Federal Bar Association

The Loyola Federal Bar Association (LFBA) presents educational and networking programs for students interested in federal law practice. Our mission is to establish a continuous and prominent Loyola student presence within the Federal Bar Association's (FBA) Chicago Chapter and give Loyola students the opportunity to interact with federal judges and practitioners.

Nationally, the FBA has more than 19,000 members, including 1,500 federal judges, working together to promote the administration of justice and integrity, as well as the quality and autonomy of the judiciary.

Please contact coliver6@luc.edu for more information. Follow us on Facebook. 

2022-2023 Board

President: Carén Oliver

Carén Oliver (she/her) is a 2L from both the inner west side of Chicago (aka the Austin Community) and the suburb of Naperville. She has a background in finance, having obtained her MBA and formerly worked for a Chicago private equity firm and an investment banking firm on the operations team. Carén is currently externing for Justice Carl Walker of the Illinois Appellate Court and next summer will be interning at Barnes & Thornburg’s Chicago office, where she will explore the Corporate, Healthcare and Labor & Employment practice groups.

Fun fact: Carén studied fashion design at Columbia College Chicago for undergrad in which she worked in LA in costuming for film and television before pivoting her career.

Contact: coliver6@luc.edu

Vice President: Faith Needham

Faith Needham (she/her) is a 2L originally from San Francisco, California. Before starting law school, she earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and a minor in Business. With her math brain still intact from undergrad, she has found herself most interested in pursuing tax law, whether in the private or public sector. Last summer, she worked for Shudnow & Shudnow Ltd., a boutique property tax law firm that specializes in the niche practice of local property taxes. This experience further solidified her interest in the tax and business world.

Fun fact: Faith is a citizen of the United Kingdom.

Contact: fneedham@luc.edu

Executive Secretary: Nada Khatib

Nada Khatib (she/her) is a 2L from the Southwest suburbs of Chicago. She has a bachelor's degree in Accounting and has experience in business, particularly in real estate and individual income taxes. She is interested in family law and civil rights law.

Fun fact: Nada aspires to run her own bookstore one day.

Contact: nkhatib@luc.edu

Public Relations Officer: Zulay Valencia Diaz

Zulay Valencia Diaz (she/her/ella) is a 2L who grew up and lived in NYC before moving to Chicago for law school. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Africana Studies. Currently, she serves as a SUFEO advocate and a law clerk for Chicago Public Schools, where she is learning the intricacies of education law. Although she is still exploring her interests, she finds herself most drawn to intellectual property, health law and international law. Her hope is to carve out a career that allows her to bridge her intellectual interests with her desire to advance social justice.

Fun fact: Zulay spends her free time bingeing political dramas and romance novels.

Contact: zvalenciadiaz@luc.edu

Faculty Advisor: Joseph Mckay
Contact: jmckay4@luc.edu