Michele A. Brown ’79

Segment Synopsis: Michele A. Brown '79, honored as the 2025 Distinguished Alumna for her commitment to public service, reflects on her winding journey to becoming an attorney. Born at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Illinois while her father served in the Army, she grew up in Buffalo and graduated from Williamsville High School before heading to the University of Northern Colorado to study history. After several carefree years and jobs as a waitress, bartender, and banker, Michele initially resisted law school until her parents—and mentor Ward Levy—persuaded her to take the LSAT, leading to her acceptance at multiple schools and ultimately UB School of Law.

Entering law school with rich life experience, Michele often noticed her perspective differed from younger classmates. She recalls her parents’ fierce defense when others claimed she was taking a man’s place, as well as early-career sexism in the legal field. Initially drawn to tax law, she discovered her interests lay elsewhere through work with a general practice attorney. Her story blends resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to defying limitations placed on women in the profession.

Keywords: Choosing UB Law School; Gender; Undergraduate Education; Service

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; GENDER; UB LAW FACULTY; FAMILY HISTORY

Segment Synopsis: The summer after her first year of law school, Michele returned to her banking career, serving as assistant manager of a Lewiston, NY branch during the summer Elvis Presley died. She continued part-time banking work until late 1977, then began clerking for attorney Ben Leader, eventually joining his small general practice firm. There, she sampled nearly every type of law—real estate, bankruptcy, criminal defense, personal injury—before discovering that family law was her true calling.

While at UB School of Law, Michele valued practical instruction over extracurriculars, as she was working to support herself. She remembers trial technique with Judge Edgar Nemoyer, who taught her the power of sandwiching criticism between praise—a lesson she still uses today. Law school in the 1970s, she recalls, lacked the wellness and networking opportunities students enjoy now, and mental health was rarely discussed. She encourages current students to engage in such activities both for personal enrichment and professional networking.

Michele never considered quitting, though the Blizzard of ’77 nearly overwhelmed her, forcing her to drop her one elective—ironically, family law. She reflects warmly on mentors like Ben Leader and on an earlier experience in Colorado, where a Harvard-trained legal aid lawyer refused her payment and urged her to “take care of others” in the future, a principle she carried into her career.

Keywords: Career / Early; Career / Professional Experience; Mentors; Student Culture; Law Clerk

Subjects: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: Michele credits UB School of Law with giving her the “grittiness” that shaped her career. Starting in a small general practice straight out of law school, she learned quickly in a sink-or-swim environment—never forgetting her first trial mishap when a spilled water glass soaked her skirt in front of a laughing judge. Though she experienced sexism early on, her first job came through family connections, leading to steady work and eventually her own niche practice.

Her path to representing children began when a family court judge encouraged her to join the law guardian panel—a role she’s embraced for decades. She recalls the profound reward of seeing former clients thrive, including one who confirmed Michele had made the right call in a contested custody case. Now working primarily in surrogates court on adoptions, she finds it her “happy place.”

Michele stresses the importance of self-care—whether puzzles, needlepoint, or her mischievous cat—and urges young attorneys to try diverse practice areas without limiting themselves to firm work. She highlights how representation by lawyers who share clients’ cultural or lived experiences can be transformative, while also stressing the need to build trust across differences. For her, the personal connection and tangible impact of child advocacy remain unmatched.

Keywords: Advice; Gender; UB Preparation; Practice

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: In 1999, Michelle was appointed Chief Attorney for the Children’s Legal Center, a role that “meant the world” to her and reflected Justice Denman’s vision for stronger representation of children in custody and visitation cases. The Center’s mission focuses on continuity of advocacy, often following children through related neglect or abuse proceedings.

Michelle also serves on the Fourth Department’s Attorneys for Children Advisory Committee, where she has chaired subcommittees rewriting statewide guidelines and ethics rules, organized continuing legal education programs, and helped present the annual Dillon Awards for outstanding child advocates. In 2023, she experienced what she calls a “tour de awards,” receiving the Dillon Lifetime Achievement Award, the Howard Levine Award from the NYS Bar Association, and the Bar Association of Erie County’s Attorney of the Year.

She credits her career success to passion rather than pursuit of accolades, and urges younger attorneys to prioritize family moments over work, as “there will always be more work, but your kids are only young once.” Michelle actively encourages young clients interested in law, reminding them that there’s “a place in the law for everyone,” and advises new lawyers to explore family law through assigned counsel programs for valuable training and mentorship.

If she could change one thing about UB Law, she’d move it downtown to connect students with the courts and live legal proceedings. Though she never set out to be a public service lawyer, Michelle sees her decades of child advocacy as a natural extension of doing what she loves—helping children and finding common ground in families.