Staff and Student Employees

Meet Our Staff!

Emily Persico, Office Manager

Emily Persico is an alumna of Portland State University, graduating with her BA in Sociology with a minor in Women's Studies in June of 2007. Realizing that she could not bear to leave PSU she sought employment there, and has been the officemanager for Student Legal and Mediation Services since July of 2007. She is the proud mother of one brilliant and whimsical son, and in her free time enjoys fitness, feminism, fashion, friendship and fun!

Katherine Kestell, Paralegal

Katherine Kestell is a long way from home! She moved from Maryland to Portland in 2004 and has been working as a legal assistant and enjoying the beautiful northwest ever since. She is currently a senior in the Speech and Hearing Sciences program at PSU. In her free time she enjoys cooking, sports, and many other activities along side her multi-talented toddler daughter.

Paul Homan, Office Assistant

Paul Homan is getting his BA in Geography at Portland State. He expects to graduate in June 2010. He enjoys films, politics, and bacon. He cries at films that show a reunion of old friends, and sighs heavily at romantic comedies. He wishes there were more women in political office - especially in Oregon,where there is currently no woman in the US Congressional Delegation. He thinks everything is better with bacon.

LaTesha Lawrence, Office Assistant

LaTesha Lawrence is a Senior here at PSU majoring in Criminology & Criminal Justice. She is also pursuing a certificate in Paralegal Studies to compliment her degree as well as her experience working for Student Legal and Mediation Services. In the future she is aspiring to work in a law firm as a Paralegal while she transitions into the next chapter of her life. After graduation she would like to travel and if all goes well relocate to Florida. She loves music, being social, and would like to write a book someday. Her motto: "Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will land among the stars."

Sarah Keiski, Law Clerk

Sarah attended college at the University of Oregon and graduated with a major in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. Sarah is currently a third-year student at Lewis and Clark College. After completing law school, Sarah hopes to practice public interest law in California. In her free time, Sarah enjoys watching 90s television show reruns, trying new restaurants in Portland, and spending time with friends and family as often as possible.

Erin Linell, Law Clerk

Erin Linell is a graduate of Lewis and Clark College where she majored in history. After college she worked as a grassroots organizer for the Oregon Student Association. This experience helped her decide to pursue a legal career and she is currently in her third year of law school at Lewis and Clark College. In her free time, Erin likes to knit and explore the Pacific Northwest.