Law school selects 2014-15 Dean's Fellows to mentor incoming class

LAWRENCE — Nine students at the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen as Dean’s Fellows for the 2014-15 academic year. 

The Dean’s Fellows are a group of second- and third-year law students selected to mentor first-year peers. Fellows offer academic support and guidance, serving as resources for students navigating the transition to law school. Fellows are selected through an application and interview process that considers their academic performance, campus and community involvement, and rapport with classmates.

“The program matches 1Ls with students who have gone through what they are about to go through,” said Paige Blevins, head Dean’s Fellow. “It encourages community, and community creates a more supportive system where students can succeed.”

The program is administered by the school’s Office of Admissions. The 2014-15 Dean’s Fellows are listed below by hometown.

BARTON COUNTY

Paige Blevins, a third-year law student from Great Bend, is this year’s head Dean’s Fellow. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English at KU and has participated in Women in Law and the Public Interest Law Society. Blevins served as a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and events coordinator for the Public Interest Law Society. She graduated from Great Bend High School and is the daughter of Ralph and Laura Blevins. 

JOHNSON COUNTY

Second-year law student Abby Hall, Overland Park, is a member of Women in Law, OUTlaws and Law Students for Reproductive Justice. She is a staff member on the  Kansas Law Review. Hall holds a bachelor’s degree in social welfare from KU. She attended Leavenworth High School and is the daughter of Jackie Millin.

Ben Ashworth, a third-year law student from Prairie Village, earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science at KU. He is a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and writes a sports column for the University Daily Kansan. Ashworth served as the chief of defense for Traffic Court and as a staff editor on the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy. He also conducts research about international arbitration. Ashworth graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and is the son of William and Gayle Ashworth. 

Maureen Orth is a second-year law student from Prairie Village. She is a member of the Kansas Law Review staff and the Native American Law Students Association. She participates in the Judicial Clinic. Orth holds a degree in English literature from Kansas State University and graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School. She is the daughter of Jim and Trish Orth.

SEDGWICK COUNTY

Grant Brazill, a third-year law student from Wichita, completed a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Wichita State University. He has been involved in the Environmental Law Society and the 1L Mentor Program. He served on the staff of the Kansas Law Review and is a member of the Hispanic American Law Students Association. Brazill graduated from Wichita Northwest High School and is the son of Rick and Marlene Brazill. 

Julia Leth-Perez is a second-year law student from Wichita. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from Wichita State University and serves as a KU Law Student Ambassador and member of the Dean’s Council, Women in Law and the Hispanic American Law Students Association. Beyond Green Hall, she serves on the Willow Domestic Violence Center Finance and Funding Committee. Leth-Perez is the daughter of John and Ellen Leth-Nissen and graduated from Circle High School.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY

Crystal Ellison, third-year law student from Kansas City, is vice president of the Black Law Students Association and a member of Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and Women in Law. She serves as a Traffic Court judge. Ellison volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and CASA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies with a minor in political science from Park University. Ellison graduated from Wyandotte High School and is the daughter of Patricia Ellison and Cleveland Ellison.

Out-of-state students

ARIZONA

Annette McDonough, a third-year law student from Phoenix, holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Wyoming. She has been involved in Traffic Court, Women in Law, Native American Law Students Association and the Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. McDonough served as the Westlaw student representative and participated in the In-House Moot Court Competition. She graduated from North High School and is the daughter of David Cox and Emily Jordan. 

UTAH
  
Jason Harmon, a third-year law student from Orem, completed a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in Spanish and Portuguese at Utah Valley University. He has been involved in the J. Reuben Clark Law Society and served as a teaching assistant for the Lawyering Skills course and a staff editor on the Kansas Law Review. He graduated from Timpanogos High School and is the son of Phillip and Janet Harmon.