Natasha Patel is assistant dean of the Career Center. She oversees the entire Career Center team, recruitment policies, and student professional development. She also advises students in their 3L year. She has more than 19 years of experience advising professionals and students. After working as an attorney at Morrison & Forester in Palo Alto, California, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York, she transitioned to advising law students at Columbia Law School’s career development office, where she served as director and interim dean. She returned to her native Atlanta and joined Emory University School of Law in 2020. She holds a BA from the University of Georgia, JD from the University of California College of Law, San Francisco, and an MA. in social-organizational psychology from Columbia University. She is licensed to practice in California, New York, and Georgia.
natasha.patel@emory.edu »
404.727.5502
Emily Bramer oversees the academic advising for all students and advises 3Ls and recent graduates in career and bar preparation. Prior to returning to Emory Law school as a staff member, she worked as an associate with Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, where her practice focused on toxic tort litigation; and Fields Howell Athans & McLaughlin, LLP, where she handled coverage disputes and professional liability claims for insurers. Emily earned her JD, with honors, from Emory University School of Law and her BA in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Kentucky. She is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
emily.r.bramer@emory.edu »
404.727.7960
Claudette Harris oversees the 1L Career Strategy and Design course curriculum and also serves as the liaison for all diversity initiatives. She is a member of NALP's DEI committee. Claudette advises our 1L, 2L, and transfer students. Prior to joining Emory Law, Claudette worked in various roles in higher education as an educator, program director and director of education. Before venturing into higher education, she served as an assistant attorney general for the District of Columbia, a law clerk in the District of Columbia Superior Court and a legislative analyst for an applied social science research firm. Claudette earned her JD from Howard University School of Law and her BS and MS in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is admitted to the Washington, DC, Bar.
claudette.harris@emory.edu »
404.727.1983
Liz Kazungu Emerson
Associate Director
Liz Kazungu Emerson advises Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Law students (LLM), and 1L and 2L JD students on career and professional development. She oversees career workshops for international students and serves as liaison to the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Prior to Emory Law, Liz worked at Goizueta Business School advising BBA students interested in pursuing Careers in Accounting, Finance, Consulting, and Marketing. She facilitated workshops for students interested in investment banking, international finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Liz has worked in higher education in career and academic development for eighteen years. She is a graduate of Heidelberg University and holds a master’s in Higher Education from Miami of Ohio. In her free time, Liz enjoys giving back to the community, spending time with her family, and anything Oprah.
Liz.Kazungu@emory.edu »
404.727.1064
Lauren Jirak
Associate Director
Lauren Jirak advises 1L and 2L students, and she also serves as the office’s CPT coordinator. Prior to joining Emory Law, Lauren practiced tax and corporate transactional law. She began her career with Ernst & Young, LLP, as a member of the transaction advisory services group, and subsequently practiced for over ten years as a corporate and tax attorney with Parker, Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs, LLP. Lauren earned her JD from The University of Florida Levin College of Law and her BS in Finance from Auburn University. She is admitted to the State Bars of Georgia and Florida. In her free time, Lauren enjoys spending time outdoors and cheering on her children in various activities.
lauren.e.jirak@emory.edu »
404.712.2096
Leena Kiber
Assistant Director
Leena Kiber advises 1L and 2L law students and presents educational and professional development programming. Prior to rejoining Emory Law, Leena worked in professional development and recruiting at Troutman Pepper and in nonprofit development, gift planning, and partnership management for organizations including Camp Twin Lakes and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. She began her career as an associate attorney focused on a broad range of civil litigation, constitutional, and civil rights claims. Leena earned her JD with honors from The University of Georgia School of Law and her BA in political science and women’s studies, summa cum laude, from The University of Georgia. She is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
Email: leena.kiber@emory.edu
404-727-8129
Meredith Barnes serves as the clerkship advisor to all students and alumni, and she advises 1L and 2L students in successfully navigating the job market across all legal employment sectors. Before joining Emory Law, Meredith practiced law in Atlanta for over fourteen years. She began her career in the Complex Commercial Litigation Group at Troutman Pepper, LLP. She went on to serve as in-house counsel for multiple international companies, where her practice covered a broad range of legal areas, including corporate transactions, franchise, real estate, employment, and intellectual property. Meredith earned her JD. from Wake Forest University School of Law, where she was a member of the Wake Forest Law Review and multiple Moot Court competition teams. She earned her BA. in English, cum laude, from Wittenberg University. Meredith is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
meredith.barnes@emory.edu »
404.727.6922
Henry Echols
Senior Academic Advisor
Henry Echols advises 1L and 2L students in course selection, bar preparation, and general academic concerns. He graduated from the University of Arizona magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in General Studies. He also holds a JD from the University of Arizona. He entered into law school primarily interested in the University of Arizona’s Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program, was a member of the Native American Law Students Association, and participated in the school’s Tribal Justice Clinic. Prior to joining Emory Law, Echols was a staff attorney for the Pima County Office of Children’s Counsel where he represented minors in dependency, severance, and guardianship actions. He also clerked for a judge on the Pima County Juvenile Bench, an opportunity which drew his attention in part due to the Indian Child Welfare Act cases that the court presided over. Henry is admitted to the State Bar of Arizona.
Email: henry.ellis.echols@emory.edu
404.727.6829
Jennie Geada Fernández
Senior Academic Advisor
Jennie Fernández advises 1L and 2L students in course selection, bar preparation and general academic concerns. She also oversees the Dean’s Teaching Fellows. She is a 2003 alumna of Emory Law. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Davidson College in North Carolina. Jennie brings over a decade of experience in private legal practice to Emory Law. Before returning as an academic advisor, Jennie practiced family law in the Atlanta area with an emphasis on high-asset and complex divorce litigation. She understands what it takes to succeed both as an Emory Law student and a legal professional. At Emory Law, Jennie previously served as associate director for Student Engagement from 2013-2019. Jennie finds deep fulfillment in her role advising students in their academic and other pursuits. Jennie is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
Email: jfernandez@emory.edu
404-727-3111
Lori Garrett
Mock Interview Advisor
Lori manages the mock interview program for Emory Law students and advises alumni. She began her career at McGuireWoods and Weissman PC in commercial real estate and served as vice president and managing director at MCCA. Lori earned her JD from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law, where she was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program. She graduated magna cum laude from Spelman College with degrees in psychology and Spanish, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Lori is admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
llgarre@emory.edu »
Carolyn Roan
Manager of Career Recruiting Programs
Carolyn manages all legal recruitment programs for Emory Law students including the Early OCI, Fall, and Spring On-Campus Interview Programs as well as regional programs in New York, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and Boston. Carolyn has the primary responsibility for managing Symplicity, Emory Law School’s Career Services Management System database and manages all communication to students and employers related to recruitment programs. Carolyn joins the Career Center staff with more than 19 years of experience within career development/experiential learning having previously worked for Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School, Emory University School of Law, and St. Thomas University School of Law. She is a graduate of St. Thomas University and holds a Master’s in Management and a Bachelor’s in Human Services.
carolyn.roan@emory.edu »
Thelma Cole
Program Coordinator
Thelma Cole facilitates the regular operations of the Career Center and the logistics of its recruiting programs. Before joining the law school, she was a program director at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida. She has over 15 years of higher education administration experience in counseling, advising, recruiting, and career services. Thelma earned her BA in organizational leadership, an MS in special education, and an EdD in leadership and management from St. Thomas University.
Thelma.Cole@emory.edu »
404.712.9388
