Student Spotlights
Meet the Future of Law
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At the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, our students bring their stories, values, and ambitions to life through their work in and beyond the classroom. The Student Spotlights series features members of our student community who represent the integrity, drive, and resilience that define a Brandeis Law education.
We highlight students whose journeys reflect our values—whether they are first-generation law students, public service advocates, future litigators, student parents, or aspiring legal scholars. Their stories offer insight into the lived experiences, motivations, and goals that shape their time at Brandeis and their impact on the world ahead.
Explore the Spotlights
From hometown pride and personal influences to career goals and favorite quotes, each spotlight offers a glimpse into the authentic experience of becoming a lawyer at Brandeis.
Samely “Sami” Gierbolini Sanchez
Class of 2026
Hometowns: Coamo, Puerto Rico and Louisville, Kentucky
What you love about Brandeis: “I like the community and support that Brandeis provides. Everyone is welcoming and supportive, and I have made lifelong friendships here.”
Career goal: “After graduation, I want to work for the Federal Government. I am not 100% sure, but I am leaning towards prosecution.”
Biggest influence: “My mom has been my greatest influence. I learned my independence and perseverance from her. I strive to be as fearless as she was when she moved to another country with three kids as a single mom. Watching the life that she made for us and the opportunities that we were provided as a result inspires me to always try no matter how daunting or impossible something may seem.”
Favorite quote: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” – Samuel Beckett
Ben Barberie
Class of 2026
Hometown: Lexington, Kentucky
What you love about Brandeis: “I love being at a place where students and faculty are actively engaged with the community. Nearly everyone I interact with puts their skills to use to make Louisville—the city and the university—better.”
Career goal: “I want to work in real estate, with a focus on land use and affordable housing development. Whatever I do in that industry, I ultimately want to help create dynamic places that foster meaningful connections.”
Biggest influence: “My dad. His 25+ years of dedicated service as an attorney for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government have provided a model of what a fulfilling legal career might look like while still prioritizing family and community outside of the workplace.”
Favorite quote: “Less a quote and more of a word to live by—equanimity. I try to always keep a state of balance; to never get too high or too low. For me, that perspective has made the challenges of law school a little easier to weather.”
Rebekah Lake
Class of 2026
Hometown: Berea, Kentucky
What you love about Brandeis: “My favorite aspect of Brandeis is its genuinely welcoming and supportive community. From day one, our faculty and students alike have worked to maintain an atmosphere of kindness, encouragement, and mutual respect. Our community values collaboration, and we are invested in each other's success.”
Career goal: “After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in civil litigation.”
Biggest influence: “My family has been incredibly supportive throughout my law school journey. Their encouragement, understanding, and belief in my strength and abilities has helped me stay motivated. Their unwavering support has allowed me to grow both personally and academically. I’m thankful to have such a solid support system as I begin my legal career.”
Favorite quote: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman
Rebecca Guhde
Class of 2026
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
What you love about Brandeis: “I'm drawn to Brandeis Law School's small class sizes, which allow for meaningful connections with both professors and fellow students. This intimate learning environment fosters the kind of collaborative relationships that will be essential throughout my legal career.”
Career goal: “I want to work in transactional law, helping businesses and organizations navigate complex deals while ensuring they operate ethically and contribute positively to society. My goal is to use transactional work as a tool to make the world a better place.”
Biggest influence: “My mother, Betsy, has influenced me most. As a single mom who works as a school lunch lady, she raised my sister and me with the help of my grandmother, showing incredible strength and dedication every day. I aspire to be as strong and resilient as her.”
Favorite quote: “The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” – Chris McCandless (Alexander Supertramp)
Mara Howell
Class of 2026
Hometown: Hopkinsville, Kentucky
What you love about Brandeis: “What I’ve enjoyed most about law school is the genuinely supportive community. Before starting, I imagined a cutthroat environment filled with hyper-competitive classmates and unapproachable professors. Instead, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how kind and encouraging my peers are and how welcoming and accessible the faculty has been. It really feels like everyone’s rooting for each other, and that kind of support makes a big difference.”
Career goal: “After graduation, I plan to stay in Louisville and begin my career as a real estate attorney. I’m also interested in areas like probate and estate planning, and I hope to find a role that allows me to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the local community.”
Biggest influence: “My mom has been the biggest influence in my life. She’s always believed in me, even when others had doubts, and has consistently pushed me to reach my goals and exceed expectations. Her encouragement has helped me build confidence and trust in myself. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her support, and I’m incredibly grateful for the role she’s played in shaping my path.”
Favorite quote: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare
Faith Bentley
Class of 2026
Hometown: Edgewood, Kentucky (NKY)
What you love about Brandeis: “Law school was quite intimidating before starting and might have been even more intimidating upon transferring; however, it has been the most fulfilling experience of my life. Perseverance, courage, and self-discipline are all qualities that have been instilled in me upon starting law school. What I value the most about Brandeis is the sense of community and unconditional support that everyone selflessly offers and embraces. Whether it be a professor asking me how my family is doing or a classmate sitting down with me and studying, there is a sense of value and belonging at Brandeis. The days may feel long, but I assure the years are short; therefore, cherish every second, opportunity, and interaction that you have!”
Career goal: “After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in family law and move to Nashville, Tennessee. I feel incredibly blessed to be joining Cheatham, Palermo, and Garrett — the firm where I interned throughout law school — as an associate following my graduation from Brandeis and successful completion of the bar exam.”
Biggest influence: “As a first-generation law student, my family's unwavering support and belief in me has given me the confidence and courage necessary to pursue my dreams. They have instilled in me the value of work ethic, kindness, and integrity. A phrase often repeated in our home was, ‘You work for what you want,’ and I took that to heart. That mindset continues to guide me as I pursue a legal career with the goal of creating meaningful change in the lives of children.”
Favorite quote: “Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” – Roy T. Bennett
Salute the Unbroken
Honoring Brandeis Law students whose service and sacrifice strengthen our community.
Tameya “Meya” Winchester
United States Air Force
Class of 2027
Hometown: Homestown, Missouri
Undergraduate degree: Legal Studies
Why I chose to serve & what I’m most proud of: “I always knew I wanted to go to law school. I didn’t want to pay for it, but I knew I wanted to help people. Service was a way to do both. I am most proud of my job. It was my responsibility to pay the entitlements for service members who passed away and bring some level of comfort to the family members of those service members.”
What I love about Brandeis: “I like the community and closeness of Brandeis. I have not once felt as though anyone here wants to see me or my peers fail, and it doesn’t feel competitive.”
In five years, I want to be… “A fashion lawyer, protecting the intellectual property rights of those whose work impacts us all daily.”
Favorite quotes:
“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” – 1 John 4:9 NKJV
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will not forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
