Erin Barclay ’98

When Erin Barclay decided to attend the University at Buffalo School of Law, she was motivated by a commitment to public service and pragmatic financial considerations. As a first-generation graduate student, she initially doubted herself, but soon gained confidence when she became involved in UB’s Domestic Violence Legal Clinic.

During law school, Barclay spent a transformative summer in Poland, working on international women's human rights under the mentorship of Professor Isabelle Marcus. Marcus’s guidance significantly influenced her professional path. Barclay cites the importance of community, mentorship, and perseverance in shaping a meaningful legal career dedicated to public service.

Barclay felt a profound sense of family and camaraderie during her time at UB. Her close-knit relationships with classmates provided essential support and fostered both personal and professional growth. Her favorite law school courses included family law, criminal law, and moot court, which helped hone her skills in public service and conflict resolution.

Her first job after graduating from law school in 1998 was executive director for the Network of East-West Women. In 2007, she transitioned to the U.S. Department of State. She began in the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and worked her way up to acting assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, before her appointment as acting director of civil rights.

Barclay helped coordinate the private evacuation flights that safely relocated 2,500 at-risk Afghan civilians in August 2021 during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. She also played a pivotal role in the United Nations’ first resolution focused on LGBTIQ+ rights in 2016.

Her advice to current law students: follow your passions and utilize the resources and relationships available at UB.