OUR TEAM

Our team is composed of legal scholars, policy analysts, and experts committed to shaping the future of law and public policy through rigorous research and innovative solutions. We bring together professionals with diverse backgrounds in constitutional law, criminal justice reform, intellectual property, technology governance, and human rights advocacy, ensuring a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex legal challenges. Our researchers collaborate with policymakers, legal practitioners, and academic institutions to produce impactful studies that inform policy decisions and legislative developments.

Meet our Director

Dr. Jonathan Merrick is a distinguished legal scholar and public policy expert with over two decades of experience in legislative research, judicial reform, and legal innovation. He holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Georgetown University Law Center and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Policy and Law from Harvard University. His academic journey also includes a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Comparative Constitutional Law from Oxford University, where he focused on international legal systems and human rights protections.

Dr. Merrick began his career as a judicial clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals, where he contributed to groundbreaking legal decisions in administrative law and constitutional rights. He later served as a senior legislative advisor in the U.S. Senate, crafting key policy reforms in criminal justice, data privacy, and regulatory governance. His extensive experience in public service led him to a role as a professor of law and public policy at Columbia University, where he spearheaded research on legal frameworks for emerging technologies, access to justice, and environmental law.

Before joining Pendleton, Dr. Merrick was the Executive Director of a policy think tank specializing in legal ethics, judicial integrity, and institutional reform. His work has been widely published in legal journals, and he frequently advises government agencies, international organizations, and research institutions on legal policy development.

At Pendleton Research Center for Law and Justice, Dr. Merrick leads multidisciplinary research efforts aimed at advancing equitable, transparent, and effective legal systems. His commitment to evidence-based policymaking and legal reform continues to drive impactful change in both national and international legal landscapes.

Dr. Jonathan Merrick

Leadership Team

Director

Dr. Rachel Whitmore

Vice President of Research & Policy

Dr. Samuel Lin

Chief Operations Officer

Prof. Eleanor Hayes

Chief Counsel for Legal Integrity & Public Affairs

Dr. Laura Benedict

Research & Policy Experts

Head, Environmental, Trade & Economic Law

Dr. Helen Aldridge

Head, Human Rights & Constitutional Law

Prof. Robert Langford

Head, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

Dr. Nolan Fraser

Director, Legal Research & Publications

Marcus Langley

Operations & Engagement

Chief Financial Officer

Michael Sterling

Director of Public Affairs and Outreach

Daniel Henshaw

Head of Communications and Media

Oliver Tate

Director of Research Coordination

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