Welcome to the Office of Student Affairs & Diversity

Alex Herm

Class of 2025

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

What I like about the Brandeis School of Law: What I like most about Brandeis is also for what I am most grateful. Brandeis has introduced me to so many people who have become close friends and mentors of mine that I will carry with me well beyond law school and into my career. It is so exciting to get to know the people who will be my colleagues, lawmakers, and judges one day.

Career goal: My career goal is to work either in business law or in copyright law and policy. I hope to work for the Copyright Office within five years after graduation.

Who has influenced you the most: It is very hard to narrow down who has influenced me the most, but I would say probably my parents and my 1L Contracts professor, Grace Giesel. My parents have encouraged me to define success as my best and not what others define as successful. Through their unshaken belief in me, I have found courage to challenge myself and do hard things like going to law school. Professor Giesel’s contract law class made me love law school and feel excited about the many practice areas of law. I came into law school set on practicing family law and through her influential teaching, I realized that I needed to be more open to different opportunities.

Favorite quote: “ ‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson

Mackenzie M. Williams

Class of 2025

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

What I like about the Brandeis School of Law: I like the people most! I appreciate that everyone is fairly supportive of one another, it's not as if people are out to get each other. Instead, students are ready to help one another. The faculty and staff are also incredibly supportive!

Career goal: I'm not exactly sure. All I know is that I enjoy working in criminal or family law because, for me personally, they tend to be more interesting and fulfilling than other areas of law. I most look forward to going to work when I am either providing legal help to vulnerable populations such as children and the homeless or holding individuals accountable for violent crimes. So, I hope to do that. But more specifically, I hope to be in a federal clerkship, then after, work as a federal or state prosecutor.

Who has influenced you the most: Growing up, I was raised by my elderly grandfather. He always told me about how he grew up in extreme poverty in the south during the Great Depression and subsequently suffered from such extreme malnutrition that he developed bone deformities. But, he would do whatever he could to survive, such as shooting squirrels as a kid to provide for him and his family. He later grew up to become a very successful and intelligent Intelligence Officer and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force with an IQ in the 150s. His will to survive, succeed, and use his smarts to keep going even when he didn't get the best cards handed to him was something I took with me in life.

Favorite quote: “You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.” - Babe Ruth

Dylan Murphy

Class of 2025

Hometown: Memphis, Indiana

What I like about the Brandeis School of Law: The community and camaraderie between myself and my fellow classmates.

Career goal: I would like to build my legal career in the corporate realm and achieve partner status at a respectable firm.

Who has influenced you the most: My mom, she has had to conquer many firsts as a woman in her position which has taken many battles and lots of drive that I have learned from her.

Favorite quote: “Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.” – Henry Ford

Ashley Peter

Class of 2025

Hometown: Schodack, New York

What I like about the Brandeis School of Law: The best thing about Brandeis is the close-knit community. As someone who moved from out of state, I have always felt welcome and comfortable at the law school and found it easy to make friends and form relationships with Professors and staff!

Career goal: After graduation, my goal is to practice family law. I am passionate about working with and for kids and victims of domestic violence and hope to make a difference in the lives of others through my practice.

Who has influenced you the most: My family has influenced me the most. Being a first-generation college & law student, it has been so important to have a great support system through my law school journey. I am eternally grateful for the words of encouragement & support from my parents, my boyfriend, Greg, my grandparents, sisters, niece, and nephews, I couldn't have made it this far without them. I would also like to thank my best friends for always believing in me. Finally, a shoutout to Judge Lauren Adams Ogden for being the best mentor and helping me confirm my love for family law.

Favorite quote: “Take the time to enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” - Robert Brault

Peyton Gray

Class of 2025

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

What I like about the Brandeis School of Law: What I like most about Brandeis is the opportunities to venture outside of the classroom and pursue other interests within the curriculum. For example, being in the mediation clinic last year while also on the moot court client counseling team allowed me to gain academic credit while also pursuing real-world experiences and finding new interests and friends.

Career goal: After graduation, I plan to work at my father, David Gray’s law firm, Gray Law, PLLC, representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice suits alongside my father, a man and lawyer I admire greatly.

Who has influenced you the most: My parents have influenced me the most as I am a perfect blend between the two of them. My mother has influenced me to be a compassionate, selfless, and big-hearted person, qualities that will no doubt lead me to advocate for plaintiffs with passion and compassion zealously. Furthermore, my father has influenced me with his brilliance and resilience. I followed in his footsteps to Centre College and then to Brandeis (which was just the University of Louisville Law School when he attended.) I always admired his intelligence and advocacy skills, as well as his ability to bounce back from hard times stronger than ever. Being raised by two such incredible people made me into the woman I am today.

Favorite quote: “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” - Madeleine Albright

Gracie Davis

Class of 2025

Hometown: Georgetown, KY

What I love most about my family and friends: I am so grateful for the support, kindness, and humor of my family and friends.

Why law school and why Brandeis? I decided to go to law school, and Brandeis specifically, because I enjoy advocating for others and writing.

In addition to getting into the UofL Brandeis School of Law, what are you most proud of? I am most proud of contributing to programs at Morehead State such as the Women in Law club and the Pro Se Divorce Clinic, which are still active today.

Favorite quote: "The way I see it, if you want the rainbow you got to put up with the rain." - Dolly Parton

Jameasha Pierce

Class of 2025

Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina, but Atlanta, GA, is home

What I love most about my family and friends: Both my family and friends are incredibly supportive and loving, which has been a constant source of strength for me throughout my life. My family has always been there to celebrate my successes and help me navigate through challenges, offering advice, encouragement, and unconditional love. My friends, similarly, provide a network of support, always ready to lend a listening ear or offer a helping hand when needed.

Why law school and why Brandeis? I've always had a deep desire to become a lawyer, driven by my passion for helping others, making a meaningful impact in the world, making money, and hoping to be on a Billboard one day. The aspiration was sparked at the age of 12 when I watched Legally Blonde. Even though it took nearly 12 years after completing my undergraduate degree to finally apply to law school. What I love most about Brandeis is that everyone—from students to staff—genuinely wants each other to succeed. It’s a community where collaboration and encouragement are at the forefront, which not only aligns with my values but also provides the perfect environment for me to thrive as I pursue my legal education.

How have you changed since your 1L year? I’ve become more confident in who I am and have released the immense pressure I once put on myself. Now, I focus on taking things one day at a time and always strive to put my best foot forward.

What is your professional goal for five years from now? I haven’t quite narrowed it down; however, I know I want to be successful and happy in my career.

Favorite quote: "My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." - Maya Angelou

Isabella (Bella) Griffee

Class of 2025

Hometown: Mt. Washington, Kentucky

What I love most about my family: What I love most about my family is that they are my best friends. I can go to them about anything and everything. I am blessed with the best family!

Why law school and why Brandeis? My grandfather, Mom, and Brother all graduated from Brandeis, and when the time came for me to make my decision on what law school to go to, it was an easy choice. Brandeis has been one of the best decisions I have made; it has given me a great foundation for my legal career and given me so many opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise.

How have you changed since your 1L year? Since my 1L year, I have completely come out of my shell. I have been out of the country with Brandeis, which is something I never thought I would do. Law school has taught me how to open up more and do things I wouldn’t have done before.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of the challenges I have overcome to get to where I am today. I am proud that as someone with a learning disability, I was able to graduate from college with high honors and come to a school like Brandeis.

How do you define inclusive and excellence? I would define inclusive as meaning that everyone, no matter what, gets the opportunity to be a part of something. Excellence I would define as doing the best you can do!

What is your professional goal for five years from now? My professional goal in five years is to be an associate at Sweat & Griffee Law Firm.

Favorite quote: The best advice I have received is from my mom, who always told me to be myself no matter who is watching.

Bret Nyquist

Class of 2026

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

Undergraduate and graduate degrees and majors: I have a B.A. in Secondary Education.

What do you love most about your family? Their unending love and support!

What made you want to serve your country? I wanted to do things I’ve never done, meet people from all over the United States, and go places I’ve never been. I am happy to say I got the chance to do all those things.

What are you most proud of as a member of the service? I think I am most proud of the relationships that I’ve created in the Army. Although everyone’s experience is different, I often feel an instant bond when I meet veterans because of the shared experiences we have had in our time in the service.

Why do you want to be a lawyer? I want to be an advocate for people in need and help them navigate the legal system in a way they couldn’t otherwise do on their own.

What do you like most about Brandeis School of Law? My fellow students and the professors are my favorite thing about Brandeis. It’s a very supportive culture. I enjoy discussing cases with my classmates, and my professors are willing to do anything to help me succeed.

What is your professional goal for five years from now? I want to be a practicing attorney in Nashville, Tennessee.

What would you tell a 1L about law school and/or life? I would tell an incoming 1L that there is nothing to be nervous about. Your professors and fellow classmates are here to help you!

How do you cope when times are challenging? Whenever something is challenging, I take time to think of everything in life I am grateful for. If there is a challenging concept in one of my classes that seems impossible to understand, I take a moment and remind myself that it’s a blessing to be in law school. This reminder gives me a renewed energy to embrace the challenges I face.