# Merilin C. Stephens Chief of Staff & Counsel ![headshot of woman smiling](/sites/g/files/omnuum12481/files/styles/hwp_4_5__480x600/public/2025-08/m_stephens_img_8908_1.jpg?itok=jZxZOikU) smartphone [Assistant: Jena Holland 617-496-3010]() email [merilin\_stephens@harvard.edu](mailto:merilin_stephens@harvard.edu) Ms. Stephens received her B.A. from Harvard College and J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she was editor-in-chief of A Jailhouse Lawyer’s Manual. Following graduation, she clerked for the Honorable Denise J. Casper of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and served on the Law Clerk Subcommittee of the First Circuit Committee on Workplace Conduct. Prior to joining the Office of the General Counsel at Harvard University on secondment, Merilin was an associate in the Boston office of Ropes & Gray LLP, focusing on white-collar criminal defense, civil enforcement matters, government investigations and related civil litigation. She also maintained an active pro bono practice representing indigent defendants in federal criminal cases through the Criminal Justice Act Program and serving as a firm liaison for the Innocence Project. - ## OGC Role [Legal Professionals](/ogc-role/legal-professionals)