Meet the OCS Staff
Freda Coleman-Jackson, Assistant Dean of Career Strategy. fcoleman-jackson@wlu.edu (540) 458-8536
Freda Coleman-Jackson graduated from Mercer University School of Law in 2009 and was the recipient of the Walter F. George Foundation Public Service Scholarship. During law school, she was an active member of the Legal Aid Volunteer Association and served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Also, she was an intern with Northwest Florida Legal Services and the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia. Following graduation, Ms. Coleman-Jackson began working in law school administration, specializing in admissions, career services, and student affairs. In 2014, she simultaneously launched a career consulting business and began doctoral studies in higher education and student affairs. Ms. Coleman-Jackson will provide general career advice and focused advice for students seeking careers in public interest and government law. Additionally, she will provide interview preparation assistance and document review.
Melanie Starks, Associate Director. mstarks@wlu.edu (540) 458-8356
Melanie Starks graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2006. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a litigation paralegal at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison in New York City and as an international trade paralegal at O'Melveny and Myers in Washington, D.C. Subsequently she moved to Chicago to begin her legal education. While in law school at Chicago-Kent, she was awarded the CALI award for legal writing in her first year and was the recipient of the Kent Justice Foundation Fellowship for public service in both her second and third years. Additionally, while attending law school, she interned at various public interest and government organizations including the Office of the State Appellate Defender and the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. Upon graduation Ms. Starks relocated from Chicago to New Haven, where she joined Connecticut Legal Services. She practiced for five years in the Children at Risk Unit providing direct client representation in special education matters. In her role at Connecticut Legal Services, she also engaged in direct advocacy at the state legislature in addition to conducting community outreach through trainings and media presentations. For the past several years, since moving to the Roanoke area, Ms. Starks has been engaged in her community serving in various leadership roles with numerous non-profits and volunteer organizations. She brings her varied and unique perspective to the work she will do facilitating the professional development of both law students and alumni.
J. Caleb Simon, Assistant Director. jsimon@wlu.edu (540) 458-8534
Caleb Simon brings experience in career services, counseling, and workforce development to the Office of Career Strategy, having worked in higher education, K-12, and community settings. Caleb earned his Master of Education in Counselor Education from the University of Lynchburg and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), currently advancing towards licensure as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Virginia. Caleb provides tailored career advice to law students, with a focus on helping them navigate job search strategies, document development, professional development, preparing for interviews and skill-building for successful legal careers.
Suzanne Wade, Assistant Director for Employer and Alumni Outreach. swade@wlu.edu (540) 458-8996
Suzanne attended Mary Baldwin College and has been a part of the Office of Career Strategy since May 2008. Prior to moving to the law school, she had ten years' experience working in the undergraduate career office. In her role, she manages all aspects of recruitment and employer outreach. Organizations interested in arranging on-campus interviews or participating in our Regional Interview Programs are encouraged to contact Suzanne. Additionally, Suzanne is responsible for coordinating events on and off campus for the Law Advancement Office.
2024-2025 Rachford Fellows
Rachford Fellows serve as the liaisons between the OCS staff and the student body. As peer counselors, Rachford Fellows connect more easily with law students, removing some of the barriers that kept students from benefiting from OCS guidance. Rachford Fellows increase student engagement, provide a social media presence, improve communication and feedback from students, generate creative programming ideas, foster professional development, and perform critical document review.
Natalie Beers grew up in Wayne, Pennsylvania and attended the College of William & Mary, where she graduated in 2019 with a BA in English Language & Literature. Prior to law school, she worked as a Legal Recruiter for a large DC law firm for three years. She spent her 1L summer working in Roanoke at the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia as a judicial intern for the Honorable Thomas T. Cullen. For her 2L summer, she will work as a Summer Associate at Arnold & Porter in Washington, DC. In her free time, Natalie enjoys running, hiking, exploring new coffee shops, and attending live music performances.
Kile Granai grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, and attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the Football team. During his 1L summer, he interned with the Public Defender's Office in Lynchburg, Virginia. For his 2L summer, he will work as a summer associate at Hunton Andrews Kurth in New York City, focusing on corporate practices such as Structured Finance, Securitization, and Capital Markets. In his free time, Kile enjoys watching movies, playing Catan with friends, cooking, and taking walks around Lexington.
Arianna Kiaei is a third-year law student from Scarsdale, New York. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in International Business and a Masters in Public Service. Prior to law school, she spent time working at a foundation in New York supporting inclusive economies and communities for immigrants and refugees. During her 1L summer, Arianna was a judicial intern at the U.S. Court of International Trade. She will spend her 2L summer as a summer associate at Weil, Gotshal, & Manges in the New York office. In her free time, she can be found at spin class, shopping at antique stores, or going on law walks around campus with friends.
Sydney Layne grew up on Long Island, New York and attended the University of Virginia, where she graduated in 2018 with a BA in Foreign Affairs and Economics. Prior to law school, Sydney worked in communications, with a short stint as a freelance writer. She spent her 1L summer with Locke Lord in Houston, TX, where she worked primarily with the energy and general corporate teams. She is returning to Locke Lord for her 2L summer. Outside of the Law School, Sydney enjoys walking the Chessie and other nearby trails, practicing yoga, watching real estate reality TV, wine tasting, and perusing the local farmers' market.
Office Information
Washington and Lee University School of Law
Office of Career Strategy
Sydney Lewis Hall
Lexington, VA 24450
Phone (540) 458-8535
Fax (540) 458-8168