Chamber Chat with Judge Marian Payson

By Michelle Fagan

The most recent “chamber chat” was held with U.S. Magistrate Judge Marian Payson, the first female federal judge in Rochester's history. After introductions among those who attended were made, Judge Payson shared some of her experiences practicing in New York City before moving to Rochester in 1997.

Judge Payson enthusiastically described the benefits that she perceives in practicing law in a mid-sized city like Rochester, where the size of the bench and bar fosters the development of a close-knit professional community. The participants then discussed their perceptions of the appropriate boundaries to be observed between personal and work life.

Some of the attorneys felt it was very important to keep personal life completely separate from their work life, while others felt that their careers were promoted by friendships made with colleagues. We also discussed how outside activities may be used to further an attorney's professional career by, for example, developing relationships in the business, non-for-profit and arts communities. Finally, Judge Payson emphasized the importance as an attorney and as a judge of justifying your positions both on the law and on the facts.