"Taught us to keep researching, and to utilize all possible resources to move forward" -Lisa K

I had the opportunity to participate in the Immigration Justice Clinic with Professor Merton in 2023 where I saw her focused attention and intention to achieving results for her clients, and in her compassion toward them, reflected in her sensitivity to their personal lives, families, past struggles, and personal experiences.

While with the IJC, I worked with other students on a case for a Haitian woman who has been in the United States for over 18 years, and with the clinic for many of those years. Vanessa taught us to keep researching, and to utilize all possible resources to move forward and keep a positive attitude that we could achieve good results, while impressing on us the need to treat clients with respect and compassion. She remembered every personal detail that the client had shared and of course just like anyone else, it meant so much to the client.

It is admirable that her work was personal to her even after practicing for many years. I am happy to have worked with Vanessa.

Lisa K