Marisa Floriani, Managing Editor of the Government Law Review Fireplace Blog, Staff Writer
Marisa Floriani, a third year at Albany Law, was born and raised in Wyckoff, New Jersey-the home of, well, nothing. (Ok fine — it is the home of Tara Reid and the Jonas Brothers.) Once she realized her aspirations of becoming the next American Idol were shattered, Marisa spent four years studying American history at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania before attending law school in New York. Since attending Albany Law, Marisa spent the past two summers working at Belluck & Fox, an asbestos litigation firm in New York City.
Stephen Dushko, Editing Chair, Staff Writer
Ted Rao, Topics Chair, Staff Writer
Ted Rao was born in Providence RI on December 8, 1976. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Technology from Rhode Island College in 2000, and worked as as a graphic designer musician, and chef. He decided to pursue his first love of politics and policy by re-entering Rhode Island College in the Spring of 2004. While there, he completed an internship in Washington D.C. for U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), served as a research assistant for the Providence City Council, and spent the summer of 2005 studying political science and history in London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Budapest. He graduated magna cum laude from RIC with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science in 2007. He then joined the staff of the International Institute of Rhode Island, serving as an outreach support specialist. It was while working at the IIRI that he decided to enter law school. At Albany Law, he has distinguished himself by serving as President of the Albany Law Civil Liberties Union, where he helped implement a successful voter registration drive, organized the area’s only debate between Albany County District Attorney P. David Soares and his then-challenger Roger Cusick, and also organized a lecture by ACLU National President Susan Hermann on the future of Civil Liberties in the Obama Administration. Since January 2009 he has served as a law clerk at the Albany County DA’s office, and is currently serving as a 3L Representative in the Student Senate. He is also a Senior Editor for the Albany Government Law Review.
Joe Slater, Public Relations Chair, Staff Writer
Joe Slater grew up just outside of Albany in East Greenbush, New York. He attended SUNY Albany where he majored in Criminal Justice. His newfound interest in criminal law sent him to Albany Law School where he is currently a 3L. He enjoys getting outdoors and playing sports, including football, baseball, golf, and tennis. He also enjoys going to rock concerts and the cinema.
Andrew Dructor, Staff Writer
Andrew Dructor, youngest son of Robert and Carolyn Dructor, was raised in the capital of Pennsylvania. Before tearing each of his anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) he usually could be found engaged in one sport or another, however, now he simply settles for yelling at the television set during sporting events. Andrew attended the University of Pittsburgh and majored in history and political science and currently is a 3L at Albany Law School.
Shane Egan, Staff Writer
Shane was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. He earned his B.A. from Siena College in 2007, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics. Shane has worked the last several summers as an associate in a Dutchess County law firm and is currently working for the New York Power Authority (NYPA) as a legal intern. As a first year member of the Government Law Review, Shane wrote a paper discussing the need to reform the process for consolidating local government entities and the positive fiscal impact this reform will have on New York State. His interests include politics, golf and mountain biking.
Danielle Erickson, Staff Writer
Danielle Erickson is a third year student at Albany law School. Originally from Jamestown, New York, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from SUNY Fredonia. In order to gain an intensive concentration in environmental science she then spent a year at Bowling Green University. Danielle plans on utilizing her background by pursuing a career in environmental or intellectual property law.
Joi Kush, Staff Writer
Joi Kush has been described as a new-age gypsy. She has visited over six countries in the past three years alone and is planning a trip to Portugal and Spain in the spring. When she is not traveling, she immerses herself in her studies and other law school activities. After graduation she will take the New York Bar exam and then will move back to Denver, CO where she will take the Colorado Bar in February. Her goal is to have been admitted to practice law in five different jurisdictions by the time she turns 35. She is now 24 years old.
Sara Mase, Staff Writer
Sara was born and raised in Hawaii but has resided on the “mainland” since her graduation as part of the millenium class from Hilo High School. Sara moved away from “the rock” to attend Indiana University where she earned two degrees from the Kelley School of Business, one in Finanace and the other in Legal Studies. She also tacked on a minor in Criminal Justice since she’s never been able to get enough of the law. After graduation, Sara moved to Chicago, IL where she worked as a freight broker for three years before deciding that she really just had to be a lawyer. Currently in her last year at Albany Law School, Sara is concentrating in two of the areas that really interest her: Family/Elder Law and Estate Planning. After graduation Sara hopes to find a job in one of these areas that will allow her to remain in the state and become a “real” New Yorker.
Hiroki Ogawa
A 3L at Albany Law and a graduate of Hamtech, where he majored in Mathematics and spent his time enjoying the cows, farm equipment, and other Upstate scenery. Realizing that Math is “what calculators are made for,” Hiroki sought refuge in the study of law. Quite a synergistic decision because he aspires to to be a catalyst for justice, equality, and world peace. To date, he has cultivated experience in public interest, administrative and governmental law. Aside from his academic pursuits, Hiroki hopes to one day open the first coffee shop on the moon, play mini-golf with the Dalai Lama, and to observe marine cephalopod molluscs in a deep sea diving bell accompanied by a kit of ferrets. Hiroki’s favorite quote is, “Even a stopped clock shows the right time twice a day.” Hiroki likes: proper use of the semi-colon, the shape of the ampersand and the pilcrow, and wearing his sunglasses at night. Hiroki dislikes: humidity, people who say “should of” instead of “should have,” and the color fuchsia.
Have questions or concerns? Email the Fireplace Blog at: govlawreview@albanylaw.edu
