Burks Scholars

The Martin Parks Burks Scholars program brings third-year law students into the first-year curriculum as teaching assistants. Burks Scholars are third-year law students selected on the basis of research, writing, and teaching skills to provide support for the first-year small sections of Legal Research and Legal Writing.

Nine Burks Scholars serve for the 2025-2026 academic year: three for Research and six for Writing.

The Legal Research Burks serve as teaching assistants in the first-year Legal Research classes during the fall semester. Each Research Burks works with a Legal Research professor in conveying the concepts of legal research, analysis, and citation to two sections of Legal Research. The Legal Writing Burks serve as teaching assistants in the first-year legal writing classes during the fall and spring semesters. Each Writing Burks works with a Legal Writing professor in teaching legal writing, analysis, and citation to one section of Legal Writing. All Burks Scholars may additionally teach or participate in workshops or special programming, with the goal of preparing students for success both in law school and in the legal workplace following their first year.

The Burks Scholars hold office hours for students to discuss concepts and assignments in the Legal Research and Legal Writing courses. The Burks Scholar offices are located on Level 3 of the Law Library in Room 320, facing the Circulation Desk. Office hours and appointments may also be held elsewhere with notice or by special arrangement with a Burks Scholar.

2025-2026 Burks Scholars

Legal Research Burks Scholars

	Mary Jane Apostle (works with Prof. Shibib) - Mary Jane is a third-year law student from Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a bachelor's degree in history and anthropology. Prior to attending W&L Law, Mary Jane worked as a legal assistant in the disciplinary department of the Virginia State Bar. During her 1L summer, Mary Jane interned for U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kenney in the Eastern District of Virginia. This past summer, she worked as a Summer Associate at Troutman Pepper Locke in Richmond, VA. In addition to being a Burks Scholar, Mary Jane is a Lead Articles Editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review and President of the Art Law Society. In her free time, she enjoys walking the Chessie Trail, watching F1, and spending time with friends.
	Ahmed Bhutto (works with Prof. Christensen) - Ahmed is a third-year law student from Pakistan. He graduated from the University of London in 2021 with a degree in law. During his 1L summer, Ahmed was a summer associate at Womble Bond Dickinson in Charlotte, NC, and an in-house legal intern at SPX Technologies. For his 2L summer, he worked as a summer associate at Goldwasser & Chan in New York. In addition to being a Burks Scholar, Ahmed is a Lead Articles Editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review, President of the Disabled Law Students Association, and a mentor for first-generation law students. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and hosting dinner parties.
	Bryce Tenberg (works with Prof. Evans) - Bryce is a third-year law student from Warrenton, Virginia. He graduated from Liberty University in December of 2022, where he studied History. After college, Bryce worked as a Law Clerk at Price Benowitz, LLP. For his 1L summer, he interned at Stand Together in its in-house legal department. This last summer, Bryce was a Summer Associate at Jones Day in its Washington, D.C. office, where he will return after graduation. In addition to working as a Burks Scholar, Bryce is a Lead Online Editor of the Washington and Lee Law Review, President of the Christian Legal Society, Mentorship Chair of the Federalist Society, Treasurer of the Tax Law Society, and works in the W&L Tax Clinic. Outside of school, Bryce enjoys volunteering with his church's youth group, participating in LSFL, and reading.

Legal Writing Burks Scholars

	Shelby Brown (works with Prof. Skeeles-Shiner) - Shelby is a third-year law student from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Economics and Spanish. During her 1L summer, she interned for the Honorable Daniel E. Ortiz of the Court of Appeals of Virginia. This past summer, she worked as a Summer Associate for Watt, Tieder, Hoffar, & Fitzgerald. In addition to serving as a Burks Scholar, Shelby is the Student Bar Association President and a Lead Articles Editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review. In her free time, she enjoys reading thriller novels and spending time with friends.
	Alex Hudson (works with Prof. Weiss) - Alex is a third-year law student from St. Augustine, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in English and Women's Studies, and a minor in Business Administration. During her 1L summer, Alex worked as a legal intern for Coca-Cola Beverages Florida in Tampa, Florida. This past summer, Alex worked as a Summer Associate for Alston & Bird in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to being a Burks Scholar, Alex is a Managing Editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review and is in the Civil Rights and Racial Justice Clinic. In her free time, Alex enjoys yoga, reading, and taking her cat on walks.
	Adnan Kajoshi (works with Prof. Schwartz) - Adnan is a third-year law student from Tuckahoe, New York. He graduated from New York University with a B.A. in Biology, and a minor in Politics. During his 1L Summer, Adnan was a legal intern at the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia and a judicial intern at the New York Supreme Court. This past summer, Adnan worked as a Summer Law Clerk for Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in its New York City office. In addition to being a Burks Scholar, Adnan is a Managing Editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review and works in the Black Lung Clinic. In his free time, he enjoys photography, movies, baking, and the outdoors.
	Tyler Schieda (works with Prof. Skeeles-Shiner) - Tyler is a 3L from Monroe Township, New Jersey. He graduated from Villanova University in 2021 with a bachelor's degree in economics. Before law school, Tyler worked as a paralegal at Wiley Rein in Washington, D.C. During his 1L summer, Tyler was a judicial intern at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. For his 2L summer, Tyler was a summer associate at Sidley Austin in the firm's Washington, D.C. office. In addition to being a Burks Scholar, Tyler is a Hearing Advisor, a Co chair of the John W. Davis Moot Court Competition, a Law Ambassador, a Sports Czar, and a Lead Articles Editor on the Washington and Lee Law Review. In his free time, Tyler enjoys running, cooking, and spending time with his friends.
	Marta Stevenson (works with Prof. Schwartz) - Marta is a third-year law student from Macon, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Georgia which a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice. During her 1L summer, she interned for the U.S. Marshals Service's Office of General Counsel. She spent her 2L summer working with the New York Attorney General's Office of Special Investigation. In addition to serving as a Burks Scholar, Marta is a Senior Articles Editor for the German Law Journal, WLSO Co-President, a sports Czar, a student attorney in the Community Legal Practice Clinic, and a proud member of the Pro Slay flag football team. In her free time, Marta enjoys puzzling, exercising, spending time with friends, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs!
	Dani Wasshausen (works with Prof. Weiss) - Dani is a third-year law student from Crofton, Maryland. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Management, Leadership, and Policy. During her 1L summer, she worked as a judicial intern for the Honorable Brynja M. Booth of the Supreme Court of Maryland. This past summer, Dani was a summer associate in the New York office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. In addition to her role as a Burks Scholar, Dani is a Lead Articles Editor for the Washington and Lee Law Review and a judicial extern for the Honorable Michael F. Urbanski of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Outside of law school, Dani enjoys cooking, reading, cycling, and hanging out with her pug, Ozzy.