Editorial Board
Editorial Board
Maximo Lacerca-Desrosiers, Editor-in-Chief, GGU Spring ’22
Max is a third-year student at Golden Gate University School of Law. He graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business: Global Operations Management. With a background in business, Max has worked for various Silicon Valley startups and is passionate about the use of technology in business operations. Most recently, Max was a law clerk for the Merit Systems Protection Board, an administrative agency that adjudicates federal employment appeals. Max is the Academic Chair for La Raza Law Students Association and the Public Relations Chair for the Student Bar Association.
Vidhi Bhatia, Web Editor, GGU Fall ’22
Vidhi is a third-year student who is a part of the JD/MBA dual degree program. She is a graduate of the Honors Litigation Program (1st STEP) at Golden Gate University School of Law. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, Irvine. Vidhi is interested in entertainment law, litigation, and intellectual property law. She is a strong believer that robust environmental policies and laws will preserve the Earth for many years to come. In her little time of recreation, Vidhi enjoys playing and watching basketball and spending time with her dog, Bailey.
Alexander Najjar, Managing Editor, GGU Spring ’22
Alexander Najjar is a third-year law student at Golden Gate University School of Law. Alexander graduated cum laude from Florida Atlantic University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Alexander is an emerging advocate with a background in criminal defense at both the trial and appellate levels. Alexander has assisted in handling critical cases including death penalty post-conviction litigation research and writing, serious felonies and protest-related defense, police misconduct, civil poverty law, and veteran advocacy. Winning the cause against animal cruelty through advocacy is important to Alexander and he actively engages in the leadership of nationally recognized legal animal protection organizations.
Associate Editors & Staff Writers
Abby Gager, Associate Editor, GGU Spring ’22
Abby is a third-year student at Golden Gate University School of Law. She completed her undergraduate studies at St. John’s University in New York where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelors in Criminal Justice and minor in International studies. While in law school Abby have received a Witkin Award for Academic Excellence in Constitutional Law I and Evidence as well as a CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Legal Research and Writing II. Abby is currently interested in various areas of law such as employment, entertainment, and business. Outside of academics she loves to go to the beach, paint, and spend time with her dog Winnie.
Xavier Harris, Staff Writer, GGU Spring ’23
Xavier is a St. Louis, Missouri native and a second-year law student at Golden Gate University School of Law. Xavier graduated from The University of Missouri-Columbia (Mizzou) in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Subsequent to graduating from Mizzou, Xavier moved to Los Angeles, California. After a tenure in living and working in West Hollywood, Xavier turned his attention to the legal field. With a deep awareness of the social inequities in business, Xavier will take the legal field by storm in the corporate law space. Xavier has worked in several law offices in his short time at Golden Gate University and will soon extern at the esteemed law offices of Schinner & Shain, LLP in the Spring of 2022. In his free time, Xavier loves to create music on Ableton Live, listen to Young Dolph, catch up on classic films, and hike around his new neighborhood in Tamalpais, California.
Kelsie Longerbeam, Staff Writer, GGU Spring ’23
Kelsie Longerbeam is a second-year student of the Honors Lawyering Program, interested in environmental law and real estate law. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from California State University, Long Beach. So far in her law school career, she has earned a Witkin Award in Torts and a CALI Award in Client Representation, while also maintaining a position on the Dean’s List. Over her fall semester, she has been interning at Schinner & Shain LLP, where she is expanding her experience and knowledge of real estate law. Kelsie has a deep passion for animals, which she is expressing through her writing with the GGU Environmental Law Journal. In her free time, she enjoys riding horses and teaching pilates.
Madison MacLeod, Staff Writer, GGU Spring ’23
Madison is a 2L pursuing environmental and animal rights law. A former veterinary nurse, Madison made the switch to law school to learn how to advance environment-protecting policies. Madison received a CALI Award in Civil Procedure I and Witkin Award in Estate Planning. She is the creator and host of Zero Waste California and Zero Waste TV where she teaches sustainability practices and shares environmental news on multiple platforms. When she’s not studying, she’s spending time with her partner, four dogs and tortoise. h a deep awareness of the social inequities in business, Xavier will take the legal field by storm in the corporate law space. Xavier has worked in several law offices in his short time at Golden Gate University and will soon extern at the esteemed law offices of Schinner & Shain, LLP in the Spring of 2022. In his free time, Xavier loves to create music on Ableton Live, listen to Young Dolph, catch up on classic films, and hike around his new neighborhood in Tamalpais, California.
Ryan Myers, Associate Editor, GGU Spring ’22
Ryan is a third year law student at Golden Gate University School of Law. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Rhetoric, where he also competed on the Men’s Swimming Team. Ryan spent last year working in the school’s Environmental Law and Justice Clinic, where he worked with clients on issues related to AB 617 and on land use. He hopes to continue to work in Environmental Justice. In his free time, Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and two middle-school aged children.
Laughlin Silvestri, Staff Writer, GGU Spring ’22
Laughlin is a second-year student at Golden Gate University School of Law. She graduated with honors from Saint Mary’s College of California and holds a B.A. in Politics and Communication. Prior to starting law school, Laughlin worked in the impact investing space, empowering individuals to invest with their values, divest from fossil fuels and instead invest in alternatives that will lead us to the next sustainable economy. Outside of academics, she is an advocate for food access and security, is an avid concert goer, and loves to hike and garden.