Edward LaDuca '26

The Erie County District Attorney's office represents the People of New York State in criminal matters arising within Erie County. This summer I had the opportunity to grow as both a student and professional with the help of the dedicated attorneys at the DA's office.

As a legal intern in the Felony Trials Bureau, I had the opportunity to sharpen my writing and research skills. My projects often surrounded recent arrests, allowing me to share my opinion on whether the crime a defendant was arrested for is supported by the facts of the encounter. Giving a firm opinion, one way or the other, can be daunting at first. However, with the teaching and guidance of the great professors at the University at Buffalo School of Law, giving my opinion, whether it be favorable or not, was a task I was prepared for. Another large portion of my time was spent compiling case law on frequent issues that crop up around the office. More long-term and broad projects like this allowed me to fall down research rabbit holes that I otherwise might have had to restrain myself from exploring.

A significant part of an internship with the Erie County District Attorney's office is spent observing court proceedings. My first day as an intern was spent observing an ADA cross-examine a defendant who chose to take the stand. This experience set the tone for my entire internship moving forward and gave me a sense of the important work that acting DA Michael J. Keane and the ADAs in his office do on a daily basis.

Observing ADAs, defense attorneys, and court justices in the courtroom has helped me to define what zealous advocacy means to me. Even from the gallery, an intern will quickly learn what skills and habits help an attorney breed respect in the courtroom. Certain intangibles, like respect and confidence, which can't be learned out of a book, are readily identifiable when observing Erie County's dedicated assistant district attorneys in the courtroom. I am confident that I will carry with me the lessons I learned observing court proceedings as a legal intern with the Erie County District Attorney's office for my entire career.

The close-knit bar community in Western New York impacted me the most. Watching ADAs and defense attorneys go from battling in court to complimenting each other just outside of the courtroom walls taught me a lot about what kind of attorney I would like to be. Experiences like this reinforced the idea that you treat others as you wish to be treated. This was true in pre-k and remains true throughout a career in the legal field. It's a value that defines the Buffalo legal community and it was a pleasure to observe its execution up close and personal.

I was taken aback by how welcoming and willing to help the attorneys and judges were. Not only were the ADAs I had the pleasure of interacting with always looking to guide the interns in any way they could, but defense attorneys were also eager to share their own experiences and insights. The judges I interacted with were equally kind. One justice, in particular, took the time out of her busy schedule to have an impromptu discussion with me and a few other interns following an observation of her court. She took the time to share what advocacy meant to her, and what she believed would be required of the next generation of lawyers.

Experiences like this, which would have been impossible without the opportunity to work in the Erie County DA's office this summer, truly left the largest impact on me as an employee and as a student.

I would like to thank Mr. Ross M. and Anna Marie Cellino for supporting me this summer as I volunteered my time at the Erie County District Attorney's office. The fellowship allowed me to experience great opportunities and meet life-long mentors and friends in an agency that has dedicated itself to serving the People of Erie County. I was able to continue my professional journey this summer without having to worry about economic strains. Without the support of the University at Buffalo and their generous donors this would have all been impossible

The opportunity to work with an agency such as the Erie County District Attorney's office is unparalleled and one I would recommend to any law student still trying to figure out where they best fit in. With the help of UB Law's Fellowship program, it's an opportunity that any law student, no matter their background, can seek out and thrive in.