Title: Associate Counsel
Company: The New York State Senate
Education: JD, Albany Law (2022); BA in Art History, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2018)
Career History: Associate Counsel, Majority Counsel’s Office, The New York State Senate, Albany, NY (2022-Present); Legal Fellow, Immigrant Advocates Response Collaborative, Albany, NY (2022); Legal Intern, The Justice Center, Albany Law, Albany, NY (2021); Legal Fellow, New York State United Teachers, Albany, NY (2021); Legal Intern, Empire Justice Center, Albany, NY (2020); Intern, Volunteer, Masa Israel, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Tel Aviv District, Israel (2018); Creative Intern, Museum Collections, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA (2017); Assistant to the Director, Zemack Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Tel Aviv District, Israel (2016)
Rachel Ann Eisenberg, Associate Counsel at the New York State Senate, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.
Ms. Eisenberg’s commitment to justice and public service was deeply shaped by her family. From an early age, her parents instilled in her a desire to work in justice-oriented spaces; her mother, a social worker and Hebrew schoolteacher, introduced her to philanthropic efforts that emphasized helping others, while her father, an attorney specializing in private insurance law, modeled a strong work ethic and dedication to the legal profession. Growing up to be an attorney like her father, she chose to channel her skills into public sector work, blending the values of both parents.
Initially, though, Ms. Eisenberg attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in art history in 2018. While a student, she served as a creative intern at the university’s Museum Collections and—in the off-season—volunteered at Masa Israel in Tel Aviv, where she also worked as assistant to the director at a gallery, Zemack Contemporary Art. She subsequently pursued her Juris Doctor at Albany Law—which she ultimately attained in 2022—during which time she was active as a legal intern at Empire Justice Center and the Justice Center, as well as a legal fellow with the New York State United Teachers and Immigrant Advocates Response Collaborative.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Eisenberg built a strong foundation in immigration and labor law. Her passion for immigration law was further cultivated during law school through participation in an immigration law clinic. There, she worked directly with clients under attorney supervision, assisting with filling out immigration forms—from asylum applications to business visas.
Ms. Eisenberg joined the New York State Senate in 2022 when the organization was specifically seeking labor counsel. Deeply interested in policy and its potential to create meaningful change, she has found that working in this field allows her to engage with issues at a structural level, where legal decisions could directly shape lives. Utilizing her expertise in labor and immigration law, she proved to be a natural fit for the role. Serving as counsel for labor, as well as civil service and pensions with the Senate, she’s responsible for drafting and amending legislation as well as providing analysis and recommendations to the Senate majority conference, all of which helps determine whether proposed bills should advance through committee and be brought to the floor for a vote. In addition to labor law, she focuses on strengthening protections for retirees’ benefits and supporting the needs of the public workforce.
A member of the New York State Bar Association, UJA-Federation of New York, and the Jewish Federations of North America, Ms. Eisenberg strives to continue her career in the policy arena over the next five to 10 years. While she remains open to possibilities—be it public service or private sector—her commitment to shaping impactful policy remains constant. She hopes to work on initiatives that affect people’s lives on a broad scale, possibly extending her influence to the federal level. Regardless, her goal is to remain engaged in meaningful work that drives real change.