“Mr. Leitman Bailey,

I am sure you do not recall this, but back in 2009 you moderated a panel of public interest attorneys at SUCOL.  I attended that panel as a 1L and later sent you a thank you card because I found the discussion extremely informative and—as a law student who knew that I wanted to enter into public service—reassuring.  We had been bombarded all semester about getting into a large private firm early in order to ensure “success”.  That is, to get hired as an associate, work diligently for many years, and eventually make partner.  That route never appealed to me, but the panel discussion was the first time I met attorneys who had chosen public service.  It was a relief to hear them discuss both their job satisfaction and to learn that they were not, in fact, destitute.

You came to SUCOL again just before the start of my 2L year, and you were kind enough to meet my friend and me for a coffee.  I believe I drove you to the airport afterwards.

I just wanted to let you know that I am running for Supreme Court this November, in the Seventh Judicial District.  I have spent my entire legal career thus far in public service, first as a criminal defense attorney with the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office; then as a two-year clerk at the Appellate Division, Fourth Department; as a clerk at the Court of Appeals; and currently, as an elbow clerk to one of the Justices at the Fourth Department.

I know that you generously give your time to the students at SUCOL, and thought you may want to know how you directly impacted me and my career.  I go back to SUCOL and SUNY Cortland (my undergrad) whenever I am asked because I know firsthand what a meeting with an alum can do.

I hope you are well!

Sincerely,
Erin Sanger Skinner, Esq. ‘12″