ABOUT LSA
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Steven Boutcher
Steve Boutcher joined LSA’s team as Executive Officer on July 1, 2018. Before coming to LSA, Steve was a Research Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Legal Profession at Georgetown Law Center, an assistant professor of sociology and public policy at UMass, and most recently, the Executive Director of the Center for Employment Equity at UMass. Steve received his PhD in Sociology from the University of California, Irvine in 2010. Steve’s scholarship focuses on the relationship between law, organizations, and social change, particularly focusing on law and social movements and the legal profession. He is currently co-PI on a multi-year project investigating sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in the workplace.
View Steven Boutcher’s CV
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Melissa King
Melissa joined LSA as Associate Director of Operations. Before LSA, Melissa managed a long-standing, local ice cream manufacturing and distribution company, which included organizing events and overseeing daily operations. She previously held roles in the arts managing performances and educational programs. She holds an MM in music theory and cognition from Northwestern University. She is the Organizing Committee Chair for UMass-Amherst Professional Staff Union, volunteers for lasagnalove.org, and sings in a band of mostly original music that performs in the Pioneer Valley. She is thrilled at the opportunity to work at LSA and facilitate law and society scholarship.
Program Manager
Kevin Rasmussen
Kevin joined the Law and Society Association in the fall of 2021. Before LSA, he was an Elementary Educator for 18 years teaching in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Amherst, MA and Takoma Park, Maryland with specialization in inclusive classroom design and technology in learning. A native of Oak Park, IL, he earned his bachelor’s degree in English at Macalester College and his Master’s in Elementary Education at the University of Michigan. He is an avid tennis fan and player as well as an appreciator of the arts. He is excited to provide support for the members of LSA and be part of its learning community.
Communications Manager
Crissonna Tennison
Crissonna joined LSA as a Communications Manager in spring 2024. A former communications and development professional for the American Bar Foundation, Crissonna went on to explore various roles in legal marketing before returning to the world of sociolegal research. After obtaining her English Literature degree from UCLA, she moved to Chicago, where she runs a biweekly queer fiber arts salon and is immersed in a variety of creative activities, including essay writing, crocheting, bead weaving, and painting. Crissonna is excited to continue learning about and celebrating law and society scholarship.