Staff

Staff List

Advisors
Mark Weber, Assistant Dean for Career Services
Kirsten Solberg, Associate Director for Judicial Clerkships & J.D. Advising
Vivian Wexler*, Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Marni Goldstein Caputo, Assistant Director for International and J.D. Advising
Yih-hsien Shen, Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Elaine Ventola, Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Jen Perrigo, Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Katie Thatcher, Interim Assistant Director for J.D. Advising

Visiting JD Advisors
Orietta Barletta 
Tanya Gisolfi
Ann Scibelli
Maria Choi
Mike Kaufman

 Administration
Joe Ready, Assistant Director for Recruitment and Operations
Heather Stewart, Recruitment and Office Manager
Paula Garvin, Front Desk and Program Coordinator
Lisa Connolly, Office and Special Projects Coordinator

 *Currently on maternity leave.

Peer Advisors for 2009/2010

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Mark Weber
Assistant Dean for Career Services
Mark has more than 15 years of experience counseling and advising students and attorneys about their careers. Before joining Harvard Law School in 2000, he was the Assistant Dean for Career Services at the University of Illinois College of Law for six years. Prior to that, he practiced law for six years at a mid-sized firm in Chicago focusing on tax, corporate and bankruptcy, matters. He is also a CPA and worked in the tax department of a Big Four public accounting firm in Chicago for two years. Mark is an active member of NALP, the Association for Legal Career Professionals and has held numerous leadership positions within the organization including serving on the Board of Directors, the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee, and Chairing the Nominating Committee. Mark received his B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.

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Kirsten Solberg
Associate Director for Judicial Clerkship & J.D. Advising 
Kirsten joined the Office of Career Services in August 2000 and focuses mainly on judicial clerkships. She has a B.A. in Economics from Haverford College and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. As a law student, she served on the articles committee of the Michigan Journal of Gender & Law and as a student attorney in the Women & the Law Clinic. She chose to spend her all-important law school summers at both a large corporate firm and a small civil-rights firm. Immediately after law school, she clerked for a federal district court judge. She then rejoined the large corporate firm, where her practice focused on employee benefits and healthcare. Before coming to Harvard, she taught legal writing at another law school. Kirsten was the principal architect of two clerkship computer systems created for Harvard and subsequently marketed nationwide by Micron Systems and Symplicity, respectively. She also was involved in the initial development of the national Online System for Clerkship Application and Review ("OSCAR") and has served in the OSCAR Work Group of NALP, the association for legal career professionals. She recently chaired the NALP Judicial Clerkship Section.

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Vivian Wexler*
Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Vivian joined the Office of Career services in July 2006. She holds an LL.B. from McGill University and a B.A. in English and Political Science from the University of Florida. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a public speaker, fundraiser and event planner for a non-profit organization. Her law school summers allowed her to obtain experience first in a small firm environment in Florida and subsequently with a large Boston firm that she returned to as an entering associate. As a practicing attorney, Vivian focused on corporate transactional and securities law and retooled her practice as a mid-level associate to focus on the investment management and financial services spaces. She is admitted to practice in Massachusetts and is a certified mediator in the province of Quebec. When not at the office, Vivian enjoys working on do-it-yourself home improvement projects, serving on the Board of Directors of Foster Parrots, Ltd. (an avian rescue organization) and spending time at the beach with friends and family.

*Vivian is currently on maternity leave.

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Marni Goldstein Caputo
Assistant Director for International & J.D. Advising
Marni received her B.A. in History and English from Tufts University in 1997 and her J.D. from Emory University School of Law in 2001. While at Emory, Marni served as a Notes and Comments Editor on the Emory Law Journal and as a student intern for the Southern Center for Human Rights. After graduating from law school, Marni clerked for federal district court Judge Willis B. Hunt, Jr. in Atlanta and then returned to Boston to practice as a litigation associate, first at Hill & Barlow, a large firm, and then at Prince, Lobel, Glovsky & Tye, a mid-sized firm. Since 2004, Marni has worked as a Staff Attorney in the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She has also taught a legal research and writing seminar to students in the American Law LL.M. program at Boston University School of Law since fall 2005. Marni most enjoys playing with her two young children, walking her dog all over Cambridge, and cooking for family and friends.

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Yih-hsien Shen
Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
After serving as a J.D. Advisor for the past four years, Yih-hsien joined the OCS staff in February 2008 as an Assistant Director for J.D. Advising. She received an A.B. in History from Columbia College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1995. While at HLS, she served as co-chair of APALSA and an Executive Editor of the Women's Law Journal. After HLS, she practiced for three years in both the corporate and litigation departments at Davis Polk and Wardwell in New York, and she served as in-house counsel to a major insurance company in Baltimore, where she managed the company's litigation and advised on employment issues. Yih-hsien also holds an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Teachers College.

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Elaine Ventola
Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Elaine received a B.A. in English from Northwestern University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School, magna cum laude. Following law school, she worked as an associate at Hale and Dorr (now WilmerHale) and then Goodwin, Procter. Her focus was labor and employment law. She enjoyed this area because it offered her extensive litigation experience as well as in-depth client counseling. After a number of years practicing law, she transitioned to the role of Senior Training Manager at Goodwin, Procter. In this capacity, she was responsible for developing and implementing training programs for the firm’s attorneys, including summer associates, associates and partners. When not working, Elaine loves spending time with her family and enjoys running, reading and travel.

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Jen Perrigo .
Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Jennifer Perrigo joined the office in July 2009 with five years of law school career advising experience. As Associate Director of the Career Development Office at Boston University School of Law, Jen advised students in all career related matters and enjoyed advising alumni regarding career transitions and professional development. During her tenure she also worked closely with AmLaw 100 law firms and other employers to expand opportunities for students. She served as Chair of the Massachusetts Law School Consortium during 2008-2009 and is a frequent speaker on legal career related panels and programs. Prior to entering academic administration, Jen practiced for five years advising and representing clients in a variety of civil legal matters. A summa cum laude graduate of Ithaca College, she obtained her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law in 1999.

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Katie Thatcher
Interim Assistant Director for J.D. Advising
Katie joined the office in July 2009 and will be serving as the Interim Assistant Director for J.D. Advising while Vivian Wexler is on maternity leave. Katie received a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College and a J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law. After 5 years of practicing law (clerking and then as a corporate associate at Bingham McCutchen and Sullivan & Worcester), she transitioned to the role of Legal Recruiting Manager at Goodwin Procter. Her legal recruiting career continued with 5 years at Ropes & Gray and then 3 1/2 years at Hinckley Allen & Snyder. In her capacity as a legal recruiter, Katie focused on hiring entry-level and lateral associates, partners, and paralegals. She also handled all aspects relating to the summer program across all offices, conducted new associate orientation, and managed various aspects of attorney training and development. Katie is an active member of NALP and MALRA (the MA Legal Recruiting Association). She served as President of MALRA during 2008-2009. When not working, Katie enjoys weekly trivia contests, playing the piano, experimental cooking, and testing Reebok apparel.

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Orietta Barletta
Visiting J.D. Advisor
Orietta received her A.B. in Sociology from Harvard College, her Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. Immediately following law school, Orietta worked as a litigation associate at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel in New York City. She then moved to San Francisco and joined the Office of Career Services at Stanford Law School, serving as Director of Judicial Clerkships and Advanced Degree Programs. At Stanford, Orietta advised all law students on job search strategies and career-related issues. Orietta then returned to the east coast, joining Dewey Ballantine in New York City as the Senior Coordinator of Legal Training. While at Dewey, she developed firm-wide training programs for associates and summer associates. Orietta has also taught Legal Research & Writing to law students. A native of the Boston area, Orietta is happy to be back in Massachusetts with her husband and son. She enjoys yoga, travel and spending time with her family.

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Tanya Gisolfi
Visiting J.D. Advisor
Tanya Gisolfi graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law, where she was a member of the Iowa Law Review. She began her law career as an intern in the in-house legal department of the Quaker Oats Company in Chicago, before relocating with her husband to Minneapolis where she was a securities litigation associate at Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman. She later went on to clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals, and then worked for the West Group where she co-managed legal content development. Since relocating to Boston, Tanya has been providing growth and development counsel to small and start-up non-profit organizations.

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Ann Scibelli
Visiting J.D. Advisor
Ann received a B.S. in Finance from Pennsylvania State University and a J.D. from Boston College Law School. After graduation from law school, Ann worked at Chadbourne & Parke in New York City where she had worked as a summer associate. She was a member of the firm's employment and litigation departments. After two years, Ann returned to Boston as an associate, and later, junior partner, at Hale and Dorr (now Wilmer Hale). Ann eventually left Hale and Dorr to take a position as Assistant Chief of Staff to Governor William Weld. She also worked in the Paul Cellucci administration for a year before returning to the practice of law at The Timberland Company. She was Assistant General Counsel for Employment Matters at Timberland. Since leaving Timberland, Ann has worked on a contract basis for a small law firm, and focused on raising her two sons.

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Maria Choi
Visiting J.D. Advisor
Maria received her B.A. in Economics and East Asian Studies from Yale College (’89) and a J.D. from Harvard Law School (’93). After graduating from Harvard Law School, she worked as an associate in the Investment Banking Division of Morgan Stanley & Co. in New York, and as a consultant for Conflict Management Inc. in Cambridge, MA. Maria has also worked for law firms and investments banks during her summer employments including Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York and Washington D.C., Yoon & Partners in Seoul, Korea, Chandler & Thong-ekin Bangkok, Thailand, and Jardine Fleming and Morgan Stanley & Co. in Tokyo Japan.

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Mike Kaufman
Visiting J.D. Advisor
Mike joined the Office of Career Services as a J.D. Advisor in September 2009. A current student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Mike is a magna cum laude graduate of the College of Charleston and received his J.D. from the William and Mary School of Law. As a law student, Mike spent his 1L summer at a mid-sized firm in Charleston, South Carolina, and his 2L summer at a large international firm in Los Angeles. Upon graduating from law school, Mike clerked for a federal magistrate judge in the Eastern District of Virginia, and practiced bankruptcy and commercial law in the Boston office of WilmerHale. In his free time, Mike enjoys swimming and playing soccer.

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Joseph Ready
Assistant Director for Recruitment and Operations
Joe joined OCS in April of 2009. Joe received his B.A in Business Entrepreneurship from Suffolk University. Prior to joining OCS, Joe owned and operated Beantown Engineering & Staffing, a recruitment firm focused on hardware, software and mechanical engineering disciplines. Before starting his own company, Joe worked for Suffolk University Law School, Office of Admissions as a Recruitment and Systems Analyst. In his free time, he enjoys participating in local government to help solve community issues

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Heather Stewart
Recruitment & Office Manager
Heather joined OCS in June 2006. Prior to joining OCS, Heather worked in administrative positions at Harvard University, Northeastern University, the Boston Conservatory and the Boston Museum School. In her position as Recruitment and Office Manager, Heather works with employers visiting on-campus for fall and spring interviewing as well as managing the day-to-day office administration. Heather belongs to, and volunteers with various local cultural organizations. She recently completed graduate studies at Harvard University.

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Paula Garvin
Front Desk & Program Coordinator
Paula has worked in the Office of Career Services for fifteen years and is an invaluable member of the team. She takes pleasure in assisting students with their questions and in keeping the office running. In 2003, Paula was chosen by students to receive the Suzanne L. Richardson Staff Recognition Award. Paula is originally from Trinidad and enjoys visiting there with her family. In her free time, Paula is an active community volunteer, working at the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee Food Bank and has served as a mediator in Cambridge through the Harvard Mediation Program.

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Lisa Connolly
Office & Special Projects Coordinator
Lisa joined OCS in November 2007. Prior to joining HLS, she owned and operated her own photo lab and portrait studio in Harvard Square for many years, where she was immersed in the university’s community and culture. Lisa later worked as a recruiter before segueing into her career at Harvard. In her free time, she enjoys travel, photography, DIY and collecting mid-century modern chairs.