FEATURED PRESENTERS & PANELISTS
In alphabetical order.

Regan Armstrong, Esq.
Regan Armstrong graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Christian University and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center. She is a partner with Armstrong & Bedell, L.L.P. a family law firm in Northwest Houston. Ms. Armstrong was a solo practitioner for two years before starting Armstrong & Bedell.

Ms. Armstrong is a member of the family law sections of the State Bar of Texas and the Houston Bar Association. She is the current President of the Houston Northwest BarAssociation. She is a volunteer with the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Children's Friend in Court.

She is married and has two young sons.

Mason Barrett, Esq.
Mason D. Barrett, a practicing attorney, understands the many challenges law students and bar examinees face and focuses on delivering the all-important tools and strategies that are key to being sucessful on law school and bar examinations. Mason will introduce you to powerful methods and techniques that will help you obtain positive results in your quest to be an attorney. Mason earned a B.S. degree in Pure Mathematics from Prairie View A&M University and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. Mason is an accomplished trainer who can draw on his "in the trenches" experiences concerning law school and bar examinations. His high-impact programs have made him an in-demand trainer for those experiencing difficulties in their quest to succeed on the bar examination. Repeat and/or first-time bar examinees from the following law schools have been successful after implementing the methods and techniques taught and advocated by Mason: University of Denver College of Law, Denver, Colorado, John Marshall School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia, Miles Law School, Birmingham, Alabama, and Samford University Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham, Alabama.


Michael S. Burns, Esq.
Michael Burns joined DePaul University College of Law as the Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management and Director of Admission in August 2003. Dean Burns
served as Assistant Dean for Admission at Chicago-Kent College of Law from 1996-2003. While at Chicago-Kent, he was also appointed to the positions of Director of Academic Support, Director of the Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars Program, Adjunct Professor and Associate General Counsel for the Illinois Institute of Technology.

He is a graduate of DePaul University College of Law, where he was a member of the DePaul Law Review and Student Bar Association Evening Vice President. After completing his legal studies, he joined a large Chicago law firm where he specialized in insurance coverage litigation.

Dean Burns is a member and past Vice President of the Midwest Alliance for Law School Admission. In recent years, he has served on a number of Law School Admission Council (LSAC) workgroups and committees, including the Minority Affairs Committee. Currently, he serves on the Services and Programs committee of LSAC. He has received a number of recognitions for his efforts to increase diversity in legal education.

Collins Byrd
Collins Byrd is the Assistant Dean for Admissions at University of Iowa College of Law, where he has worked since August of 2005.

Mr. Byrd has been in the field of undergraduate and graduate school admissions for 20 years. Prior to being employed by University of Iowa College of Law, Mr. Byrd was the Director of Admissions at University of Minnesota Law School, for 8 1/2 years. Prior to that, Mr. Byrd was the Assistant Dean for Admissions at William Mitchell College of Law, for 6 1/2 years. Mr. Byrd also worked for Northwestern University' s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, as Associate Director of Admissions, and for Dartmouth College, where he was Assistant to the Director of Admissions. Mr. Byrd has additional work experience in corporate marketing and consulting with General Mills, Inc., The Pillsbury Company, and Bentz Whaley Flessner, a consulting firm that caters to not-for-profit organizations.

Mr. Byrd earned an Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, with a major in Psychology; and he earned an Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management, where he concentrated on marketing strategic planning, and public and not-for-profit management.


Carol T. Cochran
Carol T. Cochran is assistant dean for admission at the Seattle University School of Law. She is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington and recently completed a Master of Not-for-Profit Leadership at Seattle University. In her current position she is also the advisor to the Black Law Student Association. She has worked in higher education since 1991 when she became an admission counselor at her alma mater. At PLU she chaired the Rieke Minority Scholarship program for two years. In 1994, she joined the staff of Seattle University School of Law as the assistant director of admission. She became the director of admission in 1999 and was appointed assistant dean this summer. Ms. Cochran has served on numerous information panels at the LSAC Law School Forums and has presented at the LSAC Annual Meeting and Educational Conference. She previously served on the Minority Affairs Committee for 2001-03 and was a member of the 2003 Annual Meeting and Educational Conference Planning Work Group. In her community Carol serves as board member to the Seattle Math, Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA).

Angela Dixon, Esq.
Angela Dixon is an associate at Powers & Frost L.L.P. where she practices toxic torts and products liability litigation. Angela received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Alabama A & M University, a Master of Business Administration degree from St. Ambrose University and a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. In her spare time, Angela is a cast member of the Houston Bar Association's all lawyer production Night Court, an alumni recruiter for Iowa, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a Big Sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program of Houston.

LaKeisha Forte
Following a successful career as a Personal Lines Fire underwriter with State Farm Insurance, LaKeisha Forté began the journey to becoming an attorney. She began law school at Texas Tech University School of Law. Currently, Lakeisha is a third year law student.

It is her sincere belief that in order to effectively compete for law school admission, our community must be armed with information and resources. Her commitment to bringing diversity to the legal profession has lead LaKeisha to serve in various capacities. At Tech, she serves as a student member of the law school's Diversity and Equal Opportunity Committee and the chair of the Minority Affairs Committee for the Student Recruitment Committee. Lakeisha is the immediate past president of the Texas Tech Chapter of the National Black Law Students Association and the current parliamentarian for the Rocky Mountain Region of the National Black Law Students Association.

In her free time, Lakeisha enjoys kickboxing and shopping.

LaKeisha has accepted an offer to be an associate in the Dallas office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP following graduation.


Ronald C. Green, Esq.
Ronald C. Green, a native Houstonian and active community partner was elected to the City Council, At-Large Position Four, on December 6, 2003. Council Member Green brings a refreshing, common sense approach, to municipal government.

As a 1988 graduate of the Houston Independent School District's High School for Health Professions, Green went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree, from the University of Houston, in 1993, and then continued his education, by attending Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law. While attending law school, Green was on the Dean's List and served prestigious Federal Judicial Internships. In 1996, Green was awarded the Juris Doctor degree and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas. Subsequently, he was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar and licensed to practice before the 5 th Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.

Green is also very involved in the community. His many past and present community and civic affiliations and awards include the following: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. - Regional Counsel, Anti-Defamation League- People 4 People Program, Boy Scouts of America Urban Scouting Division - Former Board Member, UH Alumni Organization - Board Member, UH Black Alumni Association - President (1999-2001), UH Cougar Advocates of Texas (CATS) - Legislative Advocate, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Alumni Association, 1997 UH Young Alumni League - Outstanding Young Alumnus, Houston Lawyers Association, Houston Food Bank - Volunteer, Head Start Program - Volunteer, and March of Dimes - Volunteer

In addition to serving as Vice-Chair of the Ethics Committee, Green serves on the Transportation, Infrastructure and Aviation Committee, the Quality of Life Committee, and the Neighborhoods Housing and Redevelopment Committee. Green also serves on the Houston Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council.

Council Member Green is the founding partner of the Law Offices of Ronald C. Green, P.C., where he practices with his wife, attorney Hilary Harmon Green. The Greens are active members of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.

Carol Y. Guess, Esq.
Carol Y. Guess is the Principal of The Guess Firm, P.L.L.C. based in Houston, Texas. The Guess Firm, P.L.L.C.'s clients are located throughout Texas and the United States, and range in variety from independent recording labels, artists, and producers, to music publishers, concert promoters, and independent film producers. Ms. Guess handles major and independent recording label contract negotiation and drafting for The Guess Firm's clients and advises its clients regarding business and career development, and in the areas of copyright and trademark law. In the years since she started her practice, Ms. Guess started a concert promotions company and featured artists signed to major recording labels such as Interscope and Motown. Her largest accomplishment to date is guiding popular Houston, TX music powerhouse SWISHAHOUSE in securing a major label partnership with the Warner Music Group through which they released the artists MIKE JONES and PAUL WALL.

Ms. Guess is a media liaison/expert in Entertainment Law for the Houston Bar Association, and has presented Continuing Legal Education seminars for the Houston Bar Association in Entertainment Law. She holds membership with the Entertainment and Sports Law Section of the Houston Bar Association, of which she is a past board director, and the Entertainment and Sports Law section of the State Bar of Texas. She is an active member of BESLA (Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association), organizing educational and cutting edge legal seminars for its members and interested community supporters, and has launched her own brand of seminars, entitled "The Guess Sessions," for those in the Houston community interested in learning more about the entertainment industry. She is a member of the Texas bar and was admitted to the Southern District of Texas.

Ms. Guess earned her Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, where she was on the Dean's List, was a Young Alumni Trustee Nominee and an Accolade Award Recipient. She earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Thurgood Marshall School of Law where she earned the distinction of being placed on the Dean's List and was awarded the National Women Law Students' Association Award Winner.


Lewis Hutchison, J.D.
Lewis Hutchison holds a Bachelor of Accountancy from New Mexico State University and earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. He currently serves as the Director of Admissions at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, a position he has held since 2002. Prior to going to Florida, Mr. Hutchison served as the Chair of the Student Recruitment and Orientation Committee, Office Coordinator and member of the Admissions Committee at the University of Texas School of Law.

Robin C. Ingli
Robin C. Ingli is the Director of Admissions at Hamline University School of Law, where she has worked for the past eight years. Prior to being appointed to her current position at Hamline, she served as Interim Director, Associate Director, and Admissions Counselor. Before beginning her career in law school admissions, Ms. Ingli served as Assistant to the Director of the Center for Nations in Transition at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs. She also worked for six years as a student services assistant at William Mitchell College of Law. She is currently a member of the LSAC Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues Subcommittee and has served as a presenter at numerous LSAC forums. Ms. Ingli holds a Master's degree in Management from Hamline University and a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin River Falls.

Darrell D. Jackson, Esq.
Darrell Jackson joined the George Mason University School of Law staff as an Assistant Dean and Director of Diversity Services in March 2004. Immediately prior to joining Mason, Dean Jackson served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Columbia from 2000 - 2004 and as an Assistant County Attorney in Fairfax County, Virginia, from 1994 - 2000. Prior to joining the County Attorney's office, he served as judicial law clerk to The Honorable L.M. Brinkema of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and to The Honorable Marcus D. Williams of the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

Dean Jackson received his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law in 1990 where he co-founded the George Mason University Civil Rights Law Journal in 1989 and co-authored "The Sunset of Affirmative Action? City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co.," 12 Black L.J. 73 (1990). In 1987, he received his B.A. in Spanish with a minor in sociology from the College of William and Mary, where he was a member of both the varsity football and varsity track teams.

Dean Jackson is a member of the Virginia Bar.

Norma L. Jarrett, J.D.
Norma L. Jarrett is originally from New Jersey, but currently resides in Houston, Texas. She is the author of the fictional novel "Sunday Brunch," published by (Randomhouse/Broadway imprint - Harlem Moon). In addition, Ms. Jarrett has written and produced a play, "Sunday Brunch - The Book Skit" based on the novel. She is a graduate of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA). Her work has received attention in Essence, Upscale, Gospel Truth, QBR, Black Expressions, Rolling Out and other publications. Ms. Jarrett received the "Outstanding Young African-American Leader of Houston," award from Interfaith Ministries. Her novel "Sunday Brunch" was previously awarded the Sister Circle "Best Christian Fiction" award. She also received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee on behalf of the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of her literary work. Ms. Jarrett continues to travel nationally to promote her work, speak and conduct several original workshops. Her second and third novels are scheduled to be released under Harlem moon in 2006/2007. She currently attends Lakewood Church and is employed at a university in Houston, TX as an adjunct professor/advisor. Please visit her website at www.normajarrett.com.

Chanler A. Langham, Esq.
A native of Fort Worth, TX, Chanler Langham received his Juris Doctorate as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar at Columbia Law School in May 2004. Mr. Langham graduated magna cum laude from the George Washington University Honors Program in May 2000, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Japanese Language and Literature. Mr. Langham speaks fluent Japanese and has worked at the Embassy of Japan; Takusu Board of Education in Gifu, Japan; Baker & McKenzie, Tokyo; and Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in New York and Washington, DC. As a student, Mr. Langham served as a Sub-Regional Director in the Northeast Black Law Students Association, Teaching Assistant for Constitutional Law, and Articles Editor for the Journal of Asian Law.

Currently, Mr. Langham works as a second-year law clerk to the Honorable Vanessa D. Gilmore in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. As a law clerk, Mr. Langham has drafted several opinions concerning federal civil law issues, including admiralty, patent, trademark, copyright, employment discrimination, social security, individuals with disabilities in education, antitrust, bankruptcy, immigration, fair labor standards act and oil & gas. Mr. Langham has also prepared memoranda for motions filed in the Enron Broadband Services wire fraud and securities fraud criminal trial. Mr. Langham is a member of the New York State Bar and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Nu Beta Chapter.

Keith Lewis
Keith Lewis is originally from Spencer, Oklahoma. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and is currently pursuing Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Houston Bauer College of Business.

He worked at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics as a Research and Systems Engineer for two and a half years in Fort Worth, Texas before going to law school to pursue a career in business law. Currently, Mr. Lewis is the President of the Black Law Student Association, Vice President of Ministry for the Christian Legal Society, and a University of Houston Law Center Ambassador.

Jannell Lundy
Jannell Lundy serves as Assistant Dean of Admissions for Loyola Law School. Previously, she was Director of Admissions at the University of Southern California Law School. Ms. Lundy's twelve-year tenure in higher education includes various aspects of student services, including financial aid. She worked for eight years at Southwestern University School of Law as Assistant to the Dean and Associate Director of Admissions. Prior to her years in admissions, she worked in the alumni/development department at Southwestern and at her alma mater, Loyola Marymount University. Ms. Lundy has served as chair of the 2005 Law School Admission Council (LSAC) Newcomers Planning Work Group and as a committee member in 2004 and 1996; as a panelist for the LSAC Annual Meeting and Educational Conference in 2005 and 2003 and for the National Association of Pre-Law Advisors (NAPLA) Conference in 2003; and as a volunteer for LSAC's Minority and Admissions Workshops. She is currently a member of LSAC's Minority Affairs Committee. Ms. Lundy received her Master's degree in Higher Education and Organizational Change from the University of California, Los Angeles.


Rashida Maples, Esq.
Attorney Maples received her MBA in April 2000 from Florida A&M University, graduating magna cum laude after participating in the School of Business and Industry 5-year program. As a graduate of Florida A&M University's School of Business and Industry, Attorney Maples has extensive experience in accounting, finance and marketing fields including tenures at Citibank, International Paper, Rap-A-Lot Records and Parke-Davis Pharmaceuticals. Working within such industries that include banking, entertainment, forest and paper products and pharmaceuticals, Attorney Maples is more than equipped to utilize her business acumen across all boards.

To expand her knowledge base of corporate affairs, Attorney Maples graduated from and received her Juris Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law, affiliated with Texas A&M University and has been admitted as an Attorney-At-Law to the Texas State Bar, The District of Columbia and the New York State Bar after passing the July 2004 New York Bar Exam. She has extensive experience and interests in all aspects of corporate transactional and litigation affairs, criminal litigation and entertainment law including tenures with the Shelby County Public Defender's Office in Memphis, TN, Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts and other notable small and medium sized law firms. During her tenure within these entities she participated in assisting in litigation regarding deceptive trade practices, copyright infringement, secured transactions, breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims. Regarding transactional issues, Attorney Maples has participated in entity formations, drafting and negotiating contracts for songwriters, producers and independent record labels, copyright and trademark registration as well as corporate acquisitions and mergers of small businesses.

Additionally, Attorney Maples served as the President of the Houston/ Gulf Coast Network of NABFEME (The National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment) from 2003-2005, was recently named "Legal Executive of the Year" at the NABFEME International Summit and is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Please visit her website at www.jmaplesandassociates.com.

Professor Tracy L. McGaugh
Tracy L. McGaugh is an Assistant Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Texas and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Baylor University College of Law. Her areas of expertise include legal writing, trial and appellate advocacy, and legal education.

Benjamin Morton, Esq.
Benjamin Morton, a Detroit native, received a full athletic scholarship from the University of Central Florida where he, as a student/athlete, earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, as well numerous honors, including student/athlete of the year, team most valuable player and Playboy Magazine Honorable Mention All-American. His basketball career culminated with playing professionally in the European League, but was cut short due to injuries.

Upon realizing that his physical injuries would not allow him to return to the States to pursue a professional career in basketball, Benjamin he shifted gears toward a second career . . . in a different kind of court and successfully earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in New York. He is a member of the New Jersey Bar and is in the process of becoming a member of both the Washington, D.C. and Florida Bars. In 1996, he was selected an "Outstanding Young American." Shortly thereafter Mr. Morton was appointed, by the President of the United States, as an Assistant Staff Judge Advocate (JAG) with the United States Air Force where he served on active duty for 6 years. There, his primary area of practice was contracts litigation. In addition, while on active duty he served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (Federal Prosecutor) for both the Southern District of Ohio and the Southern District of Maryland.

Mr. Morton is the founder of Legal Info-Graphics, LLC (LIGS), an educational software development company that he started while serving in the Air Force. As the President & CEO of LIGS, he authors the LIGS' Series of Legal Treatises/study aids designed for students of the law, and designs and develops the treatises' accompanying software. Mr. Morton is a member of the Lambda Omega Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and sits on the Editorial Board for the American Bar Association's (ABA) Government and Public Sector Lawyer's Division where he has published and edited numerous articles. He is currently a senior contracts consultant with Verizon Communications and is in the process of chartering the Morton Law Group, with expected offices in Miami, Florida, Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.


Allison M. Odom, Esq.
Allison M. Odom is a member of the ERISA/Employee Benefits team and the Labor and Employment team in the Special Business Services Practice Group.

Ms. Odom received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in 2004 where she received the Dean's Scholarship. She served as both president and as a representative of the Black Law Students Association, and as the Interim National Recording Secretary. She also served as a representative on the Student Bar Association and on the Sports and Entertainment Law Association. In 2002, Ms. Odom studied International Law in Barcelona, Spain, through the University of San Diego Law School Study Abroad Program. She was a quarter-finalist in the Tom Newhouse Mediation Competition. In 1999, Ms. Odom received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was on the Dean's List, and was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

Ijeoma I. Opara, Esq.
Ijeoma I. Opara received the Bachelor of Law degree (LL.B) from Imo State University, Okigwe, Nigeria and a Barrister at Law degree (B.L) from the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Nigeria before coming to United States in 1990 to start her family. She then earned her Doctorate of Jurisprudence degree (J.D.) from Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of law in 2002 where she graduated summa cum laude. She is admitted to practice law in New York, Texas and the Southern District of Texas.

She is currently an instructor of law at Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School where she teaches Texas Civil Procedure and Bar Orientation Courses. She is also the Director of the Academic Support Programs at Thurgood Marshall School of Law and teaches the Summer Academic Enrichment Class - a Pre-Law Program.


Donald David Pritchett, Jr., J.D.
Donald David Pritchett Jr., J.D. has been the Pre-Law Coordinator for CLEO since June, 2004. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia in 1995, and his Master of Science in Criminology from Florida State University in 1998. After serving as a probation officer in Tampa, Florida for two years, Donald attended the University of Florida Law School in Gainesville, Florida where he received his Doctorate of Jurisprudence in 2003. As a law student, Donald was a mentor to at-risk high school students, a member of the Career Services Committee, Team Leader for the law school's Student Recruitment Team, and president of the Black Law Student's Association.

Claude Reeves, Esq.
Assistant Dean Reeves received her B.A. from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in 1993. She earned the J.D. degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1999. For the next year, she served as a law clerk for Justice Jean Brown of the Alabama Supreme Court. Ms. Reeves came to the Law School in August 2000, as the recruitment and scholarship coordinator.

As assistant dean, Ms. Reeves is responsible for recruiting activities, such as attending graduate and professional school fairs, preparing recruitment materials, counseling prospective students about admissions concerns, and hosting visitors to the Law School. She also supervises the Law School Scholarship Program and the International Graduate Program.

Ms. Reeves is a member of the American Bar Association and the Alabama State Bar.

Paul A. Shanklin, Esq.
Paul A. Shanklin earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston Law Center. He manages his own law practice, The Shanklin Law Firm, where he provides business client services in general civil law, specifically working in the areas of Collections, Family Law and Probate. Prior to starting his own firm, he was an attorney for Winstead, Secrest, and Minnic, LLP.

In addition to practicing law, he is an adjunct professor in the Government Department at the Houston Community College Southeast Campus where he teaches American and Texas Government. He is also an adjunct professor in Urban Education at the University of Houston - Downtown where he teaches Critical Pedagogy and Multicultural Education.

Mr. Shanklin has extensive public service experience. He serves as an Executive Board Member for the Center for the Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT) at the University of Houston-Downtown. He is a member of the Houston Bar Association's Speakers Bureau where he discusses social and legal trends in schools and civic organizations. He is on the Board of Directors for Dress Up Houston which provides clothing for the needy. He is on the Board of Directors for the Guardian Angels Academy, a charter school. He is also a member and office holder for the North Houston Frontiers, a non-profit civic organization.

He is certified by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, a Commissioner for the Harris County Courts, and a Certified Ad Litem for the Family and Probate Courts of Harris County. He has received certificates of appreciation from the Dayton, Aldine, Houston and Spring Branch independent school districts. He is a life member of the Houston Tennis Association and the United States Tennis Association.

Additionally, Mr. Shanklin is a member of a number of lawyer organizations including the Houston Bar Association, the National Bar Association, the Young Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Society and the Pro Bono College. He is admitted to practice in both State and Federal Courts.

Tracy L. Simmons, J.D.
Tracy L. Simmons is the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid at Chapman University School of Law. After earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and the Master of Arts degree in Education (with emphasis in Multicultural Counseling) from San Diego State University, she was awarded a Kathryn Ringgold Endowed Scholarship to attend the Golden Gate University School of Law. Her excellence as a law student was recognized by two important awards: the Outstanding Achievement Award in Criminal Litigation and the Justice Rose Elizabeth Bird Award for Professionalism and Integrity.

Dean Simmons earned the Juris Doctor degree in 1999, and promptly was named Assistant Director for Admissions and Financial Aid at the Golden Gate Law School. Two years later, she was promoted to Assistant Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. During the succeeding four years, Dean Simmons increased the pool of applicants to the law school by 49%, and enhanced selectivity of admittees by 22%. While managing the recruiting and admissions function at Golden Gate, she also engaged productively in regional and national organizations, serving on the Advisory Board (Admit-M) of the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), and on the Advisory Board of the Access Group, Inc. Currently, she chairs the Advisory Board of the Law Access Group.

Nicole Stagg, Esq.
Nicole Stagg is a 2001 graduate of Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Ms. Stagg received her undergraduate degree in 1998 from Stephen F. Austin State University in Political Science. In 2002, she became a partner in The Law Offices of James and Stagg. Ms. Stagg is a member of the State Bar of Texas, Family Law and Criminal Law Sections, the American Bar Association, Houston Bar Association, Family Law and Criminal Law Sections, Houston Bar Association's Night Court, Solos Supporting Solos, the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Texas Pro Bono College, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Family Law Group. Ms. Stagg is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Aaron N. Taylor, Esq.
Aaron N. Taylor earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from North Carolina A&T State University and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the Howard University School of Law. He is the founder and president of Recruit For Law School, Inc., a consortium of undergraduate schools seeking to increase the level of law school opportunity available to its students. In addition, Mr. Taylor is editor of the consortium's pre-law magazine, The Advisor by Recruit For Law School, Inc. Mr. Taylor recently served as Assistant Director of Admission at the University of the District of Columbia School of Law where he performed functions at all stages of the admission process, including strategic planning, statistical analysis, advising, recruitment and outreach. Prior to working at UDC School of Law, Mr. Taylor served as a law clerk at the D.C. Office of Bar Counsel. Mr. Taylor is currently completing an administrative fellowship at Harvard University.

Lisa S. Taylor, Esq.
Lisa S. Taylor is the Associate Director of Law Admission at Ohio Northern University College of Law. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and History, and received her law degree from Howard University School of Law.

She was a research assistant to the Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Howard University School of Law. Prior to that, she was a staff attorney and campaign finance coordinator for the Office of the Election Administrator for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in Washington, D.C.

She is also a co-founder of the Southern Ontario Culture and Sports Association and was a member of the Magic A.C. Soccer team and Central Scarborough Softball Club in Toronto.

She is a licensed attorney in Florida.


Brittany Teal
Brittany Teal is a second year law student at Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from the University of Texas. While at UT, Brittany was actively involved in several student organizations, including Umoja (Swahili for Unity), Senate of College Councils, and The Daily Texan, the largest student-run newspaper in the country. In addition, Brittany was the principle founder and president of the African-American Pre-Law Association and was nominated as the Most Outstanding African-American Female at UT. This summer, Brittany served as a legal intern for the Vice President and General Counsel of XTO Energy Inc. in Fort Worth. She is currently the Chair of the Programs and Events committee of the Student Bar Association and a member of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers and Carnival committees. Brittany is originally from Fort Worth, Texas. Outside of school, Brittany enjoys photography, journalism, and fitness.

Diana Walker, Esq.
Diana N. Walker is an associate at O'Donnell, Ferebee, Medley & Keiser, P.C. where she practices general civil litigation. Diana graduated summa cum laude in 2001 from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. While a student at Texas Tech University, Diana was inducted into Golden Key National Honor Society and was a Chancellor's Ambassador. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center in 2004. While a student at the University of Houston Law Center, Diana received the University of Houston Law Center Lex Award for Legal Research & Writing and was a semifinalist in the James H. Hippard Mock Trial Competition. Diana also served as Vice-President of the Black Law Student Association and was Regional Director of the Rocky Mountain Region NBLSA Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Competition. Diana is a member of the Houston Bar Association and American Bar Association. She is also a member of the NAACP Houston Branch Young Adult Committee and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Toni M. Wallace, Esq.
Toni is an associate at Powers and Slay, where her primary practice is Insurance Defense Litigation. She also practices Real Estate and Employment Law. Toni graduated from South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX in 2003. She was president of the Black Law Students Association, and served as National Recording Secretary for the National Association of Black Law Students. Toni was a Freshman Senator and 1L Representative in the Student Bar Association. She competed heavily in Moot Court Competitions, both locally and nationwide. She received her undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Texas. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her busiest, most challenging, and most rewarding jobs are being a loving mother and wife.


Professor L. Darnell Weeden
L. Darnell Weeden received both his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degrees from the University of Mississippi. He earned the B.A. in 1972 and was awarded the J.D. in 1975. As an undergraduate student at Ole Miss Weeden majored in Journalism and Political Science. Weeden is the first African American to graduate from the Ole Miss Journalism School.

He has been a Professor at Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law since 1989. Currently, Weeden serves as an Associate Dean and the Roberson King Professor at the law school. He served as the Interim Dean of Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 1998 for one year, and as its Director of Clinical Programs from 1990-1992. While serving as the law school's legal clinic director, Professor Weeden co-authored a $250,000 federal grant to establish a legal clinic to assist homeless people in Houston. Weeden believes that his childhood exposure to poverty in the Mississippi Delta makes him very sensitive to the needs of the poor and homeless in our society.

Professor Weeden currently teaches Constitutional Law, Torts and First Amendment. In 1997 he served as Chair of the Faculty Senate at Texas Southern University and Editor of The Faculty Speaks. Professor Weeden has authored more than fifteen law review publications on issues such as the Confederate Flag, affirmative action, racial profiling, separation of powers, presidential impeachment, independent counsel statutes, federal preemption and health law. Professor Weeden's law review publications have been cited by law reviews published at Harvard, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, Duke, the University of Texas, Baylor, Boston University, the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama and other highly respected law journals. He is in demand as a speaker on a variety of controversial issues. He has presented papers on a variety of topics throughout America and outside of the United States.

Karmel Willis, Esq.
Karmel Willis is originally from Grenada, Mississippi. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University fo Mississippi in 1997 and her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Louisiana State University in 2000. She was admitted to practice law in Louisiana in 2000.

In October 2005, Ms. Willis accepted the positon of Career Counselor at the University of Houston Law Center in the Office of Career Development. Prior to joining the team at the Office of Career Development, she was a practicing attorney in Shreveport, Louisiana. She has practiced law in the areas of insurance defense, medical malpractice defense, personal injury and family law.

Ms. Willis is married to Demetrius Willis and she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and reading.


Victor Wright, Esq.
Victor Wright is an associate in the Labor and Employment Practice Group of Haynes and Boone, LLP.

Before joining Haynes and Boone, LLP, Mr. Wright served as head of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, United States Air Force, March Air Reserve Base, California. Mr. Wright is a Major in the United States Air Force Reserve.

Mr. Wright earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence magna cum laude from the University of Houston Law Center. He was member of the prestigious Order of the Coif and the Notes and Comments Editor of the Houston Law Review. He also earned his Master of Business Administration from St. Mary's University and his Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy.

He is admitted to the State Bar of Texas and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

He is a member of the American Bar Association, Employment Law Section; the National Bar Association; the Houston Bar Association and the Texas Young Lawyers Association.