Elisa Massimino, Esq., is Washington Director of Human Rights First (formerly the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights) and the organization’s chief advocacy strategist. She testifies frequently before Congress, writes extensively for legal and popular publications, and serves as one of the organization’s primary spokespeople with the media. She is Human Rights First’s point of contact with U.S. government leaders, international diplomats, and human rights opinion leaders and decision makers. Massimino also teaches refugee and asylum law at George Washington University School of Law. She holds degrees from Trinity University (B.A.), Johns Hopkins University (M.A.) and University of Michigan (J.D.).