He graduated from Union College in 1824. Then he studied law in Waterford, New York, and Hudson, New York, and the Litchfield Law School. He was admitted to the bar in 1828, and commenced practice in Livingston, New York. He was District Attorney of Columbia County from 1832 to 1843. In 1838, he removed to Hudson, New York, the county seat. Sutherland was elected as a Democrat to the 32nd United States Congress, and served from March 4, 1851, to March 3, 1853. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law in New York City. He was a justice of the New York Supreme Court (1st District) from 1858 to 1871, and was ex officio a judge of the New York Court of Appeals in 1862 and 1870. He was a judge of the New York City Court of General Sessions from 1872 to 1878. Afterwards he resumed the practice of law.