Program Instructors
Learn more about Boston University School of Law's experienced legal research and writing instructors.
Beth Bookwalter
Ms. Bookwalter received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 1999. As a law student, she served as a Teaching Assistant in the First Year Writing Program and as a member of the Boston University Law Review. After graduating, she worked as an associate at Hale and Dorr in Boston. She is now Counsel at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr, the successor to Hale and Dorr. Ms. Bookwalter received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Bucknell University. She will be co-teaching a writing seminar with Eric Levin.
Rebecca Ginzburg
Ms. Ginzburg received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 2004. As a law student, she served as Note Editor for the Boston University Law Review and as a Teaching Assistant for the First Year Writing Program. Since graduating, she has worked at Ropes & Gray in New York; she will be transferring to the Boston office this summer. Ms. Ginzburg received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Amherst College.
Hemanth Gundavaram
Mr. Gundavaram received his J.D. from the Law School in 2004. While a law student, he served as a Teaching Assistant in the First Year Writing Program and as Articles Editor for the American Journal of Law and Medicine. He also participated in the Criminal Clinic. Since graduating, he has worked as an associate at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo in Boston. Mr. Gundavaram received his B.S. from Boston University. This will be his third year as an instructor.
Margaret Hahn-Dupont
Ms. Hahn-Dupont received her J.D., cum laude, from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1991. As a law student, she served as Senior Notes Editor for the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. From 1991 to 1994, and from 1995 to 1997, she worked as an associate at Shearman & Sterling in New York. In 1994 and 1995, she served as the law clerk to United States District Court Judge Denny Chin in the Southern District of New York. From 1996 to 1997, she worked as an Adjunct Professor in the Legal Research and Writing Program of Fordham University School of Law. In the Fall of 2004, she taught research and writing in Fordham’s LL.M. Program. From 1997 to 2000, she was an Instructor of Law in the Lawyering Program of New York University School of Law. From 2000 to 2007, she was an Instructor and Adjunct Instructor at Brooklyn Law School, teaching the mandatory legal writing and research class to first year students, as well as drafting and civil litigation skills to upper class students. Ms. Hahn-Dupont received her B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania.
Robert Hernandez
Mr. Hernandez received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1977. As a law student, he was News Editor for the Harvard Law Record. From 1977 to 1980, he worked at the Massachusetts Department of Public Welfare, first as Assistant General Counsel, and later as Director of Title XX (Social Services) Planning. From 1980 to 1981, he was a Senior Research Associate with the Boston University Center for Law and Health Sciences and from 1981 to 1983, he served as a Hearing Examiner for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Since 1980, Mr. Hernandez has been engaged in the general practice of law, concentrating on civil rights and employment law. Mr. Hernandez last taught in the Writing Program from 1981 to 1984. He received his A.B., magna cum laude, from Princeton University. This will Mr. Hernandez's third year since returning to the program.
Scott Katz
Mr. Katz received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 2002. While a law student, he was a member of the Boston University Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Katz worked at Goodwin Procter in Boston. Since 2005, he has worked in the Appellate Division of the Criminal Bureau of the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. Mr. Katz received his B.A. from the University of Michigan. This will be his third year as an instructor.
Mr. Koss received his J.D., cum laude, from the Law School in 2005. As a law student, he served as a Teaching Assistant for the First Year Writing Program. Since graduating, he has worked as an associate at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky & Popeo in Boston. Mr. Koss received a B.A. in Hispanic Studies and an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University. This will be his second year as an instructor
Eric Levin
Mr. Levin received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 1998. As a law student, he was a member of the Boston University Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Levin served as the Law Clerk for the Honorable Ellen Bree Burns of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. From 1999 to 2007, Mr. Levin worked as an associate, and then Junior Partner and Counsel, at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr. Since May 2007, he has been a partner at Hinckley, Allen & Snyder in Boston. Mr. Levin received a B.S. from the University of Connecticut School of Business and an M.Ed. in Special Education from the University of Hartford. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a special education teacher in the West Hartford, Connecticut public schools. He will be co-teaching a writing seminar with Beth Bookwalter.
Mary-Beth McCormack
Ms. McCormack received her J.D., cum laude, from the Law School in 2001. While a law student, Ms. McCormack served as a Teaching Assistant in the First Year Writing Program and participated in the Boston University Criminal Clinic. She also was a staff member of the Public Interest Law Journal, a participant in the Albers Moot Court Competition, and a member of the school’s Craven Constitutional Law National Moot Court Team. Since graduating, she has worked as an associate at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo in Boston. Ms. McCormack received her B.A. from the University of Chicago. Ms. McCormack has taught in the Program for five years.
Roger Michel
Mr. Michel received his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1989. After graduating, he worked as an associate at Hill & Barlow in Boston. In 1992, he joined the appellate division of the Suffolk County district attorney's office. Since 1993, he has worked at the Massachusetts Appeals Court, where he is now senior staff attorney.He holds an M.Litt. in Anglo-Saxon Literature from Oxford University, and received his B.A. from Williams College, where he waselected toPhi Beta Kappa. Mr. Michel has published more than a dozen articles in various law journals and has served as an Associate Editor of the Massachusetts Law Review forfifteenyears. He is also a chief arbitrator for the Fee Arbitration Board anda hearing officer for the Board of Bar Overseers. He appears as an expert in the areas of legal fee disputes and the ethics of fee determination. In 2008, Governor Patrick appointedMr. Michelto the board of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination.He has taught in the Program for fifteenth years.
Kevin Prussia
Mr. Prussia received his J.D. from the Law School in 2006. As a law student, he served as Executive Editor of the American Journal of Law and Medicine and published two pieces in the Journal. Mr. Prussia also served as a Teaching Assistant for the Writing Program. Finally, as a student, he was the Chair of the Law School Assembly, a student member of the Faculty Appointments Committee, and a student member of the Law School Dean Search Committee. After graduating, Mr. Prussia worked as an associate at Wilmer Hale in Boston. Beginning in September 2007, he has served as the Law Clerk for United States District Court Judge Richard Stearns in Boston. In September 2008, he will be returning to Wilmer Hale. Mr. Prussia received his B.A. from New York University. Before attending Law School, he worked in the New York University Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Amy Scott
Ms. Scott received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 2000. As a law student, she served as Executive Editor of the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform and published a Note in the Journal. After graduating, she clerked for Judge Cornelia Kennedy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. From 2001 to 2004, she worked at Foley Hoag LLP in Boston. In 2004, she left full-time work to care for her child. Ms. Scott received her A.B., cum laude, from Harvard College. This will be her third year as an instructor.
Jennifer Serafyn
Ms. Serafyn received her J.D. from the Law School in 2001. As a law student, she served as a Teaching Assistant for the First Year Writing Program and advanced to the semi-finals of the Albers Moot Court Competition, winning the Best Brief award. In addition, Ms. Serafyn was President and Auction Co-Chair of the Public Interest Auction, a member of the American Journal of Law and Medicine, and recipient of both the Spencer R. Koch Memorial Award for Alumni Service and the Faculty Award for Community Service. After graduating from law school, Ms. Serafyn worked as an associate at Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti, LLP in Morristown, New Jersey. Since June 2003, she has worked as an associate at Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Boston. Ms. Serafyn received her B.A. from Boston College. She has taught in the Program for three years.
Ms. Shin received her J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School in 1999. After graduating, she was an associate at Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner in Washington, DC, where she worked in the patent practice group. From August 2000 to August 2002, she worked as a Staff Law Clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and from September 2002 to September 2003, she clerked for the Honorable Joel Flaum of that court. From November 2003 to May 2005, she worked for the firm of Kirkland & Ellis in Washington, DC. Since June 2005, she has worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Administrative Law Division of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General. Ms. Shin received a B.S., with honors, from Brown University.
Elisabeth Calvert Smith
Ms. Smith received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 1999. As a law student, she was a Paul J. Liacos Scholar and served as Executive Editor of the Public Interest Law Journal. From 1999 to 2002, Ms. Smith worked at Goodwin Procter in Boston. She then worked on Governor Romney’s election campaign. From 2004 to 2006, she served as Deputy General Counsel in the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development. From 2006 to 2008, Ms. Smith was Associate Director of the first Year Writing Program here at the Law School. In April 2008, she left full-time employment to care for her new baby. Ms. Smith received both a B.A., summa cum laude, and a M.S. in Economics from Utah State University. She has taught in the Program for three years.
Ms. Smith received her J.D., cum laude, from the Law School in 2005. As a law student, she served as a Teaching Assistant in the First Year Writing Program and Senior Article Editor for the Boston University Law Review. After graduating, she worked as a litigation associate for Foley Hoag LLP in Boston, From August 2007 until August 2008, Ms. Smith served as the Law Clerk for the Honorable Janis Berry of the Massachusetts Appeals Court. Since January 2009, she has worked as Interim Assistant Director of Clinical and Advocacy Programs at the Law School. Ms. Smith received her B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley
Halye Sugarman
Ms. Sugarman received her J.D., with honors, from the George Washington University Law School in 2000. As a law student, she served as Executive Managing Editor for The Environmental Lawyer, as a Writing Fellow in the Legal Research and Writing Program, and as a member of the Moot Court Board. After graduating, she worked at Collier Shannon Scott in Washington D.C., and from 2002 to 2005, she worked at Hanify & King in Boston. She left full-time employment in 2005. Ms. Sugarman received her B.A., with high honors, from the University of Florida. This will be her third year as an instructor.
Mr. Sugarman received his J.D., with honors, from the George Washington University School of Law in 2000. As a law student, he served as Executive Managing Editor for the American Intellectual Property Law Association Quarterly Journal. He also was a Dean’s Fellow in the Legal Research and Writing Program. Upon graduating, he worked as an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in Washington. From March 2003 until September 2007, he worked at Craig and Macauley in Boston, and from October 2007 until April 2009, he worked at WolfBlock in Boston. In May 2009, he joined the firm of LeClairRyan in Boston. Mr. Sugarman received his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Massachusetts and holds an M.B.A. from Colorado State University. From 1993 until 1997, he served in the United States Air Force. Since 2003, he has served in the United States Army Reserve as a Judge Advocate Officer (JAG). He has taught in the writing program for third years.
Mr. Susich received his J.D., cum laude, from the Law School in 1993. While a law student, he was a member of the Boston University Law Review. After graduating, he served as Law Clerk to the Justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Susich served as Assistant General Counsel of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department. Since 2000, he has worked at the Boston Health Commission. He received his B.A. from Williams College. Mr. Susich has taught in the Program for nine years.
Ms. Taylor received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 2005. As a law student, she served as a Teaching Assistant in the First Year Writing Program and Articles Editor for the Boston University Law Review. After graduating, she worked as an associate for Ropes & Gray in Boston. Since April 2008, Ms. Taylor has worked as the Associate Director of the First Year Writing Program. Ms. Taylor received her A.B., magna cum laude, from Harvard University.
Mr. Tennen received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Law School in 2001. While a law student, he was Editor in Chief of the Boston University International Law Journal, a member of the Jessup International Moot Court Team, and the recipient of the Sylvia Beinecke Robinson award. After graduating, Mr. Tennen clerked for Justice John Mason of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and for Chief Justice Michael Kruse and Associate Justice Lyle Richmond of the High Court of American Samoa. In 2004, Mr. Tennan obtained an LL.M. in criminal law at the University of Buffalo (SUNY) Law School, where he was the recipient of the Law Faculty Award. Since 2004, he has worked at Swomley & Associates in Boston. Since graduating from Law School, Mr. Tennen has published articles in both the Boston University Public Interest Law Journal and the Boalt Journal of Criminal Law. Mr. Tennen received his B.A., with distinction, from the University of Michigan. This will be his third year as an instructor.
Naomi "Gigi" Walker
Ms. Walker is a 2004 cum laude graduate of the Law School. After graduating, she worked at the Law Offices of Kathleen Ann Foley in Acton, Massachusetts, specializing in family law. Since February 2007, she has worked for the firm of Wilson & Orcutt in Acton, where she continues to specialize in family law. Ms. Walker received her B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Tennessee and worked for Sony Music in Nashville before attending Law School.