure to legal work and his interest in advocacy, especially in environments where legal strategy directly impacts real people and communities. Prior to law school, Yusuf worked for over two years at a personal injury firm, where he gained experience in legal drafting, case management, and client relations. He has worked on matters involving litigation, arbitration, and depositions, developing a practical understanding of how cases progress from intake through resolution. Yusuf also studied comparative and international law abroad in Tokyo, where he worked in English on international legal projects. Outside of law school, he enjoys attending court proceedings, staying active, and spending time with friends and family. Reach out to Yusuf at moha5110@stthomas.edu to connect!
Min Park
University of Minnesota Law School
Taft, Stettinius & Hollister
Min is a rising 2L at the University of Minnesota Law School with an interest in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and leveraged finance. Min brings a business and regulatory background to the practice of law, completing his B.A. in Economics at the University of Idaho after spending a year on the football team at Hillsdale College. Before law school, Min spent 2.5 years as a regulatory analyst at Intermountain Gas, where he developed an understanding of how regulated industries navigate complex financial and compliance frameworks. He hopes to draw on this foundation to contribute to transactional work where business strategy meets legal practice. Currently, Min is a summer associate at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, where he is looking forward to gaining experience in M&A, private equity, and leveraged finance transactions. Reach out to Min at park3277@umn.edu to connect!
Maya Lorentz
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Stoel Rives LLP, FujiFilm
Maya is a rising 2L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law with an interest in products liability and healthcare. Prior to law school, she graduated with a B.B.A. in International Business from Loyola University, Chicago and spent a couple of years working in accounting at a medical real estate firm. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, running, and making stained glass windows. This summer, Maya will be a summer associate at Stoel Rives LLP in Minneapolis, where she is looking forward to learning more about their environmental and energy practices, as well as gaining experience in a variety of other areas. Reach out to Maya at maya.lorentz@stthomas.edu to connect!
Caden Salo
Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Dorsey & Whitney LLP, C.H. Robinson
Caden is a rising 2L at Mitchell Hamline School of Law with interests in labor and employment law and immigration. Before law school, Caden received a B.A. in Political Science and Hispanic Studies from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and later received his Master’s in Teaching ESL from Hamline University. A former middle school ESL teacher, Caden brings a unique, multilingual perspective to the workplace (Caden is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese), and he hopes to bring his passion for connection and collaboration to the workplace. Caden is a summer associate at Dorsey & Whitney, where he is excited to gain experience in new practice areas. In his spare time, Caden enjoys cross-country skiing in Northern Minnesota (where he was born and raised) or reading historical fiction. Caden can be reached at caden.salo@mitchellhamline.edu to connect!
Elizabeth Yang
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Robins Kaplan LLP
Elizabeth is a rising 2L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law with an interest in civil litigation. Before law school, Elizabeth graduated from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History. As a 2nd generation Hmong American and native Minnesotan, Elizabeth is driven by a mission to make a real impact in the community. During her 1L year, she volunteered with middle school students as a mock trial coach through Maslon’s UPLIFT Program and K-3rd grade students as a literacy tutor through the East Side Learning Center. Most recently, Elizabeth won the pageant title of 2026 Ms. Princess of Asia Minnesota, where she continues to use her platform to uplift others and pave the way for tomorrow’s leaders. Currently, Elizabeth is a summer associate at Robins Kaplan, where she is looking forward to deepening her passion for client advocacy and storytelling.
Raphael Angoulvant
University of Minnesota Law School
Stinson LLP, Mortenson
Raphael Angoulvant: Stinson LLPRaphael is a JD candidate at the University of Minnesota and plans to work in Minneapolis after graduation. He completed a BA in History at University of Colorado Denver and an MA in History and Literature at Columbia University Paris campus. He worked for three years as an academic advisor at University of Colorado Boulder before moving to Minnesota to pursue law school. In his legal career, Raphael hopes to find intellectual rigor and opportunities to help others. Raphael is thrilled to be spending his summer at Stinson and looks forward to learning more about litigation practices. In his free time, Raphael enjoys playing drums, designing board games, and tinkering with bikes. Please don’t hesitate to contact Raphael at angou003@umn.edu.
Gabrielle Smith
University of Minnesota Law School
Maslon LLP
Gabrielle is a rising 2L at the University of Minnesota Law School with an interest in transactional law. She is originally from Plymouth, Minnesota, and plans to work in the Twin Cities after graduating. Before law school, Gabrielle majored in English with minors in Mathematics and Environmental Studies from Vassar College in New York. She then worked at a law firm in Boston (Seyfarth Shaw) for two years, where she worked in business immigration. This experience helped cement her desire to enter the legal field, and she decided to return to Minnesota to start law school. In her spare time, Gabrielle enjoys anything music-related, and especially loves singing and songwriting. Reach out to Gabrielle at smi03487@umn.edu to connect!
Melek Cansu Petek
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Melek is a rising 2L at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. She is currently interested in civil litigation, as well as labor & employment law. She is originally from Adana, Turkey, and graduated from Bilkent University (Ankara, Turkey) with a degree in English Language and Literature. Prior to attending law school, Melek operated her own small business and storefront in Saint Paul, MN, importing and selling artisanal goods and textiles from Turkey. In her spare time, she loves to travel, host dinner parties, garden, and play board games with friends and family. Reach out to Melek at melek.petek@stthomas.edu to connect!
Kavya Karthic
University of Minnesota Law School
Dorsey & Whitney, U.S Bank
I am a J.D. candidate at the University of Minnesota. I am currently interested in labor & employment, intellectual property, and corporate governance. Before law school, I obtained my Bachelors in Political Science and International Studies at The Ohio State University. My undergraduate journey taught me the importance of giving back to my community. After graduation, I spent a year working as a Criminal and Civil Legal Advocate at Tubman, a part time program assistant at Minnetonka elementary school, and a paralegal at a personal injury law firm. My experience at Tubman and work as a paralegal reinforced my desire to help people navigate complex problems and find practical, creative solutions. In law school, I have received the 2026 MSBF Diversity Scholarship award and volunteered with the Binger Center for New Americans and the Adult English Learning Center. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, game nights with friends, watching horror movies, and traveling! Reach out to me at karth039@umn.edu to connect!
Kelsea Gillespie
University of Minnesota Law School
Dorsey & Whitney
Kelsea is a JD candidate at the University of Minnesota pursuing a concentration in business law. Kelsea holds degrees in Marketing and Finance from Creighton University, where she served as the Vice President for Finance for the student government, overseeing the budgeting and distribution of nearly a million dollars. Prior to law school, Kelsea dedicated a decade to educating her two children, also spending time working as a freelance marketing consultant, a nonprofit program advisor, and serving as the treasurer for an Iowa nonprofit. Kelsea is interested in tax law, public finance, ERISA, and health law, and was drawn to pursue a JD because of her passion for advocacy and solving problems. In her spare time, Kelsea loves spending time with her family, long walks, and playing board games. Reach out to Kelsea at gille761@umn.edu to connect!
Gabriela Evertsz Pulgar
University of Minnesota Law School
Winthrop & Weinstine, Sherman Associates
Gabriela is a rising 2L at the University of Minnesota. Before law school, she received her Bachelors in Sociology with a Concentration in Law and Society with a minor in Economics at UC San Diego. Her undergraduate studies along with her experience as a legal assistant and volunteer at a Legal Aid Clinic cemented her interest in pursuing a legal career. Currently, Gabriela is a summer associate at Winthrop and Weinstine, where she is looking forward to gaining experience in transactional practices such as tax and real estate.In her spare time, Gabriela enjoys rock climbing at the bouldering project, game nights with friends, and walking around the lakes. Reach out to Gabriela at evert055@umn.edu to connect!
Sam Grussing
University of St. Thomas School of Law
Lathrop GPM
Gabriela is a rising 2L at the University of Minnesota. Before law school, she received her Bachelors in Sociology with a Concentration in Law and Society with a minor in Economics at UC San Diego. Her undergraduate studies along with her experience as a legal assistant and volunteer at a Legal Aid Clinic cemented her interest in pursuing a legal career. Currently, Gabriela is a summer associate at Winthrop and Weinstine, where she is looking forward to gaining experience in transactional practices such as tax and real estate.In her spare time, Gabriela enjoys rock climbing at the bouldering project, game nights with friends, and walking around the lakes. Reach out to Gabriela at evert055@umn.edu to connect!