Wolford’s courtroom experience started early

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You might say the law is in Elizabeth A. Wolford’s blood.

She was born in Buffalo while her father was a student at SUNY Buffalo Law School and she has been interested in the law since before she started school herself.

Wolford, a partner in The Wolford Law Firm LLP, will become a member of the federal judiciary later this month when she joins the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.

“Based upon her work with our firm these past 20 years and the community organizations she has been involved with, I have no doubt she will excel in her judgeship,” said her father, Michael R. Wolford. “I am delighted for her and for our family, but our firm and I will miss working with her on a daily basis.”

Confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 12, Wolford will be sitting in Rochester where she has been practicing law in state and federal courts for 20 years, mostly focusing on commercial and employment litigation.

She is no stranger to the federal courthouse, which she remembers first visiting about the age of 3, not long after her father’s graduation from law school. Wolford’s parents had returned to their native Rochester where her father began working as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of New York.

Wolford and her mother Beatrice were in the courtroom where her father was trying a case before Judge Harold P. Burke. She said she was looking around the room and pointed toward the bench when her mother took her hand and told her not to point at the judge. Wolford said she is still bothered by people pointing; “almost like nails on a chalk board.”

But the courtroom and her father’s love of his job made a deep impression on her, as did her Uncle Thomas Cocuzzi, a well-known public defender who died in April.

“My dad always talked about cases and his job and he always made it sound so fun and interesting,” Wolford said, noting her uncle also loved his job and using the justice system to get a fair resolution.

By the time she got to high school, Wolford knew she would pursue a career in law. She received her undergraduate degree in 1989 from Colgate University and her juris doctor in 1992 from the University of Notre Dame.

Prior to working at The Wolford Law Firm, Wolford worked as a summer law clerk at Harris Beach PLLC while still in law school. She said she gained excellent exposure to the legal profession and it solidified her desire to go into litigation.

“I really love the practice of law; having a problem to solve and solving it,” Wolford said. “It allows people to resolve their disputes in a reasonable fashion without resulting to extraordinary measures. It’s almost like a game of chess. It’s so rewarding when you get the answer.”

Becoming a federal judge was not on Wolford’s radar until she got a call from the staff of Sen. Charles E. Schumer, who was seeking potential candidates to recommend to fill the vacancy of District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa, who was elevated to senior status a year ago.

“I am very happy and have been very happy at The Wolford Law Firm,” Wolford said, noting Schumer presented an opportunity she did not think she could pass up and she did not want to later regret not applying.

Schumer made the recommendation in February and President Barack Obama nominated her in May. The selection process included background checks by the American Bar Association and FBI, an interview with Department of Justice staff and a hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, which forwarded her nomination Aug. 1 to the full Senate, where it sat until her confirmation last week.

“I was very impressed, extremely impressed by everybody I dealt with on both sides of the aisle,” Wolford said. “They are just really dedicated to the process. They really work really long hours and I don’t think get any real recognition as part of the process.”

Wolford’s commission for the federal judgeship was signed by Obama on Tuesday, her 47th birthday. She said the timing has worked out well; that the beginning of the year is a good time to start a new job.

She is planning an informal swearing-in ceremony for family and friends at the end of the month. Her formal installation, called an investiture, will take place sometime early next year.

In the meantime, Wolford will be attending training sessions, affectionately known as “Baby Judges School,” in January and February through the Federal Judicial Center.

Wolford knows her new position will involve a lot of work, but she is excited about the interesting challenges ahead. She knows she will have to quickly get up to speed on areas of the law that she has not had to deal with in her private practice, but is up for the challenge.

“Being a judge is lot different than being an advocate,” Wolford said. “I’m excited to approach the law in a totally different aspect. Everybody I’ve talked to about the position says it’s the best job in the world.

“It’s also a big change. It’s so much easier having the type of support and generosity from both Rochester and Buffalo. Every single one of the judges has reached out to me and said they would help in any way they can.”

Wolford is in the process of reviewing resumes for three law clerks and a courtroom deputy she plans to hire as her new staff.

The Wolford Firm is also making adjustments preparing for her departure. Joining the firm as of Jan. 6 will be Molly Shepard, a law clerk to District Court Judge Michael A. Telesca. Wolford said the firm is also looking for an additional person to hire.

The Wolford Law firm was known as Michael R. Wolford & Associates when founded by her father in 1993. In addition to her father, Wolford’s brother James S., and Sarah Merkel are also partners. The firm has a total of eight attorneys.

Wolford, who is single, is the oldest of three children. Her brother James is married to Kelly C. Wolford, Monroe County first assistant district attorney. Her other brother John is a retired Air Force pilot who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Wolford also have five nieces and nephews.

Among her civic activities, Wolford serves on the Volunteer Legal Services Project board, is immediate past president of the Foundation of the Monroe County Bar and served as president of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys in 2003-04.

She is a former Up and Coming Attorney award winner from The Daily Record and recipient of its Leaders in Law Award in 2010.

The very court she will be joining honored her with its Special Service Award in 2000 for excellence in the vigorous representation of a pro bono client. Wolford will also be the youngest member of the court and its first female judge.

“The litigants that appear in federal court are diverse,” said GRAWA President Melanie S. Wolk. “As such, our federal bench should reflect that diversity. Elizabeth Wolford’s confirmation is a step in the right direction to resolve the diversity needs on the bench.”

Wolford also loves how the profession always leads to learning new things, something that will continue at different levels as she moves forward in her judicial career.