The National Security Law Journal is pleased to announce its Editorial Board for the 2024–2025 academic year.
Brittney DePoto – Editor-in-Chief
Brittney DePoto is a third-year law student at Antonin Scalia Law School and a native of Northern Virginia. She graduated from George Mason University in 2022 with a B.S. degree in Mathematics and a minor in Legal Studies. Throughout law school, Brittney has interned with a local prosecutor’s office, a private firm, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Brian Tarno – Executive Editor
Brian Tarno is a third-year law student, originally from Arkansas. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Arkansas. Before attending law school, Brian served in the Army National Guard. During law school, he has gained experience in regulatory and financial law through internships at Navy Federal Credit Union, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. He currently works as a law clerk at Lavin Rindner Duffield, focusing on insurance counseling.
Danielle Saman – Managing Editor
Danielle Saman is a third-year law student, originally from Maryland. She graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Criminal Justice and double minor in Philosophy and Law. During her law school career she has gained experience working for Brownstone Law completing appellate criminal defense work as well as externing at the Fairfax Commonwealth Attorney’s Office completing prosecutorial work. She is currently working part-time as a law clerk at Sher, Cummings, and Ellis specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation.
Riley Schulz – Senior Research Editor
Riley is a third-year law student at Scalia Law. Originally from Wisconsin, Riley graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran College with a major in Politics & Law and a minor in Business Administration. This summer, Riley interned with the U.S. Department of Justice in the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section of the Criminal Division. Riley is currently an extern with the Defense Intelligence Agency Office of General Counsel. She looks forward to beginning an internship with DOJ’s National Security Division in the spring.
Joe Szczesny– Research Editor
Joe Szczesny is a third-year law student, who earned his B.S. from the University of Maryland with a double major in International Business and Marketing. Before attending law school, he worked for several years as a Director of Operations in a third-party logistics company. He looks forward to beginning his career after graduation as an Associate at Eversheds Sutherland LLP in Washington, D.C.
Francesca Romaniello– Senior Notes Editor
Francesca Romaniello is a third-year law student from San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a double-major B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in International Security in the Middle East and Italian Studies. Prior to attending law school, Francesca worked as an immigration paralegal and in refugee resettlement. She interned with the Department of Justice in the Office of Immigration Litigation in the Appellate Division and the Department of Homeland Security in the Human Rights Violator Law Division during 2023. This summer, she returned to DOJ as a SLIP Clerk at the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Now, she is working at Murray Osorio PLLC practicing defensive and affirmative immigration litigation.
Jared Forbes – Notes Editor
Jared earned his B.A. in Political Science from North Carolina State University, where he co-founded a student-led cybersecurity nonprofit. Prior to law school, he worked as a legal assistant in a corporate transactions and securities practice in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. While at Scalia Law, he has interned for a litigation boutique and the Federal Communications Commission. This fall he will be returning to the FCC to work in the Office of Commissioner Nathan Simington. Jared is also a member of the Trial Advocacy Association and Moot Court Board.
Brendan O'Keefe – Notes Editor
Brendan O’Keefe is a third-year JD candidate at Antonin Scalia Law School. Originally from Vermont, Brendan graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Political Science. After graduating from college, Brendan was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tete, Mozambique. During law school, Brendan has interned at the United States Court of Federal Claims and Charapp & Weiss, LLP.
Laurelyn Ostrowidzki – Senior Articles Editor
Laurelyn is a fourth-year J.D. evening student, pursuing a cyber law concentration. Laurelyn graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University in 2021 with a chemistry degree and a political science minor.
Michael Billotto – Articles Editor
Michael Billotto is a third-year J.D. candidate and the incoming Articles Editor for NSLJ. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Michael attended John Jay College for Criminal Justice and obtained his BA in Humanities and Justice. His interests in the national security space include surveillance law, national defense, and the intersection of separation of powers and state police powers.