With a career spanning more than 25 years, Joshua Bratter, Esq. ’91, P ’21 has built a distinguished reputation as an international immigration attorney. Specializing in securing approvals for foreign nationals of extraordinary ability across diverse fields, he has worked with Olympic athletes, major talent agencies, and global organizations. During his recent visit to Mercersburg Academy, he not only shared insights from his profession but also provided a special screening of “Centered: Joe Lieberman” during the February 28 school meeting. 

“In this time when voices of neutrality, conciliation, and unity are needed more than ever, I cherish the opportunity to share this film here at Mercersburg with all of you,” Bratter said. 

The documentary examines the life and legacy of Joe Lieberman, a bipartisan leader who placed principle over party. Lieberman’s story challenged students to think critically about leadership, integrity, and individual action. Bratter’s connection to Lieberman dates to 2004 when he served on Lieberman’s Immigration Task Force during Lieberman’s presidential campaign.

Co-executive producers Samantha and Joshua Bratter, along with their son Max ’21, brought the film to campus with director Jonathan Gruber. The film, which is set for national release in March, was a family project, according to Bratter—one that carries a message of moderation and bipartisanship that resonates deeply in today’s divided political landscape.

Bratter also previously co-wrote and executive produced the award-winning film “Better Mus’ Come” alongside his wife, as well as “The Black Line,” an acclaimed documentary exploring Caribbean swimming traditions.

As he introduced the film, Bratter reflected on the impact of his Mercersburg experience. “What a pleasure to be here and honor the continuity of tradition,” he said. “As I look around the room, I see some of my own faculty, and when you can be in a community, in a place where you have the exposure and the opportunity to be with individuals who have committed their lives to teaching, sharing, and elevating others, you know that you’re in the presence of wisdom, experience, commitment, and love.

“I remind you all to recognize the unique privilege of being at this institution—to have the opportunity to learn from remarkable faculty who have had a transformative impact on my life, my son’s life, and certainly on all of yours.”

Gruber, who jokingly invited himself to be a member of the Mercersburg family, said “Senator Joseph Lieberman was a man of deep faith, and that faith grounded him. Even as he served at the highest levels of government, he remained humble, always recognizing that each of us has the power to effect change. We don’t have to wait for others to decide for us.”

After the screening, Bratter and Gruber answered a variety of questions from students about the filming process and what they hoped viewers would take away.

“We have to figure out how to work together on the things we agree with, and disagree, but not be disagreeable,” Gruber said.

“There’s an element of broadening our vocabulary and our method of communicating with each other…so that we can find middle ground, and that is the notion of ‘Centered’ and the trajectory of his [Lieberman’s] career. It’s one of finding points of consensus, and not through acrimony and polarization, but through unification and finding points of contact and commonality, through language, through law, through policy, and through a role of humanity,” Bratter said.

Following the school meeting, the Bratters spent the rest of the day on campus, having lunch with the Jewish Club and visiting the Human Geography class and Mercersburg’s Advanced Program for Global Studies.

The Bratters also met with students to discuss immigration-centered issues, where Josh answered their questions and offered valuable insights providing a real-world perspective on the challenges and opportunities that international students face.

Throughout the day, the Bratters’ visit served as a reminder of the power of dialogue, education, and shared experiences in shaping future leaders. From engaging in thoughtful discussions with students to sharing the story of a leader who championed bipartisanship, their time on campus reinforced the importance of finding common ground in an increasingly divided world.