Members

Jenna Pepe

Jenna Pepe, Editor-in-Chief

Jenna is a third-year day student at the University of Connecticut School of Law and proud to be serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Volume 29 of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. She graduated from Smith College in 2019, receiving her B.A. in Government, with a minor in Economics. Prior to attending law school, Jenna supported attorneys in the Insurance and Intellectual Property practice groups as a Project Assistant at Day Pitney, LLP in Hartford, CT. While in law school, Jenna has worked as a research assistant for the Insurance Law Center, and as a Claim Legal Intern at Travelers Indemnity Company, where she further developed an interest in insurance coverage and extra-contractural litigation. Jenna is a member of the Moot Court Board, Student Bar Association, and the National Lawyer’s Guild. After graduating from law school, Jenna will clerk for the Connecticut Supreme Court and will join Morrison & Foerster in Boston, MA as a finance & projects associate in Fall 2024.

In her free time, Jenna enjoys going to the beach, drinking Starbucks, and spending time with her friends!

Nicole Van Lear

Nicole Van Lear, Managing Editor

Nicole is a third-year day division student from California. She graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology.

Before attending law school, Nicole interned with the public defender’s office and worked as a legal assistant at a criminal defense firm. Nicole is also a member of the Moot Court Board where she serves as the Judging Director. During her 2L Spring and Summer, Nicole worked as a legislative intern with the Office of the Chief Public Defender and as a legal intern with the appellate unit of the Public Defender’s Office.

In her free time Nicole enjoys playing disc golf & playing on the UConn Law Softball team where she serves as Vice President.

Zoe Russell

Zoe Russell, Managing Editor

Zoe is a third-year day student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is from Westchester, New York and graduated from Trinity College in 2020 with a degree in English. While there, she was a coxswain for the Varsity Women’s Crew team, head tour guide for the admissions office, and studied abroad in Vienna, Austria. At UConn Law, Zoe is a student ambassador for the admissions office and a member of the Negotiations Dispute Resolution Society; she formerly served on the e-boards for the Diversity Alliance as well as the Business and Transactional Law Society for 2021-2022. She will complete the Insurance Law and Regulation Certificate and is most interested in property and casualty insurance.

Brianna McKenzie

Brianna McKenzie, Assistant Managing Editor

Brianna is a third-year day student at University of Connecticut School of Law. Brianna is from Windsor, Connecticut. She graduated from The George Washington University in 2018, receiving a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Communication. Prior to attending law school, Brianna worked as a Grants Program Coordinator with Legal Services Corporation in Washington, D.C.

In the summer of 2021, Brianna worked as a Summer Associate at Locke Lord LLP in Hartford, CT, where she worked on a variety of projects with the Privacy & Cybersecurity practice group and the Litigation Practice Group. She continued her work at the firm in the fall of 2021 as a Legal Extern. Brianna returned to Locke Lord in the summer of 2022 as a Summer Associate where she continued to expand her knowledge of privacy and cybersecurity, and its connections to insurance. Most notably, Brianna assisted in the research and drafting of an article published by the firm, which provided clarity about new Connecticut Requirements regarding insurers’ usage of Big Data and avoidance of discriminatory practices. Brianna looks forward to returning to Locke Lord in the Fall 2023 as an Associate in the Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice Group. She will complete and receive the Insurance Law and Regulation Certificate upon her graduation in 2023.

In her free time, Brianna enjoys traveling, reading, watching sports, singing, listening to music, and playing instruments (violin and guitar).

Mary Vlamis

Mary Vlamis, Administrative Editor

Mary Vlamis is the Administrative Editor for Volume 29 of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. Mary is also a member of the Health Law Interest Group as well as a mentor in the Womxn’s Law Association. She will be an exchange student at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona this fall, hoping to expand her Spanish speaking skills and add depth to her legal understanding by diverging from a U.S. centric approach. This past summer, Mary worked as a summer associate at Halloran Sage and is excited to be an incoming associate at the firm in September 2023.

Adam Burns

Adam Burns, Technology Editor

Adam is a third-year day division student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 2018. There he was active in his school’s chapter of IEEE-HKN, the Electrical Engineering Honor Society, as well as the campus radio station, 91.7 WHUS FM.

During his time at UConn Law, Adam has been active in the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Society and currently serves as its President. Adam served as a Summer Associate for St. Onge IP of Stamford during his 1L summer, and most recently as a Summer Associate for Carmody Torrance Sandak & Hennessey in New Haven during his 2L summer.

Prior to law school, Adam worked as an Automation Engineer for RBC Bearings in Oxford and Heim Bearings in Fairfield. His areas of experience include automation, electronics, and 3D printing.

Stephen Price

Stephen Price, Executive Editor

Stephen Price is a third-year day student from Naugatuck, Connecticut. He graduated from the Honors Program at Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelors of Arts, majoring in English. After graduating he worked as a Content Writer at Contractor Nation for two years before deciding to attend law school. After starting law school Stephen interned at the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center, worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Peter Siegelman and Professor Alexandra Lahav, and most recently worked as a Summer Associate at Hoopes Morganthaler Rausch & Scaramozza LLC.

Stephen has a strong interest in both Intellectual Property Law and Insurance Law. During his free time he enjoys reading, particularly the Discworld novels of Terry Pratchet.

Ashley Negrini

Ashley Negrini, Executive Editor

Ashley is a fourth-year evening division law student. She has worked full time in Academic Affairs at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut since graduating with a B.A. in Psychology from Providence College. Before coming to UConn Law, Ashley obtained a master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from University of Hartford and has enjoyed using her communication, leadership, and business management skills as her career evolved at Saint Francis. Ashley is responsible for overall education administration at Saint Francis, including managing the numerous education affiliation agreements with partner institutions and maintaining the accreditation requirements of the hospital’s residency programs.

Ashley is a proud Connecticut native and is lucky to have two homes—one which she shares in Shelton with her boyfriend and cat, and the other which she recently purchased in Wethersfield and shares with her sister.

Ashley enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, hiking, and interior design projects.

Ashley is excited to be an Executive Editor her second year on the CILJ team and looking forward to another great year learning more about insurance and supporting the Journal!

Marissa Guilmain

Marissa Guilmain, Executive Editor

Marissa is a 3L day-division JD/MBA student who is very excited to have the opportunity to work as an Executive Editor for Volume 29 of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. She currently works as a Compliance Intern at the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. She is interested in pursuing a career in corporate compliance in the insurance industry post-grad. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and guinea pigs, swimming, and traveling.

Julia Ramirez

Julia Ramirez, Executive Editor

Julia Ramirez is a third-year day division law student from New York. Julia obtained her Masters in Public Administration and Bachelors of Criminal Justice Management at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Prior to law school Julia participated in the TOW and Pinkerton Fellowships at John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she worked directly with incarcerated individuals and drafted policy strategy on safeguarding children at the time of parental incarceration.

Over the summer, Julia was a Summer Associate at Cohen and Wolf, P.C. and previously worked at Travelers in their Claim Legal Department. Currently Julia is working at a small firm in Vernon, CT concentrating in Trust and Estates matters. She is committed to the advancement of the Latinx community and is a member of the Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association and serves as the President to the Latinx Law School Association (LLSA). Additionally, Julia is a mentor for the Womxn Law Students’ Association.

In her spare time, Julia enjoys hiking, kayaking, and spending time with her little brother.

Matt Epstein

Matt Epstein, Articles Editor

Matt is a 3L Day Student at UConn Law School. He graduated from Colby College in 2018 with a Government major and a Russian Studies minor. After college, he worked as a business immigration paralegal at Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Over the summer, Matt was a Summer Associate at Jackson Lewis P.C. and will intern for the National Labor Relations Board this fall. In school, he is a member of the Connecticut Moot Court Board, Mock Trial Society, and the current Vice President of the Jewish Law Students Association. In his free time, Matt enjoys basketball, hiking, spending time with friends and family, and long walks on the beach.

Stephen Della-Guistina

Stephen Della-Guistina, Articles Editor

Stevie is a third-year evening division law student from Puyallup, Washington and Orange, Connecticut. He is interested in the intersection of Public Policy and the law, especially in how insurance impacts the American economy and American life.

Matt Nanci

Matt Nanci, Research Editor

Matt is a third-year evening student at University of Connecticut School of Law. He grew up in South Windsor and graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2014 with a B.A. in journalism and communication.

Before attending law school, Matt worked as a reporter for various newspapers in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and New York. Matt currently works full-time at Aetna as a contract agent supporting sales to retain current customers and win new business.

Stephen Falcigno

Stephen Falcigno, Membership Editor

Stephen is a third-year day student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He graduated from Trinity College in 2016 with a B.A. in English and Italian Studies (honors.) Before attending law school, Stephen worked as a Project Manager for DXC Technology and founded a political consulting firm. Most recently, Stephen was a summer associate at Carmody, Torrance, Sandak and Hennessey, LLP. He is a lifelong Connecticut resident from Woodbridge.
During his time at UConn Law, Stephen has been elected to the SBA and appointed to the budget committee for three consecutive terms. Stephen has also been honored to be elected the President for the Mock Trial Society and Vice President of the Italian American Law Students Society and was previously the Vice President of the Negotiations and Dispute Resolution Society. Stephen was named the “all-star negotiator” at the 2021 UConn Business Law Negotiation Competition.

Nicole Zatserkovniy

Nicole Zatserkovniy, SRP Editor

Nicole is a third-year day division student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is from New Jersey. As a member of the Accelerated Program in Law, Nicole was a dual first-year law student and undergraduate senior. She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2021, receiving a B.A. in Political Science and an individualized major, Law and the Environment.

Nicole currently serves as a member of Dean Nelson’s Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Committee. This past summer, she was a summer associate at Morrison Mahoney LLP, where she will be clerking during the current school year.

Katherine Doyle

Katherine Doyle, Senior Member

Katherine is a third-year day student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She graduated in 2016 from Tulane University with a B.S. in Public Health and Business (honors.) Before attending law school, Katherine served two terms as an AmeriCorps VISTA member serving individuals living in poverty. She also worked as the project manager for a non-profit that offered alternate and restorative justice in the Vermont.
In addition to CILJ, Katherine is also an active member of UConn’s mock trial and moot court organizations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog exploring Connecticut’s hiking trails.

Kelly Crowley

Kelly Crowley, Write-On Editor

Kelly is a third-year day division student from San Marino, California. She graduated from The College of the Holy Cross where she majored in History.

This past summer, Kelly worked as a summer associate at Day Pitney and is excited to join the firm in Boston, MA as an incoming associate in October 2023.

In her free time, Kelly enjoys refereeing high school soccer.

Autumn Siegel

Autumn Siegel, Associate Editor

Prior to attending law school, Autumn lived and worked in central Europe – Germany and Slovakia – for several years following a Fulbright grant in teaching English as a foreign language and designing corporate training materials for large corporations. Her favorite position was as an on-site Business and Aviation English Trainer at the Slovak counterpart to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, working with air traffic controllers and senior policymakers.

In addition to serving on the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, Autumn is on the executive board of the Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Society as the Intramural Director, and is also a teaching assistant for the 1L Legal Research and Writing course, as well as a research assistant in American Indian Law. Autumn hopes to go into insurance or aviation/transportation law following her graduation from law school. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming laps, playing volleyball, improving her foreign languages, and cooking curries.

Allie Abacherli

Allie Abacherli, Associate Editor

Allie Abacherli is a 2L day student from Avon, CT. Allie graduated from Lafayette College in 2019 with a double major in Government & Law and International Affairs. Currently, at UConn, Allie is the treasurer of the Health Law Interest Group, a member of the Women Law Student’s Association, a Lexis Associate, and a Kaplin Bar Student Representative.

Eric Benoit

Eric Benoit, Associate Editor

Eric is a third-year evening student who daylights as a complex environmental claim handler at The Hartford, a role that has taken him to such exotic places as settlement conferences in Charleston, West Virginia. A 2019 graduate of Colgate University, he moved to the Hartford area to begin his career and continue his academic pursuits at UConn Law.

 

In addition to his work handling environmental matters, Eric has also served as a research assistant under the late Professor Richard Parker and a legal extern in The Hartford’s Personal Lines group. Beyond the workplace and the classroom, he has played an integral role in the establishment of the Nontraditional, Evening, and Working (NEW) Student Group, as its Event Coordinator, and the planning of CEEL’s annual conference on issues in environmental law. Currently on hiatus from a five-year stint in stand up comedy, he will reluctantly return to the stage if you add him on LinkedIn.

Radhika Bhagat

Radhika Bhagat, Associate Editor

Radhika Bhagat is a rising 2L Day Student from Lowell, Massachusetts. She graduated from Boston University in 2021 with a Dual Degree in Political Science and Business Administration. At UConn, she is involved in the South Asian Law Students Association, Tax Law Society, First Generation Law Students Association, and Women Law Students Association.

Erin Dennehy

Erin Dennehy, Associate Editor

Erin is a 2L at UConn Law this year. In addition to being a part of the insurance journal, she is the secretary for the Arts, Entertainment, and Sport Law Society, a member of the Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Society, and a teaching assistant. She got her undergraduate degree from UConn as well, and loves to read and spend time with her niece in her free time!

Jim Hallinan

Jim Hallinan, Associate Editor

Jim is a second-year evening division student from West Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Bryant University in 2014, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and minor in Mathematics. He also holds an active Certified Public Accountant license in Connecticut.
Jim works full time as a Pension Consultant and oversees the compliance of qualified retirement plans that are sponsored by small businesses in Connecticut. He advises sponsors on plan design options that meet their business objectives and assists them in administering the plan to adhere to ERISA requirements.
During the summer of 2022, Jim was a student representative in the UConn School of Law Tax Clinic where he assisted low-income taxpayers in federal and related state income and employment tax matters.

Lauren Kidd

Lauren Kidd, Associate Editor

Lauren is second-year day student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. She is from Vernon, Connecticut and graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2015 with a degree in Nursing and a minor in Gerontology. She has been practicing as a nurse for the last seven years—with most of that time being spent in the medical intensive care unit. She is still working at Hartford Hospital. At UConn Law, Lauren is the President of the Health Law Interest Group, the Treasurer of the National Lawyers Guild, and a Research Assistant for the Insurance Law Center. Lauren spent her summer at Travelers Indemnity Company in the Claim Legal department and hopes to complete the Insurance Law Certificate.

Kiana Laude

Kiana Laude, Associate Editor

Kiana is a second-year day division student. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in May 2021 from the University of Connecticut.

In addition to the Connecticut Insurance Journal, Kiana is also Vice President of Diversity Alliance and Secretary of the Black Law Student Association.

This past summer, Kiana partook in a split summer position as a summer associate at Murtha Cullina LLP and Raytheon Technologies.

Hannah Livezey

Hannah Livezey, Associate Editor

Hannah is a second-year day student at UConn School of Law. Hannah graduated from Fairfield University summa cum laude in 2016 with majors in Women and Gender Studies and History. At Fairfield University Hannah was also a research assistant in the field of Sociology.

During the summer of 2022, Hannah worked as a Community Justice Fellow at Greater Hartford Legal Aid in the fields of Housing and Community Outreach. In the coming 2022-2023 school year, in addition to being a member editor of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal, Hannah looks forward to being a teaching assistant for Professor Kiel Brennan-Marquez and continuing to work as a research assistant for the UConn Insurance Law Center.

Anthony Lozier

Anthony Lozier, Associate Editor

Anthony was born and raised in Bristol, Connecticut and attended Western New England University for undergraduate studies. After law school, Anthony hopes to be a trial attorney and is active in the Connecticut Moot Court Board and Mock Trial Society to help develop these skills. Anthony enjoys playing golf and softball in his freetime.

Andrea Martin

Andrea Martin, Associate Editor

Andrea Martin is from Pewaukee, Wisconsin and attended the University of Kentucky. She received a B.S. in Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology magna cum laude.

Andrea is a second-year law student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. At the law school, she is an active member of both the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Intellectual Property and Technology Law Society. Andrea is broadly interested in intellectual property, real estate, and insurance coverage law. Most recently, Andrea worked as a Summer Associate at Saxe Doernberger & Vita in Trumbull, Connecticut, learning how insurance coverage attorneys advocate for policyholders.

Michael Nanfito

Michael Nanfito, Associate Editor

Michael is a second-year day student from Southington, CT. Earlier in his academic career, he was an Honors Student at the University of Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting. Attending UConn Law has made him a Triple Husky.

This summer Michael had a field placement at The Hartford, where he was exposed to compliance and transactional work. Additionally, he has passed two of the CPA exams and plans on passing the remaining two this summer.

Currently, he is the Treasurer of the Business and Transaction Law Society, Vice President of the Tax Law Society, and Event’s Officer of the Veterans and Armed Forces Legal Outreach Society. Also, he is going to be a TA for a Legal Practice class in the upcoming semester.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys watching sports, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Allan Quade

Allan Quade, Associate Editor

Allan is a second-year day division student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Allan grew up in Danbury, Connecticut, and went to college at the University of Connecticut (Storrs), where he graduated in 2020 with an individualized major in Crime, Law, and Justice as well as a BA in Psychology and a minor in Sociology.

During the Summer of 2022, Allan worked as an education intern at the Connecticut Bar Association. In addition to membership in this journal, he is currently serving on the executive board of the Native American Law Students Association.

Allan enjoys playing video games, making music, and reviewing pizza in his spare time.

Andrew Higgins

Andrew Higgins, Associate Editor

Andrew is a second-year day division student at UConn Law. Andrew graduated cum laude from the University of Miami (FL) in 2021 with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Management and minoring in Business Law. While in college, Andrew interned for the Miami Dolphins as an operations assistant and for VaynerSports as a summer marketing intern.
During Andrew‘s 1L summer, he worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Tom Baker, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, focusing on both Business Interruption Insurance litigation arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic and Directors & Officers Liability Insurance disputes. Additionally, Andrew worked at Crosby & Higgins, LLP, as a Law Clerk.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing sports, working out, and watching documentaries!

Esang Udoh

Esang Udoh, Associate Editor

My name is Esangubong Udoh, preferred name Esang Udoh. I am a rising 2L student at UConn School of Law. Between June 6, 2022—July 15, 2022, I worked as a summer legal intern at Robinson & Cole LLP. Now I currently work as a summer legal intern for Pratt and Whitney Canada through Raytheon Technologies until August 12, 2022. I look forward to using the research, writing, and editing skills I developed from my first year at UConn School of Law and my summer internships to help benefit the editorial team of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal.

Benjamin Godley

Benjamin Godley, Associate Editor

Ben is a second-year day student at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He graduated from the University of Connecticut in the Spring of 2021 with a degree in History.

Prior to attending law school, Ben worked in various capacities for Chelsea Groton Bank, ranging from bank teller to interning in the Commercial Real Estate department. Ben is also the President of the Business and Transactional Law Society. This past summer, Ben worked for the law firm Baillie & Hershman P.C. in Cheshire, CT. This firm specializes in real estate, an area of law that Ben plans on pursuing after graduation.

In his free time, Ben enjoys playing soccer with the UConn Law soccer club, where he is the Outreach Coordinator.

Spencer Buckley

Spencer Buckley, Associate Editor

My name is Spencer Buckley and I am a 2L day student here at the University of Connecticut School of Law. I am a former baseball player who went straight through UConn undergrad into law school. I am currently a member of Mock Trial Society and interned this past summer at Mendes and Mount in the healthcare department. There, I worked on a multitude of insurance issues in the healthcare field.

Ian Sheldon

Ian Sheldon, Associate Editor

Ian is a second-year day student at the University of Connecticut and is humbled by the opportunity to work under the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. Ian is also an active member of the Mock Trial Society, as well as the Outreach Advisor for the Arts, Entertainment, and Sports Law Society.

In 2020 he graduated from the University of Connecticut with a double major in Political Science and Philosophy. Eager to follow in his parents footsteps, he applied for and transitioned directly into law school.

During his 2L summer Ian interned with the Office of the Attorney General’s Public Safety Division, provided assistance to the Connecticut Community Law Center, and took a course in accounting.

Ian has a strong interest in Tax and Insurance law. In his free time, Ian enjoys going to the park with the UConn softball team, going to the gym, and traveling.