From courtroom to classroom: Legal pros lay out career paths for WPHS students

The verdict was in at White Plains High School, where dozens of students learned Wednesday that careers in law come with purpose, pressure and plenty of preparation.

During three sessions sponsored by the White Plains Youth Bureau, Erin Gisolfi, a Westchester County assistant district attorney, and criminal investigator Autumn Edwards discussed their professional journeys, the realities of their work and the decisions that shape a career in the justice system.

Also on hand was Janet Spencer of the Youth Bureau, who added a welcome touch of hospitality with pizza for dozens of students eager to listen and ask questions.

The tone was set early by Ms. Edwards, who encouraged students to engage rather than sit passively.

“We don’t want to talk at you, we want to talk with you,” said Ms. Edwards, who joined the DA’s Office in January after a 24-year career with the Yonkers Police Department.

She described an incident from high school when she witnessed an argument tied to a fatal shooting. Working alongside investigators and later testifying in court sparked what would become a lifelong pursuit.

“That just sparked my interest in the field of criminal justice,” she said before encouraging the students to keep their career options open. “I encourage everyone to take every civil service test. You never know where you’re going to be when they call your number.”

Her long career included eight years in uniform before becoming a detective and working on complex and often emotionally taxing cases, including those involving children.  

“If you’re really, really good at it, then you get to put the bad guy in jail,” Ms. Edwards said, noting both the difficulties and rewards of the job.
Now serving in a dual role that includes community engagement, she said her focus is helping forge stronger relationships.

“I was hired literally to do community engagement,” the investigator said. “Really to talk to young people… to help bridge the gap.”

Ms. Gisolfi, a prosecutor for three years, explained how cases move from investigation to the courtroom.

“We look at the law, look at the statutes —  what crime is applicable to what happened,” she said. “Do we have enough evidence? Do we have a victim that will testify?”

She described the range of responsibilities prosecutors handle, from arraignments to trials.

“In my opinion, that’s my favorite part of the job,” Ms. Gisolfi, a former paralegal who attended Pace Law School, said of trial work. “There’s a lot of strategy.”

Her own path was anything but linear. Initially interested in teaching, she shifted toward criminal justice after taking a forensic science class in high school.

“I thought it was so cool,” she said, though she later realized she was more interested in the legal side than the scientific side. Internships and exposure to different aspects of the field eventually led her to law school and a rewarding career in prosecution.

Students asked about everything from difficult cases to career preparation and even artificial intelligence.

Asked whether AI could replace paralegals, Ms. Gisolfi said the technology is already changing how legal research is done, but does not eliminate the need for human judgment.

“It doesn’t resolve it completely,” she said, explaining that while AI can quickly surface relevant cases, attorneys still need to verify that those cases apply in the correct jurisdiction. “It’s a good starting point.”

Both speakers emphasized preparation and personal responsibility.

“Do your homework,” Ms. Gisolfi advised. “You always have to be ready.”

Ms. Edwards broadened that message beyond academics.

“You get to make whatever choices you decide to make,” she said. “Just know that there are consequences to every choice.”

Ms. Gisolfi noted that law school applicants can come from virtually any academic background, while Ms. Edwards underscored the long-term value of careers that offer stability and benefits, including pensions.

Students took advantage of the opportunity to engage directly.

“I thought it was really interesting,” said freshman Arthur Pollak, whose father is also an assistant district attorney. “I didn’t know very much about the investigative part.”