2019-2020 Board

Nicole Horita, Class of 2021
President

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Hometown: San Mateo, CA
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Undergrad: Kenyon College
Philly Neighborhood: West Philly
Favorite Philly Hangout: Fisher Fine Arts Library
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: Green Line
Hobbies: Eating burritos, hiking, doing the crossword, working out, hanging out
1L Summer: Venable LLP - San Francisco
Tips for 1Ls: Study in Fisher and meet Julia's dog
Email: horitan@pennlaw.upenn.edu

Nicole grew up just outside of San Francisco.  She majored in Political Science and played softball at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio.  After graduation, she savored the burritos and beaches of California for one summer before moving to Philly to begin her first year at Penn Law.  At Penn Law, she is also involved with APALSA and is an Associate Editor on the Journal of Law & Public Affairs.

David Strecker, Class of 2021
​Vice-President

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Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Pronouns: He/him/his
Undergrad: University of Missouri
Philly Neighborhood: Rittenhouse
Favorite Philly Hangout: Schuylkill River Trail
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: Green Line
Hobbies: Bravo TV, leg day, nap time
1L Summer: Department of Justice, Civil Division, Office of Foreign Litigation
Tips for 1Ls: Study groups can be a good tool or a big distraction, so choose well
Email: dstreck@pennlaw.upenn.edu


David grew up in Missouri and remained close to home to study Political Science and French at the University of Missouri. After graduating, he moved to Lyon, France to teach English. He then returned to Kansas City, Missouri to work as a paralegal before coming to Penn Law. In addition to his involvement in Lambda, David is a case worker for the International Refugee Assistance Project and an Associate Editor on the Journal of International Law. 

Kevin Matthews, Class of 2021
Political Director

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Hometown: Reading, MA
Pronouns: He/him/his
Undergrad: Drexel University
Philly Neighborhood: Queen Village
Favorite Philly Hangout: Tavern on Camac
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: United By Blue
Hobbies: Dancing, biking, musical theater, fashion, modern art, DIY punk music/venues, RuPaul's Drag Race
1L Summer: Cozen O'Connor, Philadelphia, PA
Tips for 1Ls: Go to a park/restaurant/bar/coffee shop outside of University City, West Philly, Fitler Square, Rittenhouse Square, or Graduate Hospital. See me for suggestions.
Email: matthk@pennlaw.upenn.edu

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Kevin studied fashion at Drexel University, after which he has never been able to leave Philadelphia. He spent five years at Urban Outfitters home office as a menswear buyer before deciding to attend law school. At Penn Law, Kevin has been involved with the Council of Student Representatives, the Penn Law Light Opera Society, Penn Law and the Arts, and he co-founded Penn Law Advocates for Harm Reduction, a pro bono clinic assisting clients at Prevention Point Philadelphia.

Julia Buff, Class of 2021
​Communications Director

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Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Undergrad: University of Notre Dame
Philly Neighborhood: West Philly
Favorite Philly Hangout: PHS Beer Garden on South Street, Schuylkill River Trail
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: United by Blue
Hobbies: Hanging out with her dog, eating, spending time on hammocks and couches, working out, biking
1L Summer: Pepper Hamilton LLP, Philadelphia PA
Tips for 1Ls: Remember to be a human and spend time outside of the library--take naps, find a dog to pet, go outside.
Email: jbuff@pennlaw.upenn.edu

Julia grew up in Brooklyn and double majored in Marketing and Theology at Notre Dame. After graduating, she spent a summer in Dublin and then worked for three years at an advertising agency in New York. At Penn Law, she participates in the Walk-in Legal Assistance Program and is an Associate Editor on the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. She tries to maximize the time that she spends with her dog, Louis (Loo-ee).

Yericca Morales, Class of 2021
Director of Networking & Outreach

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Hometown: Bronx, NY
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Undergrad: Tufts University
Philly Neighborhood: Center City
Favorite Philly Hangout: Schuykill River Trail and Clark Park
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: The coffee bar in my living room
Hobbies: Indoor gardening, bread baking, and biking
1L Summer: Student Honors Legal Intern at the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission in Philadelphia, PA
Tips for 1Ls: Go work out, sleep in on Sundays, and call your mom—it’s just not that serious.
Email: ymorales@pennlaw.upenn.edu


Yericca was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the Bronx with her family when she was four years old. She attended St. Paul's School in NH for high school and Tufts University in MA where she was an International Relations and German Studies double major. After graduating college, she spent four years working as a paralegal in NYC, most recently in the legal department at JPMorgan. At Penn, in addition to her involvement with Lambda, Yericca is the Vice President of the Latinx Law Students Association (LALSA) and involved with the Penn Law Immigrant Rights Project (PLIRP). In her free time, she loves to cook, play the guitar, and go on long bike rides.

Jim Thompson, Class of 2021
​Director of Mentorship

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Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Pronouns: He/him/his
Undergrad: University of Georgia
Philly Neighborhood: Fitler Square 
Favorite Philly Hangout: Schuylkill River Park
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: The Gas Station (editor's note: Jim is referring to the cafe next to Fitts Auditorium)
Hobbies: Watching Beyoncé’s Coachella performances, Twittering, and discovering new music.
1L Summer: Lambda Legal (New York, NY)
Tips for 1Ls: Sleep, eat well, and surround yourself with friends who make you laugh
Email: jimt621@pennlaw.upenn.edu

Like Kelly Rowland, Jim grew up in the Peach State's capital. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2015 with degrees in psychology and public relations and a minor in political science. After college, he moved to Washington, D.C., and completed a yearlong fellowship with the American Constitution Society before working as a legal assistant at Jenner & Block LLP. At Penn, Jim is involved with Lambda Law and the Civil Rights Law Project, and is an Associate Editor on the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. He can usually be found in The Clock gabbing with Alexis Désiré. ​

Sean Bender, Class of 2021
Academic Director 

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Hometown: Edmond, OK
Pronouns: He/him/his
Undergrad: University of Oklahoma
Philly Neighborhood: Rittenhouse 
Favorite Philly Hangout: Schuylkill River Trail
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: United by Blue
Hobbies: Reading books, pretending I can dance, and cooking for friends 
1L Summer: DOJ Civil Division, Frauds Section 
Tips for 1Ls: Bring a sweater to school - those classrooms are always freezing 
Email: smbender@pennlaw.upenn.edu

Sean was born in Baltimore and grew up outside Oklahoma City. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma (Boomer Sooner!), he commissioned as an officer in the Navy and held various roles in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. At Penn Sean volunteers with the Veterans Law Project pro bono group and was a member of Lambda’s team in the Williams Moot Court competition. He is an Associate Editor on the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. He aspires to be a dog person but knows deep down he’s really a cat person. 

Sam Givertz, ​Class of 2021
Pro Bono Director

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Hometown: Boston, MA
Pronouns: He/him/his
Undergrad: Haverford College
Philly Neighborhood: Grad Hospital 
Favorite Philly Hangout: Anywhere I can find good food or friends
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: Not a coffee drinker, but as a break from school I like to walk through the main quad or up to the food trucks on Market
Hobbies: Running (slowly), walking around, trying new restaurants, watching the same TV shows over and over again
1L Summer: Hon. John G. Koeltl; New York, NY
Tips for 1Ls: Stay organized, get good grades, have fun!
Email: sgivertz@pennlaw.upenn.edu

Sam Givertz was born in raised in the actual city of Boston (not the suburbs, like 90% of people claiming to be from Boston). He took a year off before college, and worked in a shoe store in Montreal. Sam was comparative literature major, and French minor at Haverford - and spent the spring semester of his junior year studying abroad in Paris. After graduating in 2016, Sam spent two years as a litigation paralegal at Sullivan & Cromwell, before coming to Penn Law. At Penn Law, he is an Associate Editor on the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. In the off chance of free time, Sam can be found walking around the city, trying as many restaurants as possible.

Emily Galik, ​Class of 2021
Admissions & Recruiting Director

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Hometown: Ellicott City, MD
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Undergrad: Tulane University
Philly Neighborhood: University City (1L), Center City (2L)
Favorite Philly Hangout: up the spiral staircase in Fisher/Furness
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: Green Line
Hobbies: Brooklyn 99, learning High Valyrian, wondering how Union General Dan Sickles was a real person
1L Summer: Chambers of Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Tips for 1Ls: If you're going to spend your time "studying" thinking about taking a break, take a break. If you're going to spend your time "taking a break" thinking about studying, go study.
Email: egalik@pennlaw.upenn.edu
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Emily grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland and attended Tulane University. She graduated with a B.A. in History and Political Science, as well as a fun little thesis called 'Bands, Ballads, and Bitterness: The Evolution of Civil War Music.' For her 1L summer, Emily externed for Chief Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown of the EDLA, and worked remotely as a research assistant for Professor Natasha Sarin. At Penn Law, Emily is Director of Recruitment for Lambda, Publicity & Communications Co-Chair for the Penn Law Women's Association, and an Associate Editor of The Regulatory Review. Outside of law school, you can find Emily getting worked up about Tulane athletics or hunting for a great new podcast.

Alec Miller, ​Class of 2021
Alumni & Professionalism Director 

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Hometown:  Chicago, IL
Pronouns:  He/him/his
Undergrad Institution:  University of Pennsylvania 
Philly Neighborhood: Center City
Favorite Philly Hangout: Wherever Kevin Matthews is
Favorite Coffee Shop by the Law School: Rival Brothers
Hobbies: Coffee, SoulCycle, Survivor (I've seen seasons 2 - 38)
Email: alecmil@pennlaw.upenn.edu
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Alec grew up outside of Chicago and received a BS in Economics from The Wharton School and a BS in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. He spent three years in management consulting at Bain & Company (Chicago and San Francisco) and two years on the value creation team at Vector Capital, a technology-focused private equity fund based in San Francisco. At Penn Law, Alec is involved in the Private Equity & Venture Capital Society and  has participated in the Williams Institute LGBTQ Moot Court team. ​