Professor Silver served as law clerk to U.S. District Judge Joseph S. Lord III, Pennsylvania. She came to law teaching after a decade in the federal government, where, as Chief Regional Civil Rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Education, she enforced non-discrimination laws. Professor Silver has been an active member of the New York City Bar, and under the auspices of the City Bar Justice Center Immigrant Women and Children project, she has represented immigrant women who are victims of physical or emotional abuse by their citizen or lawful permanent resident spouses. She also serves as an impartial hearing officer for the New York State Department of Education, adjudicating special education disputes. She currently serves as a Trustee of the New York State Lawyer Assistance Trust, having been appointed by Chief Justice Judith Kaye in January 2007. She is a member of the New York bar. Professor Silver has an international reputation as a teacher, speaker and writer on emotional competence, psychological-mindedness, legal education, lawyering, and professionalism.