Member Spotlight: Aleece Burgio

Member Spotlight: Aleece Burgio

9.1.2019

By Aleece Burgio

Burgio is special counsel at Barclay Damon. She lives and works in Buffalo.

What advice would you give a young lawyer just starting her or his career?

When you’re in law school, it can be overwhelming trying to choose a specific area to practice in. Then, when you get into practice, you might find out you don’t even like the type of law you chose. That’s okay. By eliminating what you don’t like, you’ll be able to figure out what you do like. It might take a few years, but, in the long run, you’ll be the happiest. Don’t feel like you’re stuck settling if you don’t like the type of law you’re practicing.

If you hadn’t become an attorney, what career path would you have pursued and why?
I think I would have started my own business. What I enjoy most about my job right now is working with passionate entrepreneurs, whether I’m helping them form their own cannabis company or collaboratively problem-solving. Knowing I play a role in bringing innovative visions to life is very rewarding.

If you could practice in a different area of the law other than your current area, what would it be?
Renewable energy. I think it’s incredibly important to invest in resources such as wind, solar and hydropower to ensure long-term energy sustainability. I’ve really enjoyed learning about the work my colleagues on Barclay Damon’s renewable energy team do in partnering with individuals at the forefront of these kinds of green projects.

What is your dream vacation?
Visit Cape Town, South Africa!

Lawyers should join the New York State Bar Association because . . .
There are tons of resources to help advance your career and your industry knowledge. If you’re able to, I recommend joining a committee – it helps you dive into lesser-known types of law you might not have explored otherwise. Being a part of the NYSBA Cannabis Committee [Burgio is its co-chair] from its infancy has been so rewarding. I’ve also found that the more involved you become, the more connections you can establish within your legal community. If you’re active and engaged, you can go from attending NYSBA CLEs to presenting them.