2023 Public Law Fellowship
Renne Public Law Group was pleased to host its
fourth annual Public Law Fellowship Program in the summer of 2023
A condensed fellowship program designed to introduce law and public affairs students to local government practice.
Program Dates
The Fellowship Program was held remotely for a two-week period: May 22nd – June 6th, 2023
2023 Fellowship Program Winners
Alanna
McNaughton
Alanna McNaughton
Alanna McNaughton is a rising second-year student at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law, where they are enrolled in the David J. Epstein Program for Public Interest Law and Policy and a scholar with the new Center for Reproductive Health, Law, and Policy. Prior to law school, Alanna served as a mis- and disinformation researcher at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, working at the intersection of reproductive rights and digital civil liberties. At UCLA, she is involved in the El Centro Reentry and Let’s Go Liberation Clinics, as well as a member of If/When/How Lawyering for Reproductive Justice. As an attorney, Alanna hopes to utilize law and public policy to build power with and advocate for marginalized communities online and offline. Alanna graduated from Boston University with a BFA in Theatre Arts and BA in Political Science in 2018.
Katrina
Manrique
Katrina Manrique
Katrina Manrique is a Master of Public Policy graduate and Asian Pacific Alumni Association Scholar from the University of Southern California. At USC, Katrina served as the 6th David Bohnett Leadership Fellow and worked for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Under Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s office, Katrina co-authored several countywide motions to address various health concerns affecting Los Angeles County, including the rise of sexually transmitted diseases and youth mentorship for at-risk girls of color. These experiences have informed her subsequent internship at LA Care, which provides healthcare coverage to over 2.5 million Angelinos. She has previously interned at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, and the UC Davis Chancellor’s Office.
Ultimately, Katrina is interested in using data analytics and research to inform health, labor, and climate issues. She has co-authored several policy research papers which address the intersection of health, labor, and environmental justice. One co-authored paper, “Community Engagement in AB 617”, was cited by the Brookings Institution and featured in Cal Matters. Katrina’s work has since been recognized by the Yolo County Board of Supervisors and the California State Assembly. Upon graduation, Katrina will be an Advisory Associate for KPMG, where she will be consulting local and state governments. She believes RPLG’s Public Law Fellowship will inform her work strengthening local and state governments.
Mohammed
Al-Shawaf
Mohammed Al-Shawaf
Mohammed Al-Shawaf is a rising third-year law student at Georgetown University Law School. Prior to law school, Mohammed worked at the intersection of social impact, economic development and technology. After graduating with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley, Mohammed was the first Kiva Microfinance Fellow in Palestine, helping increase loan access to micro-entrepreneurs across the West Bank. Mohammed later led public policy and business development at the peer-to-peer carsharing company Getaround in San Francisco and impact and policy partnerships at WeWork in New York. Across a wide portfolio, Mohammed’s interest has been connecting individuals from diverse and underrepresented communities to economic opportunities. At WeWork, Mohammed led a global refugee hiring and training program across four continents and a national veteran and military spouse entrepreneurship accelerator in 20 cities.
At Georgetown Law, Mohammed has continued his focus on economic opportunity and justice, exploring the intersection of law and economic policy through direct representation in eviction defense to work at the federal and state government levels on issues ranging from consumer finance to corporate power.
Ray
Lu
Ray Lu
Ray Lu is a rising third-year dual-degree law and business student at Columbia University dedicated to tackling issues of economic justice. Through the Renne Public Law Fellowship, he hopes to better understand the ability of local government to induce positive social change, especially through impact litigation and supporting nonprofits and other mission-oriented organizations.
At Columbia Law School, he is a member of the Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic, a research assistant to Professor Lynnise Pantin, a public interest co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, and a member of the Journal of Law and Social Problems. At Columbia Business School, he is an Inclusive Entrepreneurship Fellow, a Nonprofit Board Leadership Fellow, a Three Cairns Fellow, and a board member of the Social Enterprise Club. Outside of the classroom, Ray is a member of the Food Bank for New York City’s Junior Board and volunteers at an affiliated pantry.
During his second year of graduate school, Ray worked at The Social Entrepreneurs’ Fund, an impact investing fund based in Brooklyn, New York. He spent the prior summer with the New York City Law Department’s Economic Development Division through the Summer Honors Program. During his first year of graduate school, he worked as a Social Enterprise Finance Associate at the U.S. Development Finance Corporation, the federal government’s development finance institution. Prior to graduate school, he worked as a financial analyst. Ray received his Bachelor of Arts in 2018 from Dartmouth College, where served as editor-in-chief of The Dartmouth newspaper. He was born and raised in Austin, Texas and enjoys exploring new restaurants and bars in New York City with friends.
Tabitha
Leonards
Tabitha Leonards
Tabitha Leonards is a second-year law student pursuing a specialization in public interest law and policy through the UCLA School of Law David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy. Tabitha serves as a co-chair for the Labor and Economic Justice Clinic, where she actively recruits new law students to volunteer with Strippers United, a sex-worker-led Los-Angeles-based nonprofit and authoritative voice in the strippers’ rights movement. She is an executive founding member of the Family Law Society at UCLA and has dedicated much of her time in law school to achieving social and economic justice for low-income communities.
Outside of the classroom, Tabitha has assisted in organizing and facilitating monthly pro bono clinics and know your rights trainings for strippers as a volunteer member of Stripper United’s Political Action and Legal team. She has also worked with Star Garden Topless Dive Bar North Hollywood club organizers to create and support the highly publicized, first strip club unionizing campaign since the 1990s. In attaining a Juris Doctor degree, Tabitha ultimately hopes to serve sex workers in their fight for the decriminalization and destigmatization of sex work and their inclusion in the wider labor movement.
Tom
Flynn
Tom Flynn
Tom Flynn is entering his third year at The University Of California Law School, San Francisco. Last summer, he worked with the Washtenaw County office of Public Defender.
Tom graduated with high honors and distinction from the University of Michigan, where he studied history. As an undergraduate, he wrote and defended a thesis on the cultural memory of the civil rights movement and held leadership positions at the local nonprofit radio station in Ann Arbor. Tom’s interests include music, literature, cooking, and Michigan Football.
About RPLG
Renne Public Law Group® is a reform-oriented law firm representing state and local entities and nonprofit organizations. We also have a Public Policy Group, offering lobbying services and a Public Management Group, providing consulting services. We are excited about this program and hope you apply. Check out our law firm and what we do at www.rennepubliclawgroup.com.