Marc Borbely
The D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center was founded in 2013 by Senior Attorney Marc Borbely. Marc has represented more than two thousand tenants in disputes with landlords, in the District of Columbia. Marc has been reviewed by clients on AVVO. He has been serving as a landlord-tenant mentor to other attorneys, through the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, since 2011. Marc received a B.S. in biochemistry at Yale University and a law degree at the U.D.C. David A. Clarke School of Law. He served as co-chair of the D.C. Bar's “Public Interest and the Courts” Community from 2016-2018. From 2008 to December 2012, Marc was a staff attorney at Neighborhood Legal Services Program. He is admitted to practice law in the District. Marc has lived on Capitol Hill since 1999 and is the proud father of two young children.
Leigh Higgins
Originally from Ohio, Senior Attorney Leigh Higgins graduated from the University of Montana and then started her legal career representing student tenants at the Ohio State University during law school. While living in Albuquerque, Leigh practiced in bankruptcy and civil courts and represented the State of New Mexico, working for the Child Support Enforcement Division. Leigh also serves on the board of Hyattsville Aging in Place, a volunteer organization that helps seniors in her community. She joined the D.C. Tenants' Rights Center in 2016.
Tanika Lesesne
Tanika Lesesne joined the D.C Tenants' Rights Center as the Operations and Program Assistant in March 2022, after working nearly six years in the veterinary medicine industry. During her time in veterinary medicine, Tanika realized that assisting small businesses with client care was her passion, as she found great joy in establishing personal connections to move an organization forward. Born and raised in the District of Columbia, Tanika resides in the District with her husband and their son. In her spare time, Tanika loves to cozy up with a good book or jog through her Ward 8 neighborhood.
Neil Satterlund
Originally from California, Attorney Neil Satterlund graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a theater degree, worked as a theatrical lighting designer for two years, then went back to U.C. Berkeley for a law degree. During law school, he worked with the City Attorney of San Francisco and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. After he graduated, he spent three years at the law firm Siegel and Yee, where he represented student activists in a complex class action lawsuit against his alma mater. Working his way east, Neil clerked at the U.S. Court of International Trade, and helped homeowners fighting foreclosure with the New York Legal Assistance Group. He joined the D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center in January 2019 and is excited to help residents here fight to secure their rights. Neil once traveled from Amsterdam to Hong Kong, mostly by train. He is a tenant in the District of Columbia, along with his remarkable wife. They enjoy board games and occasionally brew mead.
Merid Mekonnen
Merid Mekonnen joined the D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center in April 2023. Originally from Ethiopia, Merid grew up in Ohio. He attended Ohio State University, graduating with degrees in Political Science and Economics. He studied law at Boston College School of Law. Merid moved to Chicago after law school, where he joined one of the largest consumer bankruptcy firms in the state. He represented clients before the Bankruptcy Court and through direct negotiations with creditors. After six years of bankruptcy practice, he expanded his legal work by representing small and mid-sized businesses in contract negotiations, business registrations, and corporate filings.
Sean Mangan
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Sean grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York State. He moved to the DMV to attend American University in 2009, and he has lived in the area ever since. Sean graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from American University in 2013. He graduated from the George Washington University Law School in 2022. While attending law school, Sean practiced as a student attorney with the Jacob Burns Community Legal Clinics, where he received honors for his dedicated representation of low-income clients. Following law school, Sean was admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Maryland. Sean is excited to help provide affordable, high quality legal services to tenants in the District.