Brown, Goldstein & Levy is thrilled to welcome our new summer associates for 2025: Rachel Bechtel, Lyllian Simerly, Kristina Smith, and Mira Ward.
These highly accomplished law students bring with them excellent academic records and a passion for law careers dedicated to social responsibility and justice. As they progress through BGL’s summer associate program, they will have the chance to gain hands-on litigation experience and exposure to cases in practice areas such as civil rights, commercial litigation, employment discrimination, criminal defense, and more.
“We are delighted to welcome Rachel, Lyllian, Kristina, and Mira to the firm this summer,” said Jessie Weber, BGL’s managing partner. “Their impressive backgrounds and dedication to pursuing justice will help us serve our clients, as we help shape the next generation of attorneys.”
Learn more about each of our summer associates below:
Rachel is a rising 3L at American University Washington College of Law, where she serves on the board of the Equal Justice Foundation, and as events chair of the Disability Law Society. Her passion for disability advocacy has taken her overseas where she completed a Master of Arts by Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Kent in England. She is drawn to BGL for its strong reputation fighting for disability rights.
Kristina is a Juris Doctor candidate at the University of North Carolina School of Law, where she has earned honors for the highest grade in her class in Constitutional Law, Contracts, and Torts. She was also awarded the Chancellor’s Scholar Award, which earned her a full tuition scholarship. Previously, she interned for the U.S. Department of Justice, where she worked on matters related to the Fair Housing Act. Her advocacy for racial equity and justice in the realm of housing pairs well with BGL’s reputation and work in housing law.
Lyllian is a 3L at the University of Michigan Law School, where she has earned many scholarships and honors. At the University of Michigan, she participates in activities such as the Michigan Law Review, 1L Oral Advocacy Competition, Michigan Law ACLU, American Constitution Society, and the First Generation Law Students. Given her passion for social justice, she is excited to join BGL as a summer associate. Last summer, she interned with the Michigan Poverty Law Program, where she worked in the Family Law Division.
Mira is working through her final year at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. As a Juris Doctor candidate, she served as the staff editor of the Journal of Health Care Law & Policy and was a Diversity & Inclusion Scholar. She was also a law fellow at FutureCare in Pasadena, Maryland, where she cultivated her knowledge and passion in healthcare law and medical malpractice. Mira is looking forward to working more in healthcare law at BGL.
We look forward to working with these passionate summer associates!
ABOUT BROWN, GOLDSTEIN & LEVY
Founded in 1982, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a law firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, with an office in Washington, DC. The firm is nationally recognized in a wide variety of practice areas, including complex civil and commercial litigation, civil rights, health care, family law, and criminal defense. Above all else, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a client-centered law firm that brings decades of experience and passionate, effective advocacy to your fight for justice.