Hon. John J. Ark '72, 2012

Segment Synopsis: Justice of Supreme Court, 19 years, graduate of UB Law 1972, Bucknell and Syracuse. Harris Beach practice. Tax and business courses. Downtown Law School, one of last classes to graduate from that location. Law School mix of students, Vietnam veterans. Change in gender composition in Law School and opportunities for women in law. Other changes, 'regionalization' of law. UB Law produces competitive students. He recruits students to UB Law and regionalization helps attract high-quality students. UB Law is Old Boy network.

Keywords: Class Composition; Continuing Role; Eagle Street Campus; Law Firms; Location; Reputation; UB Recruitment; Women and Gender

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; LAW; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW: GENDER

Segment Synopsis: UB Law as student, on Law Review, managing editor. Law professors, Atleson. Business background, tax departments recruited him. Professional background and legal work. Ran for District Attorney, Town Judge, Prosecutor, Supreme Court elections, Judicial experience. Having a strong base in practice, makes for a better judge. Changes in the practice of law, economic challenges, better work products, better quality of defense because it has been institutionalized.

Keywords: Bench; Buffalo Law Review; Choosing UB Law School; Elections; Elections / Political History; Judiciary; Practice; Relationship with UB Law; Tax Law; Trial Practice

Subjects: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Father was a Supreme Court judge, grew up in the environment. He began practicing in 1970's, changes over long history in Rochester legal community. Academic success versus career success. Examples of lawyers in practice. Many positions, anecdote of boy.

Keywords: Anecdote; Being a Lawyer; Practice; Practitioners and Faculty; Trial Practice

Subjects: LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE