2023-24 Lambda board
William (Willie) Powers President
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Urbana, Illinois
Undergrad: Carleton College
Philly Neighborhood: West Philly
Favorite Philly Hangout: Clark Park
Hobbies: I enjoy taking day trips outside of Philly, reading about and caring for my desert plant collection, and cooking.
1L Summer: I researched legal issues related to foreign investment with Professor Burke-White.
Tips for 1Ls: Prioritize your sleep, study with friends, and never turn down a lunch event!
Email: wmpowers@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Willie Powers grew up in Illinois and went to college at Carleton College in Minnesota. He majored in History with minors in Public Policy and Middle Eastern Studies. After college, Willie worked for Legal Aid Chicago as part of AmeriCorps. There, he helped Chicagoans access public benefits during the Covid Pandemic. Willie also worked for a year at a government affairs firm in Washington, D.C. At Penn, Willie is an Associate Editor on the Journal of International Law. He also serves as Co-President of the Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court.
Andra Metcalfe Political Director
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Denver, CO
Undergrad: Colorado College
Philly Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Favorite Philly Hangout: Schuylkill River Trail
Hobbies: Weightlifting, piano, hiking, bowling, snowboarding
1L Summer: Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Tips for 1Ls: Don't take law school too seriously (it's basically impossible to fail) or get lost comparing yourself to others. We can't control every aspect of our career and life path, so take advantage of enjoying where you are now instead of working too much for tomorrow!
Email: andramet@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Andra was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and studied Sociology at Colorado College in Colorado Springs. She worked at three legal nonprofits: HOME Line (a free legal advocacy hotline for renters), The Colorado Center on Law and Policy, and The ACLU of Colorado. In addition to her work experience, Andra is a passionate disability advocate and helped to create an affinity group for students with disabilities during undergrad. At Penn, Andra serves as Vice President of DALSA, Political Director for Lambda, and as a board member for National Lawyers Guild. She is also an Associate Editor on the Journal of Law and Social Change and a member of the Penn Housing Rights and If/When/How pro bono projects. Beyond school, Andra enjoys weight lifting, playing the piano, going to concerts, going on walks with her dog, and being the most mediocre bowler in the Penn Carey Law Bowling League.
Simone Downs vice President
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Richboro, PA
Undergrad: Princeton University
Philly Neighborhood: Grad Hospital
Favorite Philly Hangout: Schuylkill River Trail
Hobbies: vegan cooking, doing the NYT crossword, going to museums, tending to my plants, hanging out with my cat
1L Summer: Regional Housing Legal Services
Tips for 1Ls: Make time to do things that have nothing to do with law school!
Email: simdowns@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Simone grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and is thrilled to be back in Philly. She attended Princeton University where she studied Public & International Affairs. Prior to law school, Simone worked in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a community development specialist focused on housing justice and economic development. At Penn, she is also involved with the Custody & Support Assistance Clinic, Penn Housing Rights Project, and is an Associate Editor for Law Review.
Jason Bach professionalism chair
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergrad: Brooklyn College
Grad: University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
Philly Neighborhood: University City
Favorite Philly Hangout: Chinatown
Hobbies: Squash and tango
1L Summer: Judicial Intern, US District Court for EDPA
Tips for 1Ls: Don't really have any good advice but just chill and get lots of sleep.
Email: bachp@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Jason grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to law school, Jason studied English at Brooklyn College and bioethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. In addition to his involvement with Penn Law Lambda and APALSA, Jason is also an executive editor in the Asian Law Review and an associate editor in the University of Pennsylvania Law Review.
Rae Fanella advocacy & Mentorship chair
Pronouns: they/them
Hometown: Moorepark, CA
Undergrad: University of Southern California
Philly Neighborhood: Fitler Square
Favorite Philly Hangout: Walks along the Schuylkill
Hobbies: Watching movies, dancing, food exploring, thrifting, and collaging
1L Summer: Greater Boston Legal Services
Tip for 1Ls: 1L looks different for everyone! You're doing great.
Email: rfanella@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Rae grew up in Southern California and received a dual degree in Dramatic Arts and Critical Studies in Film & Television at the University Of Southern California. Before law school, Rae danced professionally in Boston then pivoted to working as a legal assistant and volunteering with local LGBTQIA+ community organizations. At Penn, Rae is also involved in If/When/How and the Trans Empowerment and Advocacy Project (TEA).
Ari Goldstein academic director
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Undergrad: Georgetown University
Grad: JD/MBA @ Penn
Philly Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Favorite Philly Hangout: Famous 4th Street Delicatessen
Hobbies: podcasts, editing Wikipedia, listening to Dolly Parton
1L Summer: JD/MBA courses + research work for Prof. Mitchell Berman and the Children's Law Center
Tips for 1Ls: You are now part of an amazing intellectual community in which you'll learn to see the world in new ways. Savor that opportunity!
Email: arigold@upenn.edu
Ari grew up in San Francisco and studied Government and Jewish Civilization at Georgetown University. Prior to law school, Ari spent four years living in New York, where he worked at a Holocaust museum and a Jewish charitable foundation. At Penn, Ari is a JD/MBA student, an Associate Editor for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, and a Board member for JLSA and Lambda.
Albert Qian Alumni & Networking and Outreach Director
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Undergrad: University of Southern California
Grad: University of Southern California
Philly Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Favorite Philly Hangout: Cava
Hobbies: cooking alison roman recipes, reading manga, live music, chilling out
1L Summer: Housing intern at Mobilization for Justice
Tips for 1Ls: Do whatever you want
Email: albertqi@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Billy ZHAO Alumni + Networking and Outreach Director
Pronouns:
Hometown:
Undergrad:
Philly Neighborhood:
Favorite Philly Hangout:
Hobbies:
1L Summer:
Tips for 1Ls:
Email:
Preston Sundin admissions Director
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Fairmount, WV
Undergrad: Oberlin College
Grad: National Taiwan University
Philly Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
Favorite Philly Hangout: Philadelphia Museum of Art
Hobbies: running, reading, sewing, raising my cat
1L Summer: Summer Associate at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath
Tips for 1Ls: Don't be afraid to ask questions AND make sure you ask a lot of them!
Email: pcsun@penncareylaw.upenn.edu
Preston grew up in West Virginia and studied History and Comparative Literature at Oberlin College. After college, he lived in Taiwan for four years while completing a master's degree in Chinese Literature. Back in the US, he taught Mandarin and History at an all-girls boarding high school in Upstate New York before transitioning to new roles in the school as International Student Coordinator and then International Admissions Manager. At Penn, he is a Lambda board member, Co-President of Older Wiser Law Students (OWLS), Co-Director of Penn Law Immigrants' Rights Project (PLIRP), and Associate Editor of Asian Law Review.