Meghan Higgins, L ‘11 President Hometown: Reisterstown, MD Undergrad Institution: University of Maryland at College Park - go Terps! Legal Interests: Civil Rights, Health, Constitutional Law, Academia Favorite Philly Hangout: Dirty Franks 1L Summer Job: Miles & Stockbridge P.C. in Baltimore, MD

Meghan studied History, Black Women’s Studies and LGBT studies at the University of Maryland. She was also a member of Maryland’s Varsity Women’s Lacrosse Team and LGBTQ student panel. Prior to coming to Penn, she interned at the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, DC and worked as a paralegal in Arlington, VA. In addition to Lambda, Meghan is an active participant in the Prisoner’s Legal Education Project, the Reproductive Rights Law Project, and the Penn Law Basketball League. She also serves on both the Post-Acceptance and Orientation Committees for the incoming class. Meghan always has her camera in tow, loves to hear the latest conspiracy theory, and is an aspiring vegetarian. 

James Welch, L ‘11 Vice President Hometown: Mobile, AL Undergrad Institution: University of Alabama Legal Interests: Health Law, Education Law, Business Law Favorite Philly Hangout: Bob and Barbara's 1L summer job(s): Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLC, Birmingham, AL; Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose, Birmingham, AL.

James was born in New Orleans and raised in Mobile with his four siblings.  He studied International Relations and minored in Spanish.  He studied as a foreign exchange student in Alcala de Henares, Spain, participated in Model UN, and was a member of the Million Dollar Band (saxophone).  James interned for one summer at Steptoe & Johnson in Washington, D.C. while taking sociology classes at Georgetown on inner-city poverty.  After graduating, he worked for two years as a high school special education teacher in inner-city Miami with Teach for America, teaching science and math.  Besides Lambda, he is a member of the American Constitution Society and Y'alLSA.  He enjoys college football (Roll Tide!), running, and watching movies.  

Alisa studied Political Science, Spanish Literature and Sociology at Temple University.  Prior to coming to Penn, she worked for two years as a litigation paralegal in Manhattan.  Alisa is thrilled to be back in Philadelphia.  In addition to Lambda Law, Alisa is an active participant in International Human Rights Advocates and the VIP/PLA Low Income Taxpayers Clinic.  Alisa loves to play board games, find yummy new restaurants, is macrobiotic, has six siblings and hopes to get a kitten this year.

Neil Vakharia, L ‘11 Admissions Chair Hometown: Cleveland, OH Undergrad Institution: New York University Legal Interests: Health Law & Employment Discrimination Law Favorite Philly Hangout: Mugshots (in Fairmount), Cherry Street Tavern, Reading Terminal Market 1L Summer Job: U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio

Neil studied politics and economics at NYU, and was an active member of the American Parliamentary Debate Association. He headed to Ohio to work on federal and state campaigns and spent his last two years before law school running a small e-commerce company, as well as teaching debate to Cleveland high school students. At Penn, he is a part of the Immigration Clinic and a member of the Penn Law Leadership Institute. Neil's always willing to give unsolicited restaurant recommendations and defend Cleveland against anyone who dares sully its name.

Andrew Sokol, L ‘11 Political Chair Hometown: St. Louis, MO Undergrad Institution: Tufts University Legal Interests: criminal law, litigation, civil rights and civil liberties Hobbies: Rock Climbing, Backpacking, Cycling 1L Summer Job: Penn Legal Assistance Office (Civil Practice Clinic) Favorite and Least Favorite Law School Moment: Falling out of my chair and under the desk in Con Law. How this happens to a fully awake and alert person I still can’t fully explain.

Andrew studied philosophy and political science at Tufts University, but spent most of his time there performing for kids with a charity children’s theater troupe.  Since graduating in 2004, he has produced and acted in several short films, has worked as a bike messenger, a bike mechanic, and most recently as an outdoor educator.  In addition to Lambda, Andrew is also on the managing board of the Penn Housing Rights Project.

Natalie Georges, L ‘11 Social Chair Hometown: Bryn Mawr, PA Undergrad Institution: Cornell University Legal Interests: litigation, trial advocacy Hobbies: bowling, basketball and watching Friends Favorite Law School Moment: surviving a 45 minute cold call Favorite Quote: There is that in me--I do not know what it is--but I know it is in me. -Walt Whitman

After four years in Ithaca, Natalie is happy to be back in Philadelphia and at Penn. When not planning social events for Lambda, Natalie is also the Membership Chair of the American Constitution Society, a member of the Orientation Committee and in the Penn Law Bowling and Basketball Leagues. This summer she will be working for a Federal District Judge here in Philadelphia. When not in class (or in Biddle), Natalie can be found kicking ass at the bowling lanes and getting her ass kicked in the darts games that come after.

Gary Yen, L ‘11 Technology Chair Hometown: Morganville, NJ Undergrad Institution: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Legal Interests: intellectual property, civil rights, environmental law, internet law Hobbies: Ultimate Frisbee, sci-fi / fantasy, cooking, biking Favorite Law School Moment: Friday lunches at New Delhi Least Favorite Law School Moment: that first cold call

Gary really enjoyed studying engineering in Illinois, but he is also glad to be back on the East Coast for law school.  In addition to being a part of Lambda, he is also a member of the Penn Intellectual Property Group, the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, the Environmental Law Project, and Civ Throw.  This summer, he will be working for Fish & Richardson in Wilmington and the U.S. District Court of New Jersey in Camden.  When he's not in class or doing other law-related things, he can usually be found quoting lines from Futurama, Scrubs, Simpsons, and Arrested Development.  He may also be a bit of a grammar nazi.  "Me fail English?  That's unpossible!"

Dwayne J. Bensing, L ‘12 1L Representative Hometown: Springdale, AR Undergrad Institution: University of Arkansas - go Hogs! Legal Interests: Civil Rights, Constitutional Law Favorite Philly Hangout: Dos Segundos, Camino Real, Bump 0L Summer Job: Taking Tea in London while former-President Howland works ;-)

Dwayne studied Political Science and Communication at the University of Arkansas.  While he was at the U of A, he was the president of their LGBT student group, the Young Democrats, and the University programming board.  Prior to coming to Penn, he was a Teach for America corps member in Philadelphia while he deferred his admission to law school.  Dwayne's partner, Christopher Howland, was president of Lambda during the 2008-2009 academic year at which time Dwayne assumed the official capacity of Lambda First-Lady.  While the position is curently being contested by Meghan's partner, Fancy-Nancy, Dwayne is confidant that he will continue serving Lambda in his official capacity as first lady indefinitely.  ;-)  Dwayne loves to eat, drink, and be merry!

Benjamin Probber, L ‘12 1L Representative Hometown: White Plains, NY Undergrad Institution: Tulane University - Roll Wave! Legal Interests: Litigation and Environmental Law Hobbies: Traveling, cooking/eating Italian food, reading the New York Times

After spending the past four years down in New Orleans, Ben decided to head back up North (to freeze) for law school.  He graduated from Tulane University with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in French and History.  Following the evacuation for Hurricane Katrina, he studied abroad in London, UK for the semester before returning for the rest of his freshman year.  While in undergrad, he became involved in a variety of recovery efforts and worked part-time at a local law firm.  Here at Penn, Ben is a member of the American Constitution Society in addition to his involvement with Lambda, but in his spare time you’ll likely find him exploring Philly with other 1Ls or catching up on the latest episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, and Top Chef.

Member Profiles

Lambda consists of over 60 members.  Below are the profiles of a few members to provide a glimpse of some of the people who comprise this group.  Past profiles of members can be found here.  If you are a member who would like to be included on the website, we'd love to have you!  Please send a picture and profile to lambda@law.upenn.edu.

Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, L ‘10 Hometown: San Juan, PR Undergrad Institution: Cornell University - Let's Go Red! Legal Interests: Environmental Law, Natural Resources Policy, LGBT Rights, Constitutional Law Hobbies: Politics, travel, outdoors, college hockey and lacrosse 1L Summer Job: Judge Juan Torruella of the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit; Conservation Law Foundation in Boston, MA 2L Summer Job: O'Neill & Borges in San Juan, PR; Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in New York, NY

Omar left the beautiful Caribbean sun for the cold Northeast in order to pursue his undergraduate and law studies. He studied Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University and Marine Biology at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Currently, he is pursuing his law degree in conjunction with a Master's in Environmental Studies. Prior to attending Penn, Omar was involved in multiple political campaigns in Puerto Rico and worked in the Senate of Puerto Rico. While at Penn, he has served as the Academic Chair of Lambda, the Technology & Development Editor of the Journal of Constitutional Law, the Environmental Law Project, the Post-Acceptance Committee and the Orientation Committee for the Class of 2011. Omar is always up for discussing the latest political news, hanging out and being an active Cornell alumn.

Alumni Profiles

Below are the profiles of a few alumni to provide an idea of what some former members of Lambda have gone on to do.  Past profiles of members can be found here.