The Columbia Law School Federalist Society

We are a tight-knit group of law students interested in the structure of government and modes of statutory and constitutional interpretation.

Our chapter is particularly oriented toward textualist and originalist modes of interpretation. The Society emphasizes the principles of federalism and the separation of powers, and recognizes figures like Alexander Hamilton as spiritual predecessors.

While the Federalist Society is ideologically grounded in legal conservatism, we welcome and celebrate vigorous intellectual debate. Accordingly, we regularly organize debates and discussions that are open to the student body.

The Columbia Federalist Society emphasizes the development of community as one of the chapter’s key goals. We offer a mentorship program, advise members on both job and clerkship interviews, and organize regular chapter outings. We welcome new members regardless of political orientation.

Further questions? Tap “Connect” above, and we would love to meet you!

Leadership

Presidents | Jason Harward & Coley Hungate

Jason Harward is a 3L from Los Angeles, CA and studied Journalism at Northwestern. He interned for the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for his 1L summer and worked out of Sullivan & Cromwell’s New York office during his 2L summer. He will be clerking for Judge Brasher on the 11th Circuit after graduation.

Coley Hungate is a 3L from Pasadena, FL and studied Economics at the University of Florida. He interned for the United States Postal Service for his 1L summer and will be joining Sullivan & Cromwell’s New York office after graduation.

EVENTS VPs | MICHAEL MACKAY & RYAN OGASAWARA

Michael MacKay is a 3L from the “Live Free or Die” state and studied Classics at Columbia College and Jesus College, Cambridge. He interned for Judge Bianco on the Second Circuit for his 1L summer and will be joining Ropes & Gray’s Boston office after graduation. 

Ryan Ogasawara is a 3L from the “Aloha” state and studied Biology and Biophysics at Yale College and Georgetown. He interned for the Becket Fund during his 1L summer and will be joining Munger’s Los Angeles office after graduation. 

DEVELOPMENT VPs | Larissa Danovitch & Grace Zelden

Grace Zelden is a 3L from Oakland, NJ and studied Financial Economics at the University of Toronto. She interned at Boyden Gray for her 1L summer and will be joining Davis Polk’s New York office after graduation. 

Larissa Danovitch is a 3L from Sagaponack, NY and studied Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She interned for a U.S. district court judge during her 1L summer and worked out of Susman Godfrey’s New York office during her 2L summer. She will be clerking for Judge Beaton of the Western District of Kentucky and Judge Walker of the DC Circuit after graduation.

Treasurer | kevin marti

Kevin Marti is a 2L from Miami, FL and studied Biology at the University of Florida. Before law school, he worked for the Governor’s office in Florida, and for his 1L summer, worked out of Jones Day’s New York office.

Communications | Ben Kraushaar

Ben Kraushaar is a 2L from New York, NY and studied Economics at the University of Pennsylvania. Before law school, he worked for Virtu Financial, and for his 1L summer, worked for a plaintiff’s law firm in New York.