Anna Venis’ journey towards a career in law has been marked by determination, perseverance and compassion.
Venis’s path to success began at a young age, driven by her passion for justice and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Upon graduation during the College of Law’s commencement at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 5, in Thompson Student Union Auditorium, Venis will begin her legal career with the U.S. Department of Justice in El Paso, Texas, in the Attorney General’s Honors Program.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2024 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at spring commencement.
Venis began her higher education journey with the goal of becoming a lawyer and advocate for others in mind. She pursued a bachelor of science in paralegal studies at The University of Toledo, graduating with distinction at 20 years old.
During her final year of undergraduate studies, Venis welcomed her daughter, Caileigh, into the world. Despite some doubts and realizing how difficult it could be to balance being a new parent and attending law school, Venis chose to continue with her plan and achieve her dream of becoming a lawyer.
Venis became interested in immigration law while taking a course with Eugenio Mollo, a clinical assistant professor of law and director of the Immigrant Law Clinic in the UToledo College of Law, which gave her a deeper understanding of the U.S. immigration system. Following her immigration law course, she completed an internship with the Detroit Immigration Court. There, Venis worked on cases involving asylum, withholding of removal and protection under the Convention Against Torture.
“Most memorably, I researched and drafted a decision that discussed the standards for frivolous asylum claims and the government’s burden of proof when requesting that an asylum application be found frivolous,” Venis said.
She worked closely with attorney advisors and immigration judges who provided her with invaluable insight into topics such as the role of the immigration courts and the positive impact that a dedicated and competent attorney can have on the outcome of a case.
The following semester, Venis joined the Toledo Law Immigrant Justice Clinic to continue learning and harnessing her skills with real clients and cases under the supervision of Mollo.
After passing the bar exam, Anna Venis will be moving to El Paso, Texas, with her young daughter to begin her career in the Attorney General’s Honors Program.
“The clinic experience both reinforced and expanded what I had previously been told about the impact an attorney can have. The positive impact to be had is not only on the outcome of the case but, more importantly, it is on the individuals themselves,” Venis said. “Attorneys have the unique ability to empower clients through open, honest discussions about the client’s individual circumstances, navigating complex legal processes and understanding key legal issues that may affect their cases.”
The Department of Justice Attorney General’s Honors Program has a rigorous selection process. Venis’s legal intellect and practical experience secured a coveted spot with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, El Paso Immigration Court.
“It was an absolute joy watching Anna grow from a student curious about immigration law topics into a knowledgeable, confident and client-trusted legal intern in the Immigrant Justice Clinic,” Mollo said. “Anna’s determination and passion, coupled with her Toledo Law experiences, have given her the foundation to jump-start a fulfilling career. I’m really proud of Anna.”
Venis will sit for the Ohio Bar Exam in July 2024 before moving to Texas to start a new chapter with Caileigh, now 3, who she says is her ultimate motivation to succeed.
“Although figuring out how to balance law school and raising a young child was definitely a learning curve, it has also been a very rewarding experience,” Venis said. “I am grateful for my family’s encouragement and the many sacrifices they made to support me in this endeavor. They have been crucial to my success.”
