Ms. Merges started her career with the District Attorney’s Office over 31 years ago.  As a young adult, Renee began an internship with the office before she began her law school education.  While attending law school, Renee returned to the office as a Law Clerk, and eventually was hired permanently by the Office in 1983 as a Legal Aide.  Renee then began her career as a prosecutor, and has since handled thousands of cases throughout Albany County.

Renee garnered the esteem of her colleagues for her first 16 years working on a felony court caseload, and from 1993 to 1999 Renee headed the Major Crimes Unit of the office.  In those years Renee prosecuted many notable cases, including several homicides and violent crimes.  In these years Renee also became the liaison to the internship program with Albany Law School.  In this capacity, Renee has mentored hundreds of young lawyers.  Currently, 22 out of the 35 Assistant District Attorney’s in the office have completed this internship program under her supervision.

Renee also launched and supervised the Legal Lives program. In the year 2000 Renee took over seven of the local courts in Albany County, and has since continued to represent the office in many communities as the lead prosecutor in these courts.