Highlights of the 2007 Weaver Institute Symposium on Neuroscience and the Law.
Learn about The Weaver Institute through the eyes of fellows Angela Chang, '08, and Denise Trauth, '08.
Interest is in Mental Health Law
Jill has lived in Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2006 with a major in English and a minor in Creative Writing. Although Jill did not have any academic experience with psychology or psychiatry before coming to law school, her interest in Mental Health Law stems from growing up in a family of doctors and nurses. Jill hopes to work in the Health Law field some day.
Presently, Jill is working with Dr. Douglas Mossman on a research paper detailing the unique legal aspects of the on-going Zyprexa and other anti-psychotic drug litigation. Jill is very excited about the paper, and hopes that it will be able to serve as a valuable resource to both the legal and medical communities.
Interest in Education Law, Criminal Law and Mental Health
Amanda ("Mandy") Shoemaker special interests include education law, criminal law, and the intersections between mental health and the legal field. She became interested how psychiatry and the law were related during her first year criminal law class. There, discussions about mental states and culpability led her to think about her own understanding of right and wrong, and about how persons suffering from mental illness often live or experience their lives in very different ways.
As a second year student, Mandy was both a Weaver fellow and a fellow with the Rosenthal Institute for Justice Ohio Innocence Project. In her studies on the role that mental illness plays in criminal justice matters, she was particularly struck by the lack of mental health services offered to persons affected by legal and prison systems.
In her third year, Mandy will participate in the Indigent Defense Clinic, where UC law students work with supervising attorneys and the Ohio Justice and Policy Center to represent indigent clients in Cincinnati. Mandy hopes this work will enhance her experiences as a Weaver fellow by giving her practical experience in how the justice system approaches issues that arise from mental health problems.
In her free time, Mandy serves as an adviser to her undergraduate sorority at Miami University. She enjoys reading, decorating, and color-coordinating things.
Interest in Mental Health Law
Following graduation from my undergraduate career where I received a bachelor's with a major in psychology, I obtained a master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Kentucky. During graduate school, I completed a practicum at a mental health treatment center where I counseled clients with various mental illnesses. Although I have decided to pursue a career in the legal field, I still am very interested in psychology and more specifically, the interaction between criminal law and mental health issues.
I am currently working at the City of Cincinnati Prosecutor 's Office and I am helping Professor Jim O'Reilly research the topic of criminal gangs. I am looking forward to investigating criminal law and psychiatric issues and I am confident the fellowship will be a great experience.
Interest in Mental Health Law
Angela Chang graduated from the Ohio State University with a double major in Marketing and International Business. Subsequently, she spent time providing living assistance for adults with mental and physical disabilities, as well as working as an Applied Behavioral Analysis Therapist for a child with autism. Her interest in advocacy for persons with mental health issues has developed through this experience, as well as a number of personal experiences throughout her life.
Angela is pursuing a law degree at the University of Cincinnati College of Law to fulfill her dream of working as a public interest lawyer. She hopes to practice in the area of juvenile and children's law. During her time as a Weaver Fellow, she intends to expand her knowledge in the area of mental health and disability issues as they pertain to the law, and expects that the experience will help her with her commitment to preserving the rights and elevating the quality of life and dignity to whomever she serves.
Interest in Mental Health Law
Daniel Brown holds a B.S. in Chemical Science and a B.A. in Spanish from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. While at Xavier, Daniel completed the University Scholars honors program and also earned a minor in Natural Science. In addition to being a Weaver Fellow, Daniel is the Secretary of the College of Law’s Intellectual Property Legal Society, and is also involved with Student Ambassadors and Student Court.
Daniel’s technical background and personal experiences have helped to develop a strong interest in mental health. He is especially interested in movement disorders, compulsive behavior, and the delicate biochemical balances of the human mind. As a Weaver Fellow, Daniel hopes to explore the intricacies of the interplay between legal theory and human behavior, learning more about himself, humanity and the law along the way.
