Hon. Deborah A. Chimes '89

Segment Synopsis: Family background. Public high school, UB undergraduate degree, UB law. Started in solo practitioner who assigned her a criminal case to defend with one day to prepare. Went to Gross, Shuman, et al. and was introduced to civil defense work, matrimonial, along with criminal defense. Mostly does civil defense. 200 in law school class and a third to half were women. She worked as a waitress while in law school, prepared her for life's challenges. Work-life balance, had her children later and had flexibility to be there for them. Professional opportunities for women in areas of practice have broadened. Professional salaries. Clerked one summer and made more money waitressing. Did not notice differences in hiring practices between men and women. UB Law preparation good, adjunct professors (practitioners) add worthwhile dimension. Favorite class was Criminal Defense. Choosing UB law, also applied to New York Law and was accepted but wanted to stay local.

Keywords: Career / Professional Experience; Choosing UB Law School; Class Composition; Classes; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Family; Practice; Practitioners and Faculty

Subjects: EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Amherst campus location. Still friends with some classmates today. You find a network of people professionally and personally. Fondest memory was the camaraderie of classmates discussing classes or cases over coffee. Competitiveness between the students. Took a year off between undergrad and law school. No mentors and feels she missed out on opportunities. Now mentors first year students. Senior attorneys in firms mentor younger ones, share cases.Impact of law school on personal life. Questions children like an attorney. Uses cross examination skills when meeting someone. Would encourage children if they decide to pursue law. UB offers good training. Greatest professional achievement. Becoming a state supreme court justice and getting an innocent 17 year old acquitted. An individual's liberty is a significant thing to be taken away.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Amherst Campus; Children / Grandchildren; Greatest Achievement; Mentors; NYS Supreme Court; Significant Cases; Student Culture

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: First firm for seven years and then moved to in-house council for an insurance company for ten years. Different working for a corporation than being in private practice. More diversity in cases in private practice. Insurance form had four attorneys and then added more; she was first woman hired and ultimately not the only female there. Did not sense gender differences or a glass ceiling for her there. Would not change the path she took. Enjoys mentoring first year students. Work life balance based on age of student in law school, personality type and life experience.

Keywords: Career / Gender; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Gender; Law Firms; Mentors

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; CAREER: LEGAL; FAMILY HISTORY

Segment Synopsis: Believes law school should be downtown closer to where the action is to foster relationships between students and practitioners. Faculty in law school, sections A B C, she was in more liberal section. Faculty was accessible to students. Favorite professor was an adjunct, Charles Carr, criminal defense. Gave the facts and the business aspects. Recalling classes in first year. Discovered when she started practice there were far fewer female litigators, more today. Relationship with other female litigators. Being in a firm offers mentorship, solo practitioners need a network to rely on. First generation college graduate and lawyer. One of five kids. Only one with professional degree. No perceptions of law. How she got to law school, mentioned as a young child, wanted to go in high school. Knew it would be hard. First woman lawyer she knew of was Judge Ann Mikoll, who went to high school with her mother. Female role model for her. Thought law would provide more opportunities for her. Childhood role models were her parents. Dad's business and how to obtain a goal through actions. Judges on 8th Judicial District are role models for her.

Keywords: Career / Gender; Classes; Family; Law Faculty; Law Firms; Law School / Gender; Location; Mikoll, Ann; Perceptions; Practice; Practitioners and Faculty; Role Models

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: Career as a judge, great attorneys in the area. Has never felt restricted professionally as a woman. How to attain a goal. Legacy? As a judge, gave attorneys opportunities to advocate for clients and as an attorney, advocated strongly for her clients. Advice to children? Follow your heart. Advice to law students? Process of elimination to find area of practice. Intern with a firm. Don't quit or get discouraged. Finish degree. Questioned her own law career. Advice about bar exam? Have to put in the study time and find life balance. Advice given her was "Do not study night before." Forgot her entry card at the exam. Least favorite class? First year, Con Torts, blend of contracts and torts. Full-time student, part-time employee. Always had interest in criminal law goal was to be a judge. Happy where she is on the State Supreme Court bench in Chautauqua County. Becoming a judge was in her and she was encouraged by others. Was a municipal judge in Orchard Park. Judicial temperament. Advice for becoming a judge. Get experience in different areas of law. Camaraderie with fellow judges, can't talk to others about cases.

Keywords: Advice; Bar Admissions and Exams; Being a Lawyer; Bench; Choice of Law; Classes; Judiciary; Mentors; NYS Supreme Court

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; CAREER: LEGAL