Ross M. Cellino, Sr. ’56

Partial Transcript: After studying pre-law, pre-dent, and pre-med, and after researching what it took to go to Law School, Med School, etc., I decided on Law School after conferring with an uncle who was a lawyer. It was mostly males, mostly from other undergraduate schools, so there was a variety of frames of reference. Law School at that time was run like a grade school: much stricter, and with significant attrition after each year resulting in smaller classrooms as you progressed. The only thing that counted was the final. There was a lot of pressure. I struggled with tuition payments, squeezing by. I wouldn't sign the payment check because it took four weeks to get back by which time I had enough to cover the check. I was married and had three children while in Law School.

Segment Synopsis: After studying pre-law, pre-dent, and pre-med, and after researching what it took to go to Law School, Med School, etc., I decided on Law School after conferring with an uncle who was a lawyer. It was mostly males, mostly from other undergraduate schools, so there was a variety of frames of reference. Law School at that time was run like a grade school: much stricter, and with significant attrition after each year resulting in smaller classrooms as you progressed. The only thing that counted was the final. There was a lot of pressure. I struggled with tuition payments, squeezing by. I wouldn't sign the payment check because it took four weeks to get back by which time I had enough to cover the check. I was married and had three children while in Law School.

Keywords: Choosing UB Law School; Family; Tuition; UB Law School general; Undergraduate Education

Subjects: EDUCATION; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Partial Transcript: The first two cases I got funded the beginning of our law firm. Ross [Junior] didn't come to work for me right away. I had him try a murder case with Harold Boreanaz, one of the best cross examiners in town. And I had him prepare some briefs for Benny Halpern and his brother Sam. Then, after sitting in on some disability hearings, I brought him into the firm. It didn't take him long to learn that quick follow up gets the business. Bernstein and I only failed to sign up one case in all the years we were partners.

Segment Synopsis: The first two cases I got funded the beginning of our law firm. Ross [Junior] didn't come to work for me right away. I had him try a murder case with Harold Boreanaz, one of the best cross examiners in town. And I had him prepare some briefs for Benny Halpern and his brother Sam. Then, after sitting in on some disability hearings, I brought him into the firm. It didn't take him long to learn that quick follow up gets the business. Bernstein and I only failed to sign up one case in all the years we were partners.

Keywords: Family; Law Firms; Practice

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Partial Transcript: I was on the wrestling team at UB and the 12 quality points I got as a result pushed my standing way up. Through various means I got my 88 credits needed to get into Law School. I was the only one in Law School that only had two years of pre-law. It was out of economic necessity. The clients loved the newsletter and we always copied clients of correspondence we sent out for them. So they didn't have to call and ask about the progress of their case. People have no idea what advertising costs. I put the first advertisement in the back of the telephone book; it cost $110,000.

Segment Synopsis: I was on the wrestling team at UB and the 12 quality points I got as a result pushed my standing way up. Through various means I got my 88 credits needed to get into Law School. I was the only one in Law School that only had two years of pre-law. It was out of economic necessity. The clients loved the newsletter and we always copied clients of correspondence we sent out for them. So they didn't have to call and ask about the progress of their case. People have no idea what advertising costs. I put the first advertisement in the back of the telephone book; it cost $110,000.

Keywords: Law Firms; Legal Education

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; UB LAW AS STUDENT