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 more than 65 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 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.
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.
Henry Rouse
Originally from Alabama, Henry moved north and graduated with a B.A. in English from Amherst College in Massachusetts. Before practicing law, he taught middle school English, history, and debate, and he coached soccer. While attending Georgetown Law, Henry taught trial advocacy to juniors and seniors at a local charter school. Henry and his wife live in Arlington, Virginia, where they spend most of their free time trying to keep up with their three young sons.
Karen Roos
Karen Roos joined the D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center in July 2024. Her journey in public service and legal advocacy began with volunteering for Habitat for Humanity during her university years. During law school she refined her legal skills in the civil practice clinic while earning her degree. Karen also gained significant experience in alternative dispute resolution as a lawyer for the federal government.
Fluent in English, Spanish, and French, Karen also speaks three other languages with varying degrees of fluency. Her diverse background, including work with the U.S. government, law firms, and alternative legal service providers, makes her a versatile and effective advocate for tenant rights.
Damaryo Smith
Damaryo Smith joined the D.C. Tenants’ Rights Center as the Intake Coordinator in September 2024. Originally from rural Arkansas, after graduating from the University of Central Arkansas with a B.A. in English Literature and minor in Political Science, Damaryo moved to Washington, D.C. to begin serving with AmeriCorps and working with City Year. While working in under-resourced schools serving predominantly black and brown populations, Damaryo found a true passion for service. His passion is service, and his mission is to make a difference in any capacity in black and brown communities. Damaryo hopes to eventually attend law school in the District and pursue a career in public service. Currently Damaryo lives in DC’s Ward 6 and adores his vibrant community. He enjoys running to the Capitol and waterfront wharf, playing pick-up basketball, and watching football at Walters DC with his friends.