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By: Olivia Anderson ‘25
For the summer of 2023, I had the absolute privilege and honor of working at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.
Entering law school, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do, nor what the role of a prosecutor truly was. When I heard about the United States Attorney’s Office and their summer program I was immediately intrigued. I applied for the position after reading about the job description and after hearing some 2L’s say it was the best experience of their life. After this summer, I can confidently say that those 2L’s were right.
When I began this summer, much like my 1L experience, I had no idea what to expect going into something new. I was aware that the US Attorney’s Office is one of the leading law enforcement offices. I was aware of the plethora of areas of law enforced, but I had no idea what my summer would have in store. Looking back, I can say that I have had the most amazing experience of my life as a summer law clerk for the USAO. In my summer, I worked on numerous different research projects for over 12 different Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), witnessed a trial and multiple other court proceedings, collaborated with other law enforcement agencies, wrote motions and other legal memorandum, and had the pleasure of hearing from distinguished attorneys and judges in a weekly panel. While I specifically worked in the Asset Recovery Division and White-Collar Division, I was able to get experience working on projects for attorneys in all areas including that to which I was assigned, as well as Narcotics. I assisted attorneys on trial prep, research questions, writing motions, and so much more.
Additionally, the USAO provided field trip opportunities to many different law enforcement agencies within the district. Over the course of the summer I had the pleasure of visiting the Peace Bridge where employees of DHS spoke; the Batavia Detention Center (ICE); the Erie County S.W.A.T. base where I did a hostage simulation, shot a pistol, and repelled down a tower. I visited the FBI Buffalo office, the Erie County Crime Analysis Center and more. Each field trip provided me with a deeper understanding of how a case is built from start to finish, and how much effort it takes to build a case from different law enforcement agencies.
While this is a brief description of the myriad of projects I worked on, clerking at the United States Attorney’s Office has given me the best possible start to my legal career by exposing me to so many areas of law and so many amazing members of the legal community. I am so thankful for the opportunities that the USAO gave me and for the opportunity to work on my research, writing, networking, and practical skills. I will carry what I learned here into my 2L year and far beyond.
In addition to the amazing attorneys at the USAO, I would like to thank most of all Francis M. Letro ’79 and Cindy Abbott Letro for funding the UB School of Law Public Interest Summer Fellowship that made this experience possible. Without Francis and Cindy’s generosity, I would not have been able to have this experience. Words cannot express the gratitude that I have, thank you Francis and Cindy for providing a 1st generation law student with the opportunity of a lifetime.
Name: Olivia Anderson, ’25
Fellowship: UB School of Law Public Interest Fellowship (Made possible by a generous grant from Francis M. Letro ’79 and Cindy Abbott Letro)
Placement: United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York
Location: Buffalo, NY
One important lesson I have learned from this fellowship: “When I entered my 1L year, I had no idea what area of law I wanted to practice in. I can now confidently say that my experience at the United States Attorney’s Office has confirmed my trajectory for the future.”
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