The Duke Law Federalist Society is a student-led campus organization. Board Members serve one-year terms. Our chapter’s leadership is heavily involved in the Duke Law community, including being members of journals, Moot Court Board, and various pro bono projects and other organizations. Any one of us would be happy to talk with you, not only about the Federalist Society, but also about the other ways we are involved in and contribute to the Duke Law community–and how you can do the same!
President
Michael Baldini
Michael Baldini ’28 is from West Hartford, Connecticut. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2023, where he studied Government and served as captain of the men’s swimming and diving team. Before law school, Michael worked as a litigation paralegal at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York City. He spent his 1L summer as an in-house legal intern at Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Maryland, and will spend his 2L summer at Gibson Dunn in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Michael is a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy, serves on the executive board of the National Security Law Society, and is a member of the Christian Legal Society. In his free time, Michael enjoys running, pickup basketball, and fly fishing.
Executive Vice Presidents – Internal
Kennedy Jarosz, Tyler Leonard
Kennedy Jarosz ’28 is from Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2024, where she studied Political Science and English. Before law school she lived in Italy studying Italian and worked as a paralegal at Turner Padget in Charleston, SC. Kennedy spent her 1L summer working for the Coast Guard JAG Corps in the Office of the Chief Prosecutor and will spend her 2L summer working for Miller & Chevalier Chartered in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Kennedy serves as a staff editor on Duke Law Journal, 2L Representative for National Security Law Society, and is a member of the Veterans Assistance Project and First-Generation Professionals. In her free time, she enjoys playing intramural sports, watching movies, and traveling.
Tyler Leonard ’28 is from Scottsdale, Arizona. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2025, where he studied Political Science and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFROTC) program. He spent his 1L summer as a Summer Associate in Latham & Watkins’ Washington, D.C. office. He will spend his 2L summer as an Air Force JAG Corps Summer Intern. Outside of the Federalist Society, Tyler is Co-President of the National Security Law Society, staff editor on Duke Law Journal, and a Teaching Assistant for Legal Analysis, Research and Writing. In his free time, Tyler enjoys working out, playing golf, and watching Notre Dame football.
Executive Vice President – External
James Watt
James Watt ’28 is from Miami, Florida, and he attended Wake Forest University. Prior to law school, James earned a Masters in Management. He then worked at a FinTech company in Austin, Texas. Finally, during the pandemic, James moved to Panama City, Panama, to join a multi-brand international importer and distributor. He spent his 1L summer with Kirkland & Ellis in Houston, Texas and will return for his 2L summer. In his free time, James enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about history, traveling, and rugby.
Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Bruno Graneiro
Bruno Graneiro ’28 is Brazilian and grew up in Hong Kong. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2024, where he studied Philosophy. Before law school, he worked at Baker McKenzie in Hanoi and Hong Kong. Bruno spent his 1L summer working at Cleary Gottlieb in New York and will be returning next summer. Outside of the Federalist Society, Bruno serves as a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy and is a member of the Duke Law Run Club. In his free time, he enjoys reading, movies, and swimming.
Vice President for Publicity
Kaitlyn Potts
Kaitlyn Potts ’28 is from Arlington, Virginia. She graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2025, where she studied Environmental Science and Policy and conducted international endangered species research. Kaitlyn spent her 1L summer working in civil litigation and will spend her 2L summer at Willkie in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Kaitlyn is Co-President of Duke Law Golf Club. In her free time, she enjoys watching and playing sports, reading mystery novels, listening to podcasts, and going for walks.
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Grayson Pearce
Grayson Pearce ’28 is from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He graduated from Washington & Lee University in 2021, where he studied Economics and Politics. Before attending Duke Law, he worked as a communications and media relations consultant at Penta Group in Washington, D.C. Grayson spent his 1L summer as a judicial intern in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. He will spend his 2L summer at Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Grayson is a member of Duke Law’s Moot Court Board, a staff editor on the Duke Law Journal, and an executive board member of First Class.
Vice President for Career Development
Aidan Martin
Aidan Martin ’28 is from Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 2023, where he studied History and International Relations. Before law school, Aidan worked as a Junior Litigation Paralegal in the Chicago office of Kirkland & Ellis. Aidan spent his 1L summer as an intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, and he will spend his 2L summer at Latham & Watkins in Chicago. He is also a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy. In his free time, Aidan enjoys hiking, reading, and playing basketball with law students.
Vice President of Pro Bono
Matthew Song
Matthew Song ’28 is from Monkton, Maryland. He graduated from Duke University in 2025 with degrees in History and Classical Civilizations. During his 1L summer, Matthew interned with the National Courts Section in the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He will spend his 2L summer at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Matthew is involved in the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and the Duke Law Chess Club, volunteers with Lawyer on the Line, and serves as a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy and on the Moot Court Board. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading history books, watching Duke basketball and Arsenal in the Premier League, and playing chess with friends.
Vice President for Alumni Relations
Zach Welch
Zach Welch ’28 is from Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Wheaton College in 2025, where he studied International Relations, Economics, and Urban Studies. Zach spent his 1L summer with the U.S. Department of Commerce and will join Latham & Watkins in Washington, D.C. during his 2L summer. In addition to his involvement in the Federalist Society, Zach is on the board of the National Security Law Society and the Christian Legal Society. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his wife, running, hiking, competing in intramural sports like basketball and softball, and reading political philosophy, theology, and history.
Director for National and Local Initiatives
Matthew Sorrels
Matt Sorrels ’28 is from Goldsboro, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022, where he studied Political Science and History. Before law school, he worked as a seventh-grade English teacher and as a sales representative at a corporate startup. Matt spent his 1L summer working in the Office of General Law at the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Matt is a member of the National Security Law Society and the North Carolina Club. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, spending time with friends, and going to the beach.
Treasurer
Samuel Zorek
Samuel Zorek ’28 graduated from Rice University in 2019 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a BA in Policy Studies. Prior to law school, Samuel worked as an engineer in the aerospace industry. At Duke, he is also co-president of the IP Law Society and a staff editor on the Duke Law & Technology Review. In his free time, Samuel enjoys spending time outdoors with his dog, Tycho.
2L Representatives
John DiPierri, Max Markon, Cole Mushegan
John DiPierri ’28 is from Plainview, New York. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2025 with a degree in International Security and History. He spent his 1L summer as a law clerk in the Supreme Court and Appellate Litigation practice of Lex Politica PLLC. He will spend his 2L summer at the Washington, D.C. office of Holtzman Vogel PLLC. Outside of the Federalist Society, John served as an extern for the Hon. Matthew H. Solomson on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, a staff editor on the Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law, and Treasurer of Duke Law’s St. Thomas More Society chapter. In his free time, John enjoys golfing and mountain biking.
Max Markon ’28 is from Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2021 with a degree in History. Prior to law school, Max spent four years working as a researcher at a public policy think tank in Washington, D.C. Max spent his 1L summer interning for Judge Carl Nichols on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and will return to D.C. for his 2L summer at Latham & Watkins. Outside of the Federalist Society, Max serves as a staff editor on the Duke Law Journal and a guest editor for the Journal of Law and Civil Governance at Texas A&M University. He is also involved with the National Security Law Society. In his free time, Max enjoys weightlifting, reading early American history, and spending time with his dog, Luca.
Cole Mushegan ’28 is from Keller, Texas. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 2024 where he studied Political Science and History. In between his first and second semester of law school, Cole served as Assistant to the Secretary of Agriculture. He spent his 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Kirkland & Ellis’ Dallas office and as a Law Clerk at the Texas Solicitor General. He will return to Kirkland & Ellis for his 2L summer. Cole is also Vice President of Pro Bono for the Christian Legal Society and a staff editor for the Duke Law Journal. In his free time, Cole enjoys hunting, archery, and basketball.
President Emeritus – Tommy Nowak
