Student-Advisors

Sarah Barker, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.F.A., Carnegie Mellon University; M.M., The New School Mannes School of Music; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Ms. Barker is a first-generation law student and former opera performer born and raised in Carroll County, Maryland. She made the jump to law school during the COVID-19 pandemic with the hopes of using her writing and analytical skills to help and protect those in need. She is a third-year student at Mason and a member of the Civil Rights Law Journal.

Ms. Barker has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Appellate Writing, Legal Research and Writing, Trial-Level Writing, Contracts Drafting, and Scholarly Writing.
  • Foundational coursework including Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Criminal Procedure, Statutory Interpretation, Property Law, Constitutional Law, Business Associations, Professional Responsibility, Evidence, and Remedies.
  • Experiential courses such as Trial Advocacy and a Supervised Externship in the private sector.

Jacob Frankson, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.A., History, summa cum laude, Grand Canyon University; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Mr. Frankson is a first-generation law student from Phoenix, Arizona. He is in his third year of law school and is a member of the Journal of Law, Economics, and Policy. He also serves as the Treasurer for George Mason University’s Pro Bono Society.

Mr. Frankson has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Legal Research and Writing; Trial trial-level writing, Appellate Writing, Transactional Drafting, and Scholarly Writing.
  • Foundational coursework, including Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Legislation and Statutory Interpretation, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Family Law, Evidence, and Professional Responsibility.
  • Experiential courses such as a Supervised Externship.

Dan Perszyk, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.M., University of Northern Iowa; M.M., University of Akron; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Mr. Perszyk is a first-generation law student from Elk River, Minnesota. He is in his third year of law school and is a member of the Civil Rights Law Journal. He also serves as Treasurer for the George Mason Family Law Society.

Mr. Perszyk has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Appellate Writing, Legal Research and Writing, Legislative Drafting, Scholarly Writing, and Trial Trial-level Writing.
  • Foundational coursework, including Business Associations, Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Family Law, Legislation and Statutory Interpretation, Professional Responsibility, Property, Torts, and Trusts and Estates.
  • Experiential courses such as Trial Advocacy and Supervised Externships in the private sector and with the Arlington Circuit Court.

Mark Rasmussen, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.S., International Trade and Commerce, University of Utah; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Mr. Rasmussen is a first-generation law student from Utah who left a logistics and supply chain career to pursue his passion for law. He is a member of the Civil Rights Law Journal and focuses on pitfalls in criminal justice. He won his school’s Negotiation and Dispute Resolution Competition in his first year and advanced to the national competition. He is passionate about guiding those in difficult situations through legal issues and helping alleviate their stresses.

Mr. Rasmussen has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Legal Research and Writing Trial Level Writing, Appellate Writing, Legal Drafting, and Scholarly Writing.
  • Foundational Coursework, including Contract Law; Torts; Civil Procedure; Legislation and Statutory Interpretation; Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; Property; Constitutional Law; Evidence; and Professional Responsibility.
  • Experiential Classes and internships include Trial Advocacy and a Research Assistant to a Constitutional Litigator.

Andrew Yildizlar, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude, University at Buffalo, the State University of New York; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Mr. Yildizlar is a first-generation Turkish American law student. Born and raised in Connecticut, Mr. Yildizlar moved to Istanbul, Turkey, at fourteen. He attended an international high school there, graduating from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. His experiences abroad ignited a passion for the law and providing help for those most in need. Now in his third year of law school, Mr. Yildizlar is fulfilling his passion by working on behalf of veterans and servicemembers through a Supervised Externship and M-VETS.

Mr. Yildizlar has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Legal Research and Writing, Trial-level Writing, Appellate Writing, and Transactional Drafting.
  • Foundational coursework, including Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Legislation and Statutory Interpretation, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Business Associations, Evidence, and Professional Responsibility.
  • Experiential courses such as Vis Moot International Commercial Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Nicholas Bishop, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.A., Political Science and English Literature, summa cum laude, Emory and Henry College; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Mr. Bishop is a first-generation law student from Florence, Alabama. He is in his third year of law school and is a member of the Space Law Society.

Mr. Bishop has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Legal Research and Writing; Trial trial-level writing, Appellate Writing, Statutory Drafting, and Scholarly Writing.
  • Foundational coursework, including Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Legislation and Statutory Interpretation, Criminal Law, Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure, Family Law, Evidence, and Professional Responsibility.
  • Experiential courses such as Mediation.

Lucas Zelasko, Student Advisor, Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS); B.S., Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, Hilbert College; J.D. Candidate, George Mason University, Antonin Scalia Law School.

Mr. Zelasko is a first-generation law student from Buffalo, New York. He attended college near Buffalo and played college lacrosse. In the summer following his first year of law school, Mr. Zelasko interned for a private personal injury firm in Baltimore, where his work primarily focused on assisting veterans with claims related to the 3M Combat Arms Earplugs lawsuit and the Camp Lejeune contaminated drinking water lawsuit. Through this experience, Mr. Zelasko was inspired to find new opportunities that would allow him to assist veterans and help guide them through difficult situations.

Mr. Zelasko has taken the following relevant coursework:

  • Writing-intensive courses, including Legal Research and Writing, Appellate Writing, and Transactional Drafting.
  • Foundational coursework, including Torts, Contracts, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, Legislation and Statutory Interpretation, Constitutional Law, Property, Evidence, Criminal Procedure I & II, Professional Responsibility, Business Associations, and Family Law.
  • Experiential courses such as Supervised Externships and Trial Advocacy.