Hon. Ralph A. Boniello III '69

Segment Synopsis: Background, father was lawyer, stay at home mother, sibling are lawyers or married to lawyers. Dinner table was active and lively, father challenged intellectually. Second oldest. Nudged into law school. Ohio University then UB Law School. Perceptions of lawyers shaped by family experience. Choosing UB Law, cost, reputation, local. Class of '69, Vietnam lottery, Civil Rights. No one wanted to be drafted. Specialized early in keeping people from being drafted. Diverse high school. Law School was at 77 West Eagle and part of Guaranty Building, watched trials including Herald Price Fahringer. 3 women in class. Increasing women in the profession, women trailblazers.

Keywords: Eagle Street Campus; Fahringer, Herald; Family; Father; Guaranty Building; Law School / Gender; Legal Education; Reputation; Siblings; Undergraduate Education; Vietnam War; Women and Gender

Subjects: EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW: GENDER

Segment Synopsis: Law school opens eyes. Enjoyed learning law, making friends he still has. Eagle Street basement game of Euchre, Dubois Restaurant, now Marotto's. Fleming taught contracts, Hawkland taught UCC, Judge Foschio. Critical thinking, analyze issues. Women in law school. Friendships in law school. Doesn't recall having a mentor in law school. Mentoring program now. Law Students are very bright, tech savvy, analytical. Worked for his father after law school 1969 until 2000 (his father was 88!) when Boniello was elected judge. Working with his father for 31 years. Father was a general practitioner. Represent client in a good way. Attorney for Niagara County Industrial Development Agency. Appointed county attorney 1 year. Professional achievement? NCIDA work. Job market in 1969 compared to today, more difficult and competitive.

Keywords: Career / Professional Experience; Eagle Street Campus; Father; Law Firms; Law Professor; Legal Education; Mentors; Social Life

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW: GENDER

Segment Synopsis: Becoming a judge. Father thought he was crazy. He always wanted to be a judge. More than what he thought it would be. Remove emotion and judge on merit. Difficult cases. Significant cases. Changes in society. Do over? First choice was to be a pilot. Became a registered pilot. At physical for military, found out he didn't have 20/20 vision. Could be a navigator. Didn't want that and decided to go to law school. Doesn't fly anymore. Anecdote of friend who did become pilot dying in Vietnam; Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. Impact, meaning and legacy of Vietnam.

Keywords: Anecdote; Career / Military Service; Father; Judiciary; Significant Cases; Vietnam War

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; CAREER: MILITARY; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: Changes in profession, changes in technology and personal contact. Dealing with people in person. Lawyers busier now with technology. Anecdote of practicing law and how technology infects all areas, need for immediate responses. Daughter is a lawyer. Changes for women in law, changing roles for men and women. Daughter went to New England School of Law. Active hiker now, trying to do all 46 high peaks of Adirondacks, started at 58 and has 10 more to do. Retirement? 71, Supreme Court judges allowed to do 3 2-year extensions beyond 70. Want to keep working. Don't know what he will do in retirement. Would choose to be a teacher/professor in law. Advice, respect, reputation, be prepared, don't embarrass people in court, balance professional life with personal and recreational life. Law School is a place of learning, make lasting friendships. Enjoys being a judge, helping people.

Keywords: Advice; Being a Lawyer; Career / Professional Experience; Children / Grandchildren; Law School / Gender; Retirement; Women and Gender

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE