Meet The Instructors
Alex Schwarz
Alex Schwarz is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and an attorney at Schwarz & Schwarz, P.C. law firm. While at law school, he earned a Certificate of Business Administration from The Wharton School. He scored in the 99th percentile on the LSAT. Alex has been tutoring the LSAT for nearly a decade and worked for one of the largest test prep companies before opening our company. He offers one-on-one private LSAT, 1L/2L/3L assistance, and Bar Review instruction directly tailored to each student’s strengths and needs to reach their goals. In addition, he can remain involved with students through their law school careers and beyond.
Campbell Schwarz - Business Development
As the youngest member of Elevate Legal Education, I bring fresh energy and innovative ideas to the team, driving the company’s growth and impact. My older brother, a University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School graduate, founded Elevate with a vision to help aspiring law students achieve their goals. From the start, I believed in his ability to succeed. I witnessed firsthand how he transformed the lives of the students he worked with, and I knew he had developed something truly special—a curriculum that could empower thousands to pursue their dreams of attending top law schools.
While my brother built a curriculum that has helped countless students excel, I saw an opportunity to amplify its reach and impact. As the head of business development, I brought structure to the marketing process, crafting strategies to expand Elevate's audience and connect with more students than ever before. From identifying growth opportunities to streamlining outreach efforts, my contributions have helped Elevate grow into a company that has now guided thousands of students to success in their legal education journeys.
My passion for helping others succeed is at the heart of everything I do at Elevate. By blending my creativity with my business development expertise, I’m proud to have played a key role in building a brand that empowers students to achieve their academic and professional goals.
Brittney Ajaj
Brittney has been a dedicated LSAT tutor for the last several years, coaching hundreds of students with a personable and approachable style. Brittney understands the pressures and challenges of the exam and is committed to being a consistent resource for her students, offering support whenever they need it. Outside of tutoring, Brittney is a passionate animal lover and enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd, Cody, and hiking. Her warm, supportive approach not only prepares students for the LSAT but also makes the journey less stressful and more enjoyable.
Ezer Benzaquen
Ezer holds a bachelor of Talmudic law and rabbinic ordination from YOEC as well as a master of social work from Yeshiva University. Ezer enjoys helping students master the LSAT by engaging in creative joint writing exercises that utilize formal logic as well as breaking down LSAT questions using critical analysis and the Socratic Method. He will be attending Georgetown Law this coming fall.
Brian Boyle
As a licensed attorney with a passion for education, Brian has spent years working with hundreds of students for the LSAT and Bar Exam. Through personalized instruction and mentorship, Brian strives to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their academic and professional goals. When Brian is not teaching, he enjoys spending his time traveling, playing sports, and being with friends and family.
Zach Friedman
Zach Friedman is a graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he was a Beasley Scholarship Recipient, a Law & Public Policy Scholar, and a member of the Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, where he assisted clients in resolving their issues with the IRS. Zach currently works at KPMG as a member of their international tax practice and a team that advises multinational corporations on their tax compliance and strategic cross-border business planning.
Jesse Friedson
Jesse is a Connecticut native and a graduate of Haverford College. He now lives in the Washington, D.C. area working as a paralegal at the Department of Justice. Jesse will be attending Yale Law School this coming fall. In his spare time, Jesse acts in musicals and spends time with his parrot, Otis!
Lily Gannon
Lily Gannon graduated from the University of Delaware in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Following graduation, she worked in Washington, D.C., in the fields of public policy and government relations. She will be an 1L in the Fall. Lily is thrilled to have the chance to help others navigate this process and succeed on the LSAT. She feels very passionately about the fact that every person can excel on this exam, as there is a method to understanding and approaching the LSAT, which she believes guarantees success. Despite many common misconceptions, Lily speaks from experience in stating that preparing for the LSAT can be enjoyable and exciting. As an instructor, Lily looks forward to helping her students find similar enjoyment in the LSAT prep process and ultimately achieve top-notch LSAT scores!
Shawn Hakakian
Shawn received his undergraduate degree in Management Science and Business from the University of California, San Diego and is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he also received a Certificate in Business Administration from the Wharton School. Shawn’s training at one of the country’s top law and business programs has enabled him to tackle and overcome the toughest exams and academic challenges. He uses these skills to guide his students to success when preparing for the LSAT or Bar Exam.
Mendel Jacobson
Mendel Jacobson serves as Director of the Truman Scholars Program and Assistant Director of the Lobel Teachers Colloquia at the Tikvah Fund. In 2020, he graduated from the Central Chabad Yeshiva, where he studied Jewish law and theology. Mendel completed fellowships at the Public Interest Fellowship, Tikvah Fund, American Enterprise Institute, and Hertog Foundation. He is a federally certified prison chaplain and has worked with incarcerated people in over thirty prisons across the United States. When not tutoring the LSAT, you can find Mendel at a classical music concert, practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or reading about American history.
Michelle Kaplin
Michelle is a practicing attorney who is barred in both Florida and California. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in 2018 and received her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 2021. She is now a lawyer at Morgan & Morgan, a large civil litigation law firm. Michelle has mastered various exams throughout her life, including the LSAT, the Florida bar exam, and the California bar exam. She is passionate about using the tools she has learned over the years to teach others to excel in these exams.
Adlai Lamason
Adlai is a student at Cardozo Law School in New York City. She attended Penn State University, majoring in criminology. Upon graduation, Adlai began preparations for attending law school, and found studying for the LSAT to be fun and engaging. Adlai loves living in New York City and enjoys trying new restaurants and exploring new neighborhoods.
Elura Nanos
Elura has spent the last 25 years working with aspiring and current law students. She has spent thousands of hours on air, including real-time trial analysis on Law&Crime, a starring role in her own reality show, dishing celebrity gossip on Reelz and MTV, debating law and politics on hundreds of national and local news appearances, and making live sales on QVC.
Rachel Rood-Ojalvo
Rachel graduated with honors from Brown University, where she majored in Urban Studies with a focus on criminal justice reform. She is passionate about creating equal access to high quality education, employment, housing, and health care. After college, she worked at an education nonprofit in Mexico City. For years, she has helped students prepare for college entrance exams and the LSAT. Rachel strongly believes in supportive, personalized education that encourages students to have fun and feel confident. In her free time, she loves reading fiction, swimming, and drinking coffee with dessert.
Amanda Goncalves
Amanda Goncalves is a magna cum laude graduate of Cornell University and a current student at NYU School of Law. She scored in the top 1% of all LSAT test takers. She earned her B.S. in Biology & Society, with minors in Law and Society and Human Development, bringing both analytical rigor and an understanding of how students learn and develop confidence. Amanda specializes in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension, helping students recognize patterns, refine their structure, and approach the exam with clarity and efficiency. She is particularly committed to helping students move beyond limiting beliefs about their diagnostic scores, emphasizing that mastery of the LSAT is built through disciplined strategy and skill development. Known for her clear, supportive, and efficient teaching style, Amanda is deeply invested in her students’ progress and remains readily accessible as they navigate both academic and mental hurdles. Outside of instruction, Amanda was a lifelong competitive dancer and is an avid reader of fiction.
Kirsten Corrigan
Kirsten Corrigan is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, where she earned dual degrees in Government and Comparative Religious Studies and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She is currently a student at Wake Forest University School of Law, where she was awarded a substantial merit scholarship. Before law school, Kirsten worked in both local and federal government, serving in the office of the Mayor of Austin and for members of the U.S. House of Representatives. She also held a leadership role in healthcare advocacy initiatives during law school. Kirsten scored in the top 1% of all LSAT test takers and specializes in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. She teaches the exam as a learnable system rooted in pattern recognition, helping students approach each section with structure, efficiency, and composure. She is particularly focused on breaking through score plateaus by identifying subtle reasoning habits and timing patterns that can be corrected with a disciplined strategy. Known for her encouraging yet analytical approach, Kirsten balances direct, actionable feedback with steady support, helping students build measurable progress while developing lasting confidence. Outside of instruction, she enjoys hiking, exploring new cities, and spending time with her Labrador retriever.
Sarah Fiori
Sarah Fiori is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law and a licensed attorney who has passed both the Maryland Bar Exam and the Uniform Bar Exam. She also holds a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Rhetoric from the University of Maryland, grounding her work in both legal analysis and clear, effective communication. With more than six years of full-time instructional experience, Sarah specializes in supporting students across the LSAT, 1L coursework, and Bar exam preparation. She has worked extensively with law students navigating the demands of doctrinal courses and legal writing, and serves as an instructor for 1L bootcamp programs. Sarah is known for her positive, patient, and highly supportive teaching style. She excels at breaking down complex legal concepts into clear, manageable frameworks, helping students build both competence and confidence. Her approach emphasizes steady progress, perspective, and resilience—ensuring students remain motivated even through challenging periods of study. In addition to her instructional work, Sarah has a background in insurance litigation and is also a Florida Supreme Court certified mediator. Outside of teaching, she enjoys walking on the beach with her black lab, Miracle, and is actively involved in her church community.
Jesse Friedson
Jesse Friedson is a 180 LSAT scorer and a member of the Yale Law School Class of 2027. He graduated cum laude with High Honors in Political Science from Haverford College and was awarded the Judge Robert A. Katzmann Access to Justice Public Interest Fellowship. Prior to law school, Jesse worked for three years as a paralegal at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he contributed to multiple federal trial teams and received an Assistant Attorney General Award for his work. He has also served as a legal intern at GLAD Law, a criminal law teaching assistant, and a family law research assistant. With more than two years of LSAT instructional experience, Jesse specializes in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. His mastery of the exam allows him to help students analyze questions with precision, emphasizing close reading and disciplined attention to language. He is particularly skilled at supporting students navigating test anxiety, ADHD, or dyslexia, combining rigorous analytical training with thoughtful, individualized guidance. Known for his empathetic yet exacting approach, Jesse helps students view the LSAT from a strategic, third-party perspective—transforming uncertainty into controlled, methodical execution. Outside of instruction, Jesse enjoys music and theater and is active in both a cappella and musical performance.
Joshua Smith
Joshua Smith is a veteran LSAT instructor with more than a decade of experience in standardized test instruction and a 99th percentile performance across the LSAT, SAT, and ACT. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from West Chester University and a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction from Spalding University’s School of Professional and Creative Writing, graduating with top academic distinction. His background as a professional writer, editor, linguist, and assessment developer—including work as a lecturer in creative writing and a linguistic editor—gives him a uniquely precise command of language and argumentation. Joshua specializes in Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and application strategy, with a particular focus on the structural and linguistic foundations of the LSAT. His deep understanding of assessment design allows him to break down complex questions into clear, repeatable frameworks, helping students approach the exam with both confidence and control. Known for his thorough, clear, and engaging teaching style, Joshua is especially valued for his ability to translate dense or abstract concepts into practical, intuitive strategies. He also emphasizes the broader relevance of LSAT skills, helping students see the exam not as an isolated challenge, but as a reflection of real-world analytical thinking. Outside of instruction, Joshua is the author of two bestselling comedy books and continues his work as a writer and educator.
Ian Mail
Ian Mail is a 180 LSAT scorer and a summa cum laude graduate of Bentley University, where he earned a degree in Philosophy and was recognized on the President’s List. His academic background in formal logic provides the foundation for his precise and structured approach to LSAT instruction. Ian specializes in Logical Reasoning, where he helps students break down complex arguments into their most fundamental components. His instruction emphasizes practical strategy, logical clarity, and efficient problem-solving, enabling students to approach each question with confidence and control. Known for his practical, adaptive, and thorough teaching style, Ian tailors his approach to each student’s learning style while reinforcing the core principles that drive consistent improvement. He emphasizes that while the LSAT is best approached through a structured, proven methodology, success comes from learning how to apply that framework in a way that aligns with each student’s thinking style. Before transitioning to full-time instruction, Ian worked as an estate planning paralegal, further strengthening his analytical and detail-oriented skill set. Outside of teaching, he enjoys woodworking, cycling, and making music.
Kade Katrak
Kade Katrak is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, a 180 LSAT scorer, and a member of the Michigan Bar. He earned dual degrees in Economics and Political Theory from Michigan State University, where he received multiple academic honors, including the Alumni Distinguished Scholarship and the George F. McGregor Scholarship for excellence in Economics. At the University of Michigan Law School, he was awarded a Dean’s Scholarship. With over eight years of LSAT instructional experience, Kade specializes in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. He is known for helping students recognize the recurring patterns embedded in the exam, enabling them to approach even the most difficult questions with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Kade’s teaching emphasizes active engagement with the test. He challenges students to move beyond passive reading and instead interact directly with arguments and passages, developing the skills necessary to anticipate and dismantle the test makers’ reasoning. His approach combines a structured methodology with an interactive and engaging style, helping students reach moments of clarity that translate into consistent performance. Before focusing on LSAT instruction, Kade served as an elected Township Trustee, worked as a law clerk in real estate law, and represented clients as a student attorney with the Washtenaw County Office of the Public Defender. Outside of instruction, he enjoys juggling, playing tennis, and relaxing in his hammock.
Moriya Wish
Moriya Wish is a 98th percentile LSAT scorer and a law student at Georgetown University Law Center. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in International and Area Studies, earning college honors and recognition on the Dean’s List, and was inducted into Sigma Iota Rho, the national honor society for international affairs. With more than two years of LSAT instructional experience, Moriya specializes in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. She emphasizes a strategic and individualized approach to preparation, helping students focus not just on how much they study, but how effectively they engage with the exam. Her instruction is grounded in adaptability, ensuring that each student develops techniques that align with their learning style. Known for her honest, supportive, and flexible teaching style, Moriya provides clear, direct feedback while helping students build confidence through consistent progress. She is particularly attentive to identifying when a student feels stuck and adjusting strategies to restore momentum. Before law school, Moriya worked as a Victim Advocate with the St. Louis County Domestic Violence Court, an experience that informs her thoughtful and student-centered approach to instruction. Outside of teaching, she enjoys traveling, dancing, reading, and playing board games.
Rachel Rood-Ojalvo
Rachel Rood-Ojalvo scored in the top 1% of all LSAT test takers and is a J.D. candidate at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, where she has been awarded multiple merit-based scholarships and fellowships for academic excellence and leadership. She graduated with honors from Brown University with a degree in Urban Studies, earning the Award of Excellence for her honors thesis on criminal justice reform in post-Katrina New Orleans. At Berkeley Law, she has received the Prosser Prize in International Human Rights and recognition for excellence in written and oral advocacy. Her additional honors include the Berkeley Justice Fellowship, Berkeley Law Leads Scholarship, Thelton E. Henderson Racial Justice Fellowship, and the Equal Justice America Fellowship. Rachel specializes in Logical Reasoning and Reading Comprehension, helping students break down complex arguments into clear, manageable components. Her instruction is grounded in a structured, proven methodology, while ensuring that each student fully understands the material through tailored explanation and active engagement. Known for her encouraging, patient, and highly attentive teaching style, Rachel is particularly valued for her ability to meet students where they are and guide them toward clarity and confidence. She emphasizes that the LSAT is not an abstract or indecipherable exam, but one that can be systematically mastered through careful reasoning and consistent practice. Prior to law school, Rachel worked as an SAT and ACT instructor and served as a research assistant at Harvard University, further developing her analytical and instructional skill set.
Linette Danaiata
Linette Danaiata is a 99th percentile LSAT scorer who has spent the past eight years helping students master the exam with clarity and confidence. She graduated summa cum laude from La Sierra University with a degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Business, earning a full-tuition merit scholarship. Linette has worked with thousands of students through both one-on-one instruction and classroom teaching, developing a deep ability to quickly identify where a student’s reasoning breaks down and how to correct it. She specializes in translating complex concepts into clear, repeatable strategies that students can apply under timed conditions. Her approach emphasizes that the LSAT is not simply a test to memorize, but a skill to be developed. By focusing on pattern recognition and disciplined reasoning, she helps students move from uncertainty to consistency, building habits that lead to lasting improvement. Known for her clear, encouraging, and highly effective teaching style, Linette is particularly valued for helping concepts “click” in a way that feels intuitive and manageable. She meets students where they are, normalizes challenges in the learning process, and provides concrete next steps that restore momentum and confidence. Outside of instruction, Linette enjoys traveling and exploring new places.