Click on any of the host countries below to go directly to its CEELI staff list:
| Albania |
In Washington, D.C.
Molly Inman <minman@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central and Eastern EuropeIn Albania
Alketa Prifti, Field Finance Manager <aprifti@ceeli.icc-al.org> holds an LL.B. in English language and literature from Tirana University. A year after graduation, she became an English teacher at the Turgut Ozal High School in Tirana. Alketa has also worked with the International Crisis Group, helping Kosovar refugees in Albania and collecting interviews for the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. Alketa joined CEELI in June 2000. As part of her duties, Alketa manages the operations of the Albania office and handles office finance issues and legal translations.
| Armenia |
In Washington, D.C.
Diane Scott <dscott@abaceeli.org> is the Program Associate for Armenia.In Armenia
Karen Kendrick, Eurasia Program Director <kkendrick@abaceeli.am> first joined CEELI as a liaison to Uzebekistan from May 2002 to August 2003 and went on to serve as a liaison to Moldova from September through December 2003. Karen practiced law for nine years before joining CEELI, including civil litigation and complex commercial transactions. She majored in political science as an undergraduate at Duke University and received her law J.D. from Southern Methodist University. Prior to moving to Uzbekistan, Karen lived in Seattle, Washington, where she was actively involved in local charity organizations including the Junior League of Seattle, Seattle Children's Home and Street Links.Dr. Karen Andreasyan, Staff Attorney <kandreasyan@abaceeli.am> has been with CEELI since 2004. Prior to joining CEELI he has been teaching law at Yerevan State University, served as a Markle Senior Fellow at the Center for Socio-Legal Studies at Oxford University, and as a consultant for the Open Society Justice Initiative. Currently he is a member of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia and also an adviser to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia.
Steve Bloom, Rule of Law Liaison to Armenia, focuses on judicial independence and ethics. Steve attended Dartmouth College and Stanford University, receiving a B.A. in English, and earned a J.D. from Willamette University College of Law. Prior to joining CEELI in January 2006, he worked at the Armenian Constitutional Rights Protective Centre as a Peace Corps volunteer. Steve has also served as the U.S. Magistrate Judge in Eastern Oregon and practiced law in Pendleton, Oregon.
Arsen Ganapetian, Software Engineer <arsen@arminco.com>
Narine Gasparyan, Armenia Rule of Law Staff Attorney <narine@abaceeli.am> researches and advises CEELI on legislation and legal issues and events in Armenia. She also organizes legal seminars. Narine came to CEELI in September 2001 with a background in international law, having worked as a lawyer for a World Bank project while at the Armenian Ministry of Health, for the resource center of the Tapan Eco-Club, and as an assistant at the Armenian National Court.
Arayik Ghazaryan, Staff Attorney <ara@abaceeli.am> received an LL.M. from the American University Law School in Washington, D.C., in 2001. He worked as the assistant to the U.S. Consul from 1992 to 2004. Arayik specializes in International Human Rights law, with a particular focus on European Court of Human Rights litigation and training, and he has conducted comparative research in media law. Arayik, who joined CEELI at the end of 2004, organizes trainings for lawyers on ECHR mechanisms.
Anna Hakobyan, Research Attorney <annah@abaceeli.am> recently returned to CEELI after receiving her LLM in European Law from the University College London. Prior to that she graduated from Yerevan State University with a master's degree in law. Anna previously worked for CEELI as a program associate and before that for the Bar Association of the Republic of Armenia. Currently her main responsibilities include election research for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections in Armenia.
Liana Haroyan, Staff Attorney <liana@abaceeli.am> First joined CEELI in September 2002 and worked for 2 years as a Criminal Law Reform Program assistant. In 2004 she was selected as a Public Interest Law Fellow at Columbia University, school of law, in New York. In NY, she took an internship with Human Rights Watch and Committee to Protect Journalists. In October 2005, she joined CEELI as a Rule of Law staff attorney. Before joining CEELI she worked at Legal Aid Center under the Bar Association of Armenia as a project coordinator.
Alenush Kirakosyan, Translator/Interpreter <akirakosyan@abaceeli.am> graduated from Yerevan State Linguistic University receiving a master's degree in linguistics. She has been instructing a “Developing College Writing Skills” course since 2004 at the same university. Before joining CEELI, she worked as a translator and an English language teacher for local organizations. Alenush is also a member of Voluntary Service Organization in Armenia working to promote voluntary service in Armenia and abroad.
Gohar Hovsepyan, Information Manager and Interpreter <gohar@abaceeli.am> holds a Ph.D. in communication theory from Yerevan State University. She has been a professor at Yerevan State since 1993. Before joining CEELI in 2000, Gohar worked as a chief editor with an international organization. At CEELI she is responsible for interpretation, information coordination and public relations. She speaks Armenian, Russian, English and French.
Sofya Mkhitaryan, Field Finance Manager <sofia@abaceeli.am> joined CEELI as an Office Manager in April 2000. In 1985, after graduating from the State Pedagogical University of Foreign Languages, Sofya was offered the position of the Deputy Director of the Secondary school. She has worked with the following international organizations since 1989: Gyulbenkyan Foundation, Switzerland, CEC-TACIS/BCEOM, France, and EBRD/Lahmeyer International, Germany (Office/Administrative Manager); USAID/Hagler Bailly, USA (Program Specialist). Sofya earned a law degree from Galik University in August 2003.
Erica Sapper Simpson, Rule of Law Liaison to Armenia, is a graduate of Austin College in Sherman, Texas, with a B.A. in English. Erica received her J.D. from American University, Washington, D.C. She served as a member of the Peace Corps in Uzbekistan teaching English. Erica has had a diverse legal career, working as a commercial litigation attorney, as a pro bono attorney, and as an adjunct professor for a pretrial advocacy course at the University of Maryland School of Law. Erica published an article on Freedom of Religion in Uzbekistan in 2000, which can be found at www.uib.no/jais/v002/simpson.pdf.
Satenik (Zara) Soghomonyan, Receptionist <zara@abaceeli.am> graduated from the English Language and History Department of the V. Bryusov Yerevan State Linguistic Institute. Before joining CEELI in late 2004, she worked at Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia as a secretary in the supervision and audit department. Before that, she served in the customer service department of the Elita commercial bank and as a translator at the Ministry of Environmental Protection. She also worked in the marketing department at Nairit-2. Zara is fluent in Russian, Armenian and English.
| Azerbaijan |
In Washington, D.C.
Andrew Buhler <abuhler@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Caucasus and Russia.
Julie Garuccio <jgaruccio@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Azerbaijan.In Tbilisi, Georgia
Claude Zullo <czullo@abaceeli.ge> is the Regional Deputy Country Director for Azerbaijan.In Azerbaijan
Frank Hespe, Country Director for Azerbaijan, graduated from University of California, Berkeley Law School in 1988. He was the dean of the Monterey College of Law, in Monterey, California, from 2002 to 2005. He was a professor of law for more than 13 years, teaching international law, real estate law and interviewing techniques. Frank was in private practice before becoming the dean. He was also the executive director of the non-profit Legal Services for Seniors. Frank first joined CEELI as a rule of law liaison to Tajikistan in 2005.Valeriya Afendiyeva, Administrative Assistant <valeria.efendiyeva@aba-az.org> joined CEELI in August 2004. In 2001-2003, Valeriya served as the assistant to the director of the National Peace Foundation's South Caucasus Project. As a finalist in the Freedom Support Act undergraduate exchange program, she studied mass communications ad journalism at Lees-McRae College in North Carolina for a year. She is currently pursuing her B.A. in Russian philology at the Baku Slavonic University. Valeriya is fluent in Azeri, Russian and English and has a basic knowledge of Spanish.
Zeynab Ahmad, Legal Assistant <zeynab.ahmad@aba-az.org> joined CEELI in December 2005. Zeynab received her Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Law in June 2001. She started her career while a student as a Volunteer Team Leader at the UN Volunteers Program, teaching English and Russian to refugee children. She then worked for IREX as a Program Assistant for the student exchange program FSA Undergraduate Program. Zeynab currently works on Gender and Human Rights programs at CEELI. Zeynab's native language is Azeri but she is fluent in Russian, English and Turkish.
Tural Ahmed, Receptionist <tural.ahmed@aba-az.com>
Sabina Aliyeva, Office Manager <sabina.aliyeva@aba-az.com> joined CEELI in September 1999 after working at Price Waterhouse Coopers and Counterpart International. She has a master’s degree in English Pedagogy, an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Law.
Agil Azimov, IT Manager <agil.azimov@aba.az.org> joined CEELI in March 2005. He graduated from Baku State University in 1998. Agil has six years IT experience with humanitarian organizations. Before CEELI Agil worked at the Open Society Institute as the AZERWEB.com website content manager and later at Project Harmony as a webmaster.
Kristine Herman, Rule of Law Liaison to Azerbaijan, worked as the Associate Director of Sex Offense Programs in Domestic Vioence at the Center for Court Innovation before joining CEELI in April 2006. In that role, she worked with the Office of Court Administration to research and develop specialized sex offender courts and implement emerging practice models for community management systems of sex offenders in New York State. Kristine received her law degree from Northeastern University and a Master of Social Work from Tulane University School of Social Work.
Nigar Huseynova, Staff Attorney <nigar.huseynova@aba-az.org> joined CEELI in May 2005, before which she served as a human rights lawyer in a local NGO. In 2004 she was involved in the ODIHR/OSCE Trial Observation Program as local coordinator. She specializes in human rights law and is involved in human rights litigation before the European Court of Human Rights.
Emil Ibrahimov, Staff Attorney joined CEELI in May 2005, before which she served as a human rights lawyer in a local NGO. In 2004 she was involved in the ODIHR/OSCE Trial Observation Program as local coordinator. She specializes in human rights law and is involved in human rights litigation before the European Court of Human Rights.
Gunel Jafarova, Staff Attorney <gunel.jafarova@aba-az.com> joined CEELI in July 2005 after graduating MA from the Baku State University International Law Department. She got her BA at 2003 at the same university. Before joining CEELI worked as an exchange and research programs assistant at international relations department at BSU. Currently, she is teaching legal studies at Qafqaz University too.
Anar Janmammadov, Staff Attorney <anar.janmammadov@aba-az.org> joined CEELI in December 2005 after working as a student legal adviser at Western University Law School, one of the leading private schools in Azerbaijan. As a student legal advisor, Anar consulted a number of clients on various aspects of Azerbaijan contract and administrative law. Anar holds an LL.B. (with honors) in International Law from the Western University Law School and an LL.M. in International Petroleum. At CEELI, Anar is in charge of analyzing anti-corruption legislation, proposing legislative amendments to the CEELI Legal Advisor and negotiating these amendments with government agencies.
Lala Khalilli, Staff Attorney <lala.khalilli@aba-az.com> joined CEELI in July 2005. She received her LL.M. degree from Azerbaijan University in 1999. Lala worked at the Legal Clinic of Azerbaijan University and taught part-time Human Rights Law and International Law for 5 years. She has participated on international trainings and seminars concerning the international mechanisms of the protection of Human rights. She is fluent in Azeri, English, Russian and Turkish.
Mahir Mushteidzada, Criminal Law Reform Staff Attorney <mahir.mushteidzada@aba-az.org> joined CEELI in November 2004 after graduating from the Baku State University International Law Department. After working for two years as a legal consultant for the Council of Europe, he continued his studies at the Central European University Legal Studies Department and received his LL.M. in Human Rights. He is fluent in Azeri, English, Russian and Turkish.
Jo Anne Roake, Rule of Law Liaison to Azerbaijan, received a J.D. with honors from the University of San Diego in 1987, after earning a B.A. from Stanford in English Literature and a Master’s degree from the University of Hawaii in Library Studies. Jo Anne teaches often with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) nationally and internationally and has taught/developed NITA-style training with CEELI in Moldova. Immediately before joining CEELI in January 2006, Jo Anne practiced appellate law as managing partner of Roake & Roake. In 2005, she won California’s 2005 Burbank Award in recognition of her appellate work. She is also a law professor at California Western School of Law.
Michael Roake, Criminal Law Liaison to Azerbaijan, joined CEELI in January 2006. He is a partner in the trial law firm of Roake & Roake. Michael specializes in employment law, white collar crime and tax controversy and has been the Director of the National Institute of Trial Advocacy Pacific Regional and Master Advocates Programs since 1990. He is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law and California Western School of Law and teaches trial skills in-house at several large firms and with the Tribal Courts. Michael received an B.A. from Stanford in 1969, a J.D. from McGeorge in 1977 and an LL.M. in Employment Law from Georgetown in 1983.
Margaret Tabler, Rule of Law Liaison to Azerbaijan, focuses on legal education reform. Margaret taught law at the Pazmay Peter Catholic University in Budapest, Hungary, for four years before joining CEELI in 2004. She also taught legal English at Eotvos Lorand University in Budapest and worked as a self-employed Contract Attorney in San Francisco. Margaret was first in her law school class at the University of Oregon Law School. She has a good working knowledge of Hungarian.
| Bahrain |
John Hermina, Legal Specialist, received his J.D. from the City University of New York, and his bachelor's degree in political science and journalism from the State University of New York at Albany. His prior international experience includes work as a legal consultant on USAID's Strengthening of the Legislative Branch Project within the Palestinian National Authority. John has been a partner in the Hermina Law Group since 1989 with his brother George. He was a law clerk for the Honorable James Magruder Rea of the 7th Judicial Circuit of Maryland and was an associate at Brault, Graham, Scott and Brault. John is fluent in Arabic and has had call-in programs on the Voice of America, the Middle East Broadcasting Company and the Arabic Branch of the BBC.
| Bosnia and Herzegovina |
In Washington, D.C.
Molly Inman <minman@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
Lucy Gillers <lgillers@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Bosnia.
In Bosnia
Zelah Senior, Country Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina <zelahsenior@ceeli.ba> joined ABACEELI in July 2006. Zelah has almost six years of experience working in Bosnia and Herzegovina, managing programs for organizations such as the American Refugee Council and the International Human Rights Law Group (now Global Rights). She has also worked on legal development and assistance projects in South Africa, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. Zelah received her law degree in 1993 from the College of Law in York.Nebojša Milanovic, Staff Attorney <nesom@inecco.net> joined CEELI as a legal counsel based in CEELI's Banja Luka office, working with CEELI liaisons and providing advice on local law. Nebojša earned his law degree in 1987, after which he worked for various government agencies and for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Milanovic is originally from Doboj.
Selma Osmanagic Agovic, Junior Staff Attorney <selma@ceeli.ba> joined CEELI in March 2006. Previously, Osmanagic works with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Agency to European Integration. Osmanagic graduated from the Sarajevo Law Faculty and earned an LL.M. in State Management and Humanitarian Affairs.
Sanin Muftic, Office/Finance Manager <saninm@ceeli.ba> assists in preparing and conducting training seminars, workshops, roundtables and other events and provides translation services. Before joning CEELI, Sanin worked for five and a half years at the OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) as an interpreter/assistant in the Department for Regional Stabilization (fpcusing on the implementation of Annex 7B of the Dayton Peace Accord). Fluent in English and French and a native speaker of Bosnian, Sanin has completed coursework in mediation and other forms of out-of-court settlement and served as a member of the working group for drafting the Law on Mediation.
Dubravka Piotrovski, Senior Staff Attorney <dubravka@ceeli.ba> graduated from the Sarajevo Law School in 1990 and passed the bar exam in Belgrade in 1993. As a member of Belgrade Bar Association, she practiced law for nearly ten years before joining CEELI. In 2000, Dubravka was an environmental law fellow at CEELI in Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Dubravka has worked as a national legal advisor for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and as a lawyer at the Office of the High Representative (OHR). Prior to working in international organizations, she worked as intern in a law office and at the Basic Court I, both in Sarajevo.
| Bulgaria |
In Washington, D.C.
Molly Inman <minman@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
Lucy Gillers <lgillers@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Bulgaria.
In Bulgaria
Ivan Abrams, Criminal Law Liaison, joined CEELI in January 2006. Ivan received a B.A. in History and a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He also was awarded an LL.M. in International Trade Law from the University of Arizona. In his 30-year legal career, Ivan has been both a state and federal prosecutor, a criminal defense lawyer, and an advocate for civil and human rights. He has also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. As a federal prosecutor, Ivan was the director and lead attorney for a multi-district, multi-agency project that prosecuted members of organized crime for racketeering.Detelin Ivanov, Staff Attorney, Regional Criminal Justice Initiative <detelin@aba-bg.org> holds an LL.M. from St. Kliment Ohridski Sofia University (Bulgaria), an LL.M. in Human Rights from the Central European University (Hungary), and an M.A. in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe from the University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and University of Bologna (Italy).
| Czech Republic |
Michael Diedring, Executive Director of the CEELI Institute <office@ceeli-inst.org> joined the Institute in September 2004 from the International Bar Association in London, where he was the Deputy Executive Director since January 2002. In his previous work, Michael served as the Country Representative for the Baltic-American Enterprise Fund in Lithuania, as CEELI's initial Deputy Director, and as the manager of a judicial reform program in Albania. Michael co-founded and served on the board of the Lithuanian Investors' Forum, the board of the Baltic Management Institute and boards of private companies and not-for-profit organizations. He holds a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and an undergraduate degree from Drake University in Iowa.
Hana Borcevska, Executive Assistant <hborcevska@ceeli-inst.org> joined the CEELI Institute in April 2000. She is responsible for organizing training seminars in Prague and for providing general administrative support. She is fluent in Czech, English and Russian, speaks fair German. Before joining the CEELI Institute, she worked at the Soros Foundation's Central European University in Prague as an assistant to the academic director
| Georgia |
In Washington, D.C.
Andrew Buhler <abuhler@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Caucasus and Russia.
Julie Garuccio <jgaruccio@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Georgia.
In Georgia
Marilyn Zelin, Country Director for Georgia <zelin@ceeli.ge> holds a J.D. from the New York University School of Law and an A.B., magna cum laude, from Mount Holyoke College. Marilyn served most recently as country director for Macedonia, before which she served as a liaison to Slovakia and to Croatia. Aside from CEELI, Marilyn has also worked in the region with organizations such as ACDI/VOCA and Partners for Democratic Change. Prior to working in the development field, Marilyn was in private practice in New York.Claude Zullo, Regional Deputy Country Director <czullo@abaceeli.ge> provides support to CEELI programs in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Before joining CEELI in June 2001, Claude served as a program officer for Romania and Slovakia at the National Democratic Institute. With an M.A. in International Affairs, Claude also developed E.U. conflict prevention policy papers in Germany at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik and worked as a research assistant at the Brookings Institute.
Amanda Ashford, Rule of Law Liaison holds a J.D. And B.A. From the University of Texas. Amanda previously served as ROL liaison in Georgia, and has also served as legal specialist in Kosovo and Macedonia. She is admitted to practice in Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. She was the first woman president of the State Bar of New Mexico. Before joining CEELI she was a commercial litigator in Albuquerque.
Mariam Bandzeladze, Staff Attorney <mariam@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI Kutaisi office in April 2001 after serving as an office manager for a humanitarian NGO. Mariam holds a B.A. and M.A. in English Language and Literature and B.A law degree. She is currently a student of the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs in the Public Administration faculty. Marika successfully passed the bar exams. At CEELI she works on the judicial reform portfolio.
Tea Chelidze, Executive Assistant/Office Manager <tea@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in July 2004 after providing administrative and translation support to several companies in Georgia. Tea graduated from Ilia Chavchavdze State University of Western Languages and Culture - English Department.
Irina Japharidze, Staff Attorney <irinaj@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in February 2002 after providing administrative, translation and managerial support to several international private companies in Georgia. Irina holds a bachelor's degree in economics and law from the German Language Faculty of Georgia State Technical University in Tbilisi. She is a candidate for an LL.M. Eur. degree from the Tbilisi State University. In addition to her native Georgian, Irina speaks German, English, Russian, French and some Italian.
Maia Jorjikia, Senior Staff Attorney <m_jorjikia@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in 2005 after working at IRIS Georgia as a senior staff attorney. Prior to joining IRIS, she worked as a consultant for the Georgian Supreme Court, a legal advisor for the Georgian Ministry of Justice and as a senior consultant for the Georgian High Council of Justice. She also worked for the German Technical Cooperation Society GTZ as a coordinator and expert. Maia received her law degree from the Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University and her LL.M. from the Bremen University in Germany. At CEELI Maia works primarily on judicial reform and enforcement of judgments reform.
Nino Khurtsidze, Senior Legal Advisor <nino@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI's Georgia office in May 2004 after working at CEELI-DC as a Legal Analyst since September 2002. Prior to joining CEELI, Nino received a law degree from Tbilisi State University, M.A. in Diplomacy and International Commerce from the University of Kentucky, and BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Western Kentucky University. She is a Ph.D. Candidate at American University's School of International Service.
Zurab Korghanashvili, Staff Attorney joined CEELI in June 2006. Zurab received a degree in English from Tbilisi State Institute of Foreign Languages and a degree in law from Tbilisi State University. He has worked in governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations and a private law firm. Before joining CEELI, he worked as a Staff Attorney for USAID. He also worked as the Project Manager for the EU's Criminal Reform Project. Zurab speaks Georgian, English and Russian.
Irina Lortkipanidze, Senior Staff Attorney <irina@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in December 1997. Today she focuses on legal profession reform and gender legal issues projects. Irina holds a degree from Tbilisi State University's Department of International Law and International Relations. She also has law degree and has successfully passed the bar examination in Civil Law in September 2004. Irina also serves as the outreach coordinator for CEELI in Georgia.
Mamuka Mamatsashvili, Criminal Law Junior Staff Attorney <mamuka@abaceeli.ge> graduated from Tbilisi State University in 1996, and joined CEELI in 2002, where he worked as a Program Assistant until assuming his current position. Prior to joining CEELI, Mamuka worked as a Senior Inspector at the drug trafficking and narcotic unit for Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs. He also worked as a Deputy for the Inspector General’s Office in the Ministry of Finance.
Medea (Medo) Matiashvili, Junior Staff Attorney holds a law degree from Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University. In 2003-2004, she was studying at Budapest Business School at the Department of International Business and Management, where she studied fundamental principals of international economic and international law. Prior to joining CEELI as a Junior Staff Attorney, Medea served as a CEELI Street Law Intern and the Deputy Chair of the Georgian Law Students' Association. She primarily works on CEELI Legal Education portfolio. Medea speaks fluent English and Russian.
Melissa Moody, Criminal Law Reform Liason, joined CEELI in September 2005. She holds a bachelor's degree in German from the University of Illinois and a master's degree in German from Penn State University. She graduated from Cornell Law School in 1999 and began work as a law clerk for Justice Schroeder on the Idaho Supreme Court. After her clerkship, she worked as a prosecutor for five years -- for a county prosecutor's office in Idaho, and for the Idaho Attorney General's office. She speaks German and some French.
Ani Morgoshia, Staff Attorney <ani@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in December 2005. Previously, Ani worked as a Team Leader/Field Lawyer for the Norwegian Refugee Council and for the Georgian Young Lawyers Association and contributed to projects with the U.S. Embassy and American University's Transnational Crime and Corruption Center in Georgia. She delivers lectures in law at Tbilisi State University Law Faculty and Public Administration Institute. Ani graduated from Tbilisi State University Law Faculty and expects to graduate from the Department of Doctoral Studies with honors in 2006 with a Ph.D. in Law. She holds Masters Degree in Public Administration certified by the National Academy of Public Administration of the U.S.
Matthew Reger, Legal Specialist, joined CEELI in September 2006. He holds a B.S. in social science from Michigan State University and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. He began his law career as a law clerk for Judge Charles F. Kurfess in the Wood County Common Pleas Court. In 1996, he joined the Bowling Green City Prosecutor's Office, becoming the city prosecutor in 2000. Matthew is admitted to practice in Ohio and Michigan.
Nini Tabatadze, Field Financial Manager <ninot@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in 2004. Nini is a 4th year undergraduate at Caucasus School of Business, she is majoring in Business Administration.
Maka Tsinadze, Receptionist <maka@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in July 2003 as intern. In July 2005 she became the member of CEELI staff. Maka holds bachelor's degree in English from Georgian Technical University.
Natia Urtkmelidze, Administrative Assistant <natia@abaceeli.ge> joined CEELI in November 2004 as intern and in 2005 she became the member of CEELI staff. She has graduated Georgian Independent University of Georgian and English Languages.
Read liaison profiles for Georgia
| Jordan |
In Jordan
Marc Sacks, Rule of Law Long-Term Specialist for Jordan, joined CEELI in October 2006 and is working on legal education and commercial law projects. He received a B.A. from Duke University and a J.D. from the University of Florida College of Law. Marc previously litigated for eight years – two in private practice and six with the U.S. Department of Justice. Before joining CEELI officially, he volunteered with CEELI in Morocco where he taught at a legal clinic and coached students to participate in the African Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
| Kazakhstan |
In Washington, D.C.
John Keeton <jkeeton@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central Asia.In Kazakhstan
Chris Krafchak, Country Director for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan <ckrafchak@abaceeli.kz> is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Before joining CEELI in 2000, Chris was a partner in a Los Angeles law firm where he represented trade unions in labor matters and plaintiffs in civil rights and human rights cases. Prior to taking his current post, he was a Rule of Law Liaison in Minsk, Belarus. He holds a B.S. from Cornell University and a J.D. from Vanderbilt University.Zaure Adilova, Staff Attorney <adilova@abaceeli.kz> joined CEELI in October 2004, before which time she worked as a manager at the Karachganak Integrated Consortium. She had previously worked as a lawyer with a USAID Trade and Investment Project, providing technical assistance to Kazakhstan on WTO accession, including legal analysis, serving as a liaison to governmental agencies, and organizing trainings. She is an experienced scientific researcher and lecturer, having earned her first degree as a physicist from Kazakh State University in Almaty.
Aliya Bayanova, Office Manager/Program Assistant <abayanova@abaceeli.kz> is the newest member of the CEELI family in Kazakhstan. Aliya is from Aktau, Kazakhstan; she received her bachelor's degree as a qualified economist-accountant from the Zhubanov Aktyubinsk State University, Aktobe, Kazakhstan, in June 2001. In 2003, Aliya went to Oxford in the United Kingdom to improve her English, and, three years later, ended up with an MBA in Marketing at Oxford Business College. While in the UK, Aliya worked with the Dr. Sholl Company and Morgans Research Ltd. She joined CEELI Kazakhstan in May 2006.
Julia Belosludtseva, Institution-Building Advisor <belosludtseva@abaceeli.kz> joined CEELI in November 2005. She is also the outreach coordinator for CEELI in Kazakhstan. Before joining CEELI, Julia server as a reporting, monitoring and evaluation specialist with Counterpart Consortium, performing monitoring and evaluation activities for its grantees and partners, as well as carrying out analysis and reporting procedures. Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Modern University for the Humanities in Moscow, Russia.
Zhan Kunserkin, Staff Attorney <zkunserkin@abaceeli.kz> monitors and analyzes legal developments and works with CEELI liaisons on new and existing programs. Zhan had been in private practice for more than 15 years before joining CEELI in August 2005, and he has extensive trial and investigation experience. As a recognized national expert, Zhan has been called upon many times to comment on various draft laws. In the course of his private practice, he also worked as a legal adviser for numerous international organizations, such as ARD/Checchi’s Rule of Law Program (sponsored by USAID) and the National Democratic Institute. Zhan holds a degree from the Law Faculty of the Kazakh State University and is a member of Almaty Collegium of Lawyers.
Anastasiya Savchishkina, Media Law Staff Attorney <asavchishkina@msc-law.kz> was formerly a legal advisor for the NS Radio-National Network Television and Radio Broadcasting Company and the newspaper Argumenty & Facty in Kazakhstan. She graduated from the Moscow State Social University Law School in 2001.
Yekaterina Shapkina, Field Finance Manager/MSC Program Coordinator <shapkina@msc-law.kz> graduated with honours from Kazakh State University of International Relations and World Languages, holds BA in Linguistics. Before joining ABA office in Almaty in February, 2005 she worked as a Deputy Manager in Chinese oil and gas company “Eastern Oil Service”.
Lisa Sitkin, Rule of Law Liaison to Kazakhstan, joined CEELI in January 2005 and concentrates on meda law programming. She received her B.A. in comparative literature from Yale University, her M.A. in English literature from the University of California at Berkeley and her J.D. from the Stanford Law School. Lisa previously worked as a litigation associate with Piper Rudnick LLP, a media and intellectual property practice group in San Francisco. She has extensive experience with media law issues as a result of her employment with Piper Rudnick and of her work with San Francisco public radio and the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California.
Sergey Vlassenko, Media Law Staff Attorney <svlassenko@msc-law.kz> joined CEELI from Internews, where he served as staff attorney, advising on issues of government and the media for the past seven years. He obtained his law degree at Kazakh State University in 1994 and completed a course in media law at the Law and Mass Media Center in Moscow in 1998
| Kosovo |
In Washington, D.C.
Molly Inman <minman@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
Melissa Zelikoff <mzelikoff@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Kosovo.In Kosovo
Aurora Balaj, Language Assistant <abalaj@ceelikosovo.org> joined CEELI in March 2004. Previously, she worked as a junior field officer for the Finnish Red Cross/ICRC. Aurora has also been a journalist in the Department of International News at Koha Vission, a private television station with Kosovo-wide coverage, and a project assistant for a Finnish/World Bank training program operated within the Department of Education. Aurora has formally studied English Language and Literature and now studies at the Law School University of Pristina.Vjosa Hasanaj, Legal Assistant <vhasanaj@ceelikosovo.org> provides support to Kosovo associations in the legal field, including the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and Kosovo Judges Association. Before joining CEELI in April 2002 to support CEELI's training programs, she worked as a financial assistant at local company and as a telecommunications operator for a UN organization. She is currently pursuing her legal studies in the Law Faculty of the University of Pristina.
Jetish Jashari, Senior Staff Attorney <jjashari@ceelikosovo.org> provides professional support and expertise to Kosovo associations in the legal field, including the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and Kosovo Judges Association. Jetish joined CEELI in November 2001 with a law degree from the University of Prishtina, a degree in international relations from Central European University, and an LL.M. from the University of Connecticut School of Law.
Fatmir Kutllovci, Staff Attorney <fkutllovci@ceelikosovo.org> provides professional support and expertise to Kosovo legal associations, including the Kosovo Chamber of Advocates and the Kosovo Judges Association. He also supports the Legal Clinic at the Law Faculty in Pristina. Before joining CEELI, Fatmir worked for the Council of Europe as a training programme coordinator and for the Civil Rights Project as a program manager. He received his law degree in 1997 from Pristina University.
Laura Rakovica, Office Assistant <lrakovica@ceelikosovo.org> joined CEELI in April 2002 and is responsible for day to day operations of the organization's Pristina office. Before joining CEELI , Laura attended the North-West college of English in London in the United Kingdom, where she also worked as an administrative assistant and interpreter specializing in immigration and criminal law for a solicitors' company. She later served as an interpreter for the Magistrate Courts, the police force, and the Immigration and Nationality Department. Laura returned to Kosovo at the end of 2001.
Fadil Sadiku, Office Finance Manager <fsadiku@ceelikosovo.org> joined CEELI in October 2000. He studied electronics at the University of Pristina, but left in 1991 to complete the Technical University in Basel, Switzerland. He returned to Kosovo in 1999 and has previously worked for the UN Civilian Police Logistics and Communication Section.
| Kyrgyzstan |
In Washington, D.C.
John Keeton <jkeeton@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central Asia.
In Kazakhstan
Chris Krafchak <ckrafchak@nursat.kz> is the Country Director for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
In Kyrgyzstan
Muratbek Azimbaev, Staff Attorney <murata@abaceeli.kg> maintains works with judges, attorneys, law students, student legal clinics, and legal information centers. Muratbek came to CEELI in March 1999 with substantial experience providing legal advice and managerial services to the private sector and to the state administration and the Governor of Osh Oblast.Nurlan Bakirov, Staff Attorney <nbakirov@abaceeliosh.kg> joined CEELI in Osh in May 2005. He earned his law degree from Osh University in 2000, after which he joined the Human Rights and Democracy Center as a project coordinator. In addition to working at CEELI, Nurlan also gives lectures on human rights as an adjunct faculty member at Osh University. He has worked with CEELI in the past on Street Law projects, as a Jessup Moot Court judge and on Mock Trials.
Daniel Canestri, Criminal Law Specialist, promotes public awareness on anti-corruption legal initiatives, particularly the forthcoming referendum on constitutional amendments on judicial independence. In 2001, while working as criminal lawyer in Italy, Daniel collaborated with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute on the Transnational Organized Crime Convention. Afterward, he served as an associate expert with the UN Office on Drug and Crime in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Daniel graduated the University of Bologna in 1999 with a thesis on extradition. He is an accomplished sailor and naval reserve officer.
Ainura Cholponkulova, Staff Attorney <acholponkulova@abaceeli.kg> has joined CEELI as the staff attorney for the Central Asia Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor Program based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She received her law degree from Kyrgyz National University Law School, furthered her legal education at the Vienna Diplomatic Academy, the UN/UNITAR Academy of International Law, Indiana University Law School, and received her Ph.D. in law from Kazakh Humanitarian Law University. She was also a Fulbright Scholar at Johns Hopkins University Central Asia Caucasus Institute.
Daniel Canestri, Criminal Law Specialist <aba-ceeli@abaceeli.kg> promotes public awareness on anti-corruption legal initiatives, particularly the forthcoming referendum on constitutional amendments on judicial independence. In 2001, while working as criminal lawyer in Italy, Daniel collaborated with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute on the Transnational Organized Crime Convention. Afterward, he served as an associate expert with the UN Office on Drug and Crime in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Daniel graduated the University of Bologna in 1999 with a thesis on extradition. He is an accomplished sailor and naval reserve officer.
Olga Churakova, Bishkek Office Program Assistant <aba-ceeli@abaceeli.kg> and <ochurakova@abaceeli.kg> joined CEELI in Bishkek in January 2003. With a law degree from the Kyrgyz National University School of Law, two years of work experience in different local NGOs working closely with the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, Olga primarily assists in developing the rule of law, legal education, Moot Court, Mock Trial and clinical law programs.
Azamat Kerimbaev, Senior Staff Attorney <akerimbaev@infotel.kg> monitors and analyzes legal developments while also working with CEELI liaisons to develop new programs. Azamat joined CEELI in May 1999 after working at the Kyrgyz Embassy in Washington, D.C., and in the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A native of Bishkek, Azamat holds a law degree from Kyrgyz State University.
Albina Kozhontaeva, Deputy Field Finance Manager/Street Law Coordinator <albinaosh@abaceeliosh.kg> assists the rule of law liaison and staff attorney in projects involving groups such as the Association of Attorneys of Kyrgyzstan, the Kyrgyzstan Judges Association, and the Kyrgyzstan Young Lawyers Association. A native of Chui Oblast, Albina joined the CEELI Osh office in January 2001 after working in communications and interpreting for TACIS. Albina has also served as an interpreter for the Tolerance International Foundation, ACDI/VOCA and the OCSE.
Venera Kutmamatova, Osh Office Program Assistant <vkutmamatova@abaceeliosh.kg> received her English degree from Osh State University and her law degree at International University of Kyrgyzstan in Osh. Venera joined CEELI Osh office in July 2005 working for CRAN project (Civil Rights Advocacy Network) as a Program Assistant. After the completion of CRAN project she was selected for the same position with Rule of Law program, starting from December, 2005. With her experience in working with ACDI/VOCA as a Program Assistant and other local and international organizations she assists in developing the rule of law, legal education, Moot Court, Mock Trial and clinical law programs.
Anvar Mukanbaev, Staff Attorney <amukanbaev@abaceeli.kg> joined CEELI in November 2003 with extensive experience working with international organizations and the Kyrgyzstan government. He has been active in various capacities with ADB, USAID, the World Bank, the judicial department of the President's Administration of Kyrgyzstan and State Committee on Investments Policy of Kyrgyz Republic. Anvar holds a bachelor's degree in law from the International University of Kyrgyzstan and an LL.M. from the University of Minnesota.
Muhaio Parpieva, Institution Building Advisor <mparpieva@abaceeli.kg> has worked with CEELI since August 2003. She assists partner organizations in strategic planning, program design and financial management. Before joining CEELI, she worked for several international organizations: as a pre-service training associate director with the U.S. Peace Corps, coordinator of the Ferghana Valley Initiatives Program with the Eurasia Foundation, and coordinator for the Women's Micro Credit Program with Mercy Corps International.
Jodi Rafkin, Central Asian Republics Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor joined CEELI in 2004 as Criminal Law Liaison in Bulgaria and later served as Rule of Law Liaison to Belarus. She received her B.A. from Simmons College in sociology and government, and her J.D. from the University of Santa Clara. Before joining CEELI, Jodi worked as a prosecutor on both the state and federal levels. While working for the U.S. Department of Justice, she spent a year in Washington, D.C., handling extradition and mutual legal assistance matters. She investigated and prosecuted a variety of cases including police officer misconduct, racketeering and domestic violence.
Barbara Standal, Legal Education Liaison to Kyrgyzstan, received her M.A. in English from Eastern Washington State University and her law degree at Gonzaga University School of Law. Barbara worked at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as a Supervisory Trial Attorney. She has extensive experience with legal education, has worked as a national trainer for EEOC attorneys, and has been a public speaker on discrimination law to numerous private businesses, communities, human resources and law-related groups. Barbara has been involved with numerous activities such as the University of Washington School of Law Mentor Program, the International Trade Research for Global Partnerships and the World Affairs Council.
Madina Talatbekova, Office Manager <madinat@abaceeli.kg> joined CEELI in February 2005. She received her English degree from Osh State University and her economic degree in finance and credit from Kyrgyz State National University. She administers the day-to-day business of the CEELI office and assists the liaison.
| Moldova |
In Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Denton Jafari <jdenton@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.
Miako Kanetani <mkanetani@abaceeli.org> is the Program Associate for Moldova.
In Moldova
Corinne Smith, Country Director <csmith@abaceeli.md> joined CEELI's Moldova office in September 2005, after serving as a rule of law liaison in CEELI's Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan office in 2004. Before joining CEELI, Corinne was a real estate lawyer for 11 years. She was also a foreign service officer in South Africa and Namibia, primarily responsible for a rule of law and democratization portfolio. Before attending law school, she worked in city government and for several non-profit organizations (including a legal services organization) as a grants manager, planner and fundraiser. She holds a B.A. in French and Government from Smith College and a J.D. from Boston CollegeCatalina Aalbers, Criminal Law Staff Attorney <c.aalbers@abaceeli.md>, holds a Law Diploma in International Law from the State University of Moldova and during her internship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs served as a junior legal expert on preparing the National Report on Implementation by Moldova of the ICCPR. Prior to joining CEELI in June 2002, first as legal assistant, she worked as editor-translator at the State Civil Aviation Administration.
Iurii Bodiu, Assistant Office Manager <iurii@abaceeli.md> joined CEELI in December 2001 and provides general office management support. Iurie holds degrees from the Academy of Economic Science, Economy and Management and the Republican Technical School of Electronics.
Jim Calle, Criminal Law Liaison to Moldova holds a J.D. and a B.A. in journalism from the University of Arizona. He was a sole practitioner and handled criminal, civil and administrative matters in federal, state and local courts. In his practice, he provided 24-7 representation to U.S. Border Patrol Agents and Arizona Department of Public Safety officers involved in shootings. From 1998 to 2004, Jim served on the Board of Directors of Southern Arizona Legal Aid. He has also worked as a photographer and reporter. Jim speaks some Spanish and has recently studied Chinese.
Emil Darii, Institution Building Advisor <edarii@abaceeli.md> joined the CEELI team in Moldova in July 2004. Previously, Emil worked with the Citizen Network for Foreign Affairs and TACIS Cross-Border-Cooperation, Ungheni. Emil holds an M.A. in Public Administration from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, and in Political Science from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.
Vladimir Gurin, Office Manager/Field Financial Manager <vladimir@abaceeli.md> joined CEELI in April 2001 and oversees the finances and administration of the CEELI Moldova office. A Chisinau native, Vladimir speaks Romanian, English, and Russian and holds degrees from the Academy of Economic Science and the Republican College of Computer Science.
Olimpia Iovu, Criminal Law Staff Attorney <olimpia_iovu@abaceeli.md> holds a Law Diploma in International Law from the State University of Moldova. She joined CEELI in July 2005 as a legal assistant for the Criminal Law Program. She previously worked for 3 years as a Legal Adviser at the Governmental Agent Department, Ministry of Justice. She speaks Romanian, Russian, English and French.
Brigid Kennedy-Pfister, Rule of Law Liaison to Moldova joined CEELI in January 2006. Brigid was a staff attorney for six years at the Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts, where she represented children in trial and appellate matters in education and child welfare cases. She received her BFA from Boston University School for the Arts in 1990, her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law in 1997, and her LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1999. Brigid also served as a law clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court of Massachusetts. Prior to attending law school, she worked in theater production for opera, dance, and dramatic plays.Cristina Malai, Program Coordinator <cmalai@abaceeli.md> joined CEELI's Moldova office in February 2004 after working at CEELI-DC as a Legal Analyst specializing in legal profession and legal education issues since September 2002. Cristina holds a J.D. from the Moldova State University and an LL.M. from the University of Illinois College of Law. As an Attorney for the USAID Law Reform Project in Moldova, Cristina participated in drafting the new Civil Code for Moldova, the Tax Code, the Law on Investment and the Law on Bankruptcy. She lectured on Civil Law, Civil Procedure and Commercial Law at the Moldova ULIM University.
Dina Mocan, Legal Assistant <dmocan@abaceeli.md> graduated from the State University of Moldova in June 2006 with a Law Diploma in Economic Law. Dina first joined CEELI in June 2005 as legal intern. In February 2006 she was hired as a full-time Program Assistant and in January 2007 was promoted to Legal Assistant. Dina is responsible for assisting both Rule of Law and Criminal Law staff in coordinating program activities and conducting legal research. She speaks Romanian, Russian, English.
Gabriel Mumjiev, Program Assistant/Public Relations <gabriel@abaceeli.md> is responsible for coordinating the Traveling Lawyer Program and public relations. Gabriel also assists with various other CEELI projects. He came to CEELI in March 2002 after working as a program coordinator for the Soros Foundation, the International Foundation for Election Systems, and as a journalist for a private TV station. Gabriel holds a degree in journalism and communication from Bucharest State University in Romania.
Read liaison profiles for Moldova
| Morocco |
Richard Paton, Deputy Regional Director <rpaton@aba.ma> received a B.A. from Oberlin College in 1985 and a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law in 1990. He began his professional career at the World Bank, where he first managed environmental policy compliance for development projects in Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa. He subsequently coordinated a World Bank program of international waters protection projects funded by the Global Environment Facility. He has spent more than 10 years at the international level managing legal and sustainable development projects. Prior to becoming Morocco country director, he was CEELI's Uzbekistan country director after serving as an environmental law liaison there.
Kathryn Zoglin, Deputy Program Director, Morocco, <kzoglin@aba.ma.
Siham Al Figuigui, Women and Law Staff Attorney <sfiguigui@aba.ma> received her bachelor’s degree in Law from the Mohamed V University, Rabat, in 2000 and her master’s degree in Business Law from the University of Pierre Mendès France in 2001. Before joining CEELI in May 2005, Siham worked in the development department of AGMA LAHLOU-TAZI, the Moroccan leader of insurance brokerage and the partner of Marsh and MacLennon. In addition to her work for CEELI, Siham hopes to receive her M.B.A. from the ENPC business school (Ecole Nationale des Ponts et chaussées–Paris-Casablanca) in December 2005.
Lamia El Bouanani, Human Rights Legal Clinic Program Officer <lelbouanani@aba.ma> graduated with a master’s degree in International Affairs in 2001 and a master’s degree in Economics in 2002 from l’Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris (“Sciences-Po Paris”). Before joining CEELI in July 2005, she worked for two years in the United Nations Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and then in the Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility (SGP/GEF) in Rabat. She also recently completed an intensive English program at Columbia University in New York.
Youssef El Falah, Staff Attorney <yelfalah@aba.ma> joined CEELI in 2005 to work on judicial reform in Morocco. He received a B.A. in 1995 inPprivate Law from Mohamed V University in Rabat, where he prepared a thesis on preventive detention and human rights. He completed his M.A. in Business Law at the University of Perpignan in 1998. After law school, Youssef joined the legal department of the Commercial Bank of Morocco, the largest private bank in the country, where he managed commercial litigation for three years. He subsequently joined Maersk Sealand, the largest shipping company in the world, as a claims manager.
Salma Tounsi, Office Manager and Field Finance Manager<stounsi@aba.ma> received her bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management and Business Administration from the University Les Roches, Marbella, in Spain in 2003. Before joining CEELI in October 2004, Salma has accomplished training in the most prestigious Hotel of Marbella named Park Plaza Suites as a Sales and Marketing Deputy Manager. She subsequently joined the Sheraton Hotel & Towers, one of the leading hotels of Morocco, as Sales and Marketing Executive.
| Romania |
In Washington, D.C.
Molly Inman <minman@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
Lucy Gillers <lgillers@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Romania.In Romania
Madeleine Crohn, Country Director <mcrohn@abaceeli.ro> joined CEELI in April 2003 to oversee its rule of law programs in Romania. She obtained her international public law and comparative literature degrees in Paris. Her past positions were all with non-profit organizations involved in justice reforms including: pretrial diversion in the Criminal Courts in New York City, head of the Pretrial Services Resource Center and of the National Institute for Dispute Resolution - both in Washington D.C.; and, most recently, as principal project director at the National Center for State Courts, where she administered rule of law projects worldwide."Genoveva Bolea, Program Coordinator <genoveva@abaceeli.ro> graduated from the Letter Faculty of the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania. Before joining CEELI's Moldova office as a legal assistant in 1998, she worked as an English/Romanian teacher for three years and as a translator for various organizations. She first worked on CEELI's environmental law program for two and a half years, after which she worked on the rule of law program until February 2002. The next month she transferred to CEELI Romania, where she has worked on the rule of law program ever since. Genoveva is fluent in English and Romanian and intermediate in French.
Ramona-Elena Cherciu Junior Staff Attorney <rcherciu@abaceeli.ro> joined CEELI in April 2006 as a Legal Assistant. Starting July 2006 she became a junior staff attorney. She graduated from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Philosophy in 2004 and she obtained her law degree from the University "Nicolae Titulescu"- Bucharest in June 2006. Cherciu participated in international study-programs in European Studies (Austria, France, Ireland) and law moot court competitions involving human rights law, humanitarian law, and international law. She is fluent in English and French.
Adina Hristea, Office Manager <adina@abaceeli.ro> has been with CEELI since September 2001. In September 2000, she graduated from the Academy of Economic Studies-Bucharest, Faculty of Commerce, obtaining a license diploma in marketing. A year later, in June 2001, she finished the postgraduate studies at the same faculty, with a diploma in marketing systems profile.
Raluca Stancescu , Staff Attorney <rstancescu@abaceeli.ro> joined CEELI in September 2006. She obtained her law degrees in Bucharest and Paris, and holds a master in public administration from the French National School of Administration. Before joining CEELI Raluca was a lawyer at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. She also worked with the Romanian Ministry of Public Administration, and was an expert with an EU funded program on legal reform in Romania. She is fluent in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese.
| Russia |
In Washington, D.C.
Andrew Buhler <abuhler@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Caucasus and Russia.
Diane Scott <dscott@abaceeli.org> is the Program Associate for Russia.
In Russia
Marc Lassman, Country Director, <mlassman@abamos.ru>, graduated with a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, a J.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Nottingham in England. He practiced law in civil and criminal litigation prior to embarking on an international development career. Marc works on projects relating to establishing ethical codes for attorneys, judges and prosecutors; laws governing the legal profession and judicial and prosecutorial service; training for attorneys and judges; and practical skills programs for law students prior to joining ABA/CEELI in September 2003.
Julia Antonova, Director Attorney for Gender Programs has worked at CEELI since May 2006. She graduated from the History Department of the Samara State University and Law Department of the Moscow State University of the Economics, Statistics and Information Technology. Before joining CEELI Julia worked as Program Director and Senior Lecturer of the Gender Studies Center, History Department, Samara State University, and the Co-Director and Lawyer of the Non-Governmental Organization "Samara Gender Studies Center." She has contributed to the realization of national and international projects on violence against women, gender studies, gender stereotypes and gender discrimination.
Dmitry Badeev, IT Specialist <dbadeev@abamos.ru> joined CEELI in December 1998. He graduated from the Mathematics Faculty of Moscow State University, is a Microsoft Certified Professional and a member of Russia's Writer's Union.
Kristen Bomengen, Legal Specialist in Vladivostok, joined CEELI in October of 2006. Kristen received her BA in English from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and her JD from the University of Washington School of Law. She served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Alaska for 12 years, supervising the Human Services Section for nine years. From 2002 to 2004, she worked as a municipal attorney in the Inupiaq community of Barrow, Alaska on the Arctic Ocean.Patrick Grove, Rule of Law Liaison in Vladivostok Office, joined CEELI in September 2005 to open a new office to serve the Russian Far East. Prior to joining CEELI, Pat was a partner in the litigation section of a commercial law firm in Minneapolis. He received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 1998 and received his Political Science degree from Saint John's University in 1993.
Arina Khitrina, Staff Attorney in Vladivostok joined CEELI in May, 2006. She graduated from Far Eastern State Technical University (Vladivostok) in 2003. She obtained an honors degree and qualification as a lawyer. After graduating from university, she worked as a lawyer in a legal consulting firm and as a teacher of Constitutional law in the Far Eastern State Technical University. Then, she held the position of legal adviser in a group of trade companies. She is fluent in English.
Olga Lapunova, Office Manager <olapunova@abamos.ru> joined CEELI in 2004. Originally from Estonia, she graduated in 1985 from St. Petersburg State University with a degree in vertebrate zoology. After several years working in a drug testing center, Olga began working for Care International in 1992 and in 1993 became the office manager for Eurasia Foundation, where she later became the senior administrator in the Russia office. In 2003 she received a degree in human resources management from the Academy of National Economy.Mikhail Melnik, Secretary <mmelnik@abamos.ru> has worked at CEELI since May 2004. He graduated from the Law Department of Moscow City Pedagogical University and was chosen for a competitive internship at the Moscow Senior Police Department. Before joining CEELI, Mikhail worked as an attorney's assistant at the Moscow Oblast Collegium of Advocates.
Dmitri Nenashev, Staff Attorney, CEELI Samara Office <Bigdee@mail.ru> joined CEELI in December 2003. He graduated from the English Language Department of Samara State University in 1998 and from the Law School in 2000. In 2002, he received a Ph.D. in political science from Kazan State University. From 2000 to 2002, Dmitri was deputy dean of one of the law faculties at Samara State.
Ilya Padchin, Russian American Rule of Law Consortium Program Coordinator <ipadchin@abamos.ru> holds a law degree from Petrozavodsk State University, Russia, and an LL.M. in International Commercial Law from the University of Nottingham, England. Before joining CEELI in September 2005, Ilya had worked as a lawyer in a law firm, as an assistant to a judge of a city court, and had served as a liaison and translator for various American-Russian seminars. He is a member of Union of Jurists of the Republic of Karelia.
Alexander Papernyi, Staff Attorney, Criminal Law Reform Program <apaperny@abamos.ru> joined the Moscow office in October 2001 after having been an assistant to a member of the Russian parliament. He has a B.A. from St. Petersburg State University Law Faculty and an LL.M. from Central European University. Alexander provides legal expertise and conducts research and analysis on Russian law. Currently he works on a pilot access to justice project, oversees jury trial training and is responsible for seminars on the European Convention on Human Rights.
Vera Romanova, Advocacy Program Coordinator <vromanova@abamos.ru> graduated from Moscow State University. Before joining CEELI, she worked as senior researcher at the Institute of U.S. and Canadian Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences. She handles all logistics for the Advocacy Program's activities and oversees publication of the Dialogue electronic newsletter that reports on NGO developments.
Maria Schastyeva, Accountant <mschastyeva@abamos.ru> completed a degree at the British College of Banking and Finance and Moscow State University of Economics, Statistics and Informatics. Before joining CEELI in December 2002, Maria worked for Charities Aid Foundation in Moscow as financial manager and accountant.
Katerina Shugrina, Directing Attorney for Advocacy Program <eshugrina@abamos.ru> earned her first degree from the Novosibirsk Engineering Institute and a second from the Siberian Academy of State Service. She has studied at the Seattle University School of Law and received a Ph.D. from the Moscow State Law Academy. Ekaterina taught constitutional law and was director of the legal clinic at Altai Academy of Economy and Law before joining CEELI in 2001. She has served as an expert trainer for the Soros Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the International Republican Institute.
| Serbia |
In Washington, D.C.
Molly Inman <minman@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central and Eastern Europe.
Melissa Zelikoff <mzelikoff@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Serbia.In Serbia
Robert Lochary, Regional Program Director <rlochary@abaceeliyu.org> joined CEELI in June 2002 as a Criminal Law Liaison in Bulgaria and later worked as the country director for Serbia. Previously, Robert worked as a Prosecutor in the First Judicial District Attorney's Office, Jefferson County, Colorado, and as a Mental Health Worker at the Bethesda Psychiatric Hospital in Denver. Robert holds a B.S. from Southern Illinois University and a J.D. from the University of Denver.Blazo Nedic, Deputy Country Director for Serbia <bnedic@abaceeliyu.org> has worked in the CEELI Belgrade office since January 2000, most recently as Senior Legal Counsel. He graduated from the Belgrade Law Faculty in 1991 and completed post-graduate studies in international and comparative business law at the London Guildhall University (London, UK) in 1995. Blazo has worked as a lawyer in private practice in England and in Serbia. He is a member of the Serbian Bar Association and an associate member of the American Bar Association.
Jelena Bujosevic, Legal Assistant <jelenab@abaceeli.yu.org> graduated from Belgrade Law Faculty’s Department for International Law in 2004. Since 2001, she has been working for the Norwegian Refugee Council's Civil Rights Project in Serbia as a legal assistant and coordinator. Apart from providing legal assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, Jelena preformed various coordination tasks related to in-court representation cases, asylum capacity building, and development of the project case database. She also assisted in cases of refugees from Croatia whose return to Serbia had been denied and those who had requested a criminal record verification.
Snezana Ivanovic-Hriesik, Staff Attorney <snezanaih@abaceeliyu.org> graduated from the Belgrade Law Faculty in 1997 and completed bar exam in January 2001. She worked as senior legal advisor in Federal Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Welfare on harmonizing domestic legislation with that of the European Union and the United States, as well as multilateral and bilateral government agreements. Since January 2002, she has worked on several E.U.-funded projects managed by the European Agency for Reconstruction as a local law and regulations expert. She drafted the Law on Medicines and Medical Devices, the Law on Transfusion, and several legal acts regarding the reform of public health and tobacco control.
Jelena Jolic, Legal Assistant <jjolic@abaceeliyu.org> finished Law School at the Belgrade University in 2002. During her studies she volunteered at the Yugoslav Lawyer's Committee for Human Rights. After she finished her studies, she started working for the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights as a project coordinator. As a part of a joint project of the University of Florence and the European Commission, she spent two months in Florence to conduct research on the topic of Prevention of Torture within the Council of Europe Standards. She transferred from the Belgrade Centre to the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Serbia and Montenegro to work on the State's Initial Report on the Implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. She is one of the authors on the “Complaint Procedure before the UN Treaty Bodies” manual.
Alisa Konjensic-Radic, Interpreter <alisa@abaceeliyu.org> works in CEELI's Belgrade office. She worked as a freelance translator before joining CEELI.
Irena Lucic, Administrative Assistant <irenal@abaceeliyu.org> is finishing her studies at the Faculty of Special Education in Belgrade, where she has concentrated on working with special needs children and adults.
Damir Milutinovic, Legal Assistant <damirm@abaceeliyu.org> graduated from the University of Belgrade Law School in 2002. He has worked for the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights where he was the project coordinator charged with poverty eradication and economic and social rights issues as well as being responsible for cooperation with the Catholic Relief Services and 25 local NGOs in drafting the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper. From September 2003 to January 2004 he was an Associate of the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights with Catholic Relief Services.
Nikola Vojnovic, Staff Attorney <nvojnovic@abaceeliyu.org> graduated from the Belgrade Law Faculty in 2001 and immediately joined CEELI's Belgrade office. He volunteered at the Belgrade Center for Human Rights while studying in law school. Since then, he has worked with judges, prosecutors, magistrates and young lawyers on various rule of law projects. He passed the bar examination in May 2004.
Gordana Walker, Office Manager <gordanaw@abaceeliyu.org> has been with CEELI's Belgrade office since it opened in 1997. She lived for many years in England before returning to Serbia.
| Tajikistan |
In Washington, D.C.
John Keeton <jkeeton@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central Asia.
Catherine Cone <ccone@abaceeli.org> is the Program Associate for Tajikistan.In Tajikistan
Zarina Abdulalieva, Women's Rights Project Assistant and Field Finance Manager <zarina@ceeli.tj> joined CEELI in May 2003. In her position, Zarina is responsible for managing all country grant expenses and assisting in the development of Women's Legal Advocacy Centers in Dushanbe and Khujand. A 2001 graduate of the International Relations Faculty of the Slavonic Russian-Tajik University, Zarina is currently a part time student at the faculty of Law of the Tyumen State University. Prior to joining CEELI, Zarina worked for the project of the World Bank and other international organizations.Hoji Hojiev, Temporary Program Asssistant <hoji_3558@rambler.ru>
Kathleen Johnson, Criminal Law Specialist to Tajikistan was a partner in Gespass & Johnson law firm for almost 20 years before joining CEELI in June 2006. She practiced general law involving all aspects of litigation including criminal law, domestic relations, civil rights and civil consumer rights. From 1999 to 2000, Kathleen worked for OSCE as a Human Rights and Legal Advisor. She has worked in the Balkans in several capacities, first as a UNHCR protection officer in Sarajevo in 1994 and she has observed numerous elections. Kathleen received her L.L.M in International Law and her J.D. from American University. She also holds an M.P.A and B.A from American University.
Djamshed Khudonazarov, Dushanbe Office Manager <jamshed@ceeli.tj> was a driver with CEELI when the office first opened in 1997. He was promoted in 2003 to office manager.Lola Khusanova, Khujand Office Manager/Translator <lola@ceeli-khuand.com> joined CEELI's Khujand office in February 2005. She had previously worked for the Mennonite Economic Development Associates and several commercial communications and trading companies.
Larisa Petrosyan, Program Coordinator <larisa@ceeli.tj> joined CEELI in September 1997. Larisa graduated from the Tajik State Pedagogical University Foreign Language Faculty in 1996 and is currently enrolled at the Law Faculty of Tajik State University. She is responsible for supporting program development, implementation, coordination and record-keeping. She recently assumed responsibility for the legal education programs in Dushanbe.
Dilrabo (Dilya) Samadova, Part-Time Legal Education Program Assistant <dilrabo@ceeli-khujand.com> is a recent law graduate who is president of the newly formed Tajik Young Lawyers Association. Dilya works in Khujand.
Firuza Urusova, Assistant to the Country Director/Outreach Coordinator, joined CEELI in May of 2006 as assistant to the country director and outreach coordinator. A graduate of the Russian-Tajik Slavonic University in Dushanbe in international relations, Firuza came to CEELI from a Russian commercial firm where she was assistant to the country director. She worked previously in the Ministry of Economy and Trade and is a co-founder and deputy director of an NGO, the Republican Centre on Human Rights and Civil Society.
Jamshed Zakirich, Project Assistant <Jamshed@ceeli-khujand.com> was an intern and security guard in the Khujand office before being promoted to project assistant for legal education. He coordinates the Street Law program and assists with the externship program.
Zulfikor Zamonov, Staff Attorney <zzamonov@ceeli.tj> joined CEELI in June 2003 as a Street Law Program Coordinator and in November he was promoted as a Staff Attorney. Zulfikor received his degree from the Law Faculty of the Tajik State National University in 2002. From June 2000 until 2002 he was the Chairman of the League of Students Lawyers of Tajikistan and before joining CEELI, he worked for Open Society Institute - Tajikistan as a Law Program Assistant and Street Law Coordinator and for International Crisis Group as a Project Manager. Zulfikor is a professor at the International law and International Humanitarian Law (Human Rights) Faculty of the Modern Humanitarian Academy. He works with law students to promote and implement legal education projects in Dushanbe, such as Mock Trial Competition, Moot Court Competition, Summer Camp, Street Law and Human Rights course.
Farangis Zikriyaeva, Staff Attorney <farangis@ceeli-khujand.com> graduated from the Law Faculty of Khujand State University in 2002. Before joining CEELI in October 2002, she worked as a law teacher at Khujand State University. She began working at CEELI in May 2003 as a Program Assistant and in December 2003 she was promoted to the position of staff attorney. She works on legal education programs in Khujand and supervises the externship program.
| Turkmenistan |
In Washington, D.C.
John Keeton <jkeeton@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Central Asia.
Heather Salfrank <hsalfrank@abaceeli.org> is the Program Officer for Turkmenistan.
In Uzbekistan
Susan Carnduff <scarnduff@abaceeli.uz> is the Country Director for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.In Turkmenistan
Gunesh Bakgalova, Staff Attorney <gunesh.aba@mail.ru> joined CEELI in March 2003. Gunesh graduated in 1999 with honors from Turkmen State University's Law and International Relations Department, where she did research on special economic zones. She has worked in the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations since her graduation and was most recently leading expert in the Department of Legal Regulation of Trade. Gunesh was a lecturer in law at Turkmen State University from 1999 to 2001.
| Ukraine |
In Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Denton Jafari <abuhler@abaceeli.org> is the Program Manager for Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus.
Miako Kanetani <mkanetani@abaceeli.org> is the Program Associate for Ukraine.
In Ukraine
Shelley R. Wieck, Country Director, Ukraine joined CEELI in June 2006 after working as Head of Mission/Program Manager for Avocats Sans Frontieres-Belgium in Dili, Timor-Leste, where she developed the East Timor Bar Association and implemented private lawyer training programs, as well as managed a grassroots legal education program to provide training to village chiefs and community leaders in developing a network of paralegals in rural districts. Shelley was a practicing attorney for 16 years specializing in the area of family law and civil trial litigation before joining the Peace Corps, which took her to Timor-Leste. She received her B.A. and J.D. from the University of South Dakota.Nadiya Bezberezhyeva, Chief Accountant <nadiya@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in October 2001. Before joining CEELI Nadiya worked as an accountant for a number of commercial enterprises and NGOs. At the moment, besides helping CEELI with its finances, Nadiya also assists Academy of Educational Development in the role of Chief Accountant.
Nataliya Dromina, Rule of Law Anti-Corruption Project Coordinator <ndromina@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in December 2005 after completing the 2004-2005 E. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program. The program included studying at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in Pennsylvania and an internship in the American Society of International Law in Washington, D.C. Before participating in the Muskie program, Nataliya was a leading specialist and acting head of the International Relations Department of the High Council of Justice of Ukraine. Her career also included working at the U.S. Embassy and at Project Harmony in Kyiv. Nataliya holds a specialist degree in law from the State Management and International Legal Relations Department of the Odessa National Academy of Law and an LL.M. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Tatyana Khavanska, Program Coordinator, Regional Anti-Corruption Advisor Program <tkhavanska@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in August 2001 after working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a junior attaché at the NATO Cooperation Department and at Counterpart International. She holds a master's degree in international relations and international organizations from Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University, Institute of International Relations, and a bachelor's degree from the Goethe Institute. Click here to read about Tanya's experiences promoting the rule of law in Ukraine.
Serhiy Korniyenko, Legal Specialist, Eurasia Regional Anti-Corruption Program <skornienko@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in November 2004 after working as the leading specialist at the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (MOJ) and the External Economic Activities Legislation Department of the MOJ. Before his career with the MOJ, he was a lawyer at Media Consulting International. Serhiy holds a master’s degree in law from the Kyiv University of Law at the Korets’ky State and Law Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Katya Kozlova, Field Grants Monitor / Administrative Assistant <katya@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in March 1999 after teaching English as a second language at a vocational (high) school for three years. Originally from the town of Zolotonosha in Ukraine's Cherkasy Region, Katya holds a master's degree in English.
Vasili Kukharchyk, Advocacy and Legal Aid Program Coordinator <vkukharchik@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI's Kyiv office in September 2005. He first joined CEELI as an interpreter in Belarus office in 2000 and in 2004 became the interim staff attorney in that office. Vasili received his law degree from Belarus State University and his LL.M. in Comparative Constitutional Law from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.
Inga Meladze, Field Finance Manager / Office Manager <abaukr@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in July 2001 and is responsible for all aspects of managing the CEELI Ukraine office. Inga graduated from the Ukrainian National Polytechnic University and speaks Russian, Ukrainian, English and French.
Yana Naralskaya, Institution-Building Advisor for Ukraine/Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist <yana@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in May 2003. Prior to her current position, Ms. Naralskaya was Advising Secretary at Kristall, a diamond polishing factory in Vinnytsya, Ukraine. From 1993 to 1996, Yana was a freelance interpreter at state notary bureau No. 2 in the Ukraine. From 1991 to 1993, she served as Deputy Director of vocational school No. 31 and taught English. Yana graduated from Kyiv State Linguistic University in June 1991. She speaks Russian, English and Ukrainian and has working knowledge of French and Spanish.
Galyna Polishchuk, Program Coordinator for the Defence Advocates Program <gpolishchuk@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in November 2005. Prior to her current position, Galyna was a training and logistical assistant to the Project of Reform of Arbitration Courts and support to Court Administration funded by the European Commission and implemented by the United Nations Development Program. Before that, she worked as an office manager for a USAID-sponsored project administered by the National Democratic Institute and Freedom House. In 2003, she worked as a lawyer in the law firm of Ilyashev & Partners, which she first joined as a lawyer’s assistant in 2002. Galyna graduated from the law department of Kyiv National Taras Shevshenko University in 2003 and obtained a Master of Laws in European and Comparative Law from Gent University in Belgium in 2004. She speaks Russian, English and Ukrainian and has working knowledge of Czech.
Taras Rozputenko, Program Coordinator for Law Enforcement Reform <trozputenko@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in July 2005 as a Law Enforcement Reform Project Officer after working for real estate company. He holds a master's degree in law from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Volodymyr Shelepko, IT Specialist <vshelepko@abaceeli.kiev.ua>
Irina Zaretska, Legal Advisor Criminal Law Program <izaretska@abaceeli.kiev.ua> joined CEELI in December 2003 after working as a professor and head of the International Relations Department at the Academy of Prosecution of Ukraine, where she was responsible for all international programs conducted with different international organizations and institutions. Irina had previously served for five years as a senior prosecutor for the General Prosecutor’s Office and continued to serve as a prosecutor while at the academy. She holds a master’s degree in law from Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University and is a practicing lawyer.
Read liaison profiles for Ukraine
| Washington, D.C. |
Omar Badawi, Middle East Program Officer <obadawi@abaceeli.org> joined CEELI in November 2002. Originally from Montreal, Canada, Omar holds an M.A. in Developing Areas and Middle East Studies from McGill University and a B.S. in Biology and Political Science from Concordia University. Before joining CEELI, Omar worked at the Interuniversity Consortium for Arab and Middle Eastern Studies and as an editor for Heda Horizons Publishing, both in Montreal. He speaks French fluently.
Geoffrey Bentz, Director, Information Technology <gbentz@abaceeli.org> started with CEELI shortly after receiving his law degree from George Washington University in 1993. Geoffrey currently manages CEELI's information technology needs, including maintaining the network computers and servers and assisting users with their computers and software applications. Originally from San Leandro, California, he also speaks German and Russian.
Ingeborg Bock, CEELI Deputy Director and Director of Administration and Finance <ibock@abaceeli.org> came to CEELI in October 2001 after working as the Chief Financial Officer at Ashoka - Innovators for the Public. Prior to Ashoka, Ingeborg also worked at the Overseas Development Council as the Director of Administration and Finance and Treasurer. Ingeborg is responsible for CEELI's Administration, Human Resources, Recruitment, Information Technology and Finance Departments. Originally from Nossen/Saxony in the former East Germany, Ingeborg studied business administration and finance in Germany.
John Bringewatt, Middle East Program Associate <jbringewatt@abaceeli.org> joined CEELI in January 2006. John holds a B.A. from Colgate University with concentrations in Political Science and Psychology. He earned honors in Political Science for his thesis “Post-Cold War Conflict Between the West and Islam: Is there a Clash of Civilizations?” John previously worked in Washington, D.C., as an office assistant at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston and as an intern for Congressman James McGovern. He is originally from Rochester, New York.
Elizabeth Candler, Program Manager, Middle East , joined CEELI in February 2005 and is working to establish a human rights law clinic at a Moroccan law faculty. She received a B.A. from Vassar College and a J.D. from Catholic University. Elizabeth was a litigator for eight years -- four years in private practice and four years with the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Most recently, she served as a legal advisor to a refugee legal aid project in Cairo, Egypt, where she studied Arabic. Elizabeth, who is from Washington, D.C., joined CEELI to continue the international work she began in Egypt.
Carson Clements, Legal Analyst <cclements@abaceeli.org>joined CEELI in September 2004 following work as a legal advisor with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Sarajevo. Carson specializes in international and comparative law, commercial law and litigation, counter-terrorism, trans-Atlantic security structures, conflict prevention, and the laws and policies of the European Union. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in History from the State University of New York at Brockport, a Ph.D. in Diplomatic History from Miami University, an M.A in International Relations from the Maxwell School, and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.
Catherine Cone, Program Associate, Tajikistan and CEELI Institute <ccone@abaceeli.org> joined CEELI in January 2005. She supports CEELI’s programs in Tajikistan and oversees operations/assists with programmatic and fundraising developments for the CEELI Institute. She also tracks funding for CEELI at large. Before CEELI, Catherine worked at the Development Executive Group, an international development membership organization. At DevEx, she provided research and general support, most notably on the Doing Business with USAID manual. She earned her B.A. in Spanish literature with minors in Political Science and English from Duke University in 2003.
Simon Conté, Deputy Director, Office of Rule of Law Research, and Coordinator, Legal Education Reform Focal Area <sconte@abaceeli.org> manages CEELI's research and publications activities, particularly assessments of draft legislation from the region, concept papers providing overviews of relevant legal topics, and discussion papers providing comparative research on relevant legal topics. Simon holds