Interested in becoming one of our student fellows? Contact CFCC at cfcc@ubalt.edu.
Meet CFCC's 2020 - 2021 Student Fellows
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David Ascencio-Arevalo
David Ascencio-Arevalo is a 3L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. Born in El Salvador, he grew up in a small town and went to law school at the Universidad Doctor Jose Matias Delgado. In 2005 he moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, to pursue a Master’s Degree in International Law at American University. In 2016, David started the LL.M. LOTUS (Laws of the United States) program at UBalt Law and later transferred into the J.D. program. David works as a paralegal and as an international law consultant for an immigration law firm located in Wheaton, Maryland. Under the supervision of an attorney, he has gained vast experience in immigration law, working on cases involving deportation defenses, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, and asylums. He also has worked on family law cases, including issues of divorce, custody, guardianship, adoption, and child support. David plans to seek admission to the Maryland and District of Columbia bar in the fall of 2021.
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Jillianne Crescenzi
Jillianne Crescenzi is a 2L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from Troy University with a B.S. in Psychology. After graduation, Jillianne worked as a Community Outreach Specialist in rural Alabama, where she worked with students placed at an Alternative Learning Center after they were suspended from their home schools. She also implemented a warning system for truant students, where she managed 200 students and held in-school truancy meetings as a preventive measure, helping these students avoid juvenile court. After relocating to Howard County, Maryland, Jillianne worked as a children’s librarian, where she planned a variety of classes for school-aged students. Recently, Jillianne interned at Disability Rights Maryland (DRM). This fall, Jillianne is interning with Kennedy Krieger’s Project Heal to learn more about the substantive legal challenges students with special needs face in Maryland.
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Zoe James-Collins
Zoe James-Collins is a 2L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a B.A. in English. Zoe is a member of the Women’s Bar Association and the National Lawyers Guild, and she volunteers as a Legal Observer. Over the summer, Zoe interned at the Baltimore City Department of Social Services through the Office of the Attorney General. As a CFCC Student Fellow, she hopes to gain a better understanding of the intricacies of family law, especially what informs the policies and practices within Baltimore City.
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Neha Khan
Neha Khan is a 2L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a B.S. in Family Science. After college, she worked as a coordinator and trainer at a professional childcare training company certified through the Maryland State Department of Education. This past summer Neha interned at JM Blattner, LLC, a family law firm in Towson, Maryland, where she is now working full-time as a law clerk. She currently serves as a representative for the Family Law Association and is a member of the Women’s Bar Association and the Asian Pacific American Law Student’s Association at UBalt Law. She also serves as a Student Ambassador for the law school’s Office of Admissions, is a staff editor for the UBalt Law Forum, and is a UBalt LEADS Mentor for the incoming 1L class. As a CFCC Student Fellow, Neha is eager to be a Law Clerk for CFCC’s Truancy Court Program, after having volunteered as a tutor for the TCP as a 1L. She hopes to further understand the challenges families often face, such as racial and socioeconomic disparities, and to learn what steps can be taken to assist children facing adversity.
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Marie Jensine Marcelino
Marie Jensine Marcelino is a 2L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a B.A. in Philosophy. Marie was born and raised in Southern California. She moved to Maryland to attend law school. Her interests in the law include disability law and healthcare law. She chose to attend UBalt Law because the school offered more courses in disability law than those offered at various law schools on the west coast. This past summer Marie interned with the Honorable Karen Ferretti, a Judge of the Montgomery County District Court.
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Jasmine Martinez
Jasmine Martinez is a 3L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She grew up in Harford County, Maryland. Jasmine graduated from Towson University with a degree in Business Administration, a concentration in Legal Studies, and a minor in Gerontology. Jasmine interned with the law offices of Bodie, Dolina, Hobbs, Fiddell and Grenzer, P.C., working in insurance defense. She is interested in family law, specifically child welfare. Previously, she interned with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services’ Legal Department. Through her internship she was able to observe the day-to-day operations of the legal department. She also worked at the Baltimore City Office of the Public Defender in their Parental Division. Jasmine is currently enrolled in the Bronfein Family Law Clinic and looks forward to helping underprivileged clients today, tomorrow, and in the future.
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Caitlin Phillips
Caitlin Phillips is a 3L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a B.A. in Government and Politics. This past summer, she interned as a law clerk at The Law Offices of Karen D. Amos, a family law firm in Howard County. The internship inspired her to enroll in the CFCC Student Fellows Program. Through the Student Fellows Program, she hopes to develop an understanding of a therapeutic approach to family law and to gain the knowledge and skills needed to help underserved families. She is excited to be a Law Clerk with CFCC’s Truancy Court Program.
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Alyssa Smith
Alyssa Smith is a 3L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She has gained several years of experience in family law through working as a law clerk at the Maryland Legal Aid Bureau in Baltimore City under the VOCA (“Victims of Crime Act”) grant. Alyssa’s passion for helping underserved communities led her to law school, and she looks forward to finishing her final semester enrolled in the CFCC Student Fellows Program to help promote CFCC’s expansive work. With a love for the law (as well as large dogs), Alyssa hopes to secure a position after law school that continues to promote equal access to justice for all.
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Samantha Stephan
Samantha Stephan is a 3E (evening) at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Radio and Audio Technology. After graduation she worked for the Carroll County State’s Attorney's Office. During her time at the State's Attorney's Office, Samantha found herself drawn to the Juvenile Department and to the Drug Treatment Court Program. Her passion is centered on helping others who may not know how to help themselves or who may lack the necessary resources to do so. She currently works for Jessica Murray, a family law attorney in Westminster, Maryland. Samantha enjoys all aspects of the family law practice, particularly cases where Ms. Murray is appointed as a Best Interests Attorney. She is looking forward to participating as a Law Clerk with CFCC’s Truancy Court Program. Her research paper for last semester’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Seminar focused on truancy and how CFCC’s program, along with other programs, helps address truancy issues throughout the country.
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Joshua Wade
Joshua Wade is a 2L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. He graduated from Campbell University with a B.A. in Political Science. During his time at Campbell University, he researched voting rights, voter suppression, and education reform policy, with a focus on vocational education. At college, he also enjoyed tutoring elementary and middle school students as part of an English as a Second Language Education Program, operating from a primarily Spanish speaking community. Joshua is currently working as a law clerk at Fratus Law Group, a law firm focused exclusively on subrogation claims in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He is a proud member of the Black Law Students Association at UBalt Law and intends to represent his community well in his academic pursuits. As a CFCC Student Fellow, Joshua is eager to play a meaningful role in CFCC’s work, particularly as it relates to students and focuses on emotional health.
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Janai Woodhouse
Janai Woodhouse is a 2L at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She graduated from Towson University with B.A in Law and American Civilization and Political Science. Upon graduation, she worked as a Legislative Aide to Delegate Peña-Melnyk and Senator William C. Smith, Jr. While observing the Health and Government Operations Committee (HGO) and the Judicial Proceedings Committee (JPR), she was able to understand the close relationship between policy and individual lives. Working as a Legislative Aide, she saw the direct impact the legislature has on social change in Maryland communities. As a CFCC Student Fellow, Janai hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the impact that policy and the justice system have on individuals. She hopes to gain this understanding by assisting youth who are directly impacted. Janai also hopes to learn more about restorative justice so that she can apply this knowledge in her legal work.