Our Team

Kimberly J. Mueller is the David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School. Before joining Duke Law, Judge Mueller served on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, first as a magistrate judge from 2003 to 2010, and then as a district judge following her 2010 appointment. She served as chief judge from 2020 to 2024, assumed senior status in September 2024, and retired in January 2026. Before her judicial appointment, Judge Mueller served in public office as a member of the Sacramento City Council, including as vice mayor. Judge Mueller earned her bachelor’s degree from Pomona College and her J.D. from Stanford Law School, where she served as symposium editor of the Stanford Law & Policy Review and externed for Judge David F. Levi. After law school, she practiced at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP and later maintained a private practice. Judge Mueller has taught at the University of California, Davis School of Law and the McGeorge School of Law. She has written and spoken on issues relating to the judiciary and the rule of law. She is an elected member of the American Law Institute and earned a Master of Judicial Studies from Duke Law School in 2025.

Melinda Myers Vaughn is the Bolch Judicial Institute’s deputy director and managing editor of Judicature, the Institute’s scholarly journal about judging and the administration of justice. She joined the Institute in 2015 to help launch Judicature after Duke took over the 100-year-old publication. She is experienced in strategic communications, content marketing, writing and publications development, web and multimedia initiatives, media relations, and event planning. She previously served as executive director of communications and events for Duke Law School (2007-2013); as senior editor and then senior manager for content marketing for Citrix’s software-as-a-service division (2013-2015); and as executive director of communications and events at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law (2003-2007). She has worked in development communications, public relations, and as an editor and journalist in Utah, California, and Ohio. She holds degrees in English Literature and Mass Communications from the University of Utah.

Cristobal (Cris) Diaz is assistant director for international programs at the Bolch Judicial Institute. Cris joined the Institute in 2023 after eight years with the CEELI Institute in Prague, Czech Republic, where he served as both Director of Outreach and Development and as a Program Manager. During that time, he ran international rule of law programs for a wide array of stakeholders from across Europe, MENA, South and Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa and managed the CEELI Institute’s fundraising efforts. He holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs (GWU) in Washington, DC, and a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and Environmental Geography from UCLA. His previous experience includes several years working on academic programs and conferences for the Central Asia Program at GWU, as well as with the US State Department in Washington, DC, in the Office of Israel and Palestinian Affairs, and at the US Embassy in Prague.

Kristin Triebel is the assistant director for programs and operations at the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School. After eight years as a litigation paralegal in Raleigh, she came to Duke Law School as an administrative assistant in the Dean’s Office in 2016. She joined the Institute in 2018.  She leads the planning and implementation of programming related to judicial education and training, scholarly conferences and symposia, awards programs, board meetings, and alumni gatherings.

Jack Knight is the Frederic Cleaveland Professor of Law and Political Science at Duke University. A renowned political scientist and legal theorist, he focuses his scholarship on modern social and political theory, law and legal theory, and political economy. He holds a joint appointment with Duke Law School and Duke’s Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, where he teaches in the Politics, Philosophy and Economics Program. At the Law School, he teaches courses on social scientific approaches to law and courts, as well as courses on the political economy of social institutions.

Margaret H. Lemos is a scholar of constitutional law, legal institutions, and procedure. Her scholarship focuses on the institutions of law interpretation and enforcement and their effects on substantive rights. She writes in four related fields: federalism; administrative law, including the relationship between courts and agencies; statutory interpretation; and civil procedure. Her articles have been published in the Supreme Court Review as well as in the Harvard, New York University, Texas, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, and Notre Dame law reviews.

David F. Levi is the James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean Emeritus of Law at Duke University and Director Emeritus of the Bolch Judicial Institute. From 2018-2022, he served as the founding director of the Bolch Judicial Institute, and from 2007-2018, he served as the James B. Duke and Benjamin N. Duke Dean of the School of Law. Prior to this, he served as the Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of California with chambers in Sacramento. He is an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and currently serves as president of the American Law Institute (ALI). In 2021, Levi served on the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States.

Marin K. Levy is the Melvin Shimm Distinguished Professor of Law and faculty director of the Bolch Judicial Institute. Her principal academic interests include judicial administration, civil procedure, remedies, and federal courts. Her work has been published in the Yale Law Journal, University of Chicago Law Review, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Cornell Law Review, and California Law Review, among other scholarly journals, and has been discussed in The New York Times, Washington Post, Atlantic, and other public outlets. Levy is also a co-author of Federal Standards of Review: Appellate Court Review of District Court Decisions and Agency Actions (2nd ed.) with Judge Harry T. Edwards and Linda A. Elliott, and Written and Unwritten: The Rules, Practices, and Internal Operations of the United States Courts of Appeals, with Judge Jon O. Newman.

Ann Yandian is the programming director at the Bolch Judicial Institute. She came to Duke Law in 2012 to administer the Master of Judicial Studies Program and oversees other events and programs for the Institute. She previously worked at the Maine State Legislature in the nonpartisan fiscal office, staffing the Appropriations Committee (2006-2012), and the University of Maine System (1992-2006). She holds a degree in Public Administration.

Lora Beth Farmer is a program coordinator at the Bolch Judicial Institute. She joined Duke Law in 2016. A North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal with over 20 years of experience in litigation, Lora Beth also holds a degree in business and accounting and manages finances for the Institute’s various programs.

Stacey Young is a program coordinator at the Bolch Judicial Institute. Prior to joining the Institute in 2023, Stacey worked for 7 years as staff assistant in the Office of Ministerial Formation at Duke Divinity School. Before coming to Duke, she served as the camp office administrator and registrar for 9 years at Chestnut Ridge Camp and Retreat Ministries. A native North Carolinian, she enjoys the outdoors, fishing, and “farm-ish” life.

Eric Surber is a communications manager at the Bolch Judicial Institute. In his current role, he is primarily responsible for maintaining the institute’s digital presence, including social media, newsletters, and press releases. Eric is a 2016 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Media and Journalism, and has held marketing leadership and content creation roles at lifestyle magazine and digital media companies. He has a particular interest in applying UX/UI principles and inbound marketing methodologies to expand audiences. Outside of the law school, Eric enjoys music and was the 2015-2016 organ scholar at Duke University Chapel.

Aamna Aslam (LLM’26) is a transactional lawyer from Pakistan, committed to bridging corporate practice and social impact. At Duke, she is specializing in business law, serves as the LLM Representative for the Human Rights Pro Bono Program and is a staff editor for the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum. Her interests include live music and Pilates.

Emily Bass (J.D. ’26) works on the Bolch Judicial Institute’s Trauma-Informed Courts Initiative. At Duke, Emily is a Notes Editor for Duke Law Journal, Guardian ad Litem volunteer for the Durham County Courts, Facilitator for Duke’s Street Law program, and Executive Board Member of Moot Court and the Duke Bar Association. Prior to law school, Emily attended Bates College and worked as a special education teacher in New York City.

Matt Chopp (JD ’26) is a student editor for Judicature and the Bolch Judicial Institute. At Duke, he serves as co-director of the Veterans Assistance Project and as a staff editor for the Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy. Prior to law school, he earned an undergraduate degree in history from Occidental College and a graduate degree in political theory from the London School of Economics.

Ava Erfani (Duke Law JD ’26) is a Student Editor for Judicature. At Duke, she is an Articles Editor for the Duke Law Journal, a research assistant to Professor Ernest A. Young, and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Prior to law school, she earned her Bachelor of Arts at UNC Chapel Hill and worked in Manhattan as a litigation paralegal. Ava spent her 1L summer at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C. and her 2L summer at Quinn Emanuel in New York. Following law school, she will be clerking for Judge Jane J. Boyle on the Northern District of Texas.

Kushagra Singhal (MEM’26) is a Master of Engineering Management student at Duke University. He serves as a Web Editor and Research Assistant, where he manages the Bolch Judicial Institute website and oversees content updates and maintenance. Kushagra studied Computer Science Engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology and has professional experience as a software developer and product owner working on large-scale enterprise platforms. His interests include product strategy, systems design, and the use of technology to improve institutional and organizational effectiveness.

Zhixing Liu (SJD ’26) is a first-year Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) student at Duke Law, specializing in socio-legal studies. His research primarily focuses on empirically analyzing the Chinese court system and judicial reform. Prior to Duke, he completed his LL.M. at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School in 2022 and obtained his bachelor’s degree in law from China University of Political Sciences and Law in 2021. During the 2022-2023 academic year, he was a visiting scholar at the U.S.-Asia Law Institute of NYU School of Law.

Alex Martin (JD ’26) is a student editor for Judicature and the Bolch Judicial Institute. At Duke, he is a student attorney with the Duke Immigrant Rights Clinic and a research assistant to Professor Robert Bishop. Prior to law school, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in public policy at Duke University and worked for four years as a government contractor.

Jake McAuliffe (Duke Law JD ’26) is a student editor for Judicature and the Bolch Judicial Institute. He also serves as an Executive Editor on the Duke Law Journal. Prior to law school, Jake worked as a corporate anthropologist on Wall Street, studying human behavior for companies like Google, Lego, and Bristol-Meyers Squibb. He obtained his MA in History at Yale University where he researched the history of witchcraft, and his BA from Eastern Nazarene College.

Abby Murray (JD ’26) is a student editor for Judicature and the Bolch Judicial Institute. She is also the lead editor for the Alaska Law Review, co-director of Duke Street Law, and a research assistant for Professor Beskind. Abby spent her first summer as a judicial intern to U.S. District Court Judge David J. Novak. Last summer, she worked in Foley & Lardner’s New York office. After graduation, Abby will serve as a federal law clerk. Prior to law school, Abby graduated with honors in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Davidson College.

Maya Schaer (JD ’25) is a student editor for Judicature and the Bolch Judicial Institute. She also serves as a Research Assistant to Professor Margaret H. Lemos and as a member of the If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice and Coalition Against Gendered Violence executive boards. During her 1L summer, Maya was a legal intern for the Duke Civil Justice Clinic and a Research Assistant for Professor Lemos. Prior to law school, Maya attended Washington University in St. Louis and served as a law clerk for a small business law firm in Pittsburgh, PA, her home town.

Gabriella Snyder (J.D. ’27) is a student editor for Judicature and the Bolch Judicial Institute. At Duke, Gabi is a Senior Research Editor for Law & Contemporary Problems and an Executive Board Member of the Duke Bar Association. Prior to law school, Gabi attended Barnard College and worked as a paralegal in New York City.

Polina Solovyeva (JD ’27) is a Student Editor for Judicature International. At Duke, she is the incoming Editor-in-Chief of Law and Contemporary Problems. During her 1L summer, Polina served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Hector Gonzalez of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York and as an intern for the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office at the Eastern District of New York. Prior to law school, Polina worked at an investment bank and earned her undergraduate degree from Cornell University.

Kathleen Wells (J.D. ’27) is a Student Editor for Judicature. At Duke, Kathleen is a Notes Editor for Duke Law Journal, Guardian ad Litem volunteer for the Durham County Courts, and Executive Board Member of Moot Court and the Duke Women Law Student Association. Prior to law school, Kathleen attended Yale University and worked as a consultant for the U.S. State Department.

Mia Penner (Trinity ’26) is a research assistant for the Bolch Judicial Institute’s Civics Program. She graduated from Duke University this past December with a bachelor’s degree in public policy studies and minors in economics and journalism & media. Beginning in August, she will join Alvarez & Marsal’s Public Sector Services practice as a full-time analyst, where she will provide consulting support to governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits. During her gap semester, Mia is working at the Bolch Judicial Institute, conducting audience research for The Duke Chronicle, and serving coffee at Narrative Coffee Co. in downtown Durham.

Alexandria Thomas (Trinity ’26) is an undergraduate assistant for the Bolch Judicial Institute. She is double majoring in Political Science and Theater Studies, with a minor in African & African American Studies. When she isn’t in the classroom, Alexandria spends most of her time competing in undergraduate Mock Trial. She is also a member of Duke’s Black Pre-Law Society and Hoof N’ Horn. In the next few years, Alexandria hopes to attend law school, where she will expand her knowledge of constitutional law.

Katelyn Tran is an undergraduate student at Duke University, majoring in Economics and Sociology. On Duke’s campus, she is a print editor and communications director for the Duke Undergraduate Law Review. She also works as a research assistant at the Duke Center for Child and Family Policy. During Summer 2025, she interned at an employment law firm and hopes to attend law school after graduation.