Chijioke has over 20 years of professional experience, with eight years in senior roles at Maryland Legal Aid and its subsidiary, the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance.

In these positions, he supervised and mentored more than 100 administrative and legal staff, and assisted thousands of pro se litigants. Among his many accomplishments was establishing an innovative self-help call center at MCLA and a centralized intake system for Maryland Legal Aid. In 2022, Chijioke was honored by the Daily Record and Maryland State Bar Association with a Leader in the Law award.

Earlier in his legal career, Chijioke managed his own law practice where he represented homeowner’s associations, small businesses, and immigration clients. He also served as a Fellow in the DC Office of the Attorney General. As a law student at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, Chijioke participated in the foreclosure mediation and immigration clinics that were instrumental in his educational experience and deepened his passion for serving low-income and disenfranchised communities.

As Interim Deputy Director, Gustava (“Gusty”) Taler brings a wealth of experience working in a wide range of settings including non-profits, government, and the private sector. Prior to joining Rising for Justice, Gusty was chief operating officer for Maryland Legal Aid (MLA). There she managed the day-to-day administration of Maryland’s third largest law firm with 12 offices statewide, 300 staff, and a $34 million budget. Specifically, her work included supervision of budget/finance, human resources, facilities, information technology, grants/contracts/compliance, and training/pro bono teams. Under her leadership and that of MLA’s former executive director, organizational revenues increased by 47%. This was accomplished by broadening the pool and breadth of funding sources, developing and coordinating innovative and collaborative service delivery programs, and dramatically increasing the number of multi-year grant and contract awards to serve the civil legal needs of the state’s low-income and most vulnerable residents.

Prior to joining MLA, Gusty was chief of staff for the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and worked for the Women’s Law Center of Maryland, the Pro Bono Resource Center, the Maryland General Assembly, and in the private practice of law. As part of her work with the Women’s Law Center, she created and was project director for the Multi-Ethnic Domestic Violence Project, which provides legal assistance to foreign-born victims of domestic violence.

Before entering the legal profession, Gusty worked in public relations and public affairs. She received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law, her M.S. in Public Relations from American University’s Kogod School of Business, and B.A. from the Johns Hopkins University.

Gina Polley received her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, CA and has practiced both civil and criminal law where she is licensed in Michigan and Maryland, pending DC licensing.

In Michigan, Gina worked as the Deputy Director for Legal Aid & Defender Association in Detroit, MI where she supervised staff attorneys throughout Wayne and Oakland counties.  In 2012, she moved to Maryland and accepted a position with Maryland Legal Aid as the Chief Attorney of the Montgomery County office.  After three years, Gina was promoted to Deputy Chief County for MLA where she supervised all of the offices state-wide, ensuring consistent excellence from their staff of nearly 300 employees.  She remained in this position until she initially retired in May 2022. 

That, however, didn’t last long, as Gina then worked creating the Family Law Self-Help Clinic in La Plata, MD where she assisted pro-se litigants in family law-related matters.  In September 2024, she was asked to come aboard as a Consultant for Rising for Justice working with the law students handling Landlord-Tenant issues in DC Courts.

Gina is a happily married mother of three and “Nana” to nine grandchildren. She enjoys bowling, traveling, reading books, and shopping.

Gregory Nolen is the executive assistant at Rising for Justice. He primarily assists the executive director and the deputy director. Gregory joined the organization after spending the past six years with the Maryland Center for Legal Assistance (MCLA), a fully owned subsidiary of Maryland Legal Aid. Gregory served as an administrative assistant and was later promoted to office manager during his time with MCLA

Gregory earned a certificate in paralegal studies at Anne Arundel Community College in May of 2016. While in the program, he completed an internship as a paralegal at the Anne Arundel County office of Maryland Legal Aid, which was later turned into a part-time role upon completion of the program. He also earned a BA in history from McDaniel College in Westminster, MD in May of 2013, graduating cum laude.   

In his spare time, Gregory enjoys reading nonfiction books, watching sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Christian Teresi is the Director of Development and Communications at Rising for Justice. He has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in strategic development, communications, event management, and cross-sector collaborations with partners in all 50 states and many regions of the world.

Before joining Rising for Justice, Christian served as Director of Advancement and Communications at American Councils for International Education. There, he led fundraising and global communications efforts for educational and public diplomacy programs in more than 140 countries, supporting initiatives funded by major foundations, corporate partners, individual donors, and the U.S. government. Earlier in his career, Christian directed one of North America’s largest annual cultural events as Director of Conferences at a national arts association.

Christian holds an MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University and a BA in English Literature from Binghamton University. A published author and seasoned communicator, he brings an innovative and mission-driven approach to advancing RFJ’s work.

Camryn “Cammy” Viola is the Communications and Development Associate at Rising for Justice, where she advances social media strategy, storytelling, donor engagement, and outreach initiatives that expand equal access to justice in Washington, DC.

Previously, Cammy served as Senior Communications and Advancement Officer at American Councils for International Education, managing global communications across over 30 field offices while supporting fundraising and event planning efforts. One of her proudest achievements was directing 50 Alumni for 50 Years, a campaign celebrating five decades of exchange program impact.

Cammy is committed to community-centered service and grassroots justice work. She graduated summa cum laude from Ithaca College in 2020 with a double major in Politics and Writing, concentrating in Nonfiction. Her experience includes tenants’ rights advocacy and reproductive justice organizing in Ithaca, NY, as well as co-founding Carol’s Kitchen at Holy Cross Church in Rochester, NY — a family-led food access initiative.

In her free time, Cammy enjoys creative outlets like fiber arts, dance, discovering local music, exploring DC’s restaurant scene, collaging, and cooking through NYT Cooking recipes.

Andrew Rabinowitz is the Director of the Tenant Justice Program, bringing a robust background in legal services and advocacy. Most recently, he served as the Director of Senior Legal Services at a non-profit law firm affiliated with the Bar Association of Baltimore City. During his tenure there, Andrew successfully tripled the organization’s operating account and secured funding to implement over 30% salary increases for all staff, significantly enhancing the firm’s capacity to serve its clients.

Before this role, Andrew was the Chief Attorney for Maryland Legal Aid’s Housing and Consumer Law Unit in Baltimore City. In this capacity, he managed a team of attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, and administrative staff engaged in critical housing and consumer litigation, legislative advocacy, and community outreach initiatives. His extensive experience also includes private practice, where he focused on landlord/tenant matters and criminal law.

A 2012 graduate of Barry University School of Law, Andrew combines his legal expertise with strong leadership skills, positioning him to make a meaningful impact in his new role at RFJ.

Outside of his professional commitments, Andrew is an avid whitewater kayaker, often found exploring local rivers or competing in freestyle events, reflecting his adventurous spirit.

 Ayn Lee Sing is the Director of the Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic at Rising for Justice. She joined the organization after serving as the Director of Housing Justice at the Homeless Persons Representation Project in Baltimore, Maryland. Her career reflects more than a decade of dedicated advocacy in housing law, fair housing enforcement, and homelessness legal prevention. 

Specifically, Ayn’s legal experience spans multiple states and a wide range of forums. She has represented clients throughout every stage of the legal process, from administrative proceedings to state and local courts, in Florida, Maryland, and most recently the District of Columbia. Prior to her work in Baltimore, she practiced as the Lead Homelessness Legal Prevention Attorney and a Fair Housing Staff Attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County.  

Born and raised in Trinidad in the Caribbean, Ayn later moved to Massachusetts to attend Wellesley College, where she earned a double major in Africana Studies and Political Science. She went on to pursue her law degree at the University of Miami School of Law. During law school, she served as a student attorney and a H.O.P.E. (Helping Others through Pro Bono Efforts) Summer Fellow at a Children’s Law Center and held a leadership role on the H.O.P.E. Public Interest Leadership Board as Co-Chair for Community Liaisons and Public Relations. 

After graduating, Ayn returned to Trinidad and completed a government-funded six-month conversion program qualifying her to practice law in the Caribbean. She then spent her early legal career practicing a broad range of civil law before returning to the United States where she served as an Administrative Law Examiner with the Vermont Human Rights Commission, responsible for investigating discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations. She later continued this work as an attorney with the Florida Commission on Human Relations conducting similar investigations and legal analysis in matters involving discrimination under state and federal civil rights laws. 

Ayn enjoys hiking, exploring museums, attending comedy shows and concerts, and traveling both domestically and internationally. 

John Dahut is a seasoned litigator and leader with nearly four decades of experience defending clients in civil matters across the District of Columbia and Maryland. He most recently served as Senior Managing Attorney for GEICO Staff Counsel, overseeing offices in Silver Spring and Baltimore and guiding teams of trial attorneys in the defense of GEICO and its policyholders in personal injury litigation. 

During his 35-year career with GEICO, John progressively advanced into senior leadership roles, managing attorney teams, mentoring new lawyers, conducting trial practice trainings, and ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality legal representation. His earlier work included serving as a trial attorney defending cases in state courts throughout the region. 

John’s commitment to legal education and community-based advocacy has been a through-line in his career. From 1988–1990, he served as a Supervising Attorney at DC Law Students in Court, now Rising for Justice, where he trained student attorneys and represented low-income DC residents in urgent civil legal matters. Before that role, he worked as a staff attorney at Community Law Offices in Washington, DC, and began his legal career as an associate at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. 

John is licensed to practice law in both the District of Columbia and Maryland. He earned his JD from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law and holds a BA from the College of the Holy Cross. 

Priyanka Griffith is a Paralegal with the Tenant Justice Program at Rising for Justice. She first joined Rising for Justice through the Criminal Record Sealing Program, where she conducted client interviews, evaluated eligibility, and supported case documentation and organization. Her work across both programs has given her a grounded understanding of the challenges DC residents face when interacting with the legal system.

Priyanka’s experience in Washington, DC includes work with organizations focused on justice reform, ethical technology, and community engagement. At the National Children’s Center, she helped design an AI ethics and inclusion policy for human services programs. She also supported digital strategy and outreach at Innovative Prosecution Consulting, contributing to projects at the intersection of technology, legal practice, and public‑sector innovation. Her academic and professional work has also included research on prosecution reform and restorative justice practices.

Priyanka graduated summa cum laude from American University with a Bachelor of Science in Data Sciences for Justice, Law, and Criminology, a minor in Cybersecurity, and a certificate in Leadership and Ethical Development. Her work reflects her interest in justice reform, technology ethics, and community‑driven service in the DC area.

Outside of work, Priyanka enjoys arts and crafts, reading mystery novels and poetry, exploring state and national parks, and spending time writing and journaling.

Mason Grow is a Staff Attorney in the Tenant Justice Program at Rising for Justice, where she works to advance housing justice and ensure equal access to legal representation.

Before joining Rising for Justice, Mason worked as Legislative Counsel in Councilmember Pinto’s Ward 2 office. Mason graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in 2023. While in law school, she was a student attorney in the Juvenile Justice Clinic, where she defended teenagers against criminal charges in D.C. Superior Court.

In her spare time, Mason enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing soccer around the city.

Erica Hadley is a Staff Attorney with the Tenant Justice Program at Rising for Justice, where she works to advance housing justice and ensure equal access to legal representation.

Erica graduated from the American University, Washington College of Law (WCL) in 2024, where she demonstrated a deep commitment to public interest law. During law school, Erica worked in a variety of roles that deepened her commitment to justice, including in WCL’s Civil Advocacy Clinic, the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Employment Litigation Section.

In her free time, Erica enjoys spending time with friends and her bunny, Rosie the Rabbiter. She also enjoys thrifting, reading, and hiking in Rock Creek Park.

Amaia is a Housing Paralegal with the Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic at Rising for Justice.

In May 2024, Amaia graduated summa cum laude from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Political Science, concentrating in Law and Legal Studies. Her studies and experience as an Incarcerated Survivor Hotline Volunteer at Boston Area Rape Crisis Center inspired her passion for public interest work. She later interned at Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts, where she worked one-on-one with clients to address inadequate healthcare in correctional facilities and contributed to litigation aimed at holding the Department of Correction accountable for systemic issues, including excessive use of force, discrimination, and failure to accommodate incarcerated individuals with disabilities. Amaia aspires to attend law school to pursue a career in public interest law.

In her free time, Amaia enjoys long distance running, playing the guitar, and exploring the city with her adorable rescue pup, Stevie Nicks.

Kyle Keenan is a Supervising Attorney with the Housing Advocacy and Litigation Clinic at Rising for Justice. He brings extensive litigation and program leadership experience from his work across several jurisdictions. In addition to the District of Columbia, he is licensed to practice law in Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Montana.

Before joining Rising for Justice, Kyle was Deputy Director of Lakeshore Legal Aid’s Eviction Prevention Department in Detroit, Michigan. In that role, he oversaw courthouse clinic operations and expanded the law student clinic program. He also previously served as a public defender with the Missouri State Public Defender System, focusing on appellate, post-conviction, and parole revocation defense.

Kyle earned his J.D. from Loyola University-New Orleans College of Law, where he received certificates in International Legal Studies and Immigration Law & Practice. During law school, he served as a student practitioner in the Immigration Defense Clinic, advocating for DACA recipients and asylum seekers. He also served as Vice President and ABA Student Representative for the Student Bar Association. A Montana native, Kyle received a B.A. in Architecture and a B.A. in Spanish from Montana State University.

Outside of his legal work, Kyle enjoys pen-and-ink architectural sketching, snowboarding, hiking, traveling, and exploring DC’s green spaces with his dog, Quito.

Jacob Lemon-Strauss is the Program Director of Rising for Justice’s Expungement & the Respondent Representation Programs.

Before joining Rising for Justice, Jacob was a Supervising Attorney at the Bronx Defenders, a nationally recognized public defender organization. He represented people charged with every level of offense, from traffic violations to homicides. As a Supervising Attorney, Jacob managed and trained staff attorneys in the office.

Jacob attended law school at Georgetown University Law Center, graduating cum laude in 2011. While in law school, he was a student attorney in the Criminal Defense and Prisoner Clinic, where he represented people charged with misdemeanors in DC Superior Court, as well as people eligible for release before the U.S. Parole Commission. Jacob graduated from Macalester College in 2006 with a BA in Religious Studies.

In his spare time, Jacob enjoys taking hikes with his dog, biking around DC, and watching basketball.

Adam Farr is a Senior Staff Attorney for Rising for Justice’s Expungement & Respondent Representation Program.

Before joining Rising for Justice, Adam was an Assistant Public Defender at the Arlington County and City of Fredericksburg offices in Virginia. He represented indigent clients with various charges including serious domestic violence cases and drug distribution cases.

Adam graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2018. While in law school he coached the undergraduate mock trial team, competed in various mock trial and moot court competitions, and interned with the Bedford County Public Defender Office. Adam graduated magna cum laude from Bellarmine University in 2015 with a BA in Political Science and History.

In his spare time, Adam enjoys walking his dogs, biking throughout Northern Virginia, and playing every Escape Room he and his wife can find.

Before working as a paralegal, MaryHelen interned at RFJ with these two programs during the senior year of her undergraduate career.

MaryHelen graduated cum laude from James Madison University and the university’s Honors College. She received her B.A. in Political Science with a Pre-Law concentration, and she hopes to attend law school in the future. She is a Virginia native, originally from Locust Grove. In her free time, MaryHelen enjoys hiking, watching sunsets, and attending live music performances.

Passionate about promoting wellness and mental health to reduce stigma, Chaz has served as a presenter and facilitator on such topics as grief and loss, trauma-informed systems, suicide prevention and culturally responsive mental health and self-care strategies to name a few.

Chaz combines his clinical knowledge and program management experience to integrate diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), and relevant data into successful programs that center the communities being served.

In his spare time, Chaz enjoys traveling with his family, baking, and reading or watching science fiction.

Antionette Parks is the Supervising Social Worker for Rising for Justice. She has over 25 years of experience in the Social Work field. She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)in the District of Columbia and a Licensed Independent Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C) in the State of Maryland. She is approved by the Maryland Board of Social Work to provide supervision to LMSWs pursuing their clinical social work licenses.

Her social work career has given her the opportunity to provide therapy and case management services to underserved children, teens, and families dealing with challenging life issues. Focusing on individuals’ strengths to succeed has been her inspiration to promote a positive impact.

She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, gardening, and reading.

Safiyya Phillip is a Supervising Social Worker for Rising for Justice and a Licensed Graduate Social Worker (LGSW) in the District of Columbia. Safiyya is passionate about providing assistance to individuals in historically underserved communities to bring about holistic wellbeing. She is also committed to addressing systemic injustices, especially those related to environmental injustice, in areas such as housing and food security. 

Safiyya graduated summa cum laude from Howard University with a Master of Social Work in 2024 and summa cum laude from Southern Adventist University with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2023. During her graduate program she interned at Rising for Justice, assisting in resource connection, case management, and providing psychoeducational and emotional support while working with clients. Her undergraduate experience includes an internship at her university’s food pantry, where she helped run daily operations and engaged the community in awareness-raising projects concerning food insecurity on college campuses. She also worked as a social work intern at a facility for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, helping residents complete various brain-exercising activities and assisting in developing biopsychosocial assessments for clients.

In her free time, Safiyya enjoys listening to music, spending time in nature, and listening to all kinds of podcasts, especially ones about animals or various events in history.

Linda Brooks is the Director of Human Resources for Rising for Justice. Her tenacious energy, friendly demeanor, and integrity when dealing with confidential and sensitive information helps to promote our organization to a higher level of professionalism and respect in the community.

Linda is a committed and diligent individual who is very compassionate about the needs of the employees. With over 26 years of human resources/payroll experience at Maryland Legal Aid (formerly know as Legal Aid Bureau, Inc.), she is determined to go above and beyond to educate employees about HR policies and benefits information.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Coppin State College. She is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and enjoys volunteering in the communities.

Linda enjoys watching her son play football, volunteering at his high school and making delicious meals.

Amanda Fox is the Office Manager at Rising for Justice, where she oversees daily office operations, manages communications, and organizes events. She plays a key role in maintaining an efficient and welcoming office environment that supports the organization’s mission.

Prior to joining Rising for Justice, Amanda was the Office Manager at the National Council of Urban Indian Health, where she managed office operations, coordinated travel, and provided administrative support to senior leadership. She also has experience in budgeting, event planning, and vendor relations from her time at the National Indian Health Board.

Amanda is committed to creating streamlined workflows and fostering a positive office culture. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, freediving, gardening, and snowboarding — activities that allow her to unwind and stay connected to nature.