BrownWinick Welcomes Eight Law Students to the 2022 Summer Associates Program

In addition, each summer associate is assigned an associate mentor to help them navigate the opportunities presented to them and find success in the program. There are also many educational programs and events put on throughout the summer to encourage these summer associates to immerse themselves in the firm’s culture.  

Learn more about the Summer Associate Program here.  

Get to know the 2022 Summer Associates:  

Emily Bell 

Emily is a 2L at Drake University Law School, although she is originally from Aurora, Colorado. She completed her undergraduate degree at Simpson College. There, she received her B.A. degree in Business Management & Psychology, with a minor in Health Services Leadership. She was also a collegiate softball player for them. This summer, Emily is interested in Corporate Transactional, Employment, and Real Estate work. When she has free time, Emily enjoys cooking, working out, walking her dogs and spending time with friends and family.  

Becca Coleman 

Becca is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana but moved to Des Moines with her husband in 2020. Currently, Becca is a 2L at Drake University Law School. She completed her undergraduate degree at Purdue University. There, she got her B.S. in Cellular, Molecular and Developmental Biology, with minors in Economics and Political Science. Becca is interested in working with our Intellectual Property practice group this summer. In her free time, Becca enjoys baking desserts, walking or hiking with her two dogs, and participating in sports leagues around Des Moines.  

Marcos Danielson 

Marcos, originally from Mission, Texas, now attends Drake University Law School as a 3L student. Marcos earned his undergraduate B.A. degree in History from Adams State University, and he also minored in Political Science while there. He is interested in working with our Corporate and Transactional Practice Group this summer. In his free time, Marcos enjoys playing tennis and hockey, and is a Formula 1 fan. 

Sarah Herz 

Sarah is a 2L at the University of Iowa College of Law. Sarah earned her undergraduate B.A. in Economics and a minor in Political Science from the University of Northern Iowa. Currently, she is interested in learning more about Employment Law but is open to exploring other areas of law as well. She is originally from Albia, Iowa. In her free time, Sarah enjoys running, biking, lifting, baking and painting. This summer she is excited to try new restaurants in Des Moines.  

Avery Malinski 

Avery, originally from Keokuk, Iowa, is a 2L at Northwestern Law in Chicago. Avery completed her undergraduate degree at Drake University. There, she earned a B.A. in English and Law, Politics, and Society. This summer, she is interested primarily in litigation but is excited to gain experience in a variety of practice groups. Outside of work, Avery enjoys baking, weightlifting, spending time with her family and going to the Des Moines farmers market on Saturdays.  

Emily Mertz-O'Brien 

Emily is a 3L at the University of Iowa College of Law. Originally from St. Charles, Missouri, Emily completed her undergraduate degree at Webster University. There, she received her B.A. in Political Science, with minors in Criminology and Criminal Justice, as well as an ABA-Approved Certificate in Paralegal Studies. This summer Emily is interested in working with our Litigation practice group. When she has free time, Emily enjoys exploring and watching Netflix. A few fun facts about Emily are that she has met most of the cast members from The Walking Dead and The Office, and prior to law school she worked as a travel consultant where she traveled to 22 states and 2 countries in 11 months.  

Jenna Nelson  

Currently, Jenna is a 3L at the University of Iowa College of Law. Prior to this, she received her undergraduate B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Rhetoric and Persuasion from the University of Iowa. Jenna is originally from Muscatine, Iowa. This summer she is interested in working with our Litigation and Employment and Labor practice groups. A fun fact about Jenna is that when she was in high school and getting her undergraduate degree, she studied Mandarin Chinese and she also spent two months studying in China.  

Seffie Wilkinson 

Seffie is currently a 2L at the University of Iowa College of Law. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Seffie completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. There she received her B.S. in Genetics, with a minor in French. Seffie is interested in working in Corporate Law and Business Transactions this summer. Previously, Seffie has worked in the Medical Device startup industry. Outside of work, Seffie enjoys hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter, and listening to podcasts.