Prof. Barry B. Boyer

Segment Synopsis: He was dean from 1992 to 1998. He was trained in a traditional law mode; he worked with economics, more specifically, anti-trust laws. He went to law school in Michigan, and was an article editor in the law journal. A member of the faculty wrote an article on wire tapping, and Boyer was the editor on that article. That assignment exposed him to the world of editing and he made his way to Buffalo after a few years. In the years he has been in UB faculty, he notes that the university has become much more student-oriented. At the beginning, UB was thinly staffed, but the students were very engaged during the 1970s because it was a very lively time. Over time and once he became dean, it was noted that downstate/out-of-state applications were declining and financial aid costs were low. UB wasn't doing a good job of recruiting. He wanted to get control over the tuition and help students who needed it.

Keywords: Experience as Student; Law Faculty; Law School History; Law Students; Public Education Law; Value of Education

Subjects: LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; TEACHING; UB LAW: FACULTY

Segment Synopsis: UB is well-respected but he notes that there wasn't much engagement between the law school and other sectors, but over the last few years that has changed a fair amount. In the general legal profession and outside of the markets in NY state, there has been a gradual change and rise in rankings. It's important for graduates to network and put themselves out there, and that created a stronger reputation for UB. All universities brand their law schools, so it's important to keep your ranks clear. The role of dean changes with each administration. It's an awkward middle-management position because above you there is a corporate leadership, and below is somewhat anarchical. He spent a lot of time volunteering, trying to motivate volunteers and align their motives with the organization. It is a crucial part of the role, and sometimes he found it frustrating.

Keywords: Alumni; Deans; Experience as Student; Faculty / Professors; Law Professor; Mentors; Reputation

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; TEACHING; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: His most gratifying experience at the law school was when he worked on the Baldy Center fund. At the start, there was not much purpose to it, but it was used as a university wide law fund. The trust was used for law and social policy, and over time, there were programs and activities created. At the law school, his greatest accomplishment was rethinking the curriculum to make it stronger. It brought faculty together to discuss the educational material and how to find the resources to make it better. He wishes he pursued more areas of scholarship, but couldn't because he was busy in administration and community organizations. This summer he wants to get involved in environmental work and expose restoration. The UB environmental law clinic is important because it shows students that you need to do something other than manipulate rules. You need to have an understanding of science, institutional sophistication, and think proactively, and not reactively. He works within a few environmental clinics and find it to be high-level lawyering.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Administration; Community Involvement; Environmental Law; Future Interests; Mentors; Projects; Teaching Law

Subjects: LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; TEACHING

Segment Synopsis: He enjoys looking back and reflecting on his time spent at UB. In his youth, he worked all over, but at UB he settled down and spent nearly 40 years in the law school. The change has been drastic and for the better, and the programs have grown. Back in the day, there were few administrators, but today, there is a lot of faculty and students. UB is 95% state-funded and having that cushion of private giving helps to save a lot of money. Lastly, alumni deserves high praise because they have responded greatly to students.

Keywords: Alumni; Career / Professional Experience; Experience as Student; Faculty / Professors; Law Faculty; Programs; UB

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