Women in Law

By: Shelby Majda ’24

As a first-generation law student, I always knew I wanted to go to law school, even from a very young age, however, I struggled with what kind of law I’d be interested in. I had no background in the legal field coming into law school. The only thing I knew was that I really wanted to do something with Domestic Violence survivors, something to support women. As a survivor myself, this was very important to me and is a passion I developed that has shaped me as a human, and a future attorney.

Many attorneys whom I look up to and admire, suggested I look into interning with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. However, I did not see myself as a prosecutor. I knew this would be unpaid and could not financially afford to not have an income over the summer. I applied anyway and got the internship, so I looked into fellowships through the University at Buffalo School of Law Summer Public Interest Funding & Fellowship Program. Lisa Patterson nominated me for the Catalyst fellowship and when I was accepted, I took it as a sign that this is what I was meant to do this summer.

What I saw, and the lessons I learned with my time at the District Attorney’s office, have changed my goals and entire career path. I was assigned to the Special Victims/ Domestic Violence Bureau, where I worked under the most amazing, intelligent, and powerful women I have ever met. I met so many young, female ADA’s who were just like me. They were feminine and girly, while being powerhouses in the courtroom. I got to observe trials where women lead the courtroom. Most of the defense attorneys were what you would expect, men. However, the female ADA’s and bureau chief were forces to be reckoned with. They took me under their wing and taught me more in one summer than I have learned in two full years of law school.

My hero is RBG, you can see her in the artwork behind me- proudly hung in my apartment on full display as soon as you walk in. Like many successful women, I’ve been mocked my whole life for being so feminine, while also wanting to be powerful and make meaningful differences in the world.

When I announced, I was going to law school, I was met with more mockery than congratulations. I heard comments like “I never would have expected this from someone like you” or “No way you’re actually smart”. I’ve been compared to Elle Woods, from “Legally Blonde”, more times than I can count. However, this summer I was surrounded by women like me who showed me what being a prosecutor really meant, and the people (especially women and children) I would get to help.

In one summer, my dream job became being an ADA with the District Attorney’s office. For now, I genuinely can’t see myself doing anything else, or working with any other group of people. I feel like I found my calling and it reminded me why I went to law school in the first place- to make a difference.

Thank you so much to Lisa Patterson, the University at Buffalo School of Law Summer Public Interest Funding & Fellowship Program, and especially the New York Bar Foundation for choosing me as a recipient of the Catalyst Public Service fellowship for 2023. Without your generosity I would not have had the opportunity to patriciate in this amazing internship and find my calling in law.

Name: Shelby Majda ’24

Fellowship: Catalyst

Placement: Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Location: Buffalo, NY

One important lesson I have learned from this fellowship: “Women are powerful and can be strong and successful, while retaining their own soft feminine energy. You don’t have to change who you are for a job, and femininity is power in itself.”