The Duke Law Federalist Society is a student-led campus organization. Board Members serve for one-year terms. Our chapter’s leadership is heavily involved in the Duke Law community, including being members of journals, Mock Trial Board, 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: Tommy Nowak
Tommy Nowak ’27 is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2022, where he studied Economics, Accounting, and Public Policy. Before law school, he worked as a financial and litigation consultant at Cornerstone Research. Tommy spent his 1L summer working as an in-house legal intern at Reyes Holdings in Chicago, and he will spend his 2L summer working for Cravath, Swaine, and Moore in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Tommy serves as a Staff Editor for the Alaska Law Journal and is a member of the Antitrust and Competition Law Society and the Duke Law Run Club. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, running, and playing basketball and softball.
Executive Vice Presidents – Internal: Maya El-Sharif, Artem Ilyanok
Maya El-Sharif ’27 is from Boca Raton, Florida. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2024, where she studied Psychology and Political Science. She spent her 1L summer at White & Case in Miami and will spend her 2L summer at Quinn Emanuel, also in Miami. Outside of the Federalist Society, Maya is involved with the Moot Court Board, Mock Trial Board, Duke Law Lifting Club, Coalition Against Gendered Violence, Veterans Assistance Project, Pro Se Asylum Project, Muslim Law Students Association, and the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy. She also serves as a research assistant to Professor Lemos. Maya will clerk in the Northern District of Texas during the 2028–2029 term. In her free time, she enjoys boxing, lifting, playing with her dogs, and reading fiction.
Artem Ilyanok ’27 is from Brooklyn, New York. He graduated from Columbia University in 2024, where he studied History, International Affairs, and Economics. He spent his 1L summer in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and will spend his 2L summer at Wachtell Lipton in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Artem is on the board of the National Security Law Society and a staff editor on the Duke Law Journal. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, watching Duke basketball, and trying different cafes around Durham.
Executive Vice President – External: Jacob Koelsch
Jacob Koelsch ’27 is from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Rice University in 2022, where he majored in Social Policy Analysis and Asian Studies. He spent is 1L summer as a Summer Associate in the Houston office of Latham & Watkins. He will return to Latham’s Houston office during his 2L summer. Outside of the Federalist Society, Jacob is the Director of the Lawyer on the Line and Duke Street Law pro-bono projects, and he is a Research Associate for Professor Timothy Meyer. In his free time, Jacob plays the drums and rugby.
Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives: Andrew Graziano
Andrew Graziano ’27 is from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Rice University in 2022, where he studied Philosophy and Classics. Andrew spent his 1L summer at Kirkland & Ellis in Houston and will spend his 2L summer at Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing, also in Houston. Outside of the Federalist Society, Andrew is a Staff Editor for the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy and a Research Assistant for Professor Jonathan Seymour. He is also involved in the Texas Club and the Duke Catholic Center. In his free time, he enjoys reading history and fiction, walking around Durham, and cooking.
Vice President for Publicity: Ainsley Bryant
Ainsley Bryant is from Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2023 with degrees in Psychology and Environmental Studies. Ainsley spent her summer working as a 1L Summer Associate in the Investment Funds group at DLA Piper’s Chicago office. She will spend her 2L summer at Kirkland and Ellis in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Ainsley is the Vice President of Communications for WLSA and the Vice President of Membership for JLSA. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and exercising.
Vice President for Membership: Matthew Klinger
Matthew Klinger ’27 is from Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2024, where he studied Political Philosophy. He spent his 1L summer as a Summer Associate in Gibson Dunn’s Houston office. He will be returning to Gibson Dunn in Houston for his 2L summer. Outside of FedSoc, Matthew is an active member in a number of Duke Law student organizations, including Christian Legal Society, Duke Law Music Association, and Duke Law Texas Club. Matthew is also a Staff Editor for the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law and Public Policy. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading economics and philosophy books, playing music, and running.
Vice President for Academic Affairs: Ellie Tuite
Ellie Tuite ’27 is from Tampa, FL. She graduated from the College of the Holy Cross in 2023, where she majored in Political Science with a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies. Before attending Duke Law, she worked at a plaintiff-side litigation firm in Florida. Ellie spent her 1L summer as a judicial intern in the Southern District of Florida. She will spend her 2L summer at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman in Washington D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Ellie is a Staff Editor for the Duke Law Journal, and a member of the Florida Club and WLSA. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with friends.
Vice President for Career Development: Tim Pfeifer
Timothy Pfeifer ’27 is from Baltimore, Maryland. He earned a B.A. in History and Political Science (’22) and an M.A. in History (’24), both from Virginia Tech. During his 1L summer, he worked in Sidley Austin’s New York office, and he will return to New York for his 2L summer at Sullivan & Cromwell. Outside of the Federalist Society, Tim serves as a vice president for the Duke Law Viticultural Society. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, cinema, reading philosophy, and following sports.
Vice President for Alumni Relations: Gwyneth Bernier
Gwyneth Bernier is a 2L from New York City. She attended Duke University for undergraduate and received her bachelor’s in International Studies and French. This past summer, Gwyneth worked as a research assistant for Duke law professors Steven Schwarcz and General Charles Dunlap. At the law school, she volunteers with the Veteran’s Assistance Project, is a Staff Editor for the Duke Law Journal, and serves on Duke’s Moot Court Board. Next summer, Gwyneth will work as a summer associate at Davis Polk’s New York office. Outside of school, she is a competitive horseback rider.
Treasurer: Roy Walker
Roy Walker ’27 is from Evanston, Illinois. He graduated from Davidson College in 2021, where he studied Classics and Political Science. He spent his 1L summer at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he was a summer intern at the XVIII Airborne Corps Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. He will spend his 2L summer at King & Spalding in Charlotte, North Carolina. Outside of the Federalist Society, Roy is the Co-President of the Veteran’s Assistance Project. In his free time, Roy enjoys intramural sports, hiking and watching movies.
Women’s Outreach Chair: Lexi Fitzgerald
Lexi Fitzgerald ’27 is from St. Petersburg, Florida. She earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Wellesley College in winter 2021. During undergrad, she was a fellow at the Albright Institute under Secretary Madeleine Albright, a member of the crew team, and a docent at the Davis Museum. Before law school, Lexi worked at a boutique intellectual property firm in Massachusetts. Outside of the Federalist Society, she serves on the board of the Veterans Assistance Project. This coming summer, she will join Latham & Watkins in Austin, TX. In her free time, Lexi enjoys volunteering, discovering new coffee shops, and exploring new running trails with her friends.
Clerkship Coordinator: Ben Leavens
Benjamin Leavens ‘26 is from Ocean City, NJ. He graduated from Villanova University in 2022, where he studied Political Science and Art History. He spent his 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Faegre Drinker’s Philadelphia office and his 2L summer as a Summer Associate at Simpson Thacher’s New York office. Outside of the Federalist Society, Ben is a member of the Duke Law Journal and the Veterans Assistance Project. He will clerk on the Eastern District of North Carolina District Court and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals upon graduation. In his free time, Ben enjoys skiing, baking, and the Eagles (Go Birds!).
President Emeriti: Frances Choi, Jack Dippolito, Matthew McKnight
