Merissa Cooper joined CLC as their Youth Justice Policy Counsel in July 2025, where she focuses on improving juvenile justice, child welfare, and other legal systems for young people in Ohio through policy advocacy, direct representation services, and community outreach/education. Prior to joining CLC, Merissa gained extensive experience advocating for young people and families through her work as a domestic violence prosecutor and in-house counsel for a public children's services agency. It is through that work that Merissa gained valuable insight on the deficits, biases, and disparities that are systemically inherent in the legal system and dedicated herself to ensuring that the rights of all young people are protected, that their voices are elevated and heard, that they are treated equitably and fairly, and that they are afforded safety, stability, and quality legal representation of their own.

Merissa is admitted to practice law in Ohio. She holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice/Criminology from Marshall University and a J.D. from Cleveland State University College of Law, where she graduated cum laude with recognition for her dedication to pro bono and volunteer work. Though her work and life have brought her to Ohio, Merissa was born and raised in rural West Virginia and will always be a proud Appalachian. Montani Semper Liberi!