Local attorney Sandra Williams won two prestigious pro bono awards in recent weeks (New York State Bar Association’s 2015 President’s Pro Bono Service Award and the VLSP William E. McKnight Volunteer Service Award), but she’ll be the first to admit it is often a learn-as-you-go process.
She has extensive experience in banking services, investment products and asset management from her initial post-law school employment, but she is willing to go outside her area of expertise without reservation, representing VLSP clients in unemployment insurance hearings and other quality-of-life matters. She serves as an Attorney for the Children, providing a voice for minors in many kinds of court proceedings including juvenile delinquency, custody and visitation and child protective proceedings.
Sharing a story about a 5-year-old client, Sandra said that she asked the little girl to draw a picture of her family.
“That was at her father’s house,” Sandra explained. “All I had was the yellow legal pad. She drew the picture. Then I asked her again at her mother’s house to repeat this exercise. This time she lost her patience. ‘Lined paper is not for drawing, next time bring drawing paper,’ the child admonished. Clearly, I still have things to learn,” she laughed.
“I am glad to be the voice of these children,” Sandra added. “I feel like I empower them during these difficult proceedings.”
Sandra’s dedication to the issues faced by indigent and low income clients certainly has not impaired her sense of humor. When asked about pets or outside interests, she replied:
“No cats. No Dogs. I had two goldfish (Dominick and Yuppie). I was not good at looking after them and they died. I thought that I needed to change the water often, but I shouldn’t have. [Lesson learned.] I am still distraught. I moan the loss of Yuppie more so because I strongly believe that goldfish looked forward to me coming home.”
This humorous and humble solo practitioner was born in Jamaica but spent much of her youth in Rochester, completing her undergraduate studies at St. John Fisher and her law degree at SUNY Buffalo Law School. Admitted to the bar in 1997, she spent more than a decade in Paris but is delighted to be back in Rochester. Sandra enjoys jogging, bicycling, and outdoor activities, when the weather is warm.
Written by Nora A. Jones
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