Tara Magner

Professor Magner is Senior Counsel to the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Her issue responsibilities include immigration, refugee protection, human rights, and national security matters. After the 2008 election, Professor Magner was a member of President Obama’s Transition Policy Working Group on Immigration. She also served from 2007 to 2009 as a Commissioner on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration. From 2006 to 2009, Professor Magner was the Director of Policy at the National Immigrant Justice Center in Chicago, Illinois. Professor Magner previously served as a Counsel and Professional Staff Member to Senator Leahy on the Committee on the Judiciary. During that time (2001-2006), Professor Magner handled matters relating to immigration, terrorism, enemy combatants, human rights, Freedom of Information Act, and government secrecy. Earlier in her career, Professor Magner served as Deputy Director of the Winston Foundation, awarding grants on international human rights, refugee protection, and conflict resolution. She has published articles with MIT Press, the International Journal of Refugee Law, and the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal. Professor Magner is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Wesleyan University.