Leadership
Program Director
LWOW Coach/Program Director (2016-2024)
Anita Ritchie is a veteran of creating innovative branding and marketing strategies for multinational consumer brands at global ad agencies. Anita has also worked in publishing at the award-winning daily newspaper The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong and was a Founding Partner/General Manager of one of China’s first joint-venture publishing companies, which launched City Weekend, quoted by Time Out Magazine, "As one of China's first major English-language lifestyle media outlets that paved the way for other media outlets in China looking to connect English-speaking residents with the cities they live in."
Residing in Boston after 16 years as an expat in Asia and Europe, Anita brings her valuable global business and culture insights to consult for clients seeking to have meaningful relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders. This is Anita's eighth year with LawWithoutWalls. | LinkedIn | anita@lwow.org
Chief Innovation Officer
James Peters directs product development strategies and manages regulatory compliance related to new legal services offerings as the Vice President of New Market Initiatives for LegalZoom. James received a B.A. in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and an M.B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a member of the State Bar of California and is a solicitor in England and Wales. | Linkedin
Legal Technology Officer
Having first participated in LawWithoutWalls as a student in 2016, Felix signed on to LWOW as a volunteer, assisting in tech and legal design. Six years later, Felix is the backbone of LWOW Sprint, instrumental in the design and execution of events that bring participants together in-person as well as virtually from across five continents. Felix is also LWOW’s seriously talented resident DJ, a hobby he relishes and that LWOW benefits from. Outside of LWOW, Felix is an Associate at Eversheds Sutherland in the Commercial (Technology) team and Board Member of BVL, a social mobility charity which runs projects to help students from state schools explore the UK legal system. | LinkedIn
LawWithoutWalls Program Coordinator
A native of New Jersey, Ashlynn is the Program Coordinator for LawWithoutWalls at the University of Miami Law School. She studied Criminal Justice and Forensic Science at the University of Delaware where she gained professional experience working with the University of Delaware Police Department, all the while participating as an active member of the university dance team. After school, Ashlynn worked as a home health aide in New Jersey before relocating to Florida to pursue her passion for dance. In June 2024, she realized her goal of becoming a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader. Ashlynn now balances her career as a Program Coordinator during the day with her role as an NFL Cheerleader in the evenings. | LinkedIn
Sprint Lead Coordinator
Tiffany brings her planning and organizational talents to the role of Sprint Lead Coordinator at LawWithoutWalls. Tiffany received her B.A. from the University of Miami in American Studies, along with two minors in Criminology and Communication Studies. She received her JD from the University of Miami School of Law in 2022. Raised in Miami, Florida, Tiffany is fluent in English and Spanish. Tiffany joined LWOW in 2020 as a Research Assistant and has continued in different roles within the LWOW community. Tiffany hopes to use her law degree to effect change at the intersection of law, technology, and business. | LinkedIn
2024 Research Assistant
Dhruvi is a Double Masters student in Lawyering and Legal Consulting at IE Law School in Madrid, Spain. During her undergraduate years at IE, she was a fundamental part of IE Debate Club, the Cheerleading team and co-founded IE's own Model UN Conference. She is extremely passionate about Legaltech and Legal Design. Outside of academics, she is a culinary enthusiast and an event planner. As a student in Spain who hails from India, she speaks multiple languages among which are English, Spanish and Hindi. Dhruvi joined LWOW as a Student Hacker in Sprint 2023 and is enthusiastic about her position as a Research Assistant at Sprint 2024. | LinkedIn
Sprint Student Intern 2024-2025
George is a History student at Newcastle University, where he is an active member of the Law Society and serves as treasurer of the university’s largest student club. He has a strong interest in ethics and philosophy, having studied major thinkers such as Sartre, Mill, and Kant. A dedicated athlete, George has competed in rugby, soccer, and basketball for many years, including at the university level and on tour in South Africa. He has supported LawWithoutWalls at Pop-Ups hosted by Dentons and DLA Piper, as well as the 2024 Sprint at IE University in Madrid and the 2025 Sprint at the University of Buckingham. Currently, George is working and traveling in the United States. | LinkedIn
Sprint Student Intern 2022-2025
Sean Dealy studies at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a financial literacy advocate and in 2021 co-founded the nonprofit FLOW, which stands for Financial Literacy Outreach Workshop, a program that educates K through 12 students in underserved communities on the topic of financial literacy and investing. The program includes mentoring as well as a future plan to help fund starter investment portfolios for these students. His interests outside of school include drawing, film, history, physics, and improvisational theater. | LinkedIn
Sprint Student Intern 2024-2025
Libby is a second-year Business Analytics student at Loughborough University, with a strong interest in business, data analytics, AI, and professional development. She recently interned with the tax team at Eversheds Sutherland, where she gained experience in data entry, tax options, and client and partner communications. With a background in sports, Libby participated in the England Hockey player pathway development program and currently plays for her University's field hockey team. She is focused on building her teamwork skills and enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking, and mountain climbing. She recently earned her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, a personal achievement of which she is proud. | LinkedIn
Sprint Student Intern 2024-2025
Jack is a second-year History student at the University of Leeds, UK, pursuing a BA (Hons). Alongside academics, Jack is a karate black belt and serves as secretary of the University's Karate Society, where he plays a key role in recruiting new members and ensuring compliance with regulations. Beyond his academic and athletic commitments, Jack is the producer and host of the popular student radio podcast Casa de Waffle and works as a freelance editor for a business leadership podcast. His interests in technology and law have led him to a placement with NatWest’s Outsourcing, Technology, and IP Legal team, where he is gaining hands-on experience in these fields. Jack has been actively involved with LawWithoutWalls (LWOW), attending the 2024 Madrid Sprint as a student ambassador and volunteering at LWOW PopUps in London. | LinkedIn
Sprint Student Intern 2017-2024
Natalia is pursuing a BSc in International Development with Economics at the University of Bath, set to graduate in 2025. As part of her placement year, she worked in the President’s Cabinet at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels and is currently gaining experience in accounting at Recurrent Energy in London. Bilingual in Spanish and English, with intermediate French, Natalia is passionate about sustainability, democracy, and global development. She has participated in COP26 and the One Young World Academy, and has completed internships with NatWest Group, RSGI, and the International Bar Association. She also teaches Spanish at the University of Bath. | LinkedIn
Sprint Student Intern 2022-2025
Bella is a first year student at McGill University in Montreal studying in the Faculty of Arts. Having lived and traveled abroad extensively, Bella is passionate about fostering cross-cultural connections among global youth. In the 2022 academic year, Bella was awarded a scholarship by the Quincy STEM Career & Exploration Program, sponsored by the Youth Ambassadors Team of the U.S. Department of State, where she collaborated with Middle Eastern peers on researching global leadership opportunities in STEM fields. She volunteers for Generic Ministry, a local charity providing clothing & food to Boston homeless populations, and has interned at the MA State Senate where she researched House and Senate Bills and attended congressional hearings. | LinkedIn
2025 Sprint Student Helper
Julius is a senior at Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida. He will be joining NYU Stern's class of 2029 in the fall of 2025, where he will be majoring in business. Having previously worked as an LWOW sprint student intern in March of 2023, Julius is excited to once again contribute to an environment of growth and learning for people in all stages of life.
2025 Sprint Student Helper
Elias J. Benjamin is a junior at DePaul College Prep in Chicago, where he is involved both academically and athletically. As the president of the Computer Science Club, he leads innovative projects and fosters a passion for technology among his peers. His leadership and entrepreneurial skills were recognized when his team secured 3rd place at a Yale business and entrepreneurship program. Beyond academics, Elias is a dedicated athlete, serving as the soccer team’s goalie and the catcher for the baseball team. Fluent in French, he enjoys connecting with diverse cultures and broadening his global perspective. In his free time, he loves traveling, snowboarding, and sailing. At home, he shares a chaotic household with his parents, three older sisters, and Puli dog. | LinkedIn
Spring Student Intern 2023-2025
Veronica Hulbert is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont, where she studied Community-Centered Design with minors in Mandarin and Film & Television Studies, focusing on documentary storytelling. She is launching a freelance videography and photography business and currently works as a Creative Event Coordinator at REInvent.world. Passionate about the intersection of storytelling, strategic design, and systems thinking, Veronica is a fourth-year intern with LawWithoutWalls, where she leads videography and photography, creating dynamic content that captures the energy of LWOW’s global experiences. Her work promotes LWOW’s mission and showcases the impact of each event. | LinkedIn
2026 Spring Student Helper
Ariana Silva is a senior at Dartmouth College majoring in Film & Media Studies, with plans to pursue law school and a particular interest in entertainment and criminal law. She has interned with the Finborough Theatre in London and the Dartmouth College Office of Communications, where she produced multimedia content. Ariana is President of Dartmouth’s chapter of The Women’s Network and serves on the editorial staff of the Dartmouth Law Journal. A writer and educator, she has taught drama at Take One Acting Studio and received the Alexander Laing Memorial Writing Award for her original screenplay. Ariana is passionate about storytelling, advocacy, and empowering underrepresented voices. | LinkedIn
Founder
Professor, University of Miami School of Law
Program Chair, Harvard Law School Executive Education and Visiting Professor, Harvard Law School
Michele DeStefano is a legal educator, author, and innovation strategist who teaches across global universities and executive education programs. Recognized by the ABA as a Legal Rebel and by the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers as one of the top 20 Market Shapers in the practice and business of law in the past 20 years, Michele is a professor at the University of Miami and a visiting professor at Harvard Law School. She teaches both established and aspiring legal professionals how to lead in a complex, rapidly evolving marketplace. Michele designs and leads learning experiences with general counsel, law firm leaders, and rising legal talent to develop the mindsets and skills needed to drive change through collaboration, creativity, and stakeholder-centricity. She is the founder of LawWithoutWalls, a global experiential initiative that unites diverse stakeholders to tackle real-world busines-of-law challenges and change how lawyers collaborate, learn, and lead. Michele has authored three books on leadership, client-centricity, and teamwork, including her most recent, Leader Upheaval: A Guide to Client-Centricity, Culture Creation, and Collaboration. Beyond the classroom, Michele frequently delivers keynotes and facilitates design-thinking workshops for professional service providers worldwide helping them strengthen leadership, spark innovation, build client-centered cultures, and influence change across their organizations. Michele earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Dartmouth College and a J.D. degree magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. LinkedIn | Read more | md@law.miami.edu