Mimi Marziani has an extensive background in civil rights advocacy and nonprofit management, as well as expertise in election law. Ms. Marziani previously directed voting rights programs for multiple political campaigns and committees, also overseeing compliance with election law. In 2014, Ms. Marziani led the first coordinated, statewide voter protection program for progressive candidates and groups in Texas.
Before moving to Texas, Ms. Marziani spent several years as Counsel for the Democracy Program of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, where she litigated election law cases in federal courts across the country, including before the U.S. Supreme Court. In that role, she worked to promote voting rights and regulate money in politics through legislative counseling, academic research and communications strategies. Ms. Marziani has also served as a litigation associate of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where she represented corporate clients in all types of complex civil litigation while maintaining an active pro bono practice. She clerked for Magistrate Judge James C. Francis, IV of the Southern District of New York.
Ms. Marziani teaches “Election Law and Policy” at the University of Texas School of Law and serves on the NYU Board of Trustees. Ms. Marziani has also taught constitutional law at NYU’s Wagner School of Public Policy and at NYU’s campus in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Ms. Marziani graduated cum laude from NYU School of Law, and received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.
When she is not working to advance equality and justice, Ms. Marziani can be found hiking on the Greenbelt or eating tacos in South Austin with her husband, Matthew, and their daughter, Carmine Anne.
Leadership team
Beth Harrison Stevens is the Voting Rights Program Director at TCRP. She is responsible for the oversight of TCRP’s voting rights litigation and for partnering with local, state-wide, and nation-wide organizations to ensure eligible Texans are able to vote. Beth brings extensive litigation and advocacy experience to this role. She received her BA in History from UT Austin and her law degree from SMU Dedman School of Law. She is committed to furthering progressive causes throughout Texas, enjoys volunteering with local non-profits, and is zealous about fighting inequity and injustice. In her extra time, Beth plays volleyball, enjoys preparing vegan dishes, and spends time with her close-knit family.
Efrén C. Olivares is the Director of TCRP’s Racial and Economic Justice Program. He handles and supervises cases in state and federal court involving institutional discrimination, constitutional violations, immigrants’ rights, disability and economic rights, among others. Efrén is passionate about working to provide equality of opportunity to people regardless of their ethnic or racial background, and their economic or immigration status. He joined TCRP’s South Texas office in 2013 after working at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and at Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP before that. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Yale Law School.
Krissi Trumeter is the Finance Director for Texas Civil Rights Project. She has over 15 years experience in accounting and has served the non-profit sector for several years in a variety of ways. Prior to TCRP, Krissi was the controller for The Texas Observer, which was her first opportunity of insight into the backend of non-profits. She is committed to serving her community and is passionate about civil rights and equality for all. When she is not working, she spends her time with her family, dancing the two-step and smashing the patriarchy.
Natalia Cornelio (“Nata”) is the Director of TCRP’s Criminal Justice Program. Natalia joins TCRP’s criminal justice reform efforts after serving as an assistant federal public defender for indigent persons accused of federal crimes in Houston, where she witnessed first-hand the overuse of criminal laws and incarceration, including against persons of color and indigent persons. She joins TCRP in 2017 as persons in Texas and the United States face heightened obstacles to justice and dignity. Nata has previously worked as a staff attorney for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and is a graduate of New York University and the University of Chicago Law School.
Stephanie Schweitzer Garza leads TCRP’s resource development efforts, serving as Development Director. Originally from the Midwest, Stephanie comes from a diverse and creative background, graduating with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Syracuse University and subsequently performing professionally both on stage and screen. While living in New York City, Stephanie became involved in the progressive movement, working in constituent services for US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and serving on the Political Action Committee for the NOW-NYC. Stephanie came to Texas to serve as Deputy Regional Finance Director for Wendy R. Davis for Governor and simply couldn’t leave. She is honored to be a part of the TCRP team and to work every day to create systemic change in hopes that EVERY Texan is able to fully participate in their community and is afforded the same dignity and respect in and out of the courts.
Zenén Jaimes Pérez is the Communications Director with TCRP. A native Austinite, Zenén became heavily involved in social justice movements through his personal experience growing up in a mixed-status immigrant family and seeing firsthand the effects of the private prison system. Previously, he worked on advocacy, policy, and communications with United We Dream, the largest immigrant-youth run organization in the country, the Center for American Progress, and Advocates for Youth. Always passionate about demystifying policies and laws for his community, Zenén is a first-generation college graduate from Georgetown University where he received a Bachelors of Science in Foreign Service in 2013.
Legal team
Emma is a staff attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project, where she advocates for veterans facing discrimination and other civil rights violations. Emma came to TCRP with a commitment to fighting for social justice and a belief that everyone–regardless of financial means–deserves equal access to justice. Prior to joining the TCRP team, Emma worked as a fellow at the Legal Aid Justice Center in Richmond, Virginia. She is a graduate of the University of Richmond School of Law and Haverford College, where she majored in anthropology.
Hani Mirza is the Texas Civil Rights Project’s North Texas Regional Legal Director. Hani graduated from Washington University School of Law. He previously worked as a staff attorney at Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas in Fort Worth and as an immigration attorney at YMCA International Services. People like Woody Guthrie, Bhagat Singh, and Malcolm X inspire him to continue fighting.
Brooke Bischoff is an Equal Justice Works Fellow sponsored by the Texas Access to Justice Foundation. At TCRP, Brooke works to challenge unconstitutional immigration detention practices and protect immigrants’ rights in Texas. Before coming to TCRP, Brooke worked as an non-profit immigrant defense attorney. Brooke received her J.D. with a concentration in Poverty Law and Economic Justice from Northeastern University School of Law and her B.A. in Cultural Studies from Prescott College.
Hannah Herzog is passionate about pursuing social justice. After obtaining her BA from Boston University, she spent two years working at Casa de Esperanza providing stability children in the foster care system. While attending UT Law, Hannah helped advocate for prisoners housed in inhumane and deadly conditions for the Civil Rights Clinic. She was awarded the UT Law Pro Bono Beacon award twice for dedicating hundreds of hours of pro bono work to indigent clients across Texas. After graduating in 2016, she began working for TRCP. At TCRP, Hannah, an Equal Justice Works fellow, fights to improve conditions for people with mental illness in the Texas criminal justice system.
James Slattery serves as Voting Rights Attorney with TCRP, leading the organization’s initiative to boost high school voter registration rates in Texas, and encourage voting and civic participation by young voters. James originally came to Texas as Deputy Voter Protection Director for Battleground Texas and the Wendy R. Davis for Governor Campaign in 2014. Previously, James worked on several Democratic campaigns, including as Delegate Operations Coordinator for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign and as Regional Voter Protection Director for the Terry McAuliffe for Governor of Virginia Campaign in 2013. Most recently, James served in the Obama Administration as Director of the Office of the Executive Secretariat at the U.S. Department of Commerce. James also served as an Associate Attorney at Wiley Rein LLP, concentrating in employment and bankruptcy law, and as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico and for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. James graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law in 2005, and received a B.A., summa cum laude, in political science from Lipscomb University.
Peter is committed to bolstering fundamental rights and liberties against the rapid pace of technological change. As a Justice Catalyst Fellow, Peter supports TCRP’s enduring mission to advance criminal justice reform in the state of Texas. Specifically, he focuses on the use of algorithmic risk assessment tools within the state’s criminal justice system. His advocacy seeks to put a spotlight on the extent to which these tools implicate due process, institutional bias, and transparency in government. Peter received his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from NYU School of Law.
Rolando serves as legal manager at our Austin office, supporting our attorneys, and coordinating our paralegals across the state, as well as managing our case data. He also proudly co-coordinates TCRP’s volunteers and interns, and manages those dedicated to civil rights work in Austin. As a volunteer, Rolando was initially drawn to TCRP’s mission during his undergraduate and graduate studies; and he joined TCRP professionally in 2015. He continues to serve as a volunteer with groups that facilitate dialogue on topics of race, bias, and discrimination, and other groups that assist underserved populations. Rolando attended St. Edward’s University, and he holds a master’s degree concentrating in social science and social justice.
Chris Rainbolt handles administrative, technical, logistical, and paralegal related tasks for the North Texas office. He envisions a world without suffering or economic inequality and does what he can, each day, to nudge things in that direction. He draws on his varied experiences with electronics, manufacturing, process control, purchasing, investing, construction, paralegal studies, poker, and Yoga to tackle challenges that arise. Chris is most proud of his role in locating office space for the North Texas branch and managing its relocation. Chris has earned Associates Degrees in Electronics Engineering Technology and Paralegal Studies and is a certified Yoga instructor.
Christopher Rivera holds down the fort at TCRP’s Houston office. As the acting Paralegal/Office Manager Christopher contributes to the Houston office by scheduling prison visits, drafting motions, handling intake and various other responsibilities delegated to him. As an alumni from California State University Long Beach, Christopher received his degrees in Political Science and Chicano Studies. While at CSULB, Christopher volunteered his time at LAANE (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy) where he learned the importance of nonprofit organizations and their impact on the community. After a short stint at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Christopher joined the Texas Civil Rights Project and has found his new home within the organization.
Georgina Guzman is the Paralegal/Office Manager for the Racial and Economic Justice program at TCRP’s South Texas office. Georgina obtained her Associates Degree in Applied Science-Legal Secretary in December of 1995 and brings with her more than 17 years of legal experience. She has been involved in the community through various South Texas organizations and her inspiration has always been to be part of an organization that thrives in helping individuals and the community in various ways. Georgina is inspired daily for what TCRP represents and advocates for and is looking forward in growing professionally and individually alongside this organization.
Community Engagement team
Ash Hall is the Content Manager with TCRP. A native Houstonian, they became involved in social justice advocacy in Texas a decade ago, after discovering their own queer identities and finding community with others facing oppression.They went on to graduate with a BA in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin in 2013. Ash’s previous work includes Representative Celia Israel’s campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, Equality Texas, and Representative Victoria Neave’s legislative team. Ash is committed to reaching justice for all marginalized communities and changing cultural norms in favor of compassion and equity.
Finance & Operations team
Megan graduated with a B.A. in Global Studies from St. Edward’s University. She became actively passionate about human rights, poverty, and immigration issues after an immersion trip to Lima, Peru. Megan translated this passion into volunteering and interning at various nonprofits in Austin, which eventually led her to a Development Internship at TCRP. In her current role, she recruits new employees and ensures clients, vendors, and bills are paid. In her free time, you will find her outside in any body of water, biking, at End of an Ear, or enjoying whatever breakfast taco is in sight.
Melissa Elfont is the Operations Coordinator at the Texas Civil Rights Project. She has previously worked as a higher education administrator at The University of Texas at Austin, Drexel University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Melissa graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Sociology and Gender Studies. She is also a longtime volunteer at Planned Parenthood, and previously ran a free GED program in her hometown of Philadelphia. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her partner and pets, and baking French macarons.