Paula M. Ciprich '85

Segment Synopsis: Background, grew up in Depew, NY. Oldest of three, brother and sister. Mother was a medical secretary. Father was a production manager at Bell Aerospace. Grandfather was a graduate of the Law School, graduating in 1916 and a role model. Attended college in Dallas as a math major. Took LSAT and applied to UB and came home. 260-270 in class at law school. Knew people in their sections best. Split equally by gender. No perceived difference in treatment based on gender. Friendships maintained since Law School. Diversity in the students, including non-traditional students. [brief interruption by interview technician].

Keywords: Choosing UB Law School; Ethnicity / Diversity; Family; Father; Grandparents; LSAT; Law School / Gender; Mother; Role Models

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

Segment Synopsis: Family was proud and happy about her decision to go to Law School, very positive response. Fondest memory of the Law School was the social engagement with classmates. Professor Schlegel helped her learn how to shift perspective based on topic of study. Was on Law Review and remembers it taught her the discipline of writing and researching, citing sources, surrounded by smart motivated people pushes her. [Interruption due to technical issues with video freezing, audio continues. Repeats Law Review question and answers again.] Interest in corporate law, math degree, and numbers interested her. Right place, right time. Interned at Garvey, Magner Love, P.C a personal injury firm first year. Collegial environment. Second year interned at Jaeckle Fleischmann and Mugel. More exposure to corporate law. Exposure to different kinds of law was valuable. Law can have mundane aspects but applying legal principles in a business world environment. Learned a lot from the various course she took. Most valuable about time in law school was shifting perspective in terms of looking at facts and organizing them to present or solve a problem. Math is very objective. Lawyers are problem solvers. UB Professors/Law School taught her to become a better problem solver and shift perspective.

Keywords: Buffalo Law Review; Caliber of Students; Experience as Student; Family; Fondest Memory; Internships; Law Faculty; Law Firms; Law Professor; Perceptions; Student Culture; Value of Education

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

Segment Synopsis: Right place right time moving from a large law firm to a company in NY. Moved to National Fuel Gas after 3 years of practice. Liked to practice in-house, was there 31 years. Favorite role at National Fuel was general practice and working with others. Advice for young female lawyer is to take a broad array of classes. Practice talking to business leaders and know the concerns of the business people. UB had an impact on professional advancement in how it taught her to consider matters from multiple perspectives and use that to benefit client to resolve problem. Mentors were a partner at Jaeckle Fleishmann and David Smith, a UB Law Alumni, at National Fuel. Opportunity for women lawyers in a corporate setting. Corporate Counsel at a business for more balance and general practice. Corporations are good place for women. Greatest professional achievement working at the board level on corporate governance. Do over? Would get a chemistry degree instead of math with the legal degree or an MBA. Law was right choice for her. Liked business practice. Legal educational and practice changed her outside of the career, opened her mind to diversity and problem solving. Things she was exposed to made her a better person. Advice for lawyers just beginning their practice: be open to other areas of practice and try some. Find a mentor. Fondest memory of National Fuel was the interpersonal relationships she had. Reemphasizes importance of interpersonal relationships and problem solving. Can't imagine having had a better career than she's had and owes a lot to the Law School for that.

Keywords: Advice; Career / Gender; Choice of Law; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Greatest Achievement; Mentors; Practice; Role Models

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE