2021 Distinguished Alumni Award for the Judiciary: Hon. John J. Ark '72

Segment Synopsis: Background. Lives in Brighton, NY. Attended Bucknell University. His father was a lawyer and Supreme Court Judge. He and his father were the first father and son Supreme Court Judges on the 7th Judicial District. Attended Syracuse for a year for Law and got a Masters in Business because he was thinking of becoming an accountant. Went to UB and finished Masters in Accounting. Took bar and started working for Harris Beach in their tax department. Then went to DA office and started his own firm. Two older sisters, one sister marred to 2 attorneys. Was always exposed to lawyer and judges. Has direct recollection of members of the judiciary that goes back 80, 90, 100 years. Father's 100 anniversary of becoming a lawyer. Father's reaction when he left law school. MBA program at Syracuse one of the few offered. Transferring law schools was rare. Appreciation for Buffalo Law School. Permission was required from the old law school to attend a next one. Tells story of career night. He chose law and journalism. Being a judge accomplishes both of those two and met the ambitions of his 15 year old self. Story of going to night court to see if he liked it. Prisoner escapes, warning shots were fired. He was interviewed by reporter and was listed as assistant DA . He explained what happened. That's how he became a part-time prosecutor as a DA. Being a prosecutor is like being a young doctor in an ER. You see a lot of stuff and the ways of the world. DA or US Attorney for prosecuting, corporation counsel or county attorney you get in the courtroom fast.

Keywords: Choosing UB Law School; Family; Father; Judiciary; Law Firms; Legal Education; NYS Supreme Court; Other Law Schools general; Undergraduate Education; Value of Education

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: Decision to go to UB Law. Pre-Law Advisor at Bucknell explained law school becomes a regional decision because of age. Regional schools get a higher rating because of the quality of students who wish to stay local attending them. Rochester, Syracuse and Buffalo is one legal community. 4th Department is one legal community. UB Law is a power to be. Fan of the Buffalo sports franchises. UB Law was involved with Attica matters. WNY one big legal community. Differences in law school, more women, Syracuse required coat and tie, UB more informal. Served on Law Review and managing editor. Had some articles published. UB Law taught him how to write. You learn to write based on your own humility. As a judge, when he writes decisions, he goes back to what an upperclassman would critique. Has used his education many times over the last 40 years. September, 1969 goes to Cole's on Elmwood with a date. Hears someone make a comment on his date. It was OJ Simpson who had just started with the Bills after winning the Heisman Trophy. Ark spent the next three years in Buffalo and the next 45 years in court. So did OJ. Buffalo is big enough to have major teams and small enough to get tickets to the games and drive to stadium in a reasonable amount of time.

Keywords: Attica Prison; Choosing UB Law School; Law Review; Legal Community; Legal Education; Social Life; UB Preparation; Undergraduate Education; Value of Education

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

Segment Synopsis: Started in county court, ran for DA at 31 on Republican line. Lost race. Town Judge position opened and he ran and won. Ran for Supreme Court in 1993 with young children. Stability of 14 year term was appealing. Did a second term getting reelected in 2007. 26 yrs on Supreme Court if he retires at 76. 40 years on the bench. Transition to Supreme Court was easy. Advice to young lawyers: ICE, integrity, curiosity, energy. Energy = effort. Integrity is critical for an lawyer, reputation is important. You can fulfill your interest in being curious. Closing. Judge praises interviewer, Aaron Saykin, as an attorney.

Keywords: Advice; Career / Professional Experience; Elections; Elections / Political History; Legal Ethics; Legal Topics; NYS Supreme Court

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE