Officers

Caira Watson

President

Kristen Love

​Chief of Staff

Caira is a current 2L. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Educational Studies and the Interdisciplinary Program in Urban Studies.

At Duke Law, Caira is involved in BLSA and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Caira spent her 1L summer as a Judicial Extern in the Northern District of Illinois and as a Summer Associate at Sidley in Chicago. Next summer, Caira will be returning to Sidley. To relax, Caira loves to run, lift weights, and listen to podcasts.

As BLSA’s President, Caira strives to improve the Black student experience at Duke Law by facilitating community. She hopes to facilitate community with our current students, alum, prospective students, and the Durham community.

Kristen is a current 2L. She graduated from Howard University, where she studied Economics and Political Science. After graduating, Kristen worked as a management consultant and participated in the SEO Law Fellowship.

At Duke Law, Kristen is involved in BLSA, the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum, and the Mock Trial Board. Kristen spent her 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Hogan Lovells in DC and with Ford Motor Company as part of the Move the Needle program. Next summer, Kristen will be returning to Hogan Lovells. In her free time, Kristen loves to explore Raleigh and Durham for the best places to eat, watch niche reality TV shows, and hopefully learn enough about Duke basketball to qualify as a true “fan.”

As BLSA’s Chief of Staff, Kristen is focused on facilitating the work of the rest of the board and ensuring that the broader BLSA membership is aware of all the opportunities available to them as members of our community.

Esosa Asemota

Internal Vice President

Jordan Berry

External Vice President

Jordan is a current 2L. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she studied Public Policy.

At Duke Law, Jordan is involved in BLSA, the Wxmen of Color Collective, and the Duke Journal of Comparative and International Law. Jordan spent her 1L summer as a Legal Intern at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Next summer, Jordan will be working in DC as a Summer Associate at Winston & Strawn. Jordan likes to try new foods, travel, read, and play with her puppy in her free time.

As BLSA’s External Vice President, Jordan’s goals are to continue BLSA’s outstanding professional and social programming and to foster a sense of community for all Black law students at Duke.

Adesulu Adewole

​Director of Programming

Aliyah Berry

​Director of Finance

Sulu is a current 2L. He graduated from the University of Virginia, where he majored in Public Policy and African American Studies. After graduating, Sulu worked as a 3rd grade math teacher in Miami, Florida (with Teach for America), and then he was commissioned as an engineer officer in the Army Reserve.

At Duke Law, Sulu is involved in BLSA, the National Security Law Society, and intramural soccer. Sulu spent his 1L summer as a Legal Intern at Duke Management Company (DUMAC). Next summer, Sulu will be working in DC as a Summer Associate at Dechert. To relax, Sulu likes to be active (soccer and tennis are his top two). Sulu also enjoys playing Warzone with his friends.

As BLSA’s Director of Programming, Sulu’s goals are to plan events that will be beneficial to all members of BLSA. He also wants to put an emphasis on non-academic events as it is important to have balance in the events students can attend.

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Aliyah is a current 2L. She graduated from Georgia State University where she studied Philosophy and Political Science.

At Duke Law, Aliyah is involved in BLSA, Guardian ad Litem, the Mock Trial Board, the Womxn of Color Collective, and the Health Care Planning Project. Aliyah spent her 1L summer as a Summer Clerk at Cranfill Sumner in Raleigh. Next summer, Aliyah plans to intern with a family law/estate planning firm in Atlanta. To relax, Aliyah enjoys reading and watching tv/movies.

As BLSA’s Director of Finance, Aliyah strives to ensure that BLSA has the necessary funding for all events throughout the year and to create a comprehensive budget template that may be used in future years.

Analese Bridges

​Director of Academic Affairs

Larissa Burke

​Director of Communications & Webmaster

Larissa is a current 2L. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill, where she majored in Anthropology and minored in Social and Economic Justice. After graduating, Larissa worked as a paralegal in Chapel Hill.

At Duke Law, Larissa is involved in BLSA, OutLaw, and the Business Law Society. Larissa spent her 1L summer as a Summer Associate and Diversity Scholar at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte. Next summer, Larissa will be returning to Moore & Van Allen. In her free time, Larissa enjoys indoor cycling, yoga, and binging reality tv.

As BLSA’s Director of Communications, Larissa strives to provide a means for the Duke community and beyond to see what Duke’s BLSA chapter is up to.

Shirley Garrett

Black Graduate and Professional Students Association (BGPSA) Liason

Shirley Garret is a current 2L. She graduated from High Point University, where she studied Political Science and International Relations. After graduating, Shirley worked as an elections intern at Democracy Fund in DC and as a fellow at Reality Ministries in Durham.

At Duke Law, Shirley is involved in BLSA and the Immigrant Rights Clinic. Shirley spent her 1L summer as a Summer Associate at Dechert in Charlotte. Next summer, Shirley will be returning to Dechert. To relax, Shirley enjoys gardening, farming, and visiting Charlotte.

As BLSA’s BGPSA Liaison, Shirley strives to facilitate events that will allow BLSA to connect with Black students in other graduate programs.