Hon. Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97

Hon. Caroline A. Wojtaszek was born in Rochester and raised in Binghamton. Though her parents divorced when she was 5, they lived on the same street and she switched households monthly. The youngest of three, Wojtaszek attended SUNY Brockport for her undergraduate studies, participating in two programs that profoundly affected her life: a study-abroad program at Oxford University, where she learned the satisfaction derived from challenging work, and an internship in Washington, D.C., working in Congress.

Wojtaszek said her decision to pursue a legal career stemmed from a personal experience with domestic violence while in high school, fueling her desire to advocate for women and children. She chose UB for its excellent value, reputation and public service mission. She appreciated the diverse student body and the camaraderie among her classmates, whom she described as supportive rather than competitive.

She credited several mentors: Suzanne Tomkins, who taught the Domestic Violence Task Force; Erie County District Attorney Kevin Dillon, who taught criminal law and for whom she interned; and Matthew Murphy, district attorney of Niagara County. He was a judge at her moot court competition and hired her on the spot to work on a domestic violence program that became a model for the state. She also highlighted Trial Technique classes with Robert M. Murphy, a trial lawyer, as crucial to preparing her for the courtroom.

Following law school, Wojtaszek was hired as an assistant district attorney for Niagara County in 1998 and served for 12 years. She then became a confidential law clerk to Niagara County Court Judge Sara Sheldon, enabling her to balance work and family. She ran for election in 2016, driven by her experience and passion to give women and children a voice, and has served as DA from 2017 to the present.

Wojtaszek emphasized her commitment to bringing compassion to the criminal justice system, particularly in addressing gun violence. She believes her background provides her with empathy, while the law provides tools to help.

Wojtaszek noted the lasting friendships and professional connections she formed at UB. She said a judgeship is a potential future endeavor. She advises new law graduates to seek mentorship and training before starting their practices.