Walking a Winding Path to Serve Others: Meet Thérèse Wiley Dancks ’85

Thérèse Wiley Dancks ’85 walked a nontraditional path toward higher education. While uncertainty can be alarming, she navigated the unknown with positivity and a bit of humor. “It took me fourteen years to finish seven years of school, but what’s the rush?” she says, reflecting on her journey through the Heights and beyond. Ever tenacious and passionate, she is always committed to serving others as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York.

For Thérèse, Le Moyne is in her blood. While her father inspired minds as an English, Classics, and German professor, she created her own memories on campus. Her earliest memories of Le Moyne as a child include her father taking her and her seven siblings tobogganing down the hill next to the Jesuit’s residence.

Law is also rooted in her family. On her father’s side, there is a long history of lawyers. Her mother, as a court stenographer, introduced her to the legal system in the comfort of their home, regularly bringing back new and exciting stories to share. As a girl, Thérèse got a taste of the dynamic energy of the courtroom where she would eventually establish her career.

When Thérèse graduated from high school, she did not jump right into college. She worked at Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. for a year before attending Le Moyne, but quickly realized she didn’t want to dive deeper into her studies without first understanding her passions. At this point in her life, she did not know what she wanted to do or where her winding path would lead so she left Le Moyne shortly after starting that semester.

During her time at Wegmans, she learned many life skills that helped her later in her career. “Wegmans taught me so much about dealing with the public. I have used that knowledge every day in being a lawyer and a judge. My work experience was good training on how to listen, which is the most important asset a lawyer could have.”

Four years after she graduated from high school, Thérèse found her way back to Le Moyne. After some trial and error, she finally found the path that energized her passions. As an English major, she learned how to effectively communicate, read critically, and think analytically. The age gap between her and her fellow classmates was not a stumbling block for Thérèse. Rather, she thrived in a liberal arts education, enjoying how the wide array of classes fed her curious mind.

Through her classes, she again felt drawn toward the legal field. Her Le Moyne professors pushed her to further her education at Syracuse University College of Law. After graduation from law school, she worked as an associate doing civil litigation at Mackenzie Hughes, LLP law firm for over six years before branching off.

She followed Catherine Gale, then a partner at Mackenzie Hughes, and a dear friend, who decided to start her own firm. They enjoyed working together as friends and partners for 15 years, but Thérèse craved more. She expressed interest in becoming a judge, and Catherine encouraged her to pursue it. “She is one of the people who has always pushed me to be better. To set goals and work hard to achieve them. She helped me believe in myself.” After years of dedication to the law, she was appointed the first female United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of New York in 2012.

Thérèse’s commitment to serving others was instilled in her by her family and reinforced by her education. She respects each case that crosses her desk as a Magistrate Judge by understanding the relevant law and sincerely listening before reaching a thoughtful decision. However, she continually strives to do more.

As the first female Magistrate Judge in the Northern District, Thérèse feels a particular responsibility to support and encourage women. In the spirit of giving back, she believes that women who have achieved success in their field should pay it forward and help other women who desire to walk the same path.

One of her many passions is ensuring legal services are available to the underserved. Along with her positions on boards of several charitable and community organizations, Thérèse was the former President of the Central New York Women’s Bar Association. During her term, the organization committed to providing legal services to struggling women, and thus established the award winning Domestic Violence Legal Assistance Clinic. Over the course of her career, Thérèse has continued to serve on boards of institutions devoted to equal access to justice.

Thérèse also invests her time into other passions, like higher education. She currently serves on Le Moyne’s Board of Regents, bringing her generosity back to the community that has carved a permanent place in her heart. From memories of toboggan rides to reminiscing about her first classes in law while at Le Moyne, Thérèse feels a profound appreciation for the institution that welcomed her in and propelled her forward.

“My roots are really deep in this community. The longer I stay, the deeper they get.”

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