Olwyn Conway, associate professor of law, joins WCL from Moritz College of Law at The Ohio State University, where she taught in the Criminal Defense and Criminal Prosecution Clinics. She also mentored students representing indigent clients in Franklin County and prosecuting misdemeanors in Delaware County. She received the Ohio State University Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2020, recognizing her exceptional contributions to legal education. Her research explores the role of narrative in criminal trials, progressive prosecution initiatives, and the integration of restorative justice into the U.S. criminal justice system. Before joining academia, Conway served for seven years as an Assistant Defender in Philadelphia, specializing in major criminal trials and providing representation to thousands of indigent clients. She also taught the Criminal Litigation Field Clinic at Drexel University. Conway continues her community engagement as a facilitator in Franklin County’s Juvenile Court Community Restorative Circles. Conway received her J.D. from University of Pennsylvania.

Matthew S. Erie, associate professor of law, joins WCL from the University of Oxford. He brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective, combining law and anthropology to examine Chinese, Islamic, and comparative law. His research spans domestic and international legal issues, including property law, constitutional law, dispute resolution, and investment law. Erie’s first book, China and Islam: The Prophet, the Party, and Law, is a groundbreaking ethnographic study of sharia and state law in China. His ongoing research project, "China, Law and Development," funded by a European Research Council grant, investigates China’s global legal and regulatory influence. Erie has held academic positions at Princeton and NYU and has practiced law with Paul Hastings LLP in New York and Beijing. He is Co-Chair of the American Society of International Law’s Asia-Pacific Interest Group. Erie received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania and his LL.M. from Tsinghua University. He also holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Anthropology from Cornell University.

Jeffrey Kahn, professor of law and director of the Program on Law & Government, joins WCL from SMU Dedman School of Law. He is a distinguished scholar specializing in constitutional law, administrative law, human rights, and counterterrorism. His scholarship includes the acclaimed book Mrs. Shipley’s Ghost: The Right to Travel and Terrorist Watchlists and the forthcoming third edition of National Security Law and the Constitution. A recipient of multiple teaching awards, he has held visiting roles at Oxford University, McGill University, and Washington & Lee School of Law. Kahn’s expertise extends to Russian law and international human rights, where he has submitted briefs to the European Court of Human Rights and consulted for the Clooney Foundation for Justice. Before academia, he served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice. Kahn received his J.D. from University of Michigan Law School.

Sylvia Lu, assistant professor of law, focuses on the interplay between law, technology, and society, with a specialization in data privacy, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic accountability. Her research addresses legal responses to algorithmic harms, exploring how laws can safeguard civil rights and democratic values in technology-driven societies. Her award-winning scholarship includes the articles “Data Privacy, Human Rights, and Algorithmic Opacity” and “Algorithmic Opacity, Private Accountability, and Corporate Social Disclosure,” both recognized by the Berkeley Technology Law Journal. Lu’s work has appeared in journals such as the California Law Review and the Florida Law Review. A certified information privacy professional for the U.S. and Europe, Lu examines how data-driven innovations intersect with legal systems. Her teaching and research reflect a commitment to creating equitable legal frameworks for emerging technologies. Lu received her Master of Laws (JD-equivalent) from National Tsinghua University, and her LL.M., and S.J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Marcos A. Orellana, assistant professor of law, is an expert in human rights and environmental law, serving as the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights. His work focuses on global obligations and the intersection of human rights with environmental challenges. Orellana has advised governments, NGOs, and UN agencies and played a pivotal role in climate negotiations, including representing Latin American nations in the Paris Agreement talks. He has appeared before international courts, including the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the World Trade Organization. Formerly the inaugural director of the Environment and Human Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, Orellana has also directed programs at the Center for International Environmental Law. His extensive academic contributions include fellowships at the University of Cambridge and lectures at leading universities worldwide. Orellana received his J.D. from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, and his LL.M. and S.J.D. from American University Washington College of Law.

Anjali Prakash, assistant professor of Legal Rhetoric, brings extensive experience in legal writing and advocacy. Before joining WCL, she taught at Howard University, Georgetown University, and George Washington University, earning accolades including WCL’s 2022 Adjunct Professor of the Year award. Prakash’s teaching focuses on developing students' legal writing and analytical skills. Her practice experience includes special education and general litigation law in Washington, DC, and Maryland, where she managed her own solo practice. She has been a federal court clerk for the Honorable Nathaniel M. Gorton and the Honorable Kermit V. Lipez. Prakash graduated with honors from NYU School of Law, where she served on the Law Review, and received her LL.M. from Georgetown University. Her teaching and professional background equip students with practical and theoretical expertise in legal communication.

Christine Speidel, associate professor of law, joins WCL from Villanova. She will direct the Janet R. Spragens Federal Tax Clinic, training students to represent low-income taxpayers in federal tax disputes. Her research focuses on the intersection of tax law and poverty law, emphasizing equitable solutions for vulnerable populations. She is an editor of the ABA’s practice manual Effectively Representing Your Client Before the IRS and a leader in the ABA Taxation Section. Previously, Speidel practiced law at Vermont Legal Aid, where she managed the Vermont Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic and represented clients in cases involving healthcare, domestic violence, and public benefits. Her work also includes advocating for systemic policy reforms to improve access to justice. Through her clinic and research, Speidel fosters a deep understanding of tax law’s impact on underserved communities. Speidel received her J.D. from Harvard Law School.