Lewis Roca Blog

We officially welcome our 2021 Summer Class, which consists of 8 outstanding summer associates. The firm will host a hybrid (in-person and virtual) program this year in our Denver, Los Angeles and Phoenix offices.

DENVER OFFICE

Marisa DeForest Law School: University of Denver - Sturm College of Law, J.D expected 2022 Undergraduate: Simpson College, B.A. Biochemistry and Criminal Justice

I was born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona. I moved to Iowa to attend Simpson College, where I majored in Biochemistry and Criminal Justice with minors in Forensic Science and Philosophy. After graduation, I moved to Denver to begin law school at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. I currently serve as a 2L Senator with the Student Bar Association and the Treasurer for the American Constitution Society. I am also a first-year writing Teaching Assistant and previously served as an Academic Achievement Program Student Leader. Further, I have spent two semesters with the Veterans Advocacy Project as a Student Attorney, and plan to extern with the related non-profit, the Rocky Mountain Veterans Advocacy Project this fall.

I enjoy hiking, visiting animal shelters, and relaxing on my porch in the summer (as a true Arizona native, summer is my favorite season, but I am still learning to love winter). I grew up fostering dogs and hope to do so again in the future. While I do not have any pets here in Denver, I have four miniature dachshunds back home – Chole, Edison, Stevie Ray, and Lucky – all of whom started as fosters. While I am a D-Backs fan, I am also a NY Giants fan through the influence of my extended family back East.

Michelle Gaeng Law School: University of Denver - Sturm College of Law, J.D. expected 2022 Undergraduate: Emory University, B.A. International Studies and History

I am from Baltimore, Maryland, and received my undergraduate degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. I worked in program management at a public interest legal
non-profit in Washington, D.C., for about five years between college and law school. I currently attend the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. I am the Case Note; and
Comment Editor of the Denver Law Review, a Legal Writing Teaching Assistant, President of the Law Student Ambassadors, and I’m also on the Board of the Chancellor Scholars.

Outside of school and work, I enjoy long-distance running, reading non-fiction, cooking, and traveling. I am also interested in community advocacy efforts, and I actively participate in pedestrian and bike safety initiatives in Denver.

David Stepovich Law School: Georgetown University Law Center, J.D. expected 2022 Undergraduate: Gonzaga University, B.S. Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

I was born and raised in the golden heart city of Fairbanks, Alaska, and come from a large family of Alaskan pioneers and gold miners. After high school, I majored in Mechanical
Engineering at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. During my senior year, I worked at a patent law firm where I mostly drafted briefs in prosecuting patents with the
USPTO. Following graduation and while continuing to work at the patent law firm, I entered law school at Gonzaga University, School of Law. I transferred to Georgetown University
Law Center during the Covid pandemic after my first year, where I currently serve as an editor on the Georgetown Environmental Law Review.

In my spare time, I enjoy skiing, hiking, playing basketball, reading, and being around family and friends. And as you could have guessed, I am a huge college basketball/Gonzaga Basketball fan. I am excited to experience all that the city of Denver has to offer, as well as the natural beauty of the Colorado outdoors.

LOS ANGELES OFFICE

Nikith Chavali Law School: University of Arizona - James E. Rogers College of Law, J.D. expected 2023 Undergraduate: University of South Florida, B.S. Electrical Engineering

I have been living in Tampa, Florida for nearly five years, but I was born and raised in India. I went to college at the University of South Florida, Tampa, where I majored in Electrical
Engineering. Currently, I attend the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law, where I am a TechLaw Fellow, and am involved with the Asian-Pacific Law Student Association.

When I am not reading, I enjoy painting, programming, music, and spending time with friends and family. I also enjoy trying out new cuisines, strength train and am a karaoke enthusiast. I also speak three languages: Hindi, Telugu, and English. Although I was born in India, I consider Florida to be currently my home and passionately support the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jaymin Patel Law School: Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D. expected 2021 Undergraduate: University of California at Irvine, B.S. Computer Engineering

I was born in India, but was primarily raised in San Jose, California. I received my B.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of California at Irvine and my M.S. in Electrical
Engineering from the University of Southern California, where I focused my studies on designing integrated circuits for analog and RF applications. For roughly ten years, I worked
in the high-tech semiconductor industry designing chipsets meant for 4G applications, as well as satellite and radar applications. Currently, I am attending Santa Clara University
School of Law and while attending law school, I worked as a Technical Advisor for the past three years working closely with the IP Litigation team in all aspects of patent litigation for a
large law firm.

When I am not working, I enjoy staying active and spending time with my family and two dogs, of which one is our new Rottweiler puppy that needs lots of attention and training.

PHOENIX OFFICE

Andrew Jacobsohn Law School: Arizona State University - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, J.D. expected 2022 Undergraduate: Belmont University, B.S. Political and Public Law

I am a “not quite native” Coloradoan. I was born in California but grew up in Parker, a town in the south Denver metro area. I went to Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee for
undergrad, where I majored in Politics & Public Law. After graduating from Belmont, I returned to Denver to work in the research department for a large law firm. After a year, I
moved to Arizona to pursue my law degree. I currently attend Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, and I am a member of the Arizona State Law
Journal, as well as a Tutor and Teaching Assistant.

When I’m not working, I try to take myself and my camera to new and interesting places - I love photography. I like skiing and playing tennis, and I love going out and trying new restaurants with friends. If I’m staying home, I’m probably listening to music or playing video games. I root for the Denver Broncos and Nuggets (when they’re good). But my biggest sports passion is soccer—go Tottenham!

Talley Ransil Law School: University of Utah - S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D. expected 2022 Undergraduate: Brigham Young University, B.A. English and Legal Studies

I am from Salt Lake City, Utah, but excited to move out of the snow and into sunny Arizona after I graduate. I received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Legal Studies from Brigham
Young University. I currently attend the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. I serve as an Executive Footnote Editor for the Utah Law Review and look forward to having
my Law Review Note published in Volume 22 next Spring. I am also a Quinney Research Fellow for various professors, President of the Women’s Law Caucus, and a Teaching
Assistant for the Academic Support Program. Next year, I look forward to serving as a Teaching Assistant for Legal Writing.

In my free time, I take any chance I can to travel, and I have been to 25 different countries. I also love wakeboarding, skiing, and horseback riding. I am always listening to podcasts or
audiobooks. I’m excited to return for a second summer at Lewis Roca.

Wyatt Williams Law School: University of California at Berkeley - School of Law, J.D. expected 2022 Undergraduate: Dartmouth College, B.A. Native American Studies

I am a Native Nevadan raised in Schurz, Nevada on the Walker River Paiute Reservation. I went to Dartmouth College, where I studied Native American Studies and participated in
public policy programs and native student organizations. During my off terms, I worked in Tribal governments and environmental lobbying. Currently, I am at UC Berkeley School of
Law where I am involved with the Native American Law Student Association, Native American Legal Assistance Project, La Raza Law Journal, and California Law Review.

Outside of school and work, I enjoy spending time with my extended family, riding horses, fishing, finding new taco spots, reading history, and exploring new public lands in the
West.

Jump Start Your Career

Learn More About Our Law Students Programs

It takes talent, tenacity, and a thirst for knowledge to become an exceptional lawyer. Lewis Roca can help you develop all three of these traits. As a summer associate or legal intern, you’ll benefit from a wide range of mentoring, networking, and learning opportunities that will lay the groundwork for a successful career.