Brett Merfish

University of Virginia School of Law

Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University

Wellesley College

Director of Youth Justice at Texas Appleseed

Austin, Texas, United States

Working to implement policy changes to prevent young people from becoming homeless and successfully intervening when they do.
Advocating for high quality, community-based treatment of youth in the legal system.
Presenting to various audiences on research on homeless youth and juvenile justice; lobbying at the state legislature for legislative changes; building coalitions at the state and local level; and conducing original research and data monitoring.

Texas Appleseed

Director of Youth Justice

- Advocated for reform in areas of criminal justice, foster care, and financial services through policy analysis, original research, and education of stakeholders.
-        Co-authored reports on topics including alternatives to high-cost predatory loan products for local entities and access to resources for pro se litigants in justice courts.
-       Coordinated statewide groups to comment rulemaking by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
- Lobbied state lawmakers and testified before state legislative committees on relevant legislation during legislative sessions as well as during the interims.
            

    
    

    
        Show less

Staff Attorney

- Ran campaign to engage low to middle income voters of color during mid-term elections using various strategic means of outreach
- Conducted qualitative and quantitative analysis of campaign progress to refine outreach methods, managed budget, and hired and supervised 20+ staff
- Advanced local ordinances and served on strategic taskforce surrounding rest breaks, workers compensation, and living wages for construction workers

Workers Defense Project

Political Director

- Advocated for changes in the legal system related to permanency review hearings for children in long-term foster care by conducting original policy analysis, focused advocacy, and education of stakeholders.
- Campaigned for passage of local ordinances to end the cycle of debt caused by payday and auto title loans by building diverse coalitions to lobby local lawmakers.
- Created various advocacy materials, ran social media, produced periodic e-newsletter, and managed website for Texas Fair Lending Alliance.
- Lobbied state lawmakers and testified before state legislative committees on relevant legislation during the 2013 Legislative Session.
- Conducted original research on the payday and auto title lending market in Texas.

        Show less

Staff attorney

- Researched legal issues and wrote memoranda on a range of regulatory matters including food and drug, environmental, and Federal Trade Commission law.
- Drafted briefs, motions, affidavits, and other materials in civil litigation matters.
- Tracked legislative events, analyzed policy issues, and attended Congressional hearings for clients on a range of policy issues.
- Managed tort claim for a pro bono client and negotiated with opposing counsel for a settlement.

Patton Boggs LLP

Associate

- Advised the Congressman on upcoming bills and issues.
- Met regularly with lobbyists, interest groups, and constituents.
- Wrote press releases, speeches, and opinion editorials including an e-newsletter.