Trial Team
The Trial Team at RWU Law provides an invaluable experience for students who have the requisite talent, dedication, and interest in courtroom litigation. Students are taught not only how to think like trial attorneys, but how to be trial attorneys. Each year, team members compete in regional and national trial competitions that provide an opportunity to test their skills against law students from around the country. RWU Law has a history of excellence at these competitions.
Students compete for a place on the Trial Team through a tryout process. Tryouts are held during the fall semester. The tryout process is open to 2L and 3L students. The Trial Team for any given year is determined by the coach’s assessment of each student’s performance in the tryout and, where relevant, the student’s past performance on Trial Team.
The RWU Law Trial Team has benefitted from great coaching over the years, including coaches who are 1) members of the full-time faculty, teach trial advocacy and related courses, and have considerable trial experience, and 2) experienced and highly-skilled trial judges who serve as members of our adjunct or visiting faculty. As a result, our team members are well prepared to enter any courtroom and succeed.
Shannon Heery joined the Roger Williams University School of Law faculty in July 2025. Prior to joining RWU Law, Professor Heery taught Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Evidence at Vermont Law and Graduate School. She currently serves as the Reporter for the Advisory Committee to the Vermont Supreme Court on the Rules of Criminal Procedure. She was previously a felony trial attorney with the Baltimore City Maryland Office of the Public Defender and a senior trial attorney with Brooklyn Defender Services in Brooklyn, New York. While at Brooklyn Defender Services, she co-founded the DNA and Forensics Division that is now a leader in challenging the admissibility of forensic evidence in criminal trials. Professor Heery received her J.D., cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Alyah Achabi is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law and a lifelong Rhode Islander. She graduated magna cum laude from Roger Williams University with a B.A. in Political Science, Legal Studies, and Public and Professional Writing. Alyah is a member of the Trial Team, Moot Court Board, serves as President of the Middle Eastern South Asian Law Association, and taught middle school and high school students through the Street Law Program. She also works as a teaching assistant to Dr. Kishbaugh. Alyah previously interned at an immigration firm and will be working as a Rule 9 student at the Immigration Clinic in the spring semester. She is currently a legal assistant at a civil litigation firm where she will stay after graduation in May. During her 2L year, Alyah and her teammates won the Internal Mock Trial Competition, where she earned individual awards for Best Advocate and Best Cross-Examiner. In November, she competed at Harvard’s Cambridge Clash competition with her teammates. She looks forward to competing in upcoming external competitions with the team and continuing to strengthen her advocacy skills.
Ann Martinez is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. She is originally from Dallas, Texas, and is a proud first-generation college graduate and law student. Ann earned her B.A. in Psychology with double minors in Sociology and Political Science from the University of North Texas. Throughout law school, Ann has been deeply involved in leadership, mentorship, and community-building. She is the President and Founder of the First Generation Law School Association, Treasurer of the RWU Law Quahogs Softball Team, and Secretary of the Employment and Labor Law Society. Ann also serves as a Teaching Assistant for Professor Freamon’s Race and the Foundations of American Law course and his Trial Advocacy course, and serves as Co‑Chair of the Trial Team. This semester, she is completing an in‑house legal externship with the Rhode Island School of Design, where she initially joined through RWU Law’s Corporate Counsel Externship Program and was invited to continue her work with the office.Ann entered law school with a strong commitment to public interest work and was unexpectedly drawn to contracts along the way. She now hopes to build a career that blends transactional problem‑solving with public‑focused advocacy. Outside of her academic pursuits, Ann enjoys traveling, reading, outdoor activities, music, and exploring new cultures and languages. She looks forward to learning and growing with her Trial Team teammates.
Dillon Donaldson was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey and raised near Snellville, Georgia. Before attending law school, Dillon played Division 1 football at Wagner College, where he majored in Sociology and minored in Psychology. As a first-generation law student, Dillon’s main goal is to positively impact his community. He has participated in multiple Pro Bono events, most notably Street Law and Princes to Kings—a summer program in Providence. Dillon is an active member on the RWU BLSA E-Board and a teaching assistant for Race and the Foundations of American Law. This past summer, Dillon also interned with The Honorable John J. McConnell, Jr. at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Post-graduation, Dillon plans to practice as a criminal defense attorney and a plaintiff’s lawyer for civil litigation. His long-term aspiration is to be nominated for a judicial position. Dillon graduated in December, 2025.
Matthew Ijac is a third-year student at Roger Williams University School of Law. Matthew has a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice from Florida International University, as well as certifications in forensic death investigation from the National Investigative Training Academy and the Miami-Dade College School of Justice. In his first year, he served as a Street Law instructor through the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education. He is the current president of the RWU Criminal Law Society, as well as the Association for Public Interest Law. In addition to his activities at RWU, Matthew has been a Private Investigator since 2016. He has been licensed to operate in Rhode Island, Florida, Georgia, and Kentucky. Matthew currently operates IFCS, Inc., an investigative agency which specializes in providing forensic analysis, evidentiary support, witness location and asset recovery services for private clients involved in criminal defense, civil justice, and victims advocacy cases. Since the summer of 2024, Matthew has been interning with the Victim's Rights Center Connecticut, where he continues to help courts better serve survivors of violent crime and victimized defendants. Matthew aspires to practice public interest law, providing advocacy in the areas of criminal litigation and civil justice.
Penelope “Penny” Kehrer is a third year student at Roger Williams University School of Law. She is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has an AA in criminology and a BA in Psychology from University of New Mexico. New to the Trial Team, she is eager to make the team proud. In addition to her membership on the Trial Team, Penny is the 3L Representative for SBA. In the future, she hopes to pursue juvenile and family law. When not studying, Penny can be found knitting, reading, or binging trashy reality TV.
Olesya Tamburro is a 3L at Roger Williams University School of Law. She is from Cumberland, RI. Olesya graduated magna cum laude from the College of the Holy Cross with a B.A. in Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Olesya was a member of the Holy Cross Division I Women’s Swim Team and a member of the Mock Trial Team. She also completed internships in family law and immigration law during her undergraduate studies. At Roger Williams Law, she is a member of the Criminal Law Society. During the summer after her 1L year, Olesya interned for Judge Mary McElroy at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island. Her legal interests include criminal law and military law.
Eric Foley is a third-year student at Roger Williams University School of Law. Originally from Noblesville, Indiana, he earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy from IU Indianapolis, where he served as president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He has experience working with the Republican Caucus in the Indiana House of Representatives and in consumer protection litigation, where he gained motion drafting and trial experience. After graduation, he plans to return to Indiana to practice criminal defense.
Sofia Fileccia is currently a 2L at Roger Williams University School of Law. She is from Old Bridge, New Jersey. Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rider University, with a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a double minor in Legal Studies and Sociology. Over the past few years, she has been the Judge’s Assistant for the Honorable Kay Walcott-Henderson, NJ Appellate Division. Sofia enjoyed working in the New Jersey Superior Court in the Family Law Division and Civil Division, and this past summer at the New Jersey Appellate Division. At RWU Law, Sofia is a Teacher’s Assistant for Property Law with Professor Varyani. She currently serves on two Executive Boards as 2L Representative for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International and Juvenile Law Society. In addition, she is a part of many different organizations on campus, such as the Family Law Society, Criminal Law Society, Women’s Law Society, Real-Estate Lawyer Society and Sports and Entertainment Law Society. Her academic and professional journey reflects her interest in advocacy and justice for all. Outside of her academic pursuits, Sofia enjoys going to the beach, working out, martial arts, snowboarding, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to learning and growing with her new trial team teammates!
Kassidy Landwehr is a second-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. She is originally from Summerville, South Carolina. She graduated magna cum laude from Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania with a double B.S. in Criminal Justice and Psychology. During her undergraduate career, Kassidy was a member of the SFU Division I Women’s Bowling Team and earned the Criminal Justice Student of the Year award for her academic performance and senior project on developing nonlethal training programs for police officers. Before starting law school, she worked as a legal secretary at Trask & Howell, LLC, a workers’ compensation defense firm in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. During her 1L summer, she earned the CALI award for her performance in Legal Practice III and passed the August MPRE. In addition to being on the Trial Team, Kassidy also serves as the Vice President for the Criminal Law Society, Secretary for the First Generation Law Students Association, and is a Society of Scholars member in the national Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. She aims to further develop her oral advocacy and litigation skills through her experience on the Trial Team in preparation for a career in public interest litigation.
Alana Quashie is a second-year (2L) law student at RWU School of Law, with a focus on criminal defense, post conviction law, and constitutional litigation. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Alana attended the University of Rhode Island, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science. She joined the Trial Team to further develop her courtroom skills. Demonstrating her commitment to service, Alana currently works with the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education. She is involved in a Pro Bono Collaborative project that provides advice and counsel on civil legal issues to incarcerated persons. Alana also serves as the President of the Christian Law Society. After law school, she plans to pursue a career in appellate law, specializing in First Amendment constitutional rights.
Hannah Carty is a second-year part-time law student at Roger Williams University School of Law, originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. She serves as an Agriculture Marketing and Inspection Representative with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, where she manages statewide farm-to-institution grant programs and interagency efforts focused on food systems and agricultural equity. Before law school, Hannah served as Deputy Commissioner and later Executive Director within the Government of the Virgin Islands, leading agricultural and consumer affairs initiatives and developing regulatory frameworks for the emerging cannabis industry. She holds a Master of Arts in Food Studies concentrating on Food Policy and Advocacy from New York University and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of New Haven. At RWU Law, Hannah is pursuing her interests in litigation and public service, aiming to merge her background in government and policy with trial advocacy to advance justice and strengthen community resilience.
My name is Liza Retherford, I am a 2L. I am from Evansville Indiana, and I went to undergrad at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. The first time I ever visited Rhode Island was during my tour of the law school and I fell absolutely in love with it. I am the President of the Maritime Law Society and Clerk for Phi Alpha Delta Madison Chapter. I am interested in many aspects of the law, but I have a strong passion for oral advocacy. I am very excited to work with my peers and advisors to better my skills in oral advocacy and within the courtroom. In my free time I enjoy horseback riding, golfing, and hunting for seashells to add to my large sea shell collection.
Maria Fernanda Ortiz is a 2L at Roger Williams University School of Law and a member of the Trial Team. She is originally from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and graduated from the University of the Virgin Islands with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Maria’s passion for law sparked during an internship at her local Public Defender’s Office, where she confronted community issues firsthand and was inspired to pursue advocacy. During her 1L summer, she interned with the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, Parental Representation Unit, supporting attorneys who advocate for parents in child welfare proceedings. She has also gained meaningful experience in tax law by volunteering with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing pro bono tax services. Maria plans to pursue a Tax LL.M. after law school and believes that becoming a well-rounded lawyer will strengthen her ability to serve others. Before law school, Maria worked in business and financial management. As a first-generation law student, she is committed to breaking barriers and inspiring others from similar backgrounds. At RWU Law, she currently serves as Treasurer of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and is eager to sharpen her advocacy skills as a member of the Trial Team.
Judith is a second-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she relocated to Rhode Island to pursue her legal education. Judith earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College, where she graduated cum laude with a double major in Media Studies and Political Science. She went on to earn her Master of Business Administration, graduating summa cum laude from the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University.During her 1L year, Judith gained hands-on legal experience through pro bono work at Kent County Superior Court in Warwick, where she assisted with research on ADA accommodations. She also discovered her passion for advocacy as a member of the trial team, building on her strength in oral argument and debate. While Judith once considered a career in real estate, her interests have since grown toward criminal law and immigration law. Following graduation, she hopes to practice law in either Washington, D.C., or New York.
Naomi Zhang is a law student passionate about public interest and advocacy. Originally from China, she has overcome significant challenges, including systemic bias and language barriers, by approaching every obstacle with resilience and determination. She draws strength from her children and family, who inspire her to serve as a role model and pursue a meaningful legal career. Naomi’s experiences interning with public defenders in her 1L summer have strengthened her commitment to using the law as a tool for justice and equity. She looks forward to a career dedicated to defending the rights of vulnerable communities and making the legal system more accessible and fair.
