Staff

• B.A., University of Tennessee
• M.A., University of Texas
• J.D., University of Memphis School of Law

Andrew McRee serves as the Assistant Dean for Student and Career Services. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee, Masters of Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis School of Law.

While in law school, McRee competed on mock trial and moot court teams and served as an associate editor of the Law Review. After completing his legal studies, McRee practiced general civil litigation at Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen, & Carpenter, PLLC in Knoxville. McRee is an active member of the Tennessee Bar Association, a member of the Barristers organization, and chair of the Barrister’s Habitat for Humanity Committee.

• B.S., Spring Hill College
• M.B.A, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• J.D., Samford University, Cumberland School of Law

• B.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• J.D., Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
• M.P.A., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville

• B.S., Mississippi College

Kathy Baughman began working at LMU Law as a faculty assistant in October 2011. Her work experience in Knoxville includes six years at Grace Christian Academy and two years at South College. Prior to moving to Tennessee, Baughman worked at Mississippi College. While working there, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a concentration in Journalism. She minored in graphic design.

Baughman has written several articles for local newspapers and also has experience in print and web design.

• A.S., Southeast Kentucky & Technical College
• B.S., Western Governors University
• B.S., University of the Cumberlands 
• M.A., University of the Cumberlands 

Hesper Capps began working at LMU Law as a Faculty Assistant in August 2017. Prior to this position, Hesper was the Administrative Assistant for the School of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences for three years. She also served as the Administrative Assistant for the Master of Public Administration and the Master of Criminal Justice programs.

Before coming to LMU, Hesper was a small business owner in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee for three years where she taught multiple variations of dance, including ballet, pointe, and tap.

• B.S., Tusculum College
• M.A., Tusculum College

Trish Carroll serves as Assistant Director of Admissions at LMU Law, where she leads core admissions operations, including high-volume application processing, workflow management, systems coordination, and recruitment outreach.

Since joining LMU Law in 2009, she has played a central role in sustaining admissions operations and maintaining continuity through periods of growth, leadership transitions, and system changes, including serving as Interim Director of Admissions during the 2011 national search for a Chief Enrollment Officer.

In her current role, Trish manages admissions operations for a high-volume and growing applicant pool exceeding 800 applications annually. She works across both full-time and hybrid programs, ensuring consistency, alignment, and operational continuity across the entire admissions lifecycle. Her responsibilities include designing and improving workflows, supporting enrollment tracking and reporting, and maintaining system functionality to meet institutional needs.

She represents the institution at recruitment events and conferences, contributes to enrollment strategy and prospective student engagement, and leads key operational initiatives, including coordination of the law school’s annual open house and broader admissions processes.

A member of the LMU community since 2003, Trish began her career in human resources, building a foundation in compliance, systems, and operations that continues to inform her approach to admissions and institutional processes.

Trish holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Development from Tusculum University. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies.

Melissa Montroy serves as the Executive Assistant to the Dean for LMU Law.  She previously worked for more than 10 years with Justice Gary R. Wade during his time with the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals and Tennessee Supreme Court, including his term as Chief Justice.  Upon Justice Wade’s retirement from the Supreme Court in 2015, he was appointed as Dean at LMU Law and Melissa continued the journey with him to the school.  While Justice Wade has since retired from the school, she has remained in her position at LMU Law.

• J.D., Wake Forest University

Caitlin Torney is well known in the Knoxville and East Tennessee legal communities, having worked as the Director of Pro Bono for Legal Aid of East Tennessee since 2020. In December 2024, Caitlin was awarded the KBA President’s Award for her work on the KBA’s Access to Justice Committee. Caitlin graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2010 and has practiced in both North Carolina and Tennessee. 

Caitlin’s work with the local bar and law students while at LAET will be a tremendous asset to our student body and in fulfilling the law school’s mission. She is uniquely situated to build on the foundation our Career Services Office has created with employers throughout our region and beyond, while also expanding pro bono and service opportunities for our students and graduates.

• J.D., LMU Duncan School of Law

Kasey Wasson brings a deep connection to the LMU community to her new role. No stranger to LMU, Wasson attended LMU for her undergrad from 2013 to 2017.  Wasson was a member of the LMU women's golf team while pursuing her studies in English literature. She continued her academic journey by earning her juris doctor (JD) at LMU Law in 2020.

Prior to her current appointment, Wasson practiced family law in Knoxville, demonstrating her commitment to the legal profession and her dedication to serving the community. Her background in law and commitment to LMU make her a valuable addition to the Advancement department.

• B.A., Union University
• Paralegal Science, South University
• J.D., University of Tennessee

• B.S. Psychology from Roanoke College

Paige Dzindolet joined LMU Law in July 2024 as a staff assistant. Previously, Paige worked as a Human Resources Assistant with Target Corporation and, more recently, as the Graduate Administrative Assistant at the LMU School of School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences in Harrogate, Tennessee.

• B.A., Sam Houston Station University

Catherine Kelly began working at LMU Law as a Faculty Assistant in February 2021.  Her work experience includes over a decade of customer service experience in various fields and positions in both Tennessee and Texas, the latter of which she moved from in 2018.

• BFA, University of Tennessee

• A.A. Criminal Justice from Harford Community College
• A.A.S Paralegal Studies from SUNY Jefferson

Jennifer Richardson joined LMU Law in April 2022 as a faculty assistant. Previously, Jennifer worked for a low-income housing development company called LHP Capital.