Susan L. Pollet
Chair of the Archive and Historian Committee
Q: When and why did you become involved in the
Westchester Women’s Bar Association?
A: I initially became involved with the Westchester Women’s Bar
Association as a 1L at Pace Law School in 2006.
Upon graduation I moved to New York City to begin my legal career so I
could not continue my membership. After
moving back to Westchester County and starting a job at the Westchester County
District Attorney’s Office in 2021, I rejoined the Westchester Women’s Bar Association
to network and develop a sense of community after spending much of the Covid-19
pandemic working from home.
Q: Which activities and positions of the
Westchester Women’s Bar Association have you participated in?
A: Since rejoining the Westchester Women’s Bar Association in
2021 I have been one of the co-chairs of the mentorship committee and I am
currently the recording secretary for the 2022-2023 year.
Q: What would you like to see the Westchester
Women’s Bar Association accomplish in the future?
A: I would love to see the Westchester Women’s Bar Association
continue to increase its membership of both admitted attorneys and law students
and for the mentorship program to expand and provide a valuable resource for
all those who are interested. I also
hope that in the upcoming year there is a resumption of in person events to
allow members to network and celebrate each other’s successes.
Q: Please tell us about your legal career.
A: I began my legal career as an Assistant Corporation Counsel
in the Family Court Division of the New York City Law Department in 2009. In that role I prosecuted juvenile
delinquency cases in Bronx County Family Court.
I was a member of both the Major Case Unit and the Special Victims
Unit. I was promoted to Assistant
Borough Chief in 2014, and served in that role in both the Brooklyn and Bronx
office. In 2018, I was promoted to the
citywide position of Deputy Chief of Training, Special Victims Unit, and I
served in that role until I left the Law Department in 2021. I became an Assistant District Attorney in
the Special Prosecutions Division of the Westchester County District Attorney’s
Office in 2021. In July of 2022 I joined
Most & Schneid, P.C., as an associate.
I am now handling matrimonial and family law cases.
Q: What advice do you have for new lawyers
entering the profession?
A: Always say
“yes.” Jump on every opportunity that is
presented to you. Even if the task seems
daunting or it makes you nervous. The
best way to learn is by doing. No one
expects you to be perfect and you may make a mistake, but each mistake or
misstep is a learning opportunity. And
network! Attend bar association events,
even if you are exhausted after a long day of work. Develop relationships, find a mentor (even if
it is not through a formal program) and do things that may be out of your
comfort zone because often times it is those connections that become crucial
later in your career.
Q: How have you balanced family responsibilities
and your legal career?
A: That’s a tough one! I
am still working on finding that balance.
It’s really hard to give 100% to your job and your family at the same
time. I have a four-and-a-half-year-old
daughter so I really try to be present in the evenings or on the weekends when
we are doing things as a family and carve out a separate time to do work. But it doesn’t always work. I am lucky to have supportive a husband and I
also know that I am modeling a good work ethic for my daughter so that makes
the long days or weekends filled with work bearable.
Q: When you are not lawyering, which community
activities and other interests do you pursue?
A: When I am not lawyering or doing all the mom
things, I enjoy traveling, reading, being outside, running and riding my
Peloton. I also really enjoy giving back
to the community and I am looking forward to having my daughter join me in some
upcoming community service projects this fall.
