Meet Your Candidates For 2L Senator

Matt Baker

Representing Section 12 in the Senate this past year has been an immensely rewarding experience. I've had the opportunity to help with issues as small as finding open lockers or business cards for students, and as big as addressing curriculum deficiencies or helping to create
new student groups. These kinds of opportunities are exactly why I ran for office in the fall.

However, I believe that even larger issues await us in the coming year. We, as a school, will have to decide how to improve our national profile without sacrificing the diversity of
perspectives that makes our law school great. We, as a school, may have to decide how potential changes in military policy might affect on-campus job recruiting. These are the types of issues we will soon confront, and I want to continue to represent the interests of the Class of 2012 in shaping our response. Thank you.

The reasons I am running for Senate haven't changed: a wish to have a positive impact on both present and future GW Law students, and a belief that I can be of use to all of you. My experience as a 1L Senator has been highly satisfying and informative. Working on various issues, from tech/network support problems to LRW reformation, has taught me a lot about the functioning of the SBA. It has also taught me that I can make a difference, sometimes at a larger scale and sometimes at an individual level. I do believe that I was of significant help to my section and I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the 2L senators and representing the needs of the class of 2012. Also, I no longer feel a need to threaten your pets' lives in order to win your votes.

Nicholas Nikic

Relaxation is an important service the SBA provides to our community. I agree that students
need occasions to blow off steam, so I host parties for my section, encouraging everybody to
attend. I'm good-natured, open and friendly, and like to have a good time. A quick sampling of
1Ls came up with these words to describe me: approachable, gregarious, lovable, proactive,
trendsetter, magis, teddy bear. I know my Section 13 classmates would agree. But the SBA isn't
only about fun. As future lawyers, we are called to be "men and women for others." As 2L
Senator, I will serve you with an unwavering voice. This year I organized Section 13's collection
for Haiti earthquake relief. Your fellow students (with plenty of debt of their own) raised
$3,500. After I missed class for a family emergency this semester, my section-mates didn't wait
for me to ask before they sent me notes. This is our community. I'm proud to belong to it, and I
hope to serve it as your 2L Senator.

Leonard Rubin

Hello fellow rising 2Ls!
As Section 21 Senator, I have taken my responsibility to my section seriously, and have
been a tireless advocate for evening students, even when some blamed the evening program
for some of the school's problems.
What those naysayers forgot is that the school exists to serve its students, and not vice
versa. That's why I made listening to student concerns my top priority as a 1L Senator, and it's
also why I want to continue advocating for students as a 2L. While I am switching from the
evening to the day division, the concerns of the two groups are similar: We want the
administration to listen to us.
I am confident that if we work together, we can make sure that our voices are always
heard and our concerns are always addressed. Thank you for your consideration, and remember
to vote on February 23.

My first impression of GW Law came from members of the SBA, and it was their friendliness and utter devotion to student life that convinced me this is the best law school in the country. As the SBA Senator for Section 13 in 2009-2010, I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand how hard the SBA works to plan events for students and address student issues and concerns. With your help, I would love to represent our entire 2L class (wow, calling ourselves 2Ls seems so odd) next year. I promise to make myself open and available to all students as we transition away from LRW and memos, and move through the Fall Recruiting Program and 2L year. I have devoted my time thus far at GW to the SBA and improving student life, and I would love the opportunity to continue to do so as your 2L SBA Senator.

Dear 1Ls,

My name is Jackie Stanley, and I want to represent you in the SBA Senate!

This year, I'm privileged to serve as the Section 15 Senator. So far, I've voted to fund student groups, including EJF and Law Revue, solicited student input to spur changes in LRW, and helped tailor SBA events to 1L needs. (I also covertly planned Snow Break 2010.) Next year, I pledge to host 2L events around the city, hold weekly office hours at school, and make sure that this year's advancements towards Mac support and reliable wireless culminate in SUCCESS.

Finally, I owe you all a thanks. Whether it was lending me notes or buying rounds at Bar Review, you've all somehow made GW Law a more friendly place. As your Senator, I will do whatever I can to make you as comfortable here as you've made me. Please vote on February 23!