Kristin Graham Koehler ’94

Segment Synopsis: In this conversation, University at Buffalo Law School alumna Kristen Graham Kohler reflects on her path from growing up in Saratoga County, NY, to building a distinguished legal career. The youngest of six children, she enjoyed both the energy of a large family and dedicated attention from her parents. After earning a political science degree with a legal studies minor from SUNY Geneseo in 1991, she pursued law school with early ambitions for a career in politics—shaped by family dinner table debates and AP history classes.

Choosing UB Law for its strong SUNY foundation, affordability, and proximity, Kristen entered with political aspirations but discovered through student government that she preferred practicing law to political maneuvering. She embraced the tight-knit community of her law school section, forming lasting friendships—most notably with her future husband, Dave, whom she met early in their first year.

Her fondest memories include leadership roles on the Law Review, collaborating closely with Dave as executive editors, and competing on the trial team. A standout academic experience was her tax law course with Professor Ken Joyce, whose engaging teaching made the complex subject both understandable and memorable—skills she still applies in unexpected ways, despite not practicing tax law. Kristen’s story highlights the importance of community, adaptability, and seizing opportunities in shaping a rewarding legal career.

Keywords: Choice of Law; Choosing UB Law School; Classes; Experience as Student; Joyce, Kenneth; Law Review; Tax Law; UB Preparation; Undergraduate Education; Family

Subjects: EDUCATION; UB LAW AS STUDENT; FAMILY HISTORY

Segment Synopsis: Kristen Graham Kohler reflects on how her strongest takeaways from law school were not tied to a single course but to the foundational skills she developed—particularly advanced legal research and writing, honed through specialized classes and her intensive work on the Law Review. Time in the Law Review office doubled as both a professional training ground and a social hub, while her role in the UB Law admissions office funded her education, provided strong professional mentorship, and kept her closely connected to the law school community.

While at UB, Kristen also gained practical experience, interning for Judge Doyle in the New York State Supreme Court and working as a summer associate at Phillips Lytle. After graduation, she clerked for Chief Judge Larimer of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York—an initially one-year position that became a three-year tenure due to the valuable experience it offered. The clerkship exposed her to a high-profile commercial docket driven by major companies like Kodak and Xerox and gave her firsthand insight into rapid judicial decision-making in trial practice.

Her career path shifted unexpectedly when her husband’s law firm asked him to relocate to Washington, D.C., giving the couple just 12 hours to decide. The move, while daunting, led Kristen to navigate a competitive and elite legal market through relentless networking, aided by introductions from Judge Larimer and others. This strategy opened both government and private-sector opportunities, with Kristen choosing to start at a law firm to strengthen her skills before pursuing public service.

Keywords: Internships; Law Firms; Law Review; Relationship with UB Law; Trial Practice; UB Preparation

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Kristen Graham Kohler describes how networking propelled her early career in Washington, D.C., despite initial intimidation. After relocating from New York without a job, she relied on introductions facilitated by Judge Larimer, who connected her to Judge Hogan, ultimately leading to her hiring at Sidley Austin. Meeting people in their offices and following each conversation with new referrals built a rapid chain of opportunities. She emphasizes that most professionals genuinely want to help, and persistence is essential.

Joining Sidley in 1999, Kristen found the transition daunting given the firm’s size and caliber of talent, but soon realized her UB Law training prepared her well. She experimented with appellate, civil, and criminal litigation before gravitating to white-collar criminal defense for its strategic, fast-paced, and team-driven nature. Skills from criminal law, criminal procedure, and trial team proved invaluable in her practice.

Kristen’s leadership trajectory began early, as she headed Sidley’s Women’s Initiative as an associate. The firm’s longstanding commitment to diversity allowed her to advance steadily, eventually serving on the executive committee for a decade. In 2019, she became the first woman managing partner of Sidley’s Washington, D.C., office and, in 2024, joined the firm’s global management committee of eight individuals. Her story highlights how targeted networking, openness to varied practice experiences, and stepping into leadership roles early can culminate in a career at the top of a global law firm.

Keywords: Career / Professional Experience; Ethnicity / Diversity; Law Firms; Practice; Advice

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: Kristen Graham Kohler recounts how she transitioned from private practice into a high-profile public service role when she was appointed to the District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission by the U.S. President. The process, which took a year and required White House vetting, resulted from her growing network and reputation in Washington, D.C. The commission’s work—identifying and recommending judicial candidates for the D.C. courts—gave Kristen a deeper understanding of judicial selection and the city’s legal landscape.

At Sidley, Kristen has been deeply involved in pro bono matters, reflecting both her personal values and the firm’s strong service culture. Her cases have ranged from criminal defense to asylum work, often in partnership with legal aid organizations. She emphasizes that pro bono service is not only an ethical obligation but also an exceptional training ground for developing litigation skills, particularly for junior attorneys.

Balancing leadership roles, demanding client work, and public service required careful time management and a supportive professional network. Kristen credits strong mentorship, early development of legal writing and research skills, and an openness to unexpected opportunities as key to sustaining her career momentum. Her trajectory shows how integrating pro bono service and civic appointments into private practice can expand influence, strengthen professional credibility, and enrich one’s legal career over decades.

Keywords: Appointments; Career / Professional Experience; Mentors; Pro Bono; Judiciary

Subjects: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; CAREER: LEGAL