Aligning one’s passions with a fulfilling career is a pursuit many strive for, often guided by the adage, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”  

Christina Holdsworth is among the fortunate few who have followed their passion to build a successful career and lead a fulfilling life. Growing up, she was an avid reader and writer and the more she discovered about the legal world, the more she realized she could turn her love of critical reading and writing into a flourishing law career.  

In 2015, Christina joined Goldberg Segalla as an associate in the firm’s Civil Litigation and Trial practice group.  

Reflecting upon her journey, she said, “As a litigator I knew the firm had a great reputation for litigation, would have all the resources I needed to practice, and the support I needed to grow as a lawyer. But it was the culture that made me want to stay.” Over her eight years at Goldberg Segalla, few have embraced the Team GS culture more. Christina has gone from associate to partner, mentee to mentor, and multiple-award winner with recognitions which include the Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Upstate New York Super Lawyers Rising Star, and Buffalo Business First 40 under 40 in 2019.  

“Not only is Goldberg Segalla a great place to grow your legal career, but it is a fun place to work. I have so many fond memories of air hockey tournaments, ping pong games, holiday celebrations, outings to Bisons games, happy hours. It is so refreshing to work at a firm that values fun and comradery amongst colleagues,” Christina said.  

The focus of Christina’s practice is personal injury matters, handling all from abuse, trucking, and motor vehicle accidents, to trips and falls, and sexual torts.  

“A typical day includes appearing for court conferences or a deposition, followed by phone calls with clients or witnesses, and drafting legal documents,” she said.  

While Christina’s own passion sparked her interest in a legal career, it’s the passion displayed by her clients that truly drives her. “I represent local not-for-profits who give so much to our community and provide invaluable services, particularly those who care for individuals with disabilities,” she said. “Their passion for their clients motivates me to provide the best legal representation I possibly can.” 

Christina also fights for the LGBTQIA+ community. As a bisexual attorney, she has seen huge strides in the legal industry since her graduation from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School in 2009. “Back then, there were very few gay attorneys. The few out there were very quiet about their private lives and I personally knew only a couple. Since then, there has been a very noticeable shift, where the legal industry, and especially Goldberg Segalla, embraces the unique experiences of all different minorities, and values what we all bring to the profession.” 

In her past, Christina played a pivotal role in establishing Ambush Buffalo, a social group for LGBTQIA+ and allies where they could “ambush” a straight bar in the spirit of connecting over friendship, business, romance and more. Additionally, she collaborated with law and financial firms to host informational seminars and professional development opportunities for the lesbian community.  

Christina has also served three years on the Board of Trustees of the Pride Center of Western New York, a Buffalo-based 501(c)3 health-promotion organization specializing in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer health, and HIV prevention. In addition, she served a year as the co-chair of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) LGBT Committee in 2020. Inside Goldberg Segalla, Christina is also a member of our Diversity Task Force and Women’s Initiative. 

Throughout her career, Christina has recognized the invaluable role of mentorship. She works with her alma mater, the University at Buffalo School of Law’s Alumni Mentor program, where she is paired with female first-year law students to help prepare them for a career in the legal industry. She also participates in the American Bar Association’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, where she helps screen judicial candidates looking for jobs after they graduate from law school. The program was established to provide opportunities to minority students who are traditionally underrepresented in the profession, including students with disabilities, and who are economically disadvantaged, LGBT, and women. 

“I enjoy giving back to the legal community and guiding young lawyers as they begin their careers,” Christina said. “It can be a daunting profession but is made much easier with the help of a mentor.” 

One individual who has been there for Christina since her days as a law clerk is Mike Appelbaum, a colleague and partner at Goldberg Segalla.  

“I would not be the lawyer I am today if not for him,” she said.