College of Law Welcomes 2026-2027 Ignatian Law Scholars

The College of Law is excited to welcome 18 students into the 2026-2027 Ignatian Law Scholars program.

Ignatian Law Scholars are particularly promising members of the entering law school class whose applications reflect the Jesuit values of commitment to academic excellence and service to others. Scholars receive a renewable dean’s scholarship and are assigned faculty and alumni mentors to help with the transition to law school and practice. In addition, scholars gather for special events each semester to get to know each other and other members of the law school community.

Genesis Bass

Genesis Bass is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political communication and African and African American studies from Louisiana State University, where she was a member of the Ogden Honors College. Her passion for public service and advocacy led her to Capitol Hill, where she interned with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Now pursuing her Juris Doctor at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Genesis plans to build a career centered around advocacy, public service, and meaningful change in underserved communities.

Janie Bickerton

Janie Bickerton graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in English and classical languages. She served as editor-in-chief of UT's music publication, combining her passions for music and writing by interviewing musicians and amplifying issues within the music industry. While researching women's struggles with artistic ownership in legal and literary arenas for her senior thesis, she discerned that law school was the most fulfilling way to make a positive difference. A New Orleans native and a third-generation Loyola Law student, Janie is eager to help shape Louisiana's cultural landscape by representing local artists in intellectual property disputes and contract work.

Ben Broussard

Ben Broussard, a native of Covington, Louisiana, has a passion for grassroots community development and service. He attended St. John's University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in global sustainable development. In college, he volunteered with organizations addressing food insecurity and youth education and held internships promoting social and economic justice at several scales, including local transit advocacy, regional labor organizing, and project management support for international development. Ben's experiences led him to see law as a tool for lasting positive change, and he hopes to promote equitable community development and social justice in his home state.

Mary Grace Burleigh

Mary Grace Burleigh, a native of Rayne, Louisiana, graduated magna cum laude from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor of Arts in communication advocacy and a minor in political science. At ULM, she was a member of Phi Mu and served as Panhellenic Council president. She also worked full-time as a legal receptionist at Whiddon Criminal Defense, gaining valuable insight into the legal profession. She spent her summers interning under Judge Marie B. "M'Elise" Trahan in Crowley City Court, acquiring courtroom experience and a deeper understanding of the judicial process. These experiences shaped Mary Grace's passion for law and built a strong foundation in communication, advocacy, and legal practice.

Rex Collins

Born and raised in New Orleans, Rex Collins studied international affairs at Bard College before earning a Master in Global & International Studies in nationalism and conflict management from the University of Salamanca in Spain. Rex now works as a law clerk at Leavitt & Meunier — a Social Security disability firm in Metairie — where he helps claimants apply for benefits and appeal unfavorable decisions. He will continue in this role while attending the College of Law’s evening J.D. program.

Julian Conravey

Julian Conravey, a New Orleans native, graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in history. As an undergraduate, he balanced a retail job with active involvement in his community. In his first semester, he interned with InReach, a trans-led nonprofit that connects LGBTQ+ Americans with safe, confidential resources. This experience solidified his commitment to service anchored in equity and compassion. He later spoke before Loyola's Student Government Association to secure a charter for the Disabled Students Assembly, where he served as founding secretary. At the College of Law, Julian plans to strengthen his advocacy for Louisiana's underserved communities.

Lilly Dukich

Lilly Dukich was raised in New Jersey and lived in New York City for eight years before coming to Loyola. She received her B.A. in psychology from the University of Vermont and her M.A. in social organizational psychology from Columbia University. She tutored incarcerated and recently incarcerated college students, collected and organized records for federal capital punishment mitigation cases, and worked as a strategy coordinator, evaluation analyst, and union bargaining committee member at the Vera Institute of Justice. Outside of her professional career, she is a trained jazz singer, DIY crafter, and proud SpongeBob quoter! 

Chloé Jobin

As a first-generation law student, Chloé Jobin is committed to speaking truth to power. Over the last several years, she has worked in development roles for non-profit organizations in the area including Xavier University, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and most recently, Foundation for Louisiana. She is passionate about community organizing and mobilizing resources for systems change in Louisiana and especially the Deep South. Chloé is excited to embark on her educational journey at Loyola and explore new roles that a law degree will enable her to play in movement work.

Monica Kincade

A native of Lafayette, Louisiana, Monica Kincade graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in history from Fisk University, where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her master's degree in history and a certificate in museum studies from the University of Georgia. Her thesis examined the sale and circulation of cartes de visite that funded the education of formerly enslaved people in New Orleans. Monica is committed to public access to history and to preserving the institutions that safeguard history and culture, an interest she has pursued through internships, fellowships, and summer programs in museums, archives, and public history. Her passion for public history intersects with her interest in intellectual property, particularly cultural heritage law, art law, and historic preservation law.

Ethan Legrand

Ethan Legrand is a New Orleans native with longstanding roots in the city. He attended the University of Alabama, where he earned degrees in history, philosophy, political science, and French. He remained at Alabama to earn his master's degree in history, during which he researched and authored a seminar paper on the history behind the creation of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. He then returned to New Orleans and worked as a paralegal for three years. Ethan has a deep attachment to the Crescent City and hopes not only to remain here but also to use his legal education to serve the community and city he proudly calls his own.

Isabella LoBue

Isabella LoBue, a proud Louisiana native, graduated summa cum laude from Reinhardt University with a degree in history and politics. A first-generation law student, she developed a passion for law at a young age and strengthened it during her time as a law clerk for the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office. As an undergraduate, Isabella authored and presented research on Black political agency in Louisiana from the colonial era through Reconstruction. She chose Loyola for its deep Jesuit values, its emphasis on social justice, and its mission to form compassionate leaders.

Ainsley O’Brian

Ainsley O'Brian has lived in Hammond, Louisiana, her whole life and graduated summa cum laude with honors from Southeastern Louisiana University. She earned her B.A. in English with a concentration in literature and languages in just three years, joining only two percent of her fellow graduates in doing so. At Southeastern, Ainsley earned a place on the President's List every semester, received Sophomore Honors Distinction in her second year, and published an essay in Volume 54 of the university's student journal, The Pick. She now looks forward to a career in the law, serving others in their fight for justice.

Zoe Sissac

Zoe Sissac graduated summa cum laude from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Spanish. At ULM, she served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Hawkeye. Her interest in Louisiana law grew as she interviewed political science professors, researched recent legislation, and edited political opinion pieces. Her experience as an emergency services dispatcher also gave her insight into how laws and policies influence healthcare accessibility. Drawn to Loyola's community-oriented approach to law, Zoe hopes to pursue a career in health care law and legislative research.

Maya Spears

Maya Spears, a New Orleans native and proud Cabrini High School alumna, graduated magna cum laude from Prairie View A&M University with a B.S. in chemical engineering. Through her work with companies like Chevron and ExxonMobil, she developed a strong foundation in contract analysis, compliance review, and evidence-based problem solving. Maya's experience spans interpreting complex commercial contracts, resolving ownership and data discrepancies, and supporting cross-functional legal and regulatory initiatives. An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she is committed to scholarship, service, and leadership. Maya plans to pursue intellectual property or health law to merge her technical background with meaningful community impact.

Emily Threeton

Emily Threeton, a New Orleans native, graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in economics. As an undergraduate, she served as president of the economics honor society and was an active member of several other academic and leadership organizations. She also worked as a research assistant in the economics department, supporting academic research and preparing manuscripts for publication. Her academic work — including publications on professional certification and the privatization of ports — strengthened her interest in the intersection of economics and law. Outside the classroom, Emily has spent several years teaching and coaching sailing, which fostered her interest in maritime law and the industry’s unique legal issues.

Federico Tuku

Federico Tuku is originally from Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. He earned his LLB from the University of Buea and his MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. His legal experience includes human rights advocacy with the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, where he documented violations of marginalized communities. He also gained experience with Centurion Law Group — a prominent pan-African law firm —  broadening his perspective on law and business across the continent. After building a career in IT in the US, Federico was drawn back to law by his commitment to family, community, and service. At the College of Law, he hopes to use his experience to advocate for underserved communities and create meaningful change.

Chris Vidrine

Chris Vidrine was born in Missouri and raised in St. Landry Parish. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Nicholls State University while working full-time and raising a family. His path to law school included careers in operations management and the skilled trades, strengthening his commitment to hard work, leadership, and service. Chris has also served as a soccer referee, officiating from youth through collegiate competition and developing an appreciation for fairness, accountability, and sound judgment. A father of three daughters, he hopes to model lifelong growth and perseverance while using his legal education to serve others.

Donnie Willyard

A Boston-area native, Donnie Willyard moved to New Orleans in 2019 after earning his bachelor's degree in business management from the University of New Haven. He soon joined the New Orleans Police Department, where he served as a police officer and later as a homicide detective. Through his work in law enforcement, Donnie gained firsthand experience with the criminal justice system and the people it affects. Those experiences inspired him to pursue a career in law, where he hopes to play a greater role in protecting individual rights and ensuring that everyone is held accountable.