Sheena Patel ('24) | Editor-in-Chief
Hometown: Westminster, MD
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in environmental science & policy and Spanish, University of Maryland
Environmental Interests: My particular areas of interest in the world of environmental law include climate change litigation, NEPA, and environmental justice (with a focus on tribal communities and energy infrastructure projects).
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At the law school, I am on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review and a fellow in the Law and Public Service Program. Additionally, I formerly served as the treasurer of the Virginia Environmental Law Forum and frequently participate in pro bono projects through the school’s Pro Bono Program. In my spare time, I enjoy sketching, cooking, hiking, birdwatching, and listening to Bollywood music.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: For my 1L summer, I interned at the Environmental Defense Fund in Washington D.C. Pivoting now to more localized advocacy, I will spend my 2L summer as a Glynn D. Key Fellow at the Southern Environmental Law Center here in Charlottesville. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a federal or non-profit sector career in public interest environmental and regulatory law.
Contact Email: sp6zc@virginia.edu
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in environmental science & policy and Spanish, University of Maryland
Environmental Interests: My particular areas of interest in the world of environmental law include climate change litigation, NEPA, and environmental justice (with a focus on tribal communities and energy infrastructure projects).
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At the law school, I am on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review and a fellow in the Law and Public Service Program. Additionally, I formerly served as the treasurer of the Virginia Environmental Law Forum and frequently participate in pro bono projects through the school’s Pro Bono Program. In my spare time, I enjoy sketching, cooking, hiking, birdwatching, and listening to Bollywood music.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: For my 1L summer, I interned at the Environmental Defense Fund in Washington D.C. Pivoting now to more localized advocacy, I will spend my 2L summer as a Glynn D. Key Fellow at the Southern Environmental Law Center here in Charlottesville. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a federal or non-profit sector career in public interest environmental and regulatory law.
Contact Email: sp6zc@virginia.edu
Harry Hild ('24) | Executive Editor
Hometown: Vienna, VA
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in social studies (economics minor, German language citation), Harvard College
Environmental Interests: Green infrastructure, conservation, land and water use, and environmental justice
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Beyond VELJ, I am on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Law & Politics, competed in the Lile Moot Court competition, and play for a couple of softball teams. When I can, I also enjoy reading, exploring Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge, swimming, cooking, and baking pies.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: I spent last summer in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland in Greenbelt. This summer, I will be working for Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C.
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in social studies (economics minor, German language citation), Harvard College
Environmental Interests: Green infrastructure, conservation, land and water use, and environmental justice
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Beyond VELJ, I am on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Law & Politics, competed in the Lile Moot Court competition, and play for a couple of softball teams. When I can, I also enjoy reading, exploring Shenandoah and the Blue Ridge, swimming, cooking, and baking pies.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: I spent last summer in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland in Greenbelt. This summer, I will be working for Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C.
Katie Craig ('24) | Executive Editor
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Kennedy Williams (‘24) | Submissions Editor
Hometown: Shreveport, LA
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, Tulane University
Environmental Interests: Sustainable and renewable energy sources, intersections between environmental justice and reproductive justice, and climate change adaptation
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Outside of VELJ, I am involved in Lone Star Lawyers, the Student Bar Association, If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, and the Peer Advisor Program! When I am not playing softball, I also enjoy knitting and watching my comfort show (Modern Family).
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: Last summer I was a Summer Associate at Bracewell in Houston, and I will be returning this summer! I would love to work for a government agency one day, like FERC or the EPA.
Contact Email: fqg2ff@virginia.edu
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, Tulane University
Environmental Interests: Sustainable and renewable energy sources, intersections between environmental justice and reproductive justice, and climate change adaptation
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Outside of VELJ, I am involved in Lone Star Lawyers, the Student Bar Association, If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, and the Peer Advisor Program! When I am not playing softball, I also enjoy knitting and watching my comfort show (Modern Family).
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: Last summer I was a Summer Associate at Bracewell in Houston, and I will be returning this summer! I would love to work for a government agency one day, like FERC or the EPA.
Contact Email: fqg2ff@virginia.edu
Elizabeth Putfark (‘24) | Submissions Editor
Hometown: Pawley's Island, SC
Prior Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature, University of South Carolina
Environmental Interests: Electrification and renewable energy development, utility regulation, wetlands and clean water protection, forest preservation, and environmental justice.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At the law school, I’ve served on boards for the Virginia Environmental Law Forum, Public Interest Law Association, International Refugee Assistance Project, and Student Bar Association, in addition to being a Law and Public Service Fellow and Community Fellow. At home, I spend most of my time catching up with my two kiddos, Charlotte (7) and Greta (4), trail running in the Rockfish Valley, and baking too much bread.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: For 1L summer, I worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Cale Jaffe, completing projects related to the Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic. For 2L summer, I’ll be an intern at the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Charlottesville office.
Contact Email: kae4mp@virginia.edu
Prior Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature, University of South Carolina
Environmental Interests: Electrification and renewable energy development, utility regulation, wetlands and clean water protection, forest preservation, and environmental justice.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At the law school, I’ve served on boards for the Virginia Environmental Law Forum, Public Interest Law Association, International Refugee Assistance Project, and Student Bar Association, in addition to being a Law and Public Service Fellow and Community Fellow. At home, I spend most of my time catching up with my two kiddos, Charlotte (7) and Greta (4), trail running in the Rockfish Valley, and baking too much bread.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: For 1L summer, I worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Cale Jaffe, completing projects related to the Environmental Law and Community Engagement Clinic. For 2L summer, I’ll be an intern at the Southern Environmental Law Center’s Charlottesville office.
Contact Email: kae4mp@virginia.edu
Chris Seiler ('24) | Managing Editor
Hometown: Midlothian, VA
Prior Education: B.A., College of William and Mary; M.A., Virginia Tech
Environmental Interests: Green infrastructure, conservation, land and water use, renewable energy
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Apart from VELJ, I am on the editorial board of Virginia Law Review and a fellow in the Law and Public Service Program. I enjoy reading, running and hiking, and food.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: I spent my 1L summer at the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and my 2L summer at the U.S. Senate office of the Legislative Counsel. I hope to work for the government.
Contact Email: ndb3uz@virginia.edu
Prior Education: B.A., College of William and Mary; M.A., Virginia Tech
Environmental Interests: Green infrastructure, conservation, land and water use, renewable energy
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Apart from VELJ, I am on the editorial board of Virginia Law Review and a fellow in the Law and Public Service Program. I enjoy reading, running and hiking, and food.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: I spent my 1L summer at the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and my 2L summer at the U.S. Senate office of the Legislative Counsel. I hope to work for the government.
Contact Email: ndb3uz@virginia.edu
Meg Pritchard ('24) | Managing Editor
Hometown: Charlottesville, VA
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Yale College
Environmental Interests: Climate litigation and carbon management, clean water protection and environmental justice.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At the law school, I am on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review and a competitor and coach for moot court. I am also a Law and Public Service Fellow and a Peer Advisor, and previously served as the Pro Bono Coordinator for the Virginia Environmental Law Forum. Outside of School I spend most of my time running the Rivanna Trail, hiking in Shenandoah, and reading contemporary fiction.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: I spent my 1L summer in the Water Branch of EPA's Region 2 Office. This summer, I will be working for Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C.
Contact Email: mlp8s@virginia.edu
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in English, Yale College
Environmental Interests: Climate litigation and carbon management, clean water protection and environmental justice.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At the law school, I am on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review and a competitor and coach for moot court. I am also a Law and Public Service Fellow and a Peer Advisor, and previously served as the Pro Bono Coordinator for the Virginia Environmental Law Forum. Outside of School I spend most of my time running the Rivanna Trail, hiking in Shenandoah, and reading contemporary fiction.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: I spent my 1L summer in the Water Branch of EPA's Region 2 Office. This summer, I will be working for Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C.
Contact Email: mlp8s@virginia.edu
Tim Dodson ('24) | Managing Editor
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Anna Sonju ('24) | Projects Director
Hometown: Denver, CO
Prior Education: B.A., Vanderbilt University
Environmental Interests: Climate Change & Environmental Justice.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Racquet Sports, Hiking, Baking.
2L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: Summer Associate at Winston & Strawn LLP; returning as an incoming associate.
Contact Email: bnd2tt@virginia.edu
Prior Education: B.A., Vanderbilt University
Environmental Interests: Climate Change & Environmental Justice.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: Racquet Sports, Hiking, Baking.
2L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: Summer Associate at Winston & Strawn LLP; returning as an incoming associate.
Contact Email: bnd2tt@virginia.edu
Jacob Baltzegar ('24) | Business Director
Hometown: Irmo, SC
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, University of South Carolina; master's degree in engineering, University of Texas at Austin.
Environmental Interests: Water and air pollution control; public utility regulation; environmental justice in the Southeast.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At UVA, I am a Peer Advisor, Student Ambassador, and play on the law school soccer team, Barristers United. I'm also on the board of Agape Christian Fellowship. Outside of school, I'm fond of exploring Charlottesville's food and culture, distance running, and getting out into the Blue Ridge when I can.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: Last year, I split my summer between EPA's Region 4 Office in Atlanta, GA and the Wyche law firm in Greenville, SC. I will be working at Vinson & Elkins in Washington, D.C. for most of the upcoming summer before returning to Wyche for a few weeks. I will likely begin my career in private practice and hope to one day serve as counsel at a public institution such as a university, in state government, or at a federal agency.
Contact Email: fyz4de@virginia.edu
Prior Education: Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, University of South Carolina; master's degree in engineering, University of Texas at Austin.
Environmental Interests: Water and air pollution control; public utility regulation; environmental justice in the Southeast.
Personal Interests & Involvement at the Law School: At UVA, I am a Peer Advisor, Student Ambassador, and play on the law school soccer team, Barristers United. I'm also on the board of Agape Christian Fellowship. Outside of school, I'm fond of exploring Charlottesville's food and culture, distance running, and getting out into the Blue Ridge when I can.
1L Summer Experience, Future Plans & Interests: Last year, I split my summer between EPA's Region 4 Office in Atlanta, GA and the Wyche law firm in Greenville, SC. I will be working at Vinson & Elkins in Washington, D.C. for most of the upcoming summer before returning to Wyche for a few weeks. I will likely begin my career in private practice and hope to one day serve as counsel at a public institution such as a university, in state government, or at a federal agency.
Contact Email: fyz4de@virginia.edu
