Our Executive Board
Sarah Ferguson
President
Sarah Ferguson is a 2L at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She is originally from Florida, where she got her bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Florida State University, and participated in collegiate marching band. This past summer, she interned at the Allegheny County Public Defender’s Office in the Juvenile Division.
Tina Kooser
Development Director
Tina is a lifelong resident of the general Pittsburgh area--she was born and raised in North Huntingdon Township, about thirty minutes to the east of the city. She attended Duquesne University for her Master's degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. She’s a licensed clinician in PA., and she’s also been an adjunct professor of psychology at numerous local universities over the past thirty years.
As a psychologist Tina witnessed clients struggling with social and economic obstacles that were frequently beyond their control. She wanted to assume a more direct role that would allow her to support others and intervene on their behalf. She aspires to develop the expertise to provide practical, legal advocacy for others in a public interest setting.
Hannah Florey
Communications Director
Hannah is a 2L born and raised 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. During college, Hannah took a class on Restorative Justice, a legal movement that advocates for a system that focuses on restoration of parties involved in harm, including the community, victim, and offender. This revolutionized her worldview, and she continues to believe that some of the most important legal work today is in local criminal law.
In the summer of 2023, Hannah was able to support her community members through her internship at the Allegheny County Office of the Public Defender. In her free time, Hannah enjoys Grillo's pickles and reading-- sometimes at the same time.
Julianne Toto
Vice President
Julianne Toto is a 2L at Pitt Law. She grew up in Chester County, PA, and graduated from Kennett High School in 2007. She has been a waitress in the restaurant industry for over 15 years, including 5 years working at a ski resort in Vermont. She currently works at Soba in Shadyside. She has also worked as an administrative assistant in law firms. She moved to Pittsburgh in 2017 to complete her Legal Studies BA at the University of Pittsburgh. She fell in love with Pittsburgh and decided to attend Pitt Law starting in the Fall of 2022.
Julianne is very passionate about public interest law and about making legal representation accessible and affordable to all people. Growing up in a working-class family with an incarcerated father, she saw first-hand how inequitable the American carceral system is. Working for nearly two decades in the restaurant industry where wage theft and workplace abuse is prevalent, she experienced how intimidating and confusing trying to seek legal help can be. She hopes to dedicate her career not only to helping people with their legal needs, but also helping break down barriers to legal representation by demystifying the law and making it more accessible to everyday people. Julianne plans on settling and practicing law in Western PA, and is really excited to join the excellent Pittsburgh legal community.
Julianne is an avid podcast and audiobook listener; her favorite hang is her pittie, Tater Tot Toto; and in her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her law school friends and restaurant family.
Caitlin Williams
Events Director
Caitlin is a 2L interested in developing creative legal solutions to complex issues. Her deep passion for health equity and justice initially drew her to law school. However, she is curious about many areas of law and excited to try different practices. This summer, Caitlin joined the New York State Office of the Attorney General for an internship in which she investigated bias in health care and developed innovative legal and policy proposals to help reduce its effects.
Caitlin is a firm believer in leveraging the law as a tool to effect social good. As a result, she’s excited to help support Pitt Law students who accept internships that allow them to do just that. Having grown up in the Poconos, Caitlin loves to spend her free time hiking and embarking on all sorts of outdoor adventures.
Emily Kunko
Treasurer
Emily is a 3L at Pitt Law. She graduated from the College of Business Administration here at Pitt in 2021, where she earned a degree in finance. Emily is the senior treasurer of PLISF, the chair of our fundraising committee, and a member of our scholarship committee. Outside of PLISF, she’s a managing editor of the Journal of Law and Commerce and a member of both If/When/How and Pitt Law Women's Association. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in tax or estate planning. If Emily’s not studying in Barco, you can find her at my weightlifting gym, thrifting, or going to concerts with friends.
As a student who is not pursuing a public interest career, she finds it incredibly important to uplift and support those who are. The work Pitt Law’s public interest students do is not only impressive, but also vital to the health of our community. She believes that It is our duty as legal scholars to ensure that everyone in the greater Pittsburgh region has equitable access to our justice system. While her role in PLISF is not as direct as those working in the public sector, she is happy to serve in any way she can. Public interest is for everyone!
Noah Manalo
Vice Treasurer
Noah is a 2L born and raised in Upper St. Clair, a suburb 30 minutes outside of Pittsburgh. After his sophomore year of college, he felt a desire to switch career tracks from medicine to the law. Between college and law school, Noah worked for a few years as a teacher and a direct care worker for migrant children. This expanded his worldview, and he developed a desire to serve vulnerable populations at a higher level, which reaffirmed his desire to attend law school. In the summer of 2023, Noah was able to explore work in the defense of civil liberties with the Upper Midwest Law Center. Without the financial support of PLISF, he would not have been able to do this tremendously important work. In his free time, Noah enjoys playing music, reading, and spending time with his wife, Beka.