A Trailblazer of her Time

Judge Lisa Bloch Rodwin is a former lawyer and retired judge of the Erie County Family Court. Before deciding she wanted to go to law school, she was an urban planner, focusing on communities with minority populations. However, she was frustrated with the lack of interest in developing proper infrastructure for these communities.

“I hear you’re one of those feminist types,” Judge Lisa’s mentor, Kevin Dylan, had once said. Judge Lisa replied, “Yeah, boss, I am.”

Kevin Dylan had supported the creation of a domestic violence bureau in the Erie County district attorney’s office and invited Judge Lisa to join the initiative. However, before joining, Judge Lisa ensured that she remained educated and formed partnerships with social workers. Learning from her own mentor, Judge Lisa later coached many young women who became prosecutors and future judges.

Judge Lisa’s grandparents had escaped Nazi Germany soon before WWII began and came to the United States. Judge Lisa’s mother also experienced bullying as a child for her heritage. Despite their hardships, Judge Lisa’s family still became volunteers for their community. This impacted Judge Lisa as she learned the value of giving back and recognizing her privilege as an American citizen.

“I felt it was a huge gift that I could use my knowledge, skills, and talents to help families in crisis,” Judge Lisa said in an interview. “I had a unique background to do that because I was the very first person to start the domestic violence bureau.”

Judge Lisa worked with the District Attorney’s Office in the criminal justice system for 22 years, and she had focused on the challenge of violence in relationships. However, she felt that she could better help combat these challenges by becoming a judge with the Erie County Domestic Violence Bureau.

Since there were very few female prosecutors in Western New York, Judge Lisa faced many adversities. Judges would comment on what female lawyers would wear to the courtroom and, when she went to the University at Buffalo for law school, only 20% of her class were women. Still, Judge Lisa managed to make significant achievements. Notably, she was the first woman in the District Attorney’s office to work with a child.

“It is important for those of us who are lucky enough to have jobs where we serve the public,” Judge Lisa said, “to do the best we can for those who need the extra help.”



During her career, Judge Lisa made real-time translations mandatory in the Department of Social Services, an achievement recognized nationally. She bridged cultural differences in the legal process, ultimately helping refugee parents and children.