Spring 2026 Candidates — UC Law Student Bar Association

Robby Belt

Candidate for President

Dear UC Law Community: When deciding between UC Law and IU McKinney, admitted student day at UC Law stood out immediately: people actually wanted to be there, professors were approachable, and it genuinely felt like a community. Now, as a 2L, that feeling has only grown stronger and has inspired me to run for SBA President. I have seen firsthand how important SBA is to maintaining this environment. Serving on the SBA Executive Board as a Party Chair for the Barrister’s Committee, I have helped plan events that unite our student body. As President, I will build on that foundation. I want SBA to foster deeper student connections while expanding our engagement outside the law school with the broader Cincinnati community. These collaborations help us grow both as students and as future attorneys representing UC Law. Outside of SBA, I serve as a Thomson Reuters Student Brand Ambassador, Genesis Ambassador, and Admissions Experience Champion. In these roles, I connect current students with resources and share our strong community with prospective students. As Lana Del Rey once said, “Every night I used to pray that I’d find my people, and finally I did.” That line captures exactly how I felt choosing UC Law, and it reflects the welcoming community I hope to continue strengthening. With these skills, experiences, and a clear vision for our future, I would be honored to serve as your next SBA President. Thank you for your consideration, Robby Belt

Julianna Kapovic

Candidate for President

Serving on SBA as both a 1L Representative and Community Co-Chair has been a privilege, and I would be honored to continue serving as your SBA President. As an out-of-state student, SBA has given me a way to become part of the community and find my voice within it. Last year, I organized the 1L Friendsgiving and, this year, expanded it to a school-wide potluck! Furthermore, I founded the SBA Cohort Olympics, and I’m currently collaborating with our 1L Representatives to continue and expand the Olympics to all students! Additionally, I hosted trivia nights last fall, which will resume this spring. Contributing to SBA has been extremely rewarding, and I hope these activities become lasting SBA traditions. If elected as your SBA President, I will continue building a community where students feel supported, heard, and included. I would encourage students to bring me their ideas, knowing I will do everything I can to help make them a reality. I also want to support the small things that make the long days easier, including continuing to supply free coffee, bringing back emergency laptop chargers, and having toiletry essentials available to freshen up. Most importantly, I want every student to feel that they belong here and feel safe being themselves. I am committed to advocating for every voice and ensuring that UC Law is a place where everyone thrives. Thank you for considering my candidacy. I would be honored to earn your support and the opportunity to serve as your SBA President.

Claire Courter

Candidate for President

Hi everyone! My name is Claire Courter, and I am very excited to run for President of the Student Bar Association. I take great pride in UC Law and genuinely care about the environment of our school. I have served as SBA’s 1L and 2L Representative, where I helped plan events like the 1L Olympics, Taft Week, and Speed Networking, among others. Through these roles, I have become familiar with the inner workings of the school and have built strong relationships with faculty. This experience has prepared me well to step into the role of President. If elected as President, I plan to continue the strong legacy of SBA leadership while strengthening our connection with the student body. SBA is a voice for students, a place where concerns, ideas, and feedback can be heard and translated into meaningful action within your time at UC Law. I will prioritize ensuring that every student feels heard and represented. I also plan to take a hands-on approach in supporting student organizations in any way I can, whether by helping plan new and exciting events or assisting with our long-standing traditions. Being part of SBA has been one of the highlights of my law school experience. I value building connections within our student body and with the Cincinnati legal community. If elected, I will work to make the 2026–2027 school year one of the best yet. I would be honored to serve as your next SBA President. Thank you for your consideration. -Claire

Laura Cabrera Espinal

Candidate for Vice President

Dear UC Law colleagues, My name is Laura Cabrera Espinal, and I am running for SBA Vice President. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of representing the student body as SBA Secretary. I am incredibly proud of the work that the Executive Council has accomplished this year, from organizing meaningful events to successfully supporting our philanthropy partner. Although the Secretary role is administrative by nature, I have enjoyed the opportunity to meaningfully contribute my opinions and ideas. Outside of SBA, I serve as BLSA Treasurer, a role in which I manage the largest budget of any student organization. Additionally, I serve as a SLEC representative, another position in which I advocate for the needs of the student body. These leadership positions have helped me develop the organizational, collaborative, and communication skills necessary to succeed. As Vice President, I will serve as a liaison between SBA, student organizations, and the student body. As keeper of the Constitution, I will address questions and concerns about our governing documents to prioritize and ensure transparency. Working closely with the Vice President this year has strengthened my confidence that I am well prepared to serve in this role. If elected, I will work to represent our student body, foster community, strengthen connections among students, and upholding the SBA Constitution. I am also prepared to work in tandem with the rest of the Executive Council and support the incoming president in any way possible. Thank you for your consideration.

Matthew Sprenger

Candidate for Vice President

Hello All, I am Matthew Sprenger and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Vice President of SBA! I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet and become friends with many of you, and I hope to make more of these connections throughout the remainder of law school. I look forward to serving our community. My primary goal can be summarized in three words: Get Costs Down! This will make SBA events more attractive and increase participation. It is important for students and future lawyers to have strong relationships with their colleagues, and that begins with accessibility to enjoyable events. No doubt, the SBA events have been incredible, but the high cost means it may be difficult for students who have limited income or expensive loans to either participate or afford. Our future events should satisfy all of the following vowel elements: A - Affordable, E - Exciting, I - Innovative, O - Often, U - Unforgettable. I have experience reducing costs in both my personal life, as well as in a professional capacity, saving literally thousands of dollars by negotiating, advising and creative planning. If elected Vice President, as an advisor to the SBA committees and Executive Council, I plan to offer creative solutions to reduce costs for events and structure a way to subsidize and reduce costs for future classes as well. I hope I can count on your support and would be honored to serve as your Vice President! – Matthew Sprenger

Jake Lynn

Candidate for Vice President

Dear friends, My name is Jake Lynn, and I’m humbly running for Vice President of our Student Bar Association. I’ve had the privilege of serving the class of 2027 and the entire UC Law community as one of your 2L Representatives this year, and it would be an honor to continue this service in the role of Vice President. Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love this school (after all, there’s certainly a lot to love), but the people make this place extraordinarily special for me. I always try my best to communicate with my peers, form meaningful connections, and let others know that they are never alone when they’re at UC Law. I’m sure nearly everyone knows my background at this point, but I didn’t really come from much. Growing up as a queer kid in rural Appalachia was extraordinarily difficult. Never in my life did I think I would be where I am now: out of my tiny 90-person village, in grad school, surrounded by the kindest individuals in the whole world. Every day feels like a dream, but I am grateful to know that it isn’t merely a dream anymore. It’s my reality. If chosen as Vice President, I would proudly serve our community to the best of my ability because I want to give back to the people who have quite literally changed my life for the better. Thank you for your consideration!

Anna Williams

Candidate for Treasurer

I am running for Treasurer because I want to ensure our student body has financial stewardship that is transparent, organized, and committed to serving our UC law community. My background in finance and experience managing funds have prepared me to take on this responsibility with accuracy and accountability. As a portfolio manager, I helped oversee more than $2.2 million in assets. Beyond research and presentations, I prepared weekly updates, performance spreadsheets, and agendas to ensure that every team member had clear, timely information. This work strengthened my ability to manage budgets, communicate financial decisions, and maintain organized records. My professional experiences have also taught me how to communicate complex information clearly and support others with patience and professionalism. Whether explaining a concept or preparing a detailed report, I prioritize clarity, collaboration, and trust. If elected, I will bring that same diligence to managing our organization’s funds, advocating for responsible spending, and keeping our financial processes up-to-date and easy to understand. I would be honored to earn your support and look forward to serving our UC law community as Treasurer.

Olivia Riggs

Candidate for Treasurer

I am honored to run for Student Bar Association Treasurer for the 2026–2027 academic year at the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Over the past year, serving as Organization Director has been one of the most meaningful leadership experiences of my time in law school. In this role, I have overseen all student organizations, worked closely with their leadership teams, and helped ensure that student groups have the support and guidance they need to succeed. One accomplishment I am especially proud of is executing the Student Organization Fair, which connected students with the many opportunities available across our law school community. I also worked with students to help a new group successfully navigate the process of becoming an official student organization. These experiences showed me how vital student organizations are to building community and enriching the law school experience. The three pillars that guide my leadership are transparency, kindness, and fairness. If elected Treasurer, I will prioritize making SBA finances and the budgeting process clearer and more accessible so that students and student organizations better understand how funds are allocated and how they can benefit from them. I have learned so much from working with student leaders and advocating for their needs. These experiences strengthened my commitment to representing students and ensuring their voices are heard. I hope to continue bringing that passion and dedication to the SBA, if elected as Treasurer.

Breanna Dweik

Candidate for Secretary

I am running for Secretary because I am committed to putting UC Law Students first. As a first-generation law student and the daughter of an immigrant, I have often struggled with feeling like I belong in law school or like I deserve this education—as I am the first woman in my family to have this opportunity. I know I am not alone in that sentiment. I am running to be a part of the “Big Four” to ensure every student feels not just welcome but celebrated, regardless of their journey to get here. We, the students, are the heart of UC Law, and I want to create a space and culture that truly represents us. I believe my background has made me exceptionally qualified for this position. My experience as a manager in the food-service industry and as a leader and mentor on the executive board of Pre-Law club have taught me how to lead under pressure. Furthermore, my time as an immigration paralegal has given me a deep appreciation for organization, while my background in journalism has instilled in me a value for transparent communication. As your Secretary, I promise to deliver prompt communication, excellent organization, and, most importantly, unwavering support to the students of UC Law. I would be honored to be the friend in your corner. Vote for me to support you!

Priscilla Caballero

Candidate for Secretary

As a Latina, I’ve always found myself in the minority when entering academic spaces, and law school has been no different. Being a first-gen law student has especially brought forth challenges I didn’t know I’d take on. I’m the oldest daughter of two immigrant parents so I grew up constantly wishing someone had come before me, like an older sibling, to show me how it’s done. Luckily, I’ve been able to connect with the small community of Latinos that do exist here at UC Law and they’ve helped me find my way. We really are such a small group of people, however, and I want to ensure our perspectives are represented to the highest level possible within the school. SBA is supposed to reflect the student body, and we can’t accomplish that if marginalized identities aren’t represented. While I don’t always see myself in the people in the spotlight ahead of me, I want to be the person the crowd looks to and be the representation I’ve always wanted to model myself after. Aside from providing representation, I’d be a great fit for secretary because I have strong communication and organizational skills, as I’ve served on multiple executive boards in undergrad. I know I’ll be able to promptly share information between executive members and listen to non-SBA members to convey ideas to the executive board. I consider myself very friendly, as I never have any issues talking with people and I’m confident I’ll make everyone’s ideas and concerns feel heard

Alex Shewmaker

Candidate for Secretary

Serving as a current 1L representative of the Student Bar Association has given me an inside view of how our organization operates, and where it can grow. I am running for Secretary because I want to help build the organization that makes everything else possible. Secretaries keep records and maintain clear communication, but more importantly they build trust. When members can rely on consistent meeting minutes, timely updates, and transparent documentation, it strengthens the entire SBA’s credibility and effectiveness; and that is something I personally commit to delivering. My experience as an elected SBA member has prepared me for this role. I understand our bylaws and our members’ needs. Our current executive board has set a strong standard, especially our Secretary, Laura, whose communication style has shown me how much that role shapes the culture of SBA. I want to bring that same awareness, and a genuine commitment to follow-through with the position. If elected, I will prioritize keeping detailed and accessible records, ensuring members are informed and heard, and supporting the rest of the executive board so they can focus on leading. I believe strong administrative foundations free up our officers to do their best work and allow our members to stay engaged and informed. I am not running to add a title, I am running because I have seen what our organization can be, and I want to help us get there. Sincerely, Alex Shewmaker

Tom Voet

Candidate for Secretary

Hi everyone, my name is Tom Voet and I am running for SBA Secretary for the 2026-2027 school year. After having spent the last year and a half at UC Law, I would be extremely excited for the opportunity to represent our student body and contribute to this school, which has already given me so much. During my time in undergrad at the University of Kentucky, I served in Student Government as an undergraduate representative. I was elected to Vice President of the Operations and Evaluations Committee, where a main responsibility of mine was to maintain minutes and ensure all of our committee members were heard and could voice their opinions. That experience taught me, more than anything, that every voice can offer a unique perspective and can contribute to any discussion. If elected SBA Secretary, I would work to ensure that all of our student leaders are heard, and that their thoughts are recorded accurately and in a way that best represents their interests. More than anything, I believe this position requires strong listening skills and the ability to communicate with others effectively. I think anyone in this position needs to feel comfortable reaching out to student leaders throughout the school year to ensure everyone is heard and their needs met. These are skills that I believe I possess, and skills that will allow me to succeed as Secretary. Thank you!

Hannah Gillespie

Candidate for 2L Representative

Hi everyone! I’m Hannah, and I’m asking for your vote for 2L Representative. After serving as the 1L Rep for Cohort 6, I’ve seen firsthand how incredible our class is. Whether we were competing in the Cohort Olympics or grabbing a coffee at a 1L Breakfast, I’ve loved being the one behind the scenes making it happen. As 2L Rep, I’m committed to keeping that energy alive. We know this year is going to be a grind, but I’ll be working to ensure we have the social outlets we need to stay sane. More importantly, I’ll continue to be your vocal advocate to 'Big UC,' ensuring our diverse perspectives are reflected in every SBA decision. I plan to provide both 2L only events, but also some mentorship opportunities for the incoming 1L class. A little about me: I’m a proud member of BLSA and G.E.N.E.S.I.S., a sister to five siblings, and your local retail expert at the Clifton Urban Outfitters. I’m ready to hit the ground running for us. Let’s make 2L year better than the first!

Spring 2026 Elections

2026 SBA Candidates

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2026 SBA Candidates •

Robby Belt

Julianna Kapovic

Claire Courter

Laura Cabrera Espinal

Matthew Sprenger

Jake Lynn

Anna Williams

Olivia Riggs

Breanna Dweik

Priscilla Caballero

Alex Shewmaker

Tom Voet

Hannah Gillespie

University of Cincinnati College of Law - Student Bar Association