Paulino ’02 Becomes New York State’s First Latina Secretary of the Senate

Alejandra N. Paulino '02 is making history while taking on a critical role in the New York State Legislature.

When lawmakers convene in early 2019, Paulino will become the first Latina in the state's history to serve as Secretary of the Senate. As secretary, she will have oversight over the administrative side of the chamber, including staff activities at the senate desk below the Lieutenant Governor.

Paulino was named to the post by incoming Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a past recipient of Albany Law School's prestigious Miriam M. Netter '72 Kate Stoneman Award.

Paulino earned her bachelor's degree from Brown University in 1999 and law degree from Albany Law School in 2002. As a law student, she was on the moot court board, served as a team coach, and was active with the Latin American Law Students Association (LALSA) as well as the Black Law Students Association (BLSA).

Post-graduation, Paulino joined the New York State Senate as a Fellow assigned to Sen. Seymour P. Lachman and hired by Sen. Ada L. Smith. After a stint in private practice and then the Albany County Public Defender's Office, she returned to the state Senate in 2009 as a senior counsel to the Senate Democratic Conference. Two years later she was appointed Secretary to the Senate Democratic Conference, becoming the first Latina in New York State Senate history to hold that position.

In 2016, Paulino—who maintains a private law practice focusing on election and criminal law—joined Albany Law School as an adjunct professor specializing in New York State election law. She also serves as an advisory board member for the law school's Government Law Center.