Ashley Mahaʻa, Paralegal Trainee, brings exceptional lived experience, research expertise, and national advocacy and policy engagement to The Law Office of Jennifer M. Merkle, LLC. With a background in criminal justice and survivor-led systems reform, Ashley strengthens the firm's trauma-informed and client-centered approach.

At the firm, Ashley assists with legal research, case preparation, client support, and policy-informed strategy. Her work reflects a deep commitment to dignity, accountability, and culturally responsive advocacy.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Chaminade University of Honolulu, graduating Magna Cum Laude and as a member of Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Her academic and professional work has focused extensively on human trafficking policy, Native communities, survivor advocacy, and criminal justice systems reform.

She currently serves as an Assistant Researcher for the Missing and Murdered Native Hawaiian Women and Girls (MMNHWG) Task Force, contributing to data collection, interview instrument development, and initiative creation addressing the crisis impacting Native Hawaiian communities. Ashley has also advised national organizations, including Polaris, Restore NYC, and the Empowered Network (formerly Empower Her Network), where she has contributed to research design, program development, and survivor-centered policy recommendations. Ashley is a contributing consultant to national publications addressing systemic failures affecting trafficking survivors and has presented before federal policymakers, national advocacy networks, and multidisciplinary audiences on issues including human trafficking, substance use, trauma, and survivor-led reform.