Visiting Assistant Professor Robin Maril has joined Willamette Law for the 2021-22 academic year, teaching Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Family Law.
Maril previously worked for the Human Rights Campaign, where she served as the associate legal director for the past five years. Her work at the HRC focused on federal programs, administrative policies and legislation that impacts the LGBTQIA community.
“I worked to improve access to federal benefits and programs for LGBTQ people, particularly those living at the intersection of traditionally marginalized identities,” Maril says. “I worked with members of Congress, the White House, and importantly, the public, to increase awareness of federal civil rights rulemaking and policy making.”
Students will benefit from Maril’s human rights experience in her classes at Willamette, Dean Brian Gallini says.
“It’s exciting to have Professor Maril here at Willamette Law this year,” he explains. “Giving our students the opportunity to learn from professors whose employment backgrounds so deeply correlate to the subject matter is important to help them understand the real world application of the law.”
Maril’s scholarship focuses on nondiscrimination protections and religious freedom. As an instructor, Maril likes empowering students to make the law their own, seeing it as a creative and dynamic tool for change.
“I think too often, complex legal areas can be made so inaccessible that they almost seem like magic,” she says. “My goal is to make students realize that they’re the magic.”
Maril is enjoying her time at Willamette so far and says she and her family are loving the opportunity to see and explore a new area of the country.
