June 2024 Member Spotlight: Norvella C. Pendergrass

Norvella C. Pendergrass is currently an assistant district attorney in the Special Investigation Prosecution Bureau for the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. She has been an assistant district attorney since February of 2017. “It is an honor to serve my community,” she says.

Law School, College & Early Career

Pendergrass attended law school at North Carolina Central University School of Law. “Law school was always a huge dream for me as a little kid. It was the force that brought me to Buffalo as a kid,” she explains. As a child, she practically grew up in a law school environment, as she spent all of her time with a single father who was a law student. “I knew that I was going to be an attorney. The only question was when,” she says.

Pendergrass practiced as a sole practitioner for her first two years trialing major cases, from guns to murder, with her father Anthony L. Pendergrass, Esq., and her uncle, the Honorable Samuel P. Davis. She is licensed to practice law in the State of New York and the District of Columbia.

Prior to law school, she attended Colgate University, where she was able to study overseas in places such as Denmark and Jamaica — cultural experiences for which she will always be grateful. “Since then I have continued to travel around the world to immerse myself in different cultures and to broaden my frame of thinking,” she notes.

Raised on East Side of Buffalo

Pendergrass was born in the South Bronx and was raised in the City of Buffalo since the age of 7. She attended Lincoln Academy for elementary school, located on Broadway and Person Street, and she went to Holy Angels Academy for high school. “Two extremely different experiences, but both helped to shape me into the young lady I am today,” says Pendergrass.

She was raised on the East Side of Buffalo and remains there. “Therefore, I have a vested interest in the growth and safety of my community and its people,” she notes.

Diversity Matters to Pendergrass

“Since being an ADA in the District Attorney’s Office, I have learned even more so that diversity matters not only in education but in the legal profession in general. Diversity matters not only for the victims and witnesses of crimes but also for the defendants,” emphasizes Pendergrass. 

“I am honored to do what I do, because it is a duty and service to my community, to my mom and dad, Tanice and Anthony Pendergrass, to my siblings, (way too many to name), and to my friends and family!”

Played Major Role in MBAWNY’s Presence at Juneteenth Festival

On June 15 and 16, 2024, the Minority Bar Association of Western New York participated in the Juneteenth of Buffalo Festival. We are grateful to Pendergrass, as she chaired the Juneteenth committee. She worked hard to coordinate the event and liaise with partner organizations.

Our members at our booth distributed guidance materials such as housing rights pamphlets, booklets on small claims and commercial claims, leaflets about legal assistance, and information for people experiencing homelessness. Plus, we gave out candy bags, totes, pens, and other swag.

Pendergrass’ dedication and admirable effort made the event a successful one.