Michelle Schwach, Local Director, is Court Attorney to Hon. Mary G. Carney in Erie County Family Court.

Prior to this, she was in private practice, concentrating in matrimonial and family law. During that time, in addition to having represented litigants in matrimonial and family law matters, she was a member of the Attorney for Children panel, and her practice included divorce mediation and resolving matrimonial matters using the Collaborative Law method. She was a regular volunteer with the Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyer’s Project and the Family Court Help Desk.

Michelle attended the University at Buffalo, graduating cum laude with a BA in psychology and legal studies, and was a scholarship athlete with UB’s Division I rowing program. Michelle attended the University at Buffalo Law School and received her JD in 2008. During her time in law school, she was the law clerk for the legal department at Independent Health Association. She served on the executive boards for the Buffalo Human Rights Law Review and the Buffalo Women’s Law Journal and was a participant in the Law School’s Community Economic Development clinic.

Michelle has been an active member of the Bar Association of Erie County. She was the co-chair of the Matrimonial and Family Law Committee for five years and is a member of the Family Court Practice and Procedure and the ADR Committees. As an active participant in the WNY community, Michelle sits on the board for Neighborhood Legal Services, as well as the Lawyers for Learning board. She has previously served on the boards for Yogis in Service, the Alliance Francaise de Buffalo and the Association for a Buffalo Presidential Center, among others.

Michelle lives in Amherst with her husband and two children. Outside of her legal work, she loves the practice of yoga, outdoor pursuits and running.