Through the CERL Summer Internship Program, students actively advance CERL’s mission to preserve and promote the rule of law and ethics in national security, warfare, and democratic governance.
Over the course of nine weeks, CERL’s 20-person internship cohort will explore projects relating to military aid to civilian authorities, a comparison of prosecution to deportation for effective counter-terrorism operations, character, military firings, and criteria for assessing military appointees, presidential authority and state(s) of emergency, and other areas of research. Our interns work in teams to produce briefing papers, support upcoming conferences, and conduct research.
CERL interns will hear from a host of distinguished experts on legal and policy issues relating to CERL’s work in national security and the rule of law. CERL thanks the Windover Foundation, Cozen O’Connor, Jules Zacher, P.C., Morrison Foerster, and a number of individual donors for their generous support of the program.
Join us in welcoming these accomplished students!
2025 Intern Class
ZEESHAN ALI
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
Academic Program: Master of Public Policy
Zeeshan Ali is a Master of Public Policy student at Duke University, specializing in National Security, Foreign Policy, and Global Health. His research examines the legal and strategic dimensions of modern warfare—particularly the role of international law, security alliances, and military operations in fragile-state environments. Prior to his graduate studies, Zeeshan surveilled the activities and networks of violent extremist organizations across the United States at Princeton University and supported investigations into human rights violations and humanitarian crises in war-affected regions at Yale University. He currently co-leads a legal-policy team at Duke Law constructing a multidimensional fragility index to inform conflict prevention and crisis response strategy in South Sudan and coordinates a research team under Duke’s Department of Statistical Science identifying structural and policy gaps in refugee camp governance around the globe. After Duke, Zeeshan plans to pursue a joint J.D.-Ph.D. program to examine the legal challenges posed by asymmetric conflict and the conduct of irregular warfare in an era of nontraditional threats, as well as the barriers extremist movements create for humanitarian assistance and stabilization efforts. He ultimately hopes to serve as a Judge Advocate General (JAG) in the United States Army.
BARIHA ASKERY
Texas A&M University
Academic Program: Bachelor of Arts (graduated)
Bariha Askery holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Texas A&M University, with minors in Arabic Studies and Cybersecurity. Her work focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies, diplomacy, and international security, particularly in advancing global development. Bariha has conducted research on public and private sector investments and their implications for U.S. foreign policy, with a specific focus on ethical considerations in bilateral cooperation between Israel and the United States. She has also been a student researcher with the Texas A&M’s Coexistence, Conservation, and Livestock Management (CALM) project in Botswana, a partnership with the NGO Cheetah Conservation Botswana. The project integrates local knowledge and practices to develop low-tech, innovative solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and protect both cattle and predators that benefit both wildlife conservation and farming communities. In August 2025, Bariha will begin a master’s degree at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program.
SOFIA V. BAZDEKIS
American University Washington College of Law
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Sofia V. Bazdekis is a rising second-year Juris Doctor candidate at American University Washington College of Law. Before attending law school, she worked domestically and internationally for intergovernmental organizations, government offices, and an Am Law 15 firm. In November 2025, she will support the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva as a Kovler Student Scholar. Sofia’s interests lie at the intersection of international law, policy, human rights, and security. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a concentration in U.S. foreign policy and national security from American University School of International Service.
SOFÍA FRANCO
Georgetown University Law Center
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Sofía Franco is a rising second-year law student studying at Georgetown University Law Center, where she has a particular passion for federal policy and administrative law. She received her bachelor’s degree at Temple University, majoring in both Psychology and Political Science, where she gained valuable insights about policy implications in both the pharmaceutical and education sectors. She was inspired to attend law school during her time as a bartender at a local Philadelphia bar, where she learned directly from members of the community about the distance between policy and on-the-ground outcomes. She is excited to join the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law at a time when the intricacies of moral and practical policies are at the forefront of current political discourse and is grateful to apply this experience to every area of practice she will work with in the future.
ILAI GAVISH
Harvard Law School
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Ilai Gavish is a rising third-year student at Harvard Law School, where he serves as an editor on the Harvard Law Review as well as the Vice President of the HLS Law and Philosophy Society. He is especially interested in the intersection of law, analytic philosophy, and ethics, on a local, national, and global scale. Prior to law school, Ilai studied neuroscience and philosophy at Harvard College. His most recent work experience was as a legal intern at the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Washington, D.C. He is excited to help promote ethics and rule of law values in matters of national security and democratic governance.
MARSHAY HARRIS
University of Pennsylvania
Academic Program: Master of Arts
Marshay Harris is a U.S. Army officer with a wide range of experience in leadership, personnel management, and organizational accountability. She has served as a Battalion S1 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, completed one deployment tour supporting Soldiers and families at a Casualty Assistance Center, and received formal training at the Army Inspector General School. She has also commanded at the company level under the U.S. Army Training And Doctrine Command and contributed to developing curriculum for new Soldiers. Beyond her military duties, Marshay has volunteered to support education and community-based initiatives. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Philosophy, where her research explores how ethical and philosophical frameworks can strengthen leadership and organizational culture in military contexts.
ANDRES JURADO CORAL
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Master of Laws (graduated)
Andres Jurado Coral is a graduate of the LL.M. program at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he concentrated in Energy, Security, and Human Rights. He holds an LL.B. (J.D. equivalent) and a major in Philosophy from Universidad de los Andes in Bogota, Colombia. He is a recipient of both the Dean’s Merit-Based Scholarship and the Colfuturo Scholarship. His research interests include international human rights, global justice and security, transitional justice, and the intersection of law and philosophy, among other interdisciplinary areas. Andres has worked with the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Guernica Centre for International Justice, and other leading NGOs, contributing to initiatives on police reform, transitional and restorative justice, accountability, humanitarian response, peacebuilding, and human rights monitoring and protection.
SHLOMIE KATASH
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Shlomie Katash is a J.D. Candidate at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Brooklyn College. He is a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship at Penn Carey Law and a Mead Fellow.
WILLIAM LEDESMA
Vanderbilt University
Academic Program: Bachelor of Arts (graduated)
William Ledesma is an incoming 2025-2026 MLitt candidate in Legal and Constitutional Studies at the University of St Andrews (Scotland). He graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in European Studies: Russian and Eastern Europe and a B.A. in Law, History, and Society, along with a minor in Business. He wrote two honors theses, both of which received highest honors. His history thesis, which also won the best thesis prize, examines post-Soviet Russia from Boris Yeltsin to Vladimir Putin and is titled “Boris Yeltsin’s Russia: Constitutional Conflicts, NATO, and the Dawn of Putin.” His European and Russian Studies thesis is titled “Marx & Engels in the Press: Perceptions of Russia and the Crimean War.” Other works published during his time at Vanderbilt include projects on Vladislav Surkov, Catherine the Great, a 53-minute podcast on misinformation and disinformation co-authored with Zacarias Negron, a profile interview of a Vanderbilt history professor, and a creative writing piece on political unity. His research was recently recognized by the American Council of Teachers of Russian. His past internships include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), General Atomics (Law Department), and Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage; he also served as editor-in-chief of the Vanderbilt Historical Review. He plans to attend a U.S. law school after completing his studies at St Andrews and to pursue a career in law and public service.
BEDANSH PANDEY
University of Pennsylvania
Academic Program: Bachelor of Arts
Bedansh Pandey is a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying International Relations and History, with a strong focus on international security and the legal dimensions of presidential authority. His academic work explores the intersections of executive power, conflict, and the rule of law in both domestic and global contexts. He plans to attend law school after graduation, where he hopes to further his interest in constitutional and international law.
RUSHABH (RUSH) PATEL
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
Academic Program: Master of Public Policy
Rushabh (Rush) Patel is a rising second-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy where he is concentrating in National Security & Foreign Policy and Technology Policy. He holds a B.A. in International Affairs (Security Policy Concentration) and a B.A. in Political Science from The George Washington University. Prior to attending Duke, Rush held several roles including assisting with a high-profile international terrorism legal case, collaborating with military officers from École de Guerre on transatlantic military strategy, and interning at the Georgia Supreme Court. His most recent research and work focus on the legal and policy implications of civil-military relations, the law of armed conflict, emerging technologies, security partnerships, and government oversight. Upon completion of his master’s degree, Rush plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service.
THEO PRAWIRADIRDJA
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Master of Laws (graduated)
Theo Prawiradirdja is a graduate of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) program at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he served as Head Treasurer of the Penn Anti-Corruption Law & Compliance Association. He is a licensed attorney in Indonesia and formerly practiced at Hendra Soenardi Law Firm, where he worked on complex civil, criminal, and corporate matters. His experience includes litigation, regulatory compliance, and transactional advisory. He holds a Bachelor of Law from Parahyangan Catholic University, where he was named Most Outstanding Student and represented Indonesia in international moot court competitions.
GIANNI QUATTROCCHI
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Gianni Quattrocchi is a law student at the University of Pennsylvania Carey School of Law. Prior to coming to law school, he studied political science and public policy at Temple University and worked as an undergraduate research assistant studying political development. He also served in the offices of former U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Pennsylvania Representative Tina Davis.
SARA RAJKOVIĆ
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Master of Laws (graduated)
Sara Rajković is a graduate of the LL.M. program at Penn Carey Law, where she was a Kübler- and ERP-Scholar. Originally from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, she completed her law degree at Goethe University Frankfurt, concentrating in criminal law and legal theory. During her studies, Sara served as a research assistant to Professor Christoph Burchard and taught advanced courses in German criminal law. She also studied abroad in Catania, Italy, where she focused on Roman and canon law. At Penn, her academic interests have expanded to include national security and international law. In addition to her studies, Sara actively contributes to the Pardon Project as well as the Decarceration Advocacy Program. She also served as the LL.M. Class President and was named a Salzburg Cutler Fellow for 2025 by Penn Carey Law.
EVAN ROBINSON
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Master of Laws (graduated)
Evan Robinson is a recent LL.M. graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, where he pursued a concentration in energy, security, and human rights law. He holds a J.D. from the University of Hong Kong, during which he participated in HKU’s Refugee & Human Trafficking Clinic and interned at leading barristers’ chambers. His academic interests include comparative legal analysis across jurisdictions and cultures, constitutional accountability, and national security policy. Before entering the legal field, Evan was an award-winning classical musician and educator, holding degrees in music performance from Indiana University and McGill University.
JARED SCHWARTZ
Georgetown University Law Center
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Jared Schwartz is a law student at Georgetown University Law Center where he also works as a research assistant on projects related to linguistics and statutory interpretation. Prior to law school, he studied history at Brown University. He looks forward to approaching global rule of law issues through the lens of law and philosophy, law and language, and constitutional law. In addition to his legal interests, Jared plays the bass guitar and has published extensively in creative writing journals.
GRANT SPEARS
University of Virginia
Academic Program: Master of Public Policy & Juris Doctor
Grant Spears is currently a dual Master of Public Policy and Juris Doctor candidate at the University of Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Florida with minors in Classical History and Piano Performance. Grant is particularly interested in antitrust law and its implications for economic policy and corporate regulation. In his free time, he enjoys learning new instruments, going on runs with his dog, and playing pick-up soccer.
DANIEL TIERNEY
University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
Academic Program: Master of Public Policy
Daniel Tierney is a Master of Public Policy candidate at the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University, where he studied history with a focus on Native American sovereignty and federal law. Most recently, he served as a research assistant at UVA, examining the persuasive effects of artificial intelligence on political campaigns, and worked part-time for a local federal criminal defense firm. He is honored to be a member of the Raven Society and looks forward to serving as a graduate teaching assistant for Economics of Public Policy in the fall.
ZACHARY WOOD
University of Dayton School of Law
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
Zachary Wood is a rising second-year student at the University of Dayton School of Law, interested in international law, national security, civil rights, and military justice. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University, where he wrote his senior thesis on the implications of the new Taliban regime. Zachary currently serves as a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army with an Educational Delay to pursue his legal education. His prior experience includes service in the Indiana Army National Guard and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), with exposure to Field Artillery and Military Intelligence operations. Deeply committed to ethical practices within military justice and veterans’ legal assistance, Zachary aspires to join the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He looks forward to contributing meaningfully to the CERL team this summer.
JAMES YEAGLEY
University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School
Academic Program: Juris Doctor
James Yeagley is a J.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Prior to attending law school, he worked for three years at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors in New York City. In his role, James helped conduct research on trends in the philanthropic sector, including climate resilience funding, democracy strengthening movements, and impact investing. He received his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 2021.