Alumni Spotlight: Daria Schieferstein, Class of 2011

Daria Schieferstein ’11 is an accomplished attorney at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, LLP in New York. Daria recently took time out from her busy schedule to reflect on her journey from the halls of Ross School to the courtrooms of Manhattan.  

Daria attended Ross School from Grade 7 until her sophomore year, when, as a competitive junior tennis player, she had the opportunity to attend IMG Academies in Bradenton, Florida. Daria returned to Ross for her junior and senior years, graduating in the Class of 2011.

In her current role as a litigator at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, LLP, Daria works at the forefront of complex corporate civil litigation and white-collar matters. Currently, she is working on the defense team of a large white-collar case, several civil litigation matters, appealing the sentence of a currently incarcerated man on the grounds that it was excessive, as well as a First Amendment case. Daria also maintains a robust pro bono practice, which requires a wide range of responsibilities from legal research, writing, and strategy to discovery matters.

Recently, Daria was part of the team that succeeded in obtaining a preliminary injunction to protect the constitutional rights of children and indigent adults to the effective assistance of counsel in New York City Family and Criminal Court proceedings so that assigned counsel will now receive adequate compensation when representing indigent clients. She also worked on an amicus brief for the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the American Medical Association et al., in support of the constitutionality of a federal law that prohibits the possession of firearms by persons subject to domestic violence restraining orders.

When asked about the impact of her Ross education on where she is today, Daria credits the rich curriculum at Ross for providing her with the opportunity to explore a diverse array of subjects: “I was able to develop a perspective on the world, politics, art, literature, and philosophy, among other macro subjects, that I would not have had the opportunity to develop at many other schools. My time at Ross enabled me to enter college with a sense of what I was interested in and what types of classes I wanted to pursue.” 

Daria's interests at Ross expanded beyond her academics and the tennis court. She found a passion for photography and points to teachers Alexis Martino and Kerry Sharky-Miller, who provided support and guidance as she explored the medium through formal classes and experience in the darkroom. Daria also participated in Field Academy trips to Peru and Tanzania, which strengthened her growing interest in international politics.

After graduating from Ross, Daria earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Francophone Studies at Vassar College, where her coursework ignited a passion for the legal world. She received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and, armed with a strong educational foundation, embarked on a career in law that would see her excel in various facets of the legal landscape. In 2021–2022, Daria served as a law clerk for the Honorable Robert Lehburger in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, helping to further hone her legal acumen.

Daria’s career achievements are numerous and demonstrate a dedication to making a positive impact on the world, beginning with her work while still in law school to amend a New York State tax law to include a poverty exemption on suspending driver's licenses of New York residents with past due tax debt. 

When asked what advice she has for current and prospective Ross School students, Daria’s advice echoes her own journey. She encourages students to work hard as they pursue studies, jobs, and extracurricular activities driven by genuine interests rather than the allure of prestige or resume-building opportunities. As exemplified by Daria herself, she attests that finding a career you are truly passionate about will lead to greater happiness and success in the long run. 

Daria's path from Ross School to a successful legal career where she is able to effect positive change stands as a remarkable example of someone who has harnessed their passion, education, and dedication to make a lasting impact on the world. We look forward to following Daria’s career and future achievements!