Hon. Kathy C. Hochul

Kathy Hochul was raised in a modest home with six siblings. Her parents initially lived in a trailer in the shadow of Bethlehem Steel but gave their family lots of love and support. They emphasized education, social consciousness and giving back.

While growing up, she didn’t know any lawyers, but decided to become one when her family visited Washington, D.C., on a vacation. She began working on political campaigns in high school. That, and the volatile political climate of the times, had a profound impact on her decision to go to law school.

She chose Catholic University in Washington, D.C., for law school, and almost immediately volunteered to work in the New York State Assembly office, covering hearings on Capitol Hill. Her focus was always on public service. A law degree is an important credential that opens doors, she said. She was hired to work in Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan’s office, which she could not have done without a law degree.

She considers her greatest professional achievement saving hundreds of jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station during her term in Congress: “We were dogged. We did not let up.” She also points with pride to her work on the Hamburg town council, for improving the safety and quality of life in her community. “I was truly fortunate to have opportunities come my way at all levels of government. Each brought unique opportunities to serve.”

Opportunities for women in lawyers and in politics have improved. More doors are open today and things have gotten better. She would absolutely choose this career path again. She feels there is honor in providing good public service. Sen. Moynihan and Sen. George Mitchell were statesmen and leaders who had an enormous influence on her. She also looks to her family for advice.

She enjoys a close relationship with UB School of Law, which pulls people in from all over the state to Western New York. Her husband, William Hochul, is a UB Law graduate. Her advice for law students who want to pursue a political career: Be tough. It requires sacrifices; however, the country needs good people to get off the sidelines.

Hochul admits she is a daredevil, has a need for speed and enjoys the adrenaline rush. She describes herself as driven and demanding of excellence, passionate, empathetic and analytical.

“Serving as lieutenant governor is an amazing chance to collaborate with brilliant people and make a difference in our communities. The art of governing is compromise,” she said.