Professor Merton began her legal education career at New York University School of Law, and was a founding faculty member of CUNY Law School, and a Mellon and National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow. She joined Haub Law’s faculty in 1989 and served as Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Executive Director of John Jay Legal Services, while creating and teaching clinics in Access to Health Care and Prosecution of Domestic Violence, and innovative programs aimed at providing legal services to those in need.
In 2005, Professor Merton founded the ̾ƵImmigration Justice Clinic and served as its Executive Director until earlier this year. In this role she was a steadfast advocate for her clients and a role model for our students — providing representation on applications for asylum or family-based status, in removal proceedings at state and federal detention facilities, and on petitions for crime victims and juvenile immigrants.
Her commitment to her cause was truly admirable, demonstrated through her incredible work ethic, her investments in her students, and her personal involvement in the community. She assisted travelers detained at airports under the 2017 Trump Executive Orders, spent spring breaks volunteering at immigrant detention centers on the southern border, and established a 200-student emergency operation to assist people affected by 9/11. She was also a passionate advocate for protecting the rights of all American voters. But perhaps Vanessa’s greatest legacy has been as a teacher and mentor to generations of Haub Law students, many of whom she inspired to pursue careers in immigration justice or as public interest lawyers.
“Vanessa was not only the visionary leader of John Jay Legal Services and our Immigration Justice Clinic, she was a legendary legal expert, an advocate for her clients, and a mentor to countless lawyers in our region who stand in the breach for the underrepresented and underserved,” said Haub Law Dean Horace E. Anderson. “Her altruistic spirit and tireless dedication to serving others has left an indelible mark not only on the Law School, but broadly in the community.”
Learn more about the remarkable life and career of Professor Merton in her .
Those interested in sending a gift are encouraged to make a contribution in her name to established by her family to continue her legendary work in the ̾ƵImmigration Justice Clinic.
The Law School will hold an on-campus Tribute and Memorial Service honoring Professor Merton on September 12 at 6:00 p.m. All faculty, staff, alumni and friends are invited to join us in this celebration of her extraordinary life and career. To ensure space for what is sure to be a widely-attended event, please so that we may plan accordingly.
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ̾Ƶ congratulates two distinguished alumni on their recent appointments to top positions in the federal government. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (LLM ‘87), former Professor of Law and Co-Director of the ̾ƵEnvironmental Litigation Clinic, has been confirmed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, Kash Patel (JD ‘05) has been confirmed as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A first-generation immigrant from Suriname, South America who is fluent in Dutch, Professor Salihah Denman is the first person in her family to become a lawyer in the United States. She attended Howard University School of Law and obtained an LLM from American University’s Washington College of Law. Her passion for academia and working with students has been a driving force throughout her career.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at ̾Ƶ welcomed Professor Michael C. Dorf, Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell Law School as the speaker for the 2025 Dyson Distinguished Lecture. His lecture was entitled: “Play in the Joints of the Religion Clauses and Law More Broadly.”