Class of 2025

Alex Leone 2L (she/her), class of 2025, graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in political science in 2018 and from Columbia University Teachers College with an M.A. in Developmental Disabilities, concentrating in autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability in 2022. During her undergraduate career, she interned with organizations focused on English language education in Malaysia, support to survivors of intimate partner violence in Bucks County, and public benefit administration at the Bronx Defenders. She also participated in extracurricular activities related to refugee resettlement, girls’ education, and nonprofit consulting, as well as dance troupes. Following graduation, she taught first grade in the South Bronx at a charter school, an experience that inspired her to pursue a career as a public interest attorney specializing in education and disability law. In the period between her teaching role and law school, Alex participated as a fellow with Venture for America, working at startup companies and gaining valuable insights into social entrepreneurship and technology in both New York City and Philadelphia.  

At Temple University, she has dedicated her time to opportunities such as the Housing Justice Initiative, the Street Lawyering Project, and the Social Justice Lawyering Clinic which have allowed her to gain practical experience in serving clients in Philadelphia. Following her internship with Magistrate Judge Strawbridge in the summer of 2023, she will intern with the Education Law Center in the spring of 2024 and the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Educational Opportunities Section in the summer of 2024. 

Alex Suarez 2L (he/him) is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor degree at Temple University Beasley School of Law. The Spring 2023 Outstanding Oral Advocacy in Legal Research & Writing award winner, Alex served as the Temple International & Comparative Law Journal Staff Editor and is a recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. 

He earned a Master of Philosophy in History from New York University and served as a teaching assistant at Temple University and as an adjunct history professor at both William Paterson University and Rutgers University. Additionally, he has volunteered with organizations such as the Sheller Center for Social Justice and the Perth Amboy Public Library, where he assisted low-income residents with legal resources. 

During his corporate legal internship at Wawa, Inc., he drafted company policies related to artificial intelligence technology and conducted research on energy efficiency tax deductions. He also worked on employment discrimination complaints and analyzed corporate enforcement policies where his responsibilities extended to reviewing contracts, agreements, and commercial leases. 

Alex is passionate in pursing labor and employment law, and is currently researching Paid Family and Medical Leave Law in the U.S. 

Bianca Taipe 2L (she/her) earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Temple University, where she worked part-time with Philadelphia Legal Assistance connecting the farmworker community to legal resources and advocacy materials. Bianca also interned as an undergraduate with the Nationalities Service Center where she coordinated Pro Bono Green Card Clinics for eligible refugees and their families.  

Following her graduation, Bianca joined the Nationalities Service Center as an Anti-Human Trafficking Case Manager, connecting clients to essential legal and social services with a trauma-informed approached.  

At Temple University Beasley School of Law, Bianca interned with the ACLU of Pennsylvania with the Immigrants’ Rights Project, and in the Spring of 2024, she will serve as a judicial intern with the Philadelphia Immigration Court. Bianca aspires to forge a career in immigration law, with a particular focus on serving communities grappling with the complex intersections of immigration and criminal law.

Before embarking on his legal career at Temple University Beasley School of Law, Daniel Symonds 2L spent a decade working as a public school teacher and union organizer, deeply committed to the rights of workers.  

He serves as the student liaison of the Philadelphia National Lawyers Guild, where he plays a pivotal role in supporting local NLG chapters and connecting law students with public interest lawyers. He has worked as a deportation defense intern at the Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center of El Paso, where he actively engaged with ICE detainees, represented clients before federal immigration judges, and conducted know-your-rights training for asylum seekers.  

Earning his M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania in Secondary Education, and a B.A. from Swarthmore College with a major in Sociology and Education and a minor in History, Daniel was awarded the Philip Evans Scholarship and the Luis Guar & Taslima Nasrin Community Building Award, reflecting his dedication to social justice and community building. 

In addition to his educational accomplishments, Dan has extensive experience as a teacher and advisor in the Philadelphia School District, where he taught African American history, world history, and civics. He actively contributed to the community through initiatives like founding a need-blind student international exchange program with sister schools in Germany, Poland, and Mexico, and participated in citywide student voter registration drives.