Written by: Zach Goldenberg
Ed Mervine has consistently resisted becoming too comfortable. This sentiment is the foundation upon which his career is built. Since graduating from Syracuse College of Law in 1986, Ed has practiced and served in a variety of legal roles, encountering new challenges at each stop. Looking back, Ed emphasizes that a willingness to walk into unfamiliarity allowed him to forge a successful and fulfilling career.
That habit predates law school. Ed graduated from Penn State in 1978. In the midst of the energy crisis, he spent the next five years building and operating a transportation system in Pennsylvania for seniors and the disabled. During this time, Ed also married his wife. He then picked up MBA coursework at Penn State Harrisburg. There, a professor recommended him to Syracuse, which helped him land a full scholarship. Ed trusted that advice, headed north and fell in love with Central New York.
Ed arrived at Syracuse with professional and personal experiences that shaped his approach to the law school rigor. They allowed him to prioritize what mattered most and tune out external distractions. He excelled, finishing second in his class. Ed fondly recalls the esteemed faculty, the camaraderie with his classmates, and the competitive atmosphere in which he thrived. Ed was also very proud of his time as a member of the Syracuse Law Review. He credits it as one of the reasons he was offered federal clerkship upon graduation.
After clerking, Ed began as a litigator at Bond, Schoeneck, & King PLLC in Syracuse. There, he rotated through property, labor, and commercial law where he impressed supervising partners. One of those partners wanted to open an office in Oswego, NY and asked if Ed would be interested. Intrigued by the prospect of a wider range of work that a smaller city provides, he jumped at the opportunity. Ed prospered, eventually becoming the office’s managing partner.
After his time at Bond, a fascinating opportunity presented itself. Pathfinder Bank, a prominent local bank, asked if he would be interested in serving as general counsel. Following his inclination to wade into unfamiliarity, he accepted. Management had always intrigued him. This position allowed him to continue practicing law while taking on new challenges. During his tenure, Ed helped the bank navigate from a mutual holding company to public ownership. This required him to produce quarterly and annual reports and ensure SEC compliance. Additionally, Ed cultivated skills needed for board governance and became proficient in state and federal banking regulations. This was all novel territory for Ed. Yet, he embraced the challenge and researched his way through it. “The function of a lawyer,” Ed says, “is to find the law and apply it.”
Ed acknowledges that in-house roles at bigger companies have certain benefits. However, at Pathfinder, he was the entire legal department. This meant more work, more responsibility, and the chance to work hands-on with every legal issue the bank faced. Ed’s advice to students is to be ready to work. The learning curve is steep. You climb it on the job rather than in a training program.
Ed retired from Pathfinder after twenty years. He was then approached by his chiropractor about running for town justice for the town of Oswego. After brief consideration, he decided to run. Ultimately, he won and has secured reelection. While criminal law and small claims were new to him, Ed again welcomed the challenge. Ed watches attorneys closely on the bench. He underscores the importance of preparation, arguing confidently, and being deferential to the court and adversaries. He recommends young attorneys strive to develop these skills. Ed believes this can be accomplished through an unwavering work ethic.
Ed has been heavily involved in the community since the beginning of his career. He did the legal work to merge the Oswego and Fulton chambers of commerce and served on the Boy Scouts advisory board and as the president of the local YMCA. Ed recognizes the advantages of being “a big fish in a small pond.” The community knows you and one person can make a difference. Lately, that belief led him to the water. He is a trustee of the H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego, where he obtained his United States Coast Guard captain’s license. He currently captains a pontoon boat for visitors to enjoy the lighthouse in the warmer months. He is also helping the museum rig a replica Schooner, a project he is very excited about.
Ed believes students should be mindful of one question before entering the job market: “What am I responsible for?” Knowing what falls to you prevents young attorneys from spending years finding the role they desire. When asked what makes a good lawyer, he did not hesitate. “The smartest in the room knows they are not the smartest in the room. Recognizing the edge of your own knowledge and being comfortable enough to ask someone who has that knowledge is the whole thing.” In sum, Ed Mervine stresses that a mix of preparation, humility, and a drive to push beyond comfort zones will pave the road to a successful legal career.