Trial Team

Austin is a third-year law student who is fond of his new home, Little Rhody. He is a co-chair of the RWU Trial Team Advisory Board. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Austin attended Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he earned a degree in Physics. Austin later enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division as an infantryman. Austin thoroughly enjoys supplementing his coursework with various student activities including the Student Bar Association and the Alternative Spring Break program with the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Learning. He interned with the Honorable John J. McConnell Jr., at the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, last summer and interned with Integrity Review Bureau at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office last fall. Austin served as a summer clerk with Motley Rice in Charleston, South Carolina

Amy Domenack is a 3L at Roger Williams University School of Law (RWU SOL) and a co-chair of the RWU Trial Team Advisory Board. Originally from Clifton, New Jersey, she graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University, with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. As a first-generation Latino American undergraduate and law student she always had a passion to be in the courtroom. Amy made the team as a 1L. In the spring of 2023, she and her teammate won the Roger Williams Trial Team Internal Competition. During her 2L year she competed in the Texas Young Lawyers Association Mock Trial Competition and was a Moot Court Student Coach for middle school and high school students for the Rhode Island Coalition of Black Women. She also served as a teaching assistant to Professor Allen’s criminal law class. Amy was a Rule 9 Student Attorney at the Rhode Island Public Defender's Office. Currently, she is the President of Family Law Society, President of MCLSA, Treasurer for the Latino Law Student Association. She serves as a teaching assistant to Professor Beaubien’s criminal law class, Professor Margulies’s Immigration law class and the Writing Center. Amy aspires to pursue a career in criminal defense, family law, and immigration law. She is excited to sharpen her oral advocacy skills and represent RWU SOL by competing alongside her teammates in external trial competitions during the new school year.

Elijah Santos is from Westport, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, in 2022 and holds dual degrees in English and Philosophy. While a member of the Trial Team, Elijah is the President of Moot Court and the Alumni & Outreach Editor of the Roger Williams University Law Review. During his 1L, Elijah worked as a summer associate at Sulloway & Hollis, P.L.L.C. in Concord, NH, and as a law clerk at Cameron & Mittleman LLP in Providence, RI, during his 2L.  

Rob Taylor is a third year law student who is originally from New York. After completing his 1L year he interned at the Providence City Solicitor’s Office where he gained insight into the Rhode Island legal system. He also participated in the Providence 2023 Summer Mayoral Fellowship and gained hands-on experience within city government. After his 2L year, Rob interned at the New York Attorney General’s Office, where he wrote various motions, including motions to dismiss, in complex civil litigation cases. In addition to being a member of the Trial Team, Rob is Vice President of MCLSA and a teaching assistant in the Writing Center. During his free time he enjoys reading, sports, working out, cooking, and taking vacations. Rob is excited to compete on the RWU SOL Trial Team and further sharpen his oral advocacy skills.

Anthony Jackson is currently a 3L at Roger Williams University School of Law, originally hailing from Boston, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience from La Sierra University in Riverside, California. With a strong passion for public interest law, he is dedicated to pursuing a career as a public defender upon graduating and passing the bar. His academic and professional journey reflects a commitment to advocating for justice and serving underrepresented communities. He looks forward to learning and growing with his new trial team teammates. 

Giacomo D’Alessandro is from Massapequa Park, New York, and is a third year student at Roger Williams University School of Law. He graduated from Siena College with a B.A. in Psychology. Giacomo was a participant in the Alternative Spring Break Program with the Legal Aid Society’s Juvenile Rights Practice in New York. He later interned in that office, an experience that piqued his interest in trial advocacy.  After his 2L year, Giacomo interned with the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County’s District Court Bureau where he participated on the record in court proceedings and observed several trials and suppression hearings. This internship, coupled with other experiences, solidified Giacomo’s desire to work as a trial attorney. In addition to participating on the RWU SOL Trial Team, Giacomo is involved in the Criminal Defense Clinic, Public Interest Externship, and he serves as a teaching assistant for Professor Margulies’s criminal law class. Outside of his academic pursuits, Giacomo enjoys reading, playing video games, and playing lacrosse.
 

Tyler Williams was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Tyler graduated magna cum laude from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science, and Spanish, and was a student-athlete. In addition to the Trial Team, Tyler is a member of the Honors Program, participates on the Moot Court Board, works as a student editor for the Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce, and serves as the president of the Military Law Society. In his free time, Tyler enjoys playing guitar, rolling jiu-jitsu, and is the assistant coach for the Roger Williams University wrestling team. 
 

Maggie is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. Originally from Boise, Idaho, she moved to Rhode Island for law school. Maggie graduated magna cum laude from Boise State University with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sociology. She is passionate about working with indigent clients and plans to pursue a career in criminal defense or immigration law. She became interested in the trial team during her 2L year after recognizing her desire to spend more time in a courtroom, following her experience as a Rule 9 Student Intern at the RI Public Defender's Office.  Maggie is excited to practice her courtroom skills with her peers this school year. 

Gina George is from Long Island, New York. She completed her undergraduate education at CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice Midtown Manhattan, majoring in Political Science with a minor in English. During her time at John Jay, Gina held several internships, including a notable role as a Mediator with the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
Following her graduation, Gina immediately pursued her legal education with a passion for criminal law. In her second fall semester, she served as a teaching assistant for Professor Allen’s criminal law class. In February 2024, Gina participated in the  Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition, an experience which motivated her to try out for the law school’s trial team. After her 2L year, Gina was awarded a fellowship through the Black Public Defender Association and spent her summer interning with the Montgomery County Public Defender's Office where shepracticed law under the supervision of a senior attorney.  In her final fall semester, Gina will be a participant in the Criminal Defense Clinic, where she is eager to zealously advocate on behalf of her clients.

Brandon is a third year student at RWU School of Law. He was born and raised in Cranston, RI, and graduated magna cum laude from Rhode Island College with a BA in Political Science. In the summer after his 1L year, Brandon worked for a leading plaintiff's litigation firm on cases related to catastrophic personal injury, medical malpractice, and class actions. After graduation, Brandon hopes to practice as a plaintiff's litigation attorney and is also interested in criminal defense work. In addition to law school, Brandon serves in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, representing District 16 in his hometown of Cranston, having been first elected in 2020.

Becca Hensley is a third-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law. Originally from Crothersville, IN, Becca earned her B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies from Ball State University. After completing her undergraduate studies, she spent three years in Northern California working as a paralegal at a civil litigation firm before pursuing her legal education. As a first-generation college and law student, Becca is deeply passionate about advocacy. Alongside her involvement with the Trial Team, she serves as the Treasurer for the Student Rhode Island Association for Justice. Looking ahead, Becca aspires to practice criminal defense.

David Sylvester is from New Castle, Delaware, and currently resides in North Providence, RI. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Albright College. During his 2L year, he competed in the Constance Baker Motley Mock Trial Competition. In his 3L year, he looks forward to sharpening his skills while working in the Business Start-Up Clinic. He seeks to grow his advocacy skills for use in his desired fields of civil litigation, elder law and alternative dispute resolution. Outside of the trial team, he serves as the Corresponding Secretary for the Student Bar Association, as well as the President of the Roger Williams School of Law Black Law Students Association.

Nora Zientak is originally from Queensbury, New York. She graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in History. Nora was an investigative & legal intern with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights after 1L, and a Rule 9 Student Attorney with the Rhode Island Public Defenders after 2L. During her 3L year, Nora will be participating in the Criminal Defense clinic and the Public Interest externship. In addition to her membership on the Trial Team, Nora is the President of the Alliance, Secretary of the Mental Health Club, and a teaching assistant for Race and the Foundations of American Law. 

Penelope “Penny” Kehrer is a second 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 Vice President of the Family Law Society and the Event Coordinator for Alliance. 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. 

Matthew Ijac is a second-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.

Alyah Achabi is a second-year law student at Roger Williams University School of Law and a native 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. After interning at the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island while in high school, she knew she wanted to be an immigration attorney. In her first year of law school, she participated in Street Law and was a 1L Representative for MESALA. During her 1L summer, Alyah interned at Bremer Law & Associates in Providence, RI, where she was able to work on asylum cases and attend family and immigration court hearings. In addition to her membership on the Trial Team, she is also a member of the Moot Court Board. Her goal is to practice immigration law.

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.

Olesya Tamburro is a 2L 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.

Ann Martinez is a second-year law student at RWU School of Law. She is originally from Dallas, Texas. She is a first generation undergraduate and law student. She graduated from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in Psychology and a double minor in Sociology and Political Science. During her 1L year, she  participated in Street Law at the Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education and plans on continuing with their programs through law school. She aspires to help underprivileged individuals post law school.