Kirgis Fellows

The Kirgis Fellow program is a mentoring program designed to assist first-year and transfer students with the adjustment to law school by providing guidance and advice about academics, the job search process, and life in Lexington. The Kirgis Fellows are generally second-year law students who mentor a first-year, small-section class. Two Kirgis Fellows are assigned to each small section. The Head Kirgis Fellows are two third-year law students, and former Kirgis Fellows, who lead the program and serve as Kirgis Fellows to transfer students.

Kirgis Fellows play a large role during Orientation and share their perspective as experienced students throughout the year. Over the course of regular meetings, Kirgis Fellows meet with first-year students to discuss study strategies, summer jobs, law school exams, coping with the stress of law school, and the traditions that make W&L Law unique. In addition, Kirgis Fellows are available throughout the year to answer questions and to provide support to first-year students. Students are encouraged to keep in touch with their Kirgis Fellows and ask for help and advice as they encounter questions and challenges during their first year of law school.

Head Kirgis Fellows

Yardley Borten is a third-year law student from Gaithersburg, MD. She graduated from Tulane University in 2022 with a degree in Psychology, also pursuing a major in Philosophy and a minor in Film Studies. During her 1L summer, Yardley was a legal intern at the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project in Washington, DC.

At W&L, Yardley is involved in the German Law Journal, the Pro Bono Board, the Health Law Association, the American Constitution Society, the Student Library Advisory Committee, and newly this year the Art Law Society. She is also an avid Law School Flag Football player and fan.

In her free time, Yardley can be found playing guitar, making espresso, watching sports, strolling through Lex with friends, or coaching one of the local U-10 soccer teams.

Sadie Mapstone is a third-year law student from Geneva, New York. She graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2021 with a degree in History. After graduation, she served with AmeriCorps, teaching 4th grade in an inner-city school in Cleveland, Ohio.

During her 1L summer, Sadie interned for U.S. Magistrate Judge Pedersen in the Western District of New York. She spent her 2L summer at Hunton Andrews Kurth in Washington, DC where she will return as an environmental associate following graduation.

Aside from being a Head Kirgis Fellow, Sadie is a Legal Research Burks Scholar, the Negotiations Chair on the Moot Court Executive Board, a Law Admissions Ambassador, a Lead Online Editor for the Washington & Lee Law Review, and the founding co-president of the Environmental Law Society. In her free time, she enjoys exercise classes, long walks on the Chessie, bingeing the latest Netflix show, and playing with her new puppy.

Kirgis Fellows

Emilio Avila is a second-year law student from Laguna Niguel, CA. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2022 with a degree in Political Science. Prior to law school, he worked in hospitality management and helped co-found Mission Meals, a mutual aid group combating food insecurity in the Bay Area.

During his 1L summer, Emilio was a judicial extern to Chief Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. On campus, Emilio serves as Co-Vice President for the Latin American Law Student Association (LALSA) and Treasurer for the Disabled Law Students Association (DLSA).

In his free time, Emilio can be found detailing his car at the car wash next to Walmart, yapping in the gym, and watching scary movies.

Symone Gibbs is a second-year law student from Smithfield, Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2023 with a double major in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, and a minor in Political Science. While at VCU, she served as Parliamentarian of the Theta Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Vice President of Minorities in Law, and Research Assistant for the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

During her 1L summer, Symone was an extern at the Hampton Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. In addition to being a Kirgis Fellow, she is a Staffwriter for the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, Secretary of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Law Student Ambassador, Research Assistant for Professor Malveaux, and a member of the Sports Entertainment and Intellectual Property Law Society (SEIPLS).

In her free time, Symone enjoys watching sports, attending musicals, listening to true crime podcasts, and trying new recipes.

Nathan Heastie is a second-year law student. He was born and raised in The Bahamas before attending the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in History and graduated in 2023. At UF, Nathan competed collegiately as a rock climber and was a member of the "LitiGators," UF's Mock Trial team.

Nathan spent his 1L summer as a judicial intern to the Honorable Jamar K. Walker in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

In addition to being a Kirgis Fellow, Nathan serves as a Staffwriter for the Washington and Lee Law Review and the Co-President of the Sports, Entertainment, and Intellectual Property Law Society (SEIPLS). He is also a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) and the First Generation Student Union (FGSU).

In his free time, Nathan enjoys playing basketball, rock climbing, watching movies, and winning the LSFL championship.

Elizabeth Hertzberg is a second-year law student from Roanoke, VA. She graduated from W&L in 2023 with a degree in Biochemistry while also pursuing a major in American Politics and a minor in Classics. As an undergraduate student, she was an athlete on the Women’s Track and Field Team.

During her 1L summer, Elizabeth worked for W&L’s Office of the General Counsel. On campus, she is a staff writer for the Washington & Lee Law Review. Elizabeth also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to serve foster children in the Lexington, Rockbridge, and Buena Vista areas.

In her free time, Elizabeth can be found in town at Pronto or on campus at the fitness center, but she also enjoys reading and gardening.

Sidney Johnson is a second-year law student from Saint Johns, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University in 2021 with a degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Religion, while also completing a degree in Sociology. After graduation, she worked as a legal assistant for a non-profit immigration clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. Before starting law school, she worked for a regional firm in Jacksonville as an administrative legal assistant in family law.

During her 1L summer, Sidney was a summer associate at McGuireWoods in Jacksonville, Florida. Outside of being a Kirgis Fellow, Sidney is the Treasurer of the Student Bar Association and co-chair of the PAD Auction. Additionally, she is a member of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), the Women’s Law Students Organization (WLSO), the First Generation Student Union (FGSU), and is a Staffwriter on Law Review.

In her free time, she can be found hiking with her dog Cashew, playing Mario Kart, reading fiction, or crocheting.

Lilli Marshall is a second-year law student from Melbourne, Florida. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2019 with a degree in Political Science and Economics. Prior to law school, Lilli worked at a law firm in attorney recruiting and as a paralegal.

During her 1L summer, Lilli was a summer associate at Williams Mullen in Richmond, Virginia. Outside of being a Kirgis Fellow, she is a Junior Editor for the German Law Journal, Law Admissions Ambassador, and Vice President of Service and Mentorship for the Women Law Students Organization (WLSO).

In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and golf, reading, and hanging out with friends.

Guy Mannick was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Before law school, Guy tap danced across the country as an Actor and later a Theatrical Producer. During the pandemic, Guy pivoted to a role as the Chief of Staff for an estate in New York and then San Francisco. During his 1L summer, Guy served as a Summer Associate at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he worked on both litigation and transactional matters.

On campus, Guy served as the 1L Class President of the Student Bar Association and is currently a Staff Writer for the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice. Off campus, he’s often seen riding his bicycle to Heliotrope or cooking overly elaborate meals.

Quan Nguyen is a second-year law student from San Diego, CA. He graduated from the University of California, Riverside in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Service.

Following university, Quan worked on a local political campaign in San Diego before switching over to digital marketing work for a cosmetic dermatology company that specialized in neuromodulator, laser, and dermal filler treatments. During his 1L Summer, he worked as a summer associate in a boutique litigation firm in Charleston, SC.

In addition to being a Kirgis Fellow, Quan is also a Staffwriter on Law Review, Co-President of OUTLaw, Design Editor for The Law News, and Co-Head of Media for the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA).

In his free time, Quan enjoys strength training, digital photography, exploring national and state parks, making new playlists, and dining at all-you-can-eat restaurants.

Ally Ortegon is a second-year law student from Cibolo, Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin in 2020 with a degree in Journalism. After graduating, she worked as a journalist at Austin’s NPR station.

During her 1L summer, Ally was a judicial intern for the Honorable Ana Reyes of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C.

At W&L, Ally is a staff writer for the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, secretary of the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA), and a member of the Women Law Students Organization and If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice.

In her free time, Ally can be found playing soccer, taking a run on Lexington’s trails, cheering on UT football, or antiquing in a nearby town.

Cody Page is a second-year law student from Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 where he majored in Economics and minored in Writing & Rhetoric Studies.

During his 1L Summer he worked at Maynard Nexsen in Greensboro, North Carolina and was a research assistant for Professor Sarah Cravens. At W&L, Cody is Co-President of the J. Rueben Clark Law Society, and Mentorship Co-Chair for the First-Generation Student Union (FGSU).

During his free time, he enjoys trail running, watching Survivor, and listening to podcasts.

Caroline Penfield is a second-year law student from Birmingham, Alabama. She graduated from Elon University in 2022 with a degree in Policy Studies and Political Science. Before law school, she worked in higher education in Atlanta, Georgia.

During her 1L summer, Caroline worked at the Fairfax County Public Defender in Northern Virginia. In addition to being a Kirgis Fellow, Caroline is on the board of the Women Law Student Organization, a Staffwriter on the Journal of Civil Rights and Social Justice, and a Sports Czar. She is also a member of the Public Defense Group.

In her free time, Caroline enjoys watching college football, going on walks around town, and seeing live music.

Nate Rush is a second-year law student from Wheeling, WV. He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 2022 with a degree in Business Administration, while also playing college baseball. After graduation, Nate worked as a paralegal for the District Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh, PA.

During his 1L summer, Nate was a summer associate at Steptoe & Johnson in Charleston, WV. Outside of serving as a Kirgis Fellow, he is a Staffwriter on W&L Law Review. He is also a member of the Antitrust & Consumer Law Society (ACLS) and the American Constitution Society (ACS).

In his free time, Nate is very active and enjoys exercising, hiking, and playing soccer, tennis, and LSFL. He also enjoys cooking, reading, and attending concerts.