Executive Board
2019–2020
Jessica Kelly
PRESIDENT
Hometown: Orlando, FL
Undergrad: Rice University, Class of 2016
(Major in English, minor in Business)
About: After university, I lived in Tokyo for two years as an English teacher and a Japanese student. Last summer, I worked at Shearman & Sterling's Tokyo branch on M&A, capital markets, and funds. I'll be returning to their NY office next summer. Outside of law school, you can find me painting somewhere in nature with watercolors or improvising Ghibli tunes on my keyboard. Fresh guacamole and Japanese savory pancakes are my cooking specialties. Apart from APALSA, I am a Legal Research & Writing Law Fellow and the 2020-2021 Outreach Editor on the Georgetown Journal of International Law.
Justin Fitzsimmons
VICE PRESIDENT
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Undergrad: Santa Clara University, Class of 2015
(Major in Philosophy, minor in English)
About: I was born and raised in San Francisco and am very proud of my Bay Area roots. I enjoy playing pickup basketball, watching sports, reading (less so in law school), and watching TV (more so in law school). In my 2L year, I am the Vice President of APALSA, a peer advisor, an Executive Board member of the Georgetown Criminal Law Association, a Staff Editor on the Georgetown Journal of Modern Critical Race Perspectives, and an extern with the Public Defender Service of D.C. in the Civil Legal Services division. During my 1L summer, I interned with the Orleans Public Defenders in New Orleans, LA. Between college and law school, I worked as a paralegal at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP and specialized in preparing employer-sponsored green card applications. I have also volunteered with the ACLU of Northern CA, Neighborhood Legal Services Program, and the Detroit Justice Center.
Hyun seo Lee
SECRETARY
Hometown: Johns Creek, GA
Undergrad: New York University, Class of 2018
(B.A., Economics, minor in Philosophy)
About: I was born in Ulsan, South Korea and immigrated to the United States in 2002. I moved around every two years until I settled in Georgia in 2008. During my 1L summer, I was a Summer Associate at Lee & Ko in South Korea. Outside of law school, I like cooking, exploring, and traveling. I am also the Secretary for the Korean American Law Students Association (KALSA) and a Staff Editor on the Georgetown Journal of Gender and the Law.
Yinong Su
TREASURER
Hometown: Shanghai, China
Undergrad: University of Washington, Class of 2017
(B.A., Economics and International Studies)
About: I was born in China and came to the US in 2013 for college. Prior to law school, I took a gap year and worked in the legal department of a media company in Shanghai. My hobbies include skiing, reading detective novels, and exploring new restaurants.
ACADEMIC CHAIR
Hometown: Yangzhou, China; Elliot City, Maryland
Undergrad: University of Southern California, Class of 2015
(Business Administration)
About: I was born in China and moved to the US when I was eight. After USC, I worked for Amazon for a year and then Homeland Security for two years. I spend all my free time on volleyball. If I'm not playing, I'm coaching. If I'm not coaching, I'm watching. When it comes to food, I am very conservative; so you will see me eating the same few items in the same restaurants. However, I love trying out new exercise classes and recently became addicted to boxing. Career-wise, I am interested in the tech industry and emerging markets. Over my 1L summer, I worked in the Immigration Court in Los Angeles with the Department of Justice. Other than APALSA, I am a Staff Editor of the Georgetown Tech Law Review and a Global Law Scholar.
COMMUNITY CHAIR
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Undergrad: Princeton University, Class of 2015
(Major in Public and International Affairs)
About: I was born in Shanghai, China but grew up in Florida. After undergrad, I moved to New York and traveled around the US as a digital strategy consultant for three years. I am a major foodie and love to explore new restaurants and cuisines. My other hobbies include playing tennis, cooking, and watching shows and movies that feature strong female leads. Academically, I am interested in national security and foreign policy. After law school, I hope to pursue a career in litigation. Outside of APALSA, I am a Legal Research & Writing Law Fellow, a Staff Editor on the Georgetown Law Journal, and a Student Ambassador for the Admissions Office.
Wendy Gu
May Yang
Wanying Chai
PROFESSIONAL CO-CHAIR
Hometown: Beijing, China
Undergrad: Northwestern University, Class of 2014
(B.S., Economics, Learning & Organizational Change)
About: I was born in Beijing and moved to the States 12 years ago. I worked in investment banking prior to law school and plan to pursue a legal career in the private sector. In addition to APALSA, I'm involved in Women of Color Collective (treasurer), Uncorked (maître fromager), and RISE (teaching fellow/peer mentor). I enjoy drinking wine, watching figure skating, and running races — mostly for the medals.
Shen Tang
PROFESSIONAL CO-CHAIR
Hometown: Tianjin, China / Boston, MA
Undergrad: Tufts University, Class of 2016
(Major in International Relations, double minors in Economics and Political Science)
About: Growing up between China and US instilled in me a deep appreciation for diversity, language, and travel. At the London School of Economics, I was introduced to law as another tool and platform for building connections and pursuing advocacy. Prior to law school, I worked on judicial appointments and diversity policy in the Massachusetts Governor's Office and spent another year as a legal assistant in Mintz Levin's energy and sustainability practice. At Georgetown, I compete on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Division of Barrister's Council and serve as a Staff Editor on the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. Some things that keep me sane these days include the New Yorker, planning the next trip abroad, morning yoga, and a run to Trader Joe's!
Carolyn Corcoran
Airin (Erin) Chen
Hometown: Walnut Creek, CA
Undergrad: University of California, Berkeley
(Major in Linguistics)
About: I am a Queer, Trans, Non-binary Taiwanese American seeking to make the legal space more inclusive, progressive, and innovative. Most of the time, I feel like a musician masquerading as a law student, but I have found a deep love for Health Policy and Law, as well as Food and Drug Law. Other interests include: dapper style, social media, dogs, and cooking too much food.
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs
TRAILBLAZERS CO-CHAIR
Hometown: Peoria, AZ
Undergrad: Arizona State University
(B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication, B.S. in Political Science)
About: I was adopted from China when I was 11 pounds and 11 months old. Raised in the Valley of the Sun, I live for sunshine, a good hike, and reasonably priced tacos. Prior to law school, I worked for a public relations agency developing crisis management tactics and messaging guidance for brands and organizations. I also serve on the Barristers' Council Alternative Dispute Resolution Division Executive Board and am a Staff Editor on the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics.
TRAILBLAZERS CO-CHAIR
Carolyn Corcoran
Airin (Erin) Chen
Hometown: Hangzhou, China
Undergrad: College of William & Mary, Class of 2017
(Major in International Relations and Economics)
About: I worked in the fashion industry before I came to law school. To me, the Socratic way of teaching is fancier than the fashion shows! Apart from APALSA, I am a Staff Editor on the Georgetown Journal of International Law.
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Undergrad: Duke University, Class of 2012
(B.A., English and Philosophy)
University of California, Berkeley
(M.P.H., 2017)
About: I'm a California girl at heart who misses sunshine and the ocean breeze, especially when it's snowing in the wintry East Coast. My academic and professional interests center on health law and policy both domestically and internationally. My hobbies include reading novels while pretending to read law casebooks and aspiring to be a better home cook than I actually am. Apart from APALSA, I am the President of the Health Law Society and the Director of Internal Competitions in the Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) Division of Barristers' Council.
Kay Lee
SOCIAL CO-CHAIR
