The Duke Law Federalist Society is a student-led campus organization. Executive 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 they are involved in and contribute to the Duke Law community–and how you can do the same!
President: Frances Choi
Frances Choi ‘26 is from Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from Harvard College in 2021, where she studied History of Science and Classics. She spent her 1L summer as a judicial intern on the DC District Court and will spend her 2L summer at Jones Day in DC. Outside of the Federalist Society, Frances is the VP of Mentorship Programs for WLSA and a Staff Editor on the Duke Law Journal. She will clerk on the Fifth Circuit during the 2026-2027 term. In her free time, Frances enjoys reading fiction, trying/ranking different ice cream shops, and spending quality time with friends.
Executive Vice President – External: Ava Erfani
Ava Erfani is from Waxhaw, NC. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2021 where she studied political science and interdisciplinary studies. She spent her 1L summer as a legal intern at the EEOC with Commissioner Andrea Lucas, and will spend her 2L summer with Quinn Emanuel in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Ava is a staff editor of the Duke Law Journal and on the executive board of the North Carolina Club. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and cooking.
Executive Vice Presidents – Internal: Dylan Palmer, Joshua Marshall
Dylan Palmer ‘26 is from Meridian, Idaho. Dylan graduated from Hillsdale College in 2023 where he studied psychology. He spent his 1L summer at Gibson Dunn in Dallas, and will spend his 2L summer at Gibson Dunn in both their Dallas and D.C. offices. Outside of the Federalist Society, Dylan is a member of the Duke Law Journal. Dylan is also a Guardian ad Litem in Durham County, North Carolina. In his free time, he enjoys running, movies, and podcasts.
Joshua Marshall ‘26 is from Hillsboro, New Hampshire. He graduated from Saint Michael’s College in 2023, where he studied philosophy and political science. He spent his 1L summer with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire. In his free time, he enjoys reading, writing, and canoeing.
Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives: George Elsesser
George Elsesser ’26 is from Blaine, Minnesota. He graduated from Rice University in 2021, where he studied Statistics and History. He spent his 1L summer at Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing and was a judicial intern with Judge Sean D. Jordan in the Eastern District of Texas. He will spend his 2L summer at Ahmad, Zavitsanos & Mensing. Outside of the Federalist Society, George is a Staff Editor on the Duke Law Journal and a member of Duke’s Fair Chance Project. In his free time, George enjoys running and tending to his ever-growing house plant collection.
Vice President for Academic Affairs: Jack Massih
Jack Massih ’26 is from Hockessin, Delaware. He graduated from Boston College in 2017, where he studied political science and economics. Prior to joining Duke Law, he worked as an economic & financial litigation consultant for Cornerstone Research. Jack spent his 1L summer as a Summer Law Clerk for the Honorable Brian S. Meyers in Raleigh, North Carolina. Outside of the Federalist Society, he is a teaching assistant for Professor Seymour’s Contracts Class and a Faculty Research Assistant. In his free time, Jack enjoys watching baseball and football and reading about military history.
Vice President for Membership: Erik Gordon
Erik Gordon, class of 2026, is from Yucaipa, California. He graduated from the University of Redlands in 2023, where he studied political science. He spent his 1L summer as a summer clerk at the New Civil Liberties Alliance, and will spend his 2L summer with Cahill Gordon & Reindel in New York. Outside of the Federalist Society, Erik is a staff editor the Alaska Law Review. In his free time, Erik enjoys hiking and backpacking.
Vice President for Publicity: Jack Townsend
Jack Townsend ’26 is from Chatham, NJ. He graduated from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University in 2023, where he studied Finance and Economics. He spent 1L summer researching for Prof. Joseph Blocher, Darrell Miller, and Andrew Willinger. He will spend 2L summer with Cahill, Gordon, and Reindel in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Jack works as a research assistant, is a member of the Veterans Assistant Project, and is an active participant in intramural sports leagues. In his free time, he enjoys all things Cleveland sports.
Vice President for Career Development: 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, and will spend his 2L summer as a summer associate at Simpson Thacher in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Ben is the director of Duke’s Veterans Assistance Project and a staff editor for the Duke Law Journal. In Ben’s free time, Ben enjoys skiing.
Vice President for Alumni Relations: Raj Koshal
Raj Koshal ’26 is from Bridgewater, New Jersey. he graduated from Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris in 2023, where he studied Politics & Government as well as History. He spent his 1L summer at Lowenstein Sandler with the firm’s Litigation group. He will spend his 2L summer at Latham & Watkins in New York City. Outside of the Federalist Society, Raj is a member of Moot Court and Mock Trial. In his free time, Raj enjoys reading about international affairs.
Treasurer: Matt Reay
Clerkship Coordinator: Chandler Cole
Chandler Cole ‘25 is from Springfield, VA. She graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2017, where she studied Philosophy with a Civil Engineering track. She spent her 1L summer as a judicial intern in the Southern District of New York and split her 2L summer between Paul, Weiss and Kellogg Hansen, both in Washington, D.C. Outside of the Federalist Society, Chandler is the Senior Notes Editor of the Duke Law Journal and a Graduate Assistant for the Duke University Office of Student Veterans. She will clerk on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the D.C. District Court upon graduation. In her free time, Chandler enjoys golfing badly and walking her dog, Dubya.
President Emeriti: Jack Dippolito, Matthew McKnight
