Sharp and focused, yet approachable and empathetic, Paoletti appreciates the unique situations of clients walking the tightrope between U.S. and international law. She works closely with her students to overcome the myriad challenges that come with the territory.

Each student in the Clinic is assigned at least one immigration case per semester and the goal is for everyone to work on a human rights matter as well. Paoletti is networking among well-established agencies and her own professional contacts to further develop the Clinic's client-referral base.

"Immigration [a factor in almost all the Clinic's cases] is probably the most complex area of law you can deal with," says Paoletti. "Nothing is simple. Clients don't come with us with nice, easy problems. They come to us with their lives, and lives can be messy."