Madison Bigelow is a rising 3L at Rutgers Law School, where she serves as Senior Articles Editor of the Rutgers University Law Review. She is a recipient of the 2025-2026 Marsha P. Wenk Fellowship for Public Interest. Madison also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Esther Salas, U.S.D.J.
What made you pursue law as a career?
I originally wanted to pursue a career in law because I saw it as an opportunity to combine intellectually stimulating work with real-world impact. The law allows me to solve complex problems while directly helping people and organizations navigate high-stakes situations. That passion has stayed with me, and now—having gotten a chance to observe what it means to be a lawyer—I am excited by the chance to go to work and learn something new every day.
What was your favorite part about working at Walsh?
What I loved most about working at Walsh this summer was the people and the culture. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, from the partners to the legal staff, and always willing to take time to mentor, answer questions, or just check in. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn about the legal profession from such a talented group of attorneys. The sense of community here is what made my summer truly special.
What are you looking forward to next semester?
Next semester, I look forward to applying all that I’ve learned about research, writing, and legal practice in the Constitutional Law Clinic at Rutgers. I’m also excited to serve as a teaching assistant for Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research in the fall, where I’ll help 1L students learn about the foundations of legal writing. Overall, though, I’m eager to continue to cultivate my skills so that I can become a better advocate in the future.
Cohere Elliston is a rising 3L at Seton Hall University School of Law, where he is a Legal Education Opportunity Fellow. He is President of the American Constitution Society and Vice President of the Black Law Students Association. Cohere served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Michael A. Shipp, U.S.D.J., and also worked as a research assistant. This fall, Cohere will participate in Seton Hall’s Equal Justice Clinic.
What made you pursue law as a career?
I pursued law as a career because I saw from a young age how much of an effect it had on people’s lives and the difference a good lawyer can make. I was always interested in history and current events, and I saw an opportunity to transition from working in education to working in the legal field. My passion for social issues informs my perspective and experience and drove me towards this field.
What was your favorite part about working at Walsh?
My favorite part of working at Walsh was the people. Everyone was very warm and welcoming to the new person in the office. Given the complex matters that the firm faces, I was nervous about whether I could handle the assignments. Thankfully, everyone I’ve worked with has been very kind and helpful and just wants me to become the best version of myself.
What are you looking forward to next semester?
I am going to be President of the American Constitution Society next semester, so there are a number of events I am looking forward to. Additionally, I am the Vice President of the Black Law Student Association and a Leadership Fellow, both of which give me opportunities to give back to my community and connect with other like-minded people.
Lauren Geiger is a rising 3L at Seton Hall University School of Law, where she is a member of the Interscholastic Moot Court Board and Senior Editor of the Seton Hall Journal of Legislation and Public Policy. This past spring, Lauren participated in Touro Law’s Twelfth Annual National Moot Court Competition in Law & Religion, where she and her partner were Quarterfinalists and were awarded Second Best Brief. Lauren has also served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Madeline Cox Arleo, U.S.D.J. and previously interned within the Family Division of the Morris County Courthouse.
What made you pursue law as a career?
I had the opportunity to take AP Government and Politics my senior year of high school, where we studied the landmark Supreme Court cases. I was fascinated by the ways in which the nine individuals wearing black robes could shape the political, social, and legal landscape of this country. I knew then that I one day wanted to serve on the bench, and becoming a lawyer is one of the many steps in achieving that dream.
What was your favorite part about working at Walsh?
I came into this summer with the hope of working with as many individuals as possible in as many areas of the law as possible. That hope became reality, and I was truly fortunate to work on matters not just in different areas of the law, but also in different stages of litigation. I had the chance to work with discovery materials, help draft sections of briefs to be submitted to the court, and attend various court proceedings, all while working with attorneys and staff who wanted to help me and who provided me with extremely useful feedback so that I could succeed.
What are you looking forward to next semester?
In Fall 2026, I am looking forward to participating in Seton Hall Law’s Immigrants’ Rights / International Human Rights Clinic, where I will have the chance to engage in another area of the law with the Clinic’s professor to guide me. I am excited to expand on the litigation skills that I learned this summer with Walsh and apply them in that setting.