JORDAN CHISOLM Candidate for SBA President

Greetings NYU Law! My name is Jordan Chisolm, and I am a 2L originally from Long Island, New York. I am running for SBA President because I have had the privilege to experience all that NYU has to offer from outside the SBA. My background working in government, service as a student org treasurer, and immersion in both the public and private job hunt have given me perspective on how the SBA can address real issues that affect our daily lives as law students. I will fight for policies that provide support and flexibility in our academic careers, allow our student groups to thrive, and help us all get the job that we want.

I will push for reforms that can help every student succeed academically. I will advocate for an

expanded, proactive tutoring program that connects more students with the support they need. We also need more flexibility in course selection and the freedom to obtain credit for internships and real work experiences. By changing our academic culture, we can ensure that all students perform to the best of their abilities.

We need to improve PILC and make sure the student voice is the school’s first priority.

Appointing a new Associate Dean for Public Service is a great first step, but we can do more. I will push to ensure that PILC summer funding is not distributed weeks after students start their summer jobs. By soliciting more student input, I will work to ensure all students—including our public interest students—get the support they need to secure jobs for the summer and after graduation.

Our culture of collaboration makes NYU Law different from every other law school, and as SBA

President I will lobby against burdensome policies that have made student events unaffordable. I will push to expand catering options and to reduce the host of fees and surcharges that make it harder for student orgs to put on their best events.

In my two years at NYU, I have served as Treasurer of the Black Allied Law Students Association

(BALSA), Staff Editor on the Annual Survey of American Law (ASAL), participated in the Litigation, Organizing, and Systemic Change clinic, educated elementary and high school students on safely interacting with the police, and even served as your Westlaw Student Representative. I have danced with you at Fall Ball, and toasted with you at Bar Review. Coming to NYU Law has been the ride of a lifetime, and as your SBA President, I will work tirelessly to make your NYU Law experience one you will never forget.

JOHN M. GRANT

Candidate for SBA President Hey Everybody, First, thanks for taking the time to read through this. I’m John Michael Grant, a 2L, and I have enjoyed the challenge of being SBA Treasurer this past year. This is my second year on SBA, and I have a good understanding of the technical details that make something possible. I’ve realized that the SBA has two different ways to promote initiatives. 1) Our “Soft Power” to lobby the administration for changes, and 2) Our “Fund Power” to decide how we spend the $185,000 the student body receives every year from the administration. After my experience as Treasurer this past year, I understand how to get the most out of our money. By scouring the numbers, and paying close attention to how all 78 student-groups spend their money, I’ve been able to reallocate funds towards useful spending by new, energetic organizations. During the last year, we have spent more than ever before, while

still achieving a surplus greater than the one we inherited last year. As a member of the SBA’s Executive Board, I know how to go about asking the administration for changes. I have a personal relationship with many of the administrators and assistant deans, and I know who to go to if we want to get something done. I will not promise the impossible. Here is my platform: SOFT POWER I promise to work with the administration and do my best to accomplish the following:

• CONTINUE TO PROTEST AND RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE UNSCIENTIFIC FDA BAN ON GAY BLOOD DONORS THROUGH THE SBA SPONSORED BLOOD DRIVE

• INCREASE THE ADJUNCT CREDIT CAP • MOVE THE BUY/SELL TEXTBOOK FUNCTION OFF OF COASES AND ONTO ITS OWN LISTSERVE

TO REDUCE EMAIL CLUTTER • LOBBY AGAINST SENATE PROPOSALS TO REDUCE LRAP • FIGHT TO CREATE A CODE OF CONDUCT FOR TRUSTEES THAT WOULD INCLUDE EGREGIOUS

LABOR RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND OTHER HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES FUND POWER Here are some specific actions, more within the SBA’s complete control, that I would take to make this school a better place:

• EVERY PRINTER AT NYU LAW WILL HAVE A STAPLER NEXT TO IT. ESPECIALLY THE DOWNSTAIRS COMPUTER LAB IN THE LIBRARY

• BAR REVIEW REVIEW - A SHORT POLL INCLUDED IN EVERY SBA EMAIL WHERE ANYBODY CAN RATE THE MOST RECENT BAR REVIEW ON A SCALE OF 1-5, SO WE HAVE SOME INFO ON WHERE TO HAVE BAR REVIEWS AND HOW FANCY A VENUE WE SHOULD USE

• MORE PEOPLE PASSING OUT DRINK TICKETS AT BAR REVIEWS SO IT IS EASIER TO GET THE DRINKS YOU’VE PAID FOR

• MORE E & E’S FOR RENT IN THE LIBRARY. IT MAKES NO SENSE FOR US ALL TO BUY AN INDIVIUDAL COPY THAT WE USE ONCE OR TWICE A SEMESTER

• CREATE A RAFFLE TO REWARD THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTE OUTLINES TO THE SBA OUTLINE BANK. THESE OUTLINES HELP PEOPLE LEARN, AND THERE IS LITTLE INCENTIVE TO CONTRIBUTE

• CONTINUE TO HAVE A $6,000 FUND FOR LLM STUDENTS TO USE FOR THEIR END OF YEAR PARTY

• NEARLY $5,000 THIS YEAR WAS SPENT ON BRAND NEW STUDENT GROUPS. I CREATED A NEW GROUP FUND THAT ANTICIPATES THESE LIKELY EXPENDITURES AND TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW GROUPS IN DRAFTING A BUDGET. I WANT TO EXPAND THIS FUND SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO FUND NEW GROUPS SUCH AS LAW STUDENTS OF CATAN, THE LAW AND RELIGION SOCIETY, BETTER THAN THE SWORD, AND JAPANESE LAW STUDENTS ASSOCIATION

I ask for your vote because I care about this position and I care about the people I represent. The SBA can’t change the world, but we can make a small difference in real people’s lives. I want to continue being involved because I believe I am best suited to make effective change on your behalf.

Thank you for your time, JMG

SHANE MECKLER Candidate for SBA Vice President and 2L Representative

My fellow NYU Law students, When I decided to run for VP, I considered just photoshopping my head onto Frank Underwood for this. I then determined that may not send the right message (I first and foremost promise to not throw anyone in front of a subway car… well, unless you send 10 separate Coase’s WTS emails in a row). Background: Raised in sunny (vote for me and I’ll end this “polar vortex” nonsense for good) yet legally stunted Florida… I joined the Peace Corps after college, serving as a Community Health Volunteer in Mozambique. I look forward to

embarking on a public interest law career after NYU Law. Funding Student Organizations/Community engagement: I’m a huge advocate of student organizations and that’s where most of SBA’s funds needs to go. Organizations from SRP to OutLaw, SALSA to Fed Society are doing phenomenal things and give us the chance to practice legal skills, honing in on issues important to us. Student organizations and community engagement go hand-in-hand and students should have countless opportunities to serve our communities. Expanding Opportunity: There are numerous things we can to do expand opportunity at NYU Law. Advocating for more diversity in admissions and course/clinic offerings can help ensure we’re more informed, empathetic individuals. I’ll work tirelessly with administration to ensure preserving LRAP will be a main priority. From advocating for the student’s POV re: new Bar/pro-bono requirements, to getting advising offices to have electronic sign-up, there’s work to do. The Fun Factor: As truly enthralling as diving into statute of frauds can be, we need some other fun. Bar reviews will continue and get better. Courtyard keggers will cure law school blues, but so will trivia nights with free wings, theatre tickets and cornhole tournaments. It’s time NYU Law starts new traditions and expands our social scene. Also, so many puppies. LLM’s/Cross-Class/Schools Integration: JD’s can learn a hell of lot from LLM’s and vice-versa. We need to ensure LLM’s have equal opportunities in student group leadership and we need more events in which LLM’s and JD’s interact. Also, as lovely as you all are, I hear there are exciting people outside of NYU Law and pairing with Columbia/the Med School/Stern for events could mean you won’t have to resort to sketchy gals/guys on Tinder. Open-Door Policy: It’s not my goals that really matter; it’s all of yours. I will always make myself available to any student. Whether it be getting better lights in the library so it feels less dungeon-esque(I think our tuition dollars can probably afford better lights and maybe, just maybe, two-ply toilet paper) or discussing the adjunct-faculty credit cap, I’m all ears. As we chose NYU for a reason, it’s vital we make big things happen here (think the illustrious Arthur Miller’s eyebrows BIG). My email is sem590@nyu.edu if you have any questions. Much love NYU Law.

NONNY ONYEKWELI Candidate for SBA Vice President

Hi I am Nonny Onyekweli, and I am a 2L running for Vice President of the student body.

Friendly, open, and organized, would be a few words that I would use to describe myself, they are also 3 traits you would want your Vice President to have. I enjoy talking to people and pride myself in being a great communicator. Before law school, I held leadership positions similar to this and I understand what I need to do in order to be an effective leader and representative.

As 1L rep for section 3 this past year, I got an inside view of what it truly means to be part of the NYU Law SBA. The SBA’s priority is addressing student’s concerns as quickly and effectively as possible. During my past year on SBA, I have learned what that task entails.

One requirement is someone who can relate to others and is approachable. The law school sometimes feels like a small, tight-knit, group but there are many communities within. As a member of several student groups, I am involved with some of these different communities. I am easily accessible and easy to talk to.

Another requirement is relationships with administrators and vice deans. I am proactive and I have a good relationship with several administrators in the offices of student affairs, academic affairs, and career services. When there is an issue, it usually falls under the umbrella of one of these offices. A leader who can easily approach these administrators is key.

To have a leader that you can approach with your concerns, who will enthusiastically assist you with your issues and pass on your concerns to key people is optimum. I believe I have the skills that you would want in a vice president, and I plan to use those skills to serve the student body however I can.

DANIEL M. CHEUNG Candidate for SBA Secretary

Like many of you, I came to NYU Law with a certain amount of anxiety – about who I would meet, what classes would be like, and about how “cold” a cold call actually was.

After eight months as a student here, I can confidently say that I’m happy. I’m happy because all of the people I’ve met have been brilliant, caring, and fun to be around. I’m happy because all of my classes have been challenging and inspiring, filled with people who care about everything from Trees and Taxes to Easements and Erie. I’m happy because the freezing weather has made the cold calling feel less cold.

In the end, it’s a privilege to be at this school with all of you, and that makes me want to give back. As a member of the Student Bar Association, it would be my responsibility to represent you before fellow students, administrators, and faculty – and to make sure that this school is serving you, not the other way around.

I’m running for Secretary because I’m inclusive, curious, and organized, and as the primary record-keeper for the SBA, I think that’s what we need. The SBA should strive to be more transparent, making sure that agendas and minutes are thorough and available to the students it represents. The SBA should be proactive in ensuring that you know what happens at your school – and I’m committed to making sure that happens.

CHRISTOPHER PORCELLI Candidate for SBA Treasurer

I am pleased and honored to be a candidate for Student Bar Association treasurer. I have the ideas and experience to bring increased transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness to the financial management of the SBA. Most importantly, I am not going to work alone: as the officer responsible for working to allocate funds to a variety of SBA-sponsored organizations, the treasurer is not on an island. My main task will be building bridges and working collaboratively with all student leaders to develop priorities and make our shared goals a reality.

I’ve been on all sides of the funding spectrum. During college, I served as treasurer (and later president) of my fraternity. I managed a large budget, which funded social and community service activities as well as promoted programming the fraternity would sponsor. Also in college, I served as a member of the Campus Activities Board, an organization responsible for doling out additional funds to student organizations. Made up of faculty members, students, and student life staff, the CAB held regular meetings where campus organizations would pitch their funding requests for specific programming opportunities that would enrich student life. After a rigorous vetting process, the board would then be responsible for approving or denying those requests.

The experience that taught me the most about finance was interning at Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Working in a financial institution allowed me to interface with credit union customers as well as the financial and legal professionals who would attend to their needs. It made me aware that the value of a dollar wasn’t measured in nominal terms; the value of a dollar is valued on its impact on people. The key to managing money successfully is making it perform for those who need it. I left with the understanding that when a customer leaves happy, you’ve done your job right.

With your support, I can bring my leadership back to the SBA. I loved the opportunity to represent not only section 1 but also any student with concerns as a 1L representative this year. I took up a position of leadership within the council this year and plan to contribute much more next year. As this campaign kicks off, I look forward to starting the conversation with each of you about how we can most equitably and efficiently allocate funds to student groups. I am committed to making SBA’s bottom line more than a box on a ledger and turning it into a three letter word: you. I look forward to working together.

Most importantly, I promise to continue to fund the puppies!

COLINFORD MATTIS Candidate for SBA Social Chair

I'm pretty chill & super friendly + I like dopeness (esp. when it comes to food, music, & a good time) + MORE: drinks, food at events, puppies at dog therapy, community-building, NYC exploration, and whatever fresh ideas y’all have + (I'm not the bragging type, but) I'm pretty good at planning social school events (e.g. in undergrad, I was the chair of the student government activity funding board with over $200k under management and served on the commencement steering committee) + Taaj is even more amazing and we are a great team = SBA Social Chairs! In short, if you want optimal facilitation of FUN for the 2014-2015 school year, then vote #CT4SC.

TAAJ REAVES Candidate for SBA Social Chair

Why should you vote for me? I am awesome. I am social. I am fun. Not to mention my running mate, ColinFord Mattis. Both ColinFord and I believe in working hard and playing harder. We are committed to providing an environment of good times and better memories for the NYU Law School community. But aside from that, we are people you would actually WANT to get a drink with. How many of us have been to firm receptions or networking events and wished we were anywhere but there? This is exactly the type of environment we do NOT want to create. We are committed to building community and creating opportunities to cultivate and mature at NYU Law & beyond.

Want to know a bit more about me? Cool. I am a Chicago native- born and raised. I graduated from the University of Missouri where I studied journalism and political science. I am not about egos, status or who you know, but I do love to mingle. I am a feminist, yogi, Beyoncé fan and dog lover. I am a member of BALSA, WoCC, OutLAW, Alternative Breaks and Law Revue. If you’re in to the nerdier stuff- my favorite class thus far has been Civil Procedure with Burt Neuborne, aka “the myth, the man, the legend.” If you want to know more- chat with me or if you’re especially shy – Facebook me! (but I’m super-friendly so no need!)

Why do I want to be social chair?? It’s pretty simple actually. I am loving my 1L year (but really, I am) and I want others to do the same. I truly enjoy event planning and want to bring more great events to the Law School. I would like to see more wellness events- such as free massages and therapy dogs throughout the semester and not just near finals times. I also want to incorporate events that are inclusive of commuter students and our wonderfully talented student orgs such as Substantial Performance and Law Revue. Can you say, Karoake night?! In short, I am truly excited at the potential of being your social chair and look forward to next year! Vote #CT4SC !

DARYL KLEIMAN Candidate for 3L Representative

I'm running for 3L Representative because I want to help make sure that all students and student interests are well represented at NYU School of Law. Throughout my career here at the Law School I've been actively involved in a wide variety of campus activities and Law School programs, and as 3L Representative I would employ the leadership skills and community networks I've made to improve the law school experience for all students. In particular, I would like to continue to engage the law school administration and student groups on issues of inclusion at NYU School of Law in order to ensure that all members of our community feel like they have a voice at the Law School, and that their voices are being heard.

As Co-Chair of both Law Women and HIV Law Society I've had experiencing managing large and small student groups, and I have a solid understanding of how student groups operate here at the law school, as well as the issues that are important to student groups. As a Lawyering TA and Admissions Ambassador I've had the opportunity to work with and to get to know both admitted students and the current 1L class, which will allow me be to be an effective representative not only to the class of 2015, but to all classes represented at the law school next year. Finally, as a new member of the SBA I hope to be able to provide an outsider's perspective to the conversation, and to bring into the SBA the ideas and methods that I've found effective during my participation in other campus activities.

Those of you that know me already know that I love to talk, and that I love NYU Law, so if you have any questions , or want to raise any issues with me please don't hesitate to stop and engage me in conversation! I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope you'll vote for me for 3L Representative.

MANUEL ANTUNES Candidate for 2L Representative

My name is Manny Antunes. I am running for our class’s 2L Representative to the SBA. I want to

represent you to the administration and the university at large.

I grew up in Newark, NJ, and I am never embarrassed to say that. After graduating college, I taught American History to high school students before applying to law school.

I am no stranger to the workings of student government. During undergrad, I served on both the undergraduate council and on HoCo (my dorm’s student committee). On the undergraduate council, I served on the Finance Committee for three years. The committee was responsible for setting up a $1.5M budget for the school year and dispersed those funds to student groups, so that they could keep doing the great events that they planned. On HoCo, I served for three years as a representative for my dorm section and planned great events, including weekly stein clubs (our equivalent of NYU Law’s weekly bar review), dances, and fundraisers. Because of these experiences, I have an eye for financing student events and making student group ideas become a reality.

I want to continue the great work of the SBA like funding student group events, bar reviews, and major law school events. I am not afraid to push the SBA in expanding its budget and working with the administration and other partners (such as Themis, WestLaw, etc.) to secure more funding so that we can have more events and a wider choice of them. I also think the SBA can play an important role in shaping school programs like Orientation, ResLife, OCS, PILC, etc. into being more responsive to what students actually need and are looking for. For example, many other students have expressed some dissatisfaction with orientation. Although many of the events were great and informative, there were few mixers that brought the whole 1L class together and there were no events that prepared us for law school life. I would ask the council to collaborate on creating more social and practical events, like tours of the school, a 1L bar review, and a crash course on useful services provided by the law school and the university. Also, I think we could ask both OCS and PILC to hold more joint events and work more in tandem in the summer employment and career application process, instead of requiring many events to fulfill their separate requirements. I am also very much open to your suggestions and hope to convey your ideas to the SBA and make them a reality. Thanks!

CHLOE HURLEY Candidate for 2L Representative

Hello, Classmates of 2016! My name is Chloé Hurley, and I would like to be one of your 2L reps.

Aside from being a 1L, I am an LSAT instructor, and I also teach Turbo Kick and AAA yoga right here at NYU. This winter, I decided that I did not have enough on my plate, so I adopted a really dumb, eight-year-old, 80-pound pitbull named Duckpin. He is great and you are welcome to meet him anytime. You might recognize my name from Coases. I post frequently, and from that I have learned that we have a wonderful community here and, if you ask for something, you can usually get it. I care a lot about making our school a happy, supportive, fun place to be. To that end, this year, I haven’t been afraid to stick up for my section: “Will you order pizza for our make-up class?” “Will you lecture a little less and invite some class participation?” “Will you tell us what that word means?” “Will you give everyone who goes to ‘The Vagina Monologues’ an extra 800 Lexis Points?” “Will you use our names?”* Please vote for me! I would be honored to advocate for our entire

class next year. However, if I don’t win the election, I will probably still try to make the school a better place. If I haven’t met you, I look forward to meeting you soon. I hope you will also vote for my talented Section 3 colleagues, Manny Antunes (he bakes for our entire class), Taaj Reaves (she can talk back to teachers without them even realizing it), and Nonny Onyekweli (she asks killer questions). They are all really good people and care a lot about the well-being of others. Thanks, everyone! Chloé Hurley * The answers to this were yes (see picture), yes, yes, yes, and I’ll try. My section also won $300 because I got 100% of us to participate in Section Wars!

COURTNEY WEISMAN Candidate for 2L Representative

My name is Courtney Weisman, and I am running to be your 2L representative. I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of you over the next year and can’t wait to represent you again in the SBA! Some boring basics about me: I am from Florida, went to the University of Florida, and really, really miss the sun. I worked for a few years in Washington, DC between college and law school, focusing on education reform. I am still focused on education reform at NYU through the Suspension Representation Project, and will continue that work this summer at the Juvenile Law Center.

On to more important things: You! Being a good representative requires getting to know each of you and determining what you want from your 2L year. Because I was involved in SBA this year, I understand the commitment necessary to be an effective representative and will always advocate on your behalf. As a 1L representative, I was responsible for working with SBA and Student Affairs to open additional seats in the 1L elective classes, and helping organize the SBA/OUTLaw blood drive. I also organized a number of events for my section, and always shared their ideas and concerns with the SBA board and Administration. As your 2L rep, I will continue to raise all questions and concerns with the Administration and will make sure you get the answers and information you’re looking for. I also know that a lot of what will make next year bearable is getting the chance to relax, get to know each other, and have some fun, and I will make sure that is a priority with the SBA as well.