SBA Cabinet 2024-25
Chief of Staff
Emily Phillips
Emily Phillips is a third-year law student and serves as Chief of Staff for the Student Bar Association for the 2024-2025 academic year. Emily is a native of Vicksburg, Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and minors in Pre-Law and Spanish.
Emily serves as Mississippi Cases Editor for the Mississippi Law Journal and Vice President of the Public Interest Law Foundation. Emily is also a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society. She expects to graduate in May of 2025.
Director of RSOs
Mackenzie Taylor
Mackenzie Taylor is originally from Houston, TX. She attended The University of Mississippi for her undergraduate degree where she got her Bachelor in Journalism in May of 2022. During her time in undergrad Mackenzie served as Media Director for News Watch Ole Miss as well as a campus marketing representative for The Memphis Grizzlies.
During her 2L year Mackenzie served as Treasurer of Entertainment and Sports Law Society, HNBA rep for Latin Law Student Association, Mental Health Director, member of The Child Advocacy Clinic and a member of The Negotiation Board. Mackenzie also served as The Region Seven Representative for The Hispanic National Bar Association. This upcoming year Mackenzie will serve as Invitational Chair for The Negotiation Board and participate in The Transactional Clinic. During her 2024 Summer, Mackenzie worked as a Law Clerk for Stillwell, Earl and Apostolakis LLP in The Woodlands, TX. Mackenzie plans to graduate in Spring 2025.
Director of Inclusion Initiatives
Praise OlaOlorun
Praise OlaOlorun is a second-year law student and serves as the Director of Inclusion Initiatives for the Student Bar Association for the 2024–2025 academic year. Originally from Lagos, Nigeria, Praise moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with his family in 2013.
Praise is the Secretary of the UM Business Law Network and a member of the Trial Advocacy Team. Additionally, Praise is involved with the Christian Legal Society, the Black Law Student Association, and the Environmental Law Society. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of the Cumberlands.
While at Cumberlands, Praise served as Student Body Vice President during his junior and senior years. He was a student athlete on the men’s soccer team and took on roles as a student ambassador, resident assistant, and orientation leader. Praise was inducted into the Criminal Justice Honors Society and received the Hutton Scholar Award.
In the summer of 2024, Praise worked as a 1L Summer Law Clerk at Garmer & Prather, PLLC, in Lexington, Kentucky. He is set to graduate in May 2026.
Director of Strategic Engagement
Maggie Gardner
Maggie Gardner is a third-year student serving as Director of Strategic Engagement for the Executive Cabinet for the 2024-2025 year. Maggie is native of Huntsville, AL and graduated from Auburn University where she earned a Bachelors degree of Arts (Summa cum laude) in Law and Justice. While at Auburn, she served in her sorority, Tri Delta, as House Manager, Academic Development Chairman, and Director of Lifetime Membership. Maggie served as a Staff Editor and is now the Director of Communications for the Mississippi Law Journal. She expects to graduate in May of 2025.
Director of Communications
Madalyn Burke
Madalyn Burke is a second-year law student and serves as the Director of Communications for the Student Bar Association for the 2024-2025 academic year. Originally from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Madalyn graduated from Millsaps College in 2023 with a degree in Communication Studies and Business Administration.
While attending Millsaps, Madalyn held leadership positions as the President of Millsaps Panhellenic Association and President of the Kappa Delta Sorority. She also served as a Senator for theMillsaps Student Government Association. Madalyn is a member of the Millsaps College Hall of Fame.
In her free time, Madalyn enjoys shopping and hanging out with her friends. Madalyn expects to graduate in 2026.
Director of Student Wellness
Josh Cook
Josh Cook is a second-year law student who serves as the Director of Student Wellness under the 2024-2025 Student Bar Association President’s Cabinet. He is also on the Dean’s Leadership Council and a member of the Trial Advocacy Board. Josh is from Leakesville, MS. He graduated from Jones College in 2021 with an Associate’s degree and from the University of Mississippi in 2023 with a degree in Business Management.
While in undergrad, Josh was a member of the Jones College Hall of Fame, Bobcat Brigade, Ole Miss Ambassadors, Ole Miss Orientation, SAA, and Rebelthon. He also worked at Canebrake Country Club and Go Get it Tailgate Delivery.
During the first half of the 2024 summer, Josh interned at Mitchell, McNutt & Sam’s in Tupelo, MS. Afterwards, in the second half of the 2024 Summer, Josh interned at the Office of the Mississippi State Auditor under the Technical Assistance division. Josh expects to graduate in May 2026 and sit for the bar.
Director of Events
Nick Boekholder
Director of Philanthropy
Julia Banks
Julia Banks is a third-year law student serving as the Director of Philanthropy for the SBA for the 2024-2025 school year.
Originally from Holly Springs, North Carolina, Julia completed her undergraduate degree in 2016 at North Carolina State University in Sport Management. Prior to coming to the University of Mississippi she worked in development for several years, including spending 2.5 years working with boards and major giving at Duke University.
Julia also serves as the External Competition Chair for the Negotiation Board and expects to graduate in May 2025.
Director of Development and Alumni
Harry Leggate
Director of the P.O.D.
Jack Furla
Jack Furla is a third-year law student serving as the Director of the P.O.D. Jack is also the Chairman of the Trial Advocacy Board and an Associate Articles Editor for the Mississippi Law Journal. Jack is originally from Kansas City but has called Oxford home for the past several years having graduated in May 2022 Summa Cum Laude with two degrees: a B.A. in Public Policy Leadership from the Lott Leadership Institute and a B.B.A. from the business school.
While in undergrad, Jack was President of the Beta Theta Pi Chapter, being selected IFC President of the Year for the 2022-23 school year. Jack also served as a Senator in the Associated Student Body and was an Ambassador for the Lott Leadership Institute.
Jack has interned in Washington, D.C. the past several summers in both Houses of Congress and for the RNC. Most recently, Jack interned at Cassidy & Associates following his 1L year and recently completed his law clerk position with the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Jack expects to graduate in May 2025.
American Bar Association Representative
Lance Cook
Lance Cook is a third-year law student and serves as the American Bar Association Representative for Ole Miss Law. He also He also holds the positions of Editor-in-Chief for the Mississippi Sports Law Review, President of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society, and serves on the Dean’s Leadership Council. Lance is also an active member of the Intellectual Property Law Society, Family Law Society, and Federalist Society.
Originally from Hickory, North Carolina, Lance is a proud graduate of Birmingham-Southern College where he was a member of the football team.
During his team in law school, Lance has had the opportunity to work as a Summer Law Clerk for Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt in Birmingham, Alabama, Dupree & Kimbrough in Marietta, Georgia, and for Patrick, Harper & Dixon in his hometown of Hickory, NC. Lance plans to graduate in the spring of 2025.
Elections Commission Chair
Calvin Sanders
Calvin Sanders is a second year law student and serves as the Chair of the Elections Commission for the Student Bar Association. Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Calvin graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2023 with a degree in Public Policy Leadership.
Elections Commission Representative
Abbigail Thurman
Abbigail Thurman is a second-year law student and serves on the Elections Commission of the Student Bar Association for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Abbigail is from central Illinois. Abbigail is currently the President of the Business Law Network, Event Development Chair for the Entertainment and Sports Law Society, and a Business Law Fellow. Abbigail is an active member of multiple bar associations, as well as other organizations.
Abbigail attended the University of Mississippi for her undergraduate education, where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Management. Abbigail served as a football recruiter and as a resident assistant while completing her undergraduate degree. Abbigail is an alumnae of the Alpha Delta Chapter of Phi Mu. Abbigail was also a member of the National Society of Leadership and success, a Provost Scholar, and a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. Abbigail received her associates degree while in high school.
During the summer of 2024, Abbigail worked as a Legal Intern for CMG Worldwide, a company in its fourth decade of intellectual property management. Abbigail was located in CMG Worldwide’s Nashville office, where she focused on licensing and clearing. Clients of CMG Worldwide include Maya Angelou, Albert Einstein, Malcolm X, Lou Gehrig, Aaliyah, etc. Abbigail also received a summer placement through the Business Law Fellowship and worked with in-house counsel at International Paper, a Fortune 500 company located in Memphis, Tennessee. Through this internship, Abbigail had the opportunity to work with Intellectual Property, Corporate, Manufacturing, Global Procurement, Labor & Employment, Litigation, and Ethics & Compliance groups. Abbigail plans to graduate in May of 2026.
Elections Commission Representative
Madison Vice
Madison Vice is a third-year law student, and she is serving on the Elections Commission. Madison previously served as Chair of the Elections Commission during her 2L year, and she also served as a 1L SBA Senator. Madison currently works as a research associate at the National Sea Grant Law Center, where she researches current issues and policies relevant to ocean and coastal law.
Madison graduated Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi’s School of Journalism and New Media, with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communications, a minor in Business, and a specialization in Fashion Promotion & Media. During her undergraduate career, Madison was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and served as President of the Network of Enlightened Women, while also working as an assistant in the University’s Office of the Provost.
During the summer of 2023, Madison worked as a law clerk at the Mobile County Office of Public Defenders in Mobile, Alabama, and she rounded off her summer by traveling abroad to study international law at Cambridge University in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
During the summer of 2024, Madison worked as a law clerk at Pennington, P.A. in Tallahassee, Florida. Madison expects to graduate in May 2025, and she plans to sit for the July Bar.