New class of KU Law Dean’s Fellows to mentor incoming law students

LAWRENCE – Thirteen students at the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen as Dean’s Fellows for the 2021-22 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.

"Each year, new Dean's Fellows are selected to uphold a legacy of collegiality and inclusiveness within Green Hall," said Olivia Black, co-head Dean's Fellow. "We accomplish this through mentorship and connecting first-year students to academic, social and mental health resources. The transition into legal academia is rigorous, and the Dean's Fellows are committed to ensuring that 1Ls transition into law school seamlessly." 

The 2021-22 Dean’s Fellows are listed below.

Jadyn Atteberry is a second-year law student from Olathe. Atteberry earned a bachelor’s degree in statistics and data science from Kansas State University. She is a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and a member of Women in Law.

Jacob Barefield is a second-year law student from Martinez, Georgia. Barefield earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Georgia Southern University. This spring, he received the Law Class of 1949 Award for Leadership for the first-year class. The award is given annually to students who, in the opinion of the faculty, contributed most significantly to the overall experience of students in Green Hall. Barefield serves on the Student Affairs Committee for the law school, is a research assistant for Professor Uma Outka and is a member of Women in Law, International Law Society and Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society. He is a graduate of Evans High School.

Olivia Black, a third-year law student from Wichita, is one of this year’s head Dean’s Fellows. Black earned a bachelor’s degree in health science with an emphasis in health administration from Wichita State University. She won the award for Best Draft and received second-place honors for Best Negotiation and Best Overall at the 2021 UCLA School of Law Transactional Law Competition. Currently, Black is participating in the KU Medical-Legal Partnership and concluding her Business and Commercial Law Certificate. After graduation, she will return to Wichita to practice at a law firm. Black graduated from Wichita East High School.

Alexis Christopher is a third-year law student from Parker, Colorado. Christopher earned a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication with a concentration in public relations from the University of Colorado. She is a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review, a KU Law Student Ambassador and a member of the Moot Court Council. Christopher also participates in Women in Law, Sports Law Society, Federalist Society, Business & Tax Law Society and Mindfulness in Law Society. Christopher graduated from Regis Jesuit High School.

Christian DeShazo is a third-year law student from St. Louis. DeShazo earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. DeShazo has been a student intern for the Paul E. Wilson Project for Innocence & Post-Conviction Remedies and competed in the Transactional LawMeet Competition.

Linden Hoffman is a third-year law student from Leawood. Hoffman earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Kansas. She has worked for a judge at the Missouri Court of Appeals and for a civil litigation firm in Kansas City. Hoffman graduated from Blue Valley High School.

Kyler Jackson is a third-year law student from Douglass. Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-law and political science from Kansas State University. He is the president of the Energy & Environmental Law Society. Jackson graduated from Rose Hill High School.

Brandon Lock is a second-year law student from Southlake, Texas. Lock earned a bachelor’s degree in economics, public policy and political science from Southern Methodist University. He is vice president of the Black Law Students Association, an active member in many other student organizations and a KU Rugby player. Lock graduated from Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas.

Amanda McElfresh is a second-year law student from St. George. McElfresh earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wichita State University. She is the secretary for the Hispanic American Law Students Association and a member of Women in Law and First-Generation Professionals. McElfresh graduated from Rock Creek Junior/Senior High School.

Grace Quinlan, a third-year law student from Kansas City, Kansas, is one of this year’s head Dean’s Fellows. Quinlan earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Colorado State University. She is a staff articles editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and a member of Women in Law and the Energy & Environmental Law Society. Quinlan graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School.

Sarah Schmitz is a second-year law student from Wichita. Schmitz earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Creighton University. She is a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review and a member of the Energy & Environmental Law Society and Women in Law. Schmitz graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School.

Madeline Shriver is a second-year law student from Omaha, Nebraska. Shriver earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, philosophy and Spanish from Rockhurst University. She is the secretary for the Student Bar Association and is a member of the St. Thomas More Society and Women in Law. Shriver graduated from Millard North High School.

Catherine Stephens is a second-year law student from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Stephens earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the U.S. Naval Academy, where she was captain of the women's rugby team. After graduating from the Naval Academy, Stephens served as a surface warfare officer in the Navy for six years. She was then a senior consultant for Deloitte, working on retention and recruitment policies and strategy for the Navy for two years. Stephens worked at the U.S. Attorney's Office this summer in Kansas City, Kansas, and is president of the Kansas Law School Military & Veterans Society. She is also on the Dean's Diversity Leadership Council. Stephens is a military spouse and parent of two children. Stephens is a graduate of Lejeune High School.

Photo: KU School of Law Dean's Fellows for 2021.