Seventeen Dean’s Fellows to mentor first-year students for 2025-2026

LAWRENCE – Seventeen students from the University of Kansas School of Law have been chosen to be Dean’s Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The Dean’s Fellows are a group of second- and third-year law students selected to mentor first-year peers. Dean’s Fellows offer academic support and guidance, serving as resources for students navigating the transition to law school. Dean’s Fellows are selected through an application and interview process that considers their academic performance, rapport with classmates and campus and community involvement.

“Our group is committed to supporting the 1L class as they transition into law school,” said Paulina Rivera-Soto, co-head Dean’s Fellow. “I am confident in this group’s ability to lead by example through their kindness and willingness to serve others.”

“The Deans Fellow program is a group of caring, intentional and dedicated mentors and students who aim to inspire others and create a lasting community at KU Law,” said Noell Hinsley, co-head Dean’s Fellow.

The 2025-2026 Dean’s Fellows are listed below:

Avery Ain is a second-year law student from Overland Park. He attended Miami University of Ohio, where he received a bachelor's degree in political science. In addition to being a Dean's Fellow, he is also a member of the Business and Tax Law Society and the Sports Law Society. 

Lane Barrette is a third-year law student from Basehor. He attended KU for his undergraduate studies, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science and theater performance. In addition to being a Dean's Fellow, Lane is a comment editor for the Kansas Law Review and a proud member of OUTLaws & Accomplices. He has also competed in both the In-House and National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competitions. 

Ben DeKoning is a third-year law student from Andover. He attended Kansas State University for his undergraduate degree, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in biological systems engineering and a minor in philosophy. DeKoning is involved in several organizations throughout the law school and currently serves as the managing editor of the Kansas Law Review, the president of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association and class president of the Student Bar Association. He also competes on council for KU Law’s Mock Trial team.

Mary Duncan is a second-year law student from Olathe. She received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and later earned a master’s in bioengineering, both from KU. In addition to Dean’s Fellows, Duncan is the president of KU Law’s LGBTQ+ affinity organization, OUTLaws and Accomplices.

Lauren Fallis is a second-year law student from Leawood. She graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in biology and was a four-year Division I soccer player. At KU Law, aside from being a Dean’s Fellow, she is a member of Women in Law and was named to the pro bono honor roll for her work with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Traffic Court. Fallis is also a staff editor for the Kansas Law Review.

Keegun Gose is a third-year law student from Abilene. He went to undergrad at KU, where he majored in history and minored in education. In addition to Dean's Fellows, he serves on the executive boards for both the Student Bar Association and the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy. Gose is a member of the Moot Court Council and wrote an article set to be published in the Journal this year.

Noell Hinsley is a third-year law student from Omaha, Nebraska. She attended Grand Canyon University of Phoenix, where she studied government and participated on the GCU dance team. Hinsley is one of the Head Dean’s Fellows and a member of Women in Law and the Sports Law Club at KU.

Wade Hollenback is a second-year law student from Reno, Nevada. He earned his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Nevada. Hollenback currently serves as president of the Asian Law Students Association and is a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy.

Hailey Engle is a third-year law student from Council Grove. She earned her undergraduate degree in business management with a minor in leadership studies from Kansas State University. Aside from being a Dean's Fellow, Engle is involved in Women in Law and the Federal Student Bar Association.

Jordan Kaseff is a second-year law student from Overland Park. She attended Indiana University, where she earned a degree in business with a major in operations management and a co-major in business law, ethics and decision-making. At KU Law, she has prosecuted two cases in Traffic Court, volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and Free Legal Answers and is a staff editor on the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy. She is also an active member of both Women in Law and the Business and Tax Law Society. 

Blake Millman is a second-year law student from Olathe. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Kansas State University. He majored in professional strategic selling and with a minor in leadership. In addition to being a Dean’s Fellow, he is a member of the Christian Legal Society

Jackson Novacek is a second-year law student from Olathe. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and Master of Business Administration from Emporia State University, where he played wide receiver on the football team. As well as being a Dean’s Fellow, Novacek serves as secretary of the Sports Law Society. 

Michael O’Keefe is a third-year law student from St. Louis. He graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences. O’Keefe is currently a member of the Sports Law Society and the Business and Tax Law Society. He previously served as a staff editor on the Kansas Law Review. 

Paulina Rivera-Soto is a third-year law student from Logan, Utah. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science with minors in Latin American studies and history from Utah State University. Aside from being one of the Head Dean’s Fellows, Rivera-Soto was previously the president of the Hispanic American Law Students Association and sits on the academic affairs committee at KU Law.

Brandon Rossman is a second-year law student from Yorba Linda, California. Before law school, he served in the Air Force for three years as an intelligence officer. He received a bachelor’s in political science from San Diego State University.  In addition to being a Dean’s Fellow, Rossman is a Student Ambassador at KU Law. 

Hannah Shultz is a second-year law student from Sulphur Springs, Texas. Prior to attending law school, she received her bachelor’s in political science with minors in gender, women and sexuality studies and American Sign Language from Oklahoma State University. In addition to serving as a Dean’s Fellow, she is the Westlaw student brand ambassador and competes in Moot Court.

Cody White is a third-year law student from Troup, Texas. Before law school, he served in the Marine Corps for 16 years and retired in 2022. He received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Texas at Tyler. He serves as an officer in the Native American Law Students Association and the Military and Veterans Law Society at KU Law. During 1L and 2L, he competed in the National Native American Law Students Association Moot Court Competition.