John J. Flynn '95

Segment Synopsis: Introduction, family background, choice of law. Father was an attorney, trial lawyer who talked about cases at home. Several lawyers in his extended family. Political family. His father ran for state senator in late 60's. Campaign he remembers is his uncle's race for district attorney, Ed Cosgrove, in 1973. Father was a huge influence and taught him the law at the kitchen table. Made a conscious decision and knew all along as a kid he would be in law and public service. Started college as a journalism major but quickly realized he was meant to get in the family business (law). Decision to go to UB Law School was because of reputation. Served in Navy in California and was applying to law school from California. Knew UB had a great reputation, knew it was a great law school, knew he wanted to come back home to Buffalo. When he attended UB Law, he was married with kids. Law school was not that stressful; he enjoyed his studies. Had two jobs during law school, Navy Reserves and bartender.

Keywords: Career / Military Service; Career / Professional Experience; Choosing UB Law School; Elections / Political History; Family; Father; Reputation; Undergraduate Education

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; CAREER: MILITARY; FAMILY HISTORY; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: Classes he gravitated to. Took all the business courses the law school offered. Wasn't sure what he would do after Navy. Stress in law school was lessened knowing he had a job after he finished. Planned to go back into active Navy duty as a Jag Officer doing criminal law. Didn't know what he was doing after Navy so he took variety of courses in business and finance in case he went to a big firm. Did not use any of that. Dream sheet in Navy is top 6 choices of assigned stationed. Went to Pensacola, FL after passing the NYS Bar. (For Navy, it was any state bar exam.) Went to Newport, RI for Naval Justice School for 6 weeks before Pensacola. Stationed in Pensacola for 3 years. Legal Assistance Office was a general practitioner law for eligible service members, provided legal advice and could file a few legal documents. Went into courtroom next. Represented military members accused of crime or those being dishonorably discharged. Military has jurisdiction over all service members on or off base. Local DA would let military handle the matter. He defended service members for about 2 years. Final months, he represented US Government for any lawsuits filed against them for issues on base, defending federal tort claims. 3 years in Pensacola exposed him to a variety of legal work and when his 3 year contract was up, he got an offer he could not refuse. Offered a position at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis for two years 1999-2001. Taught, lectured, did court martials. Great 2 years. Then returned to Buffalo in June, 2001. 9/11 would have changed his direction.

Keywords: Career / Military Service; Career / Professional Experience; Classes; Experience as Student; Practice; Teaching Law

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; CAREER: MILITARY; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Defense work in Pensacola and Annapolis put to immediate use what he learned in Law School. You do your job better if you know what the other side is thinking. The work gave him the compassion for the work in the DA's office. Cases in DA's office fall into 3 categories: bad people who do bad things, good people who do a stupid thing, the individual has some form of problem. Defending the good people who did a stupid thing gives him added perspective for doing his job. UB Law and a native of WNY has served him tremendously and the connections he has with fellow students who serve in the Buffalo legal community. UB Law laid foundation for him. Unique aspect of UB Law is the number of adjunct professors at UB. Adjunct faculty were practicing attorneys teaching a class. Names a few attorneys who taught: Kevin Dillon, Jim Magavern, Dick Sullivan. Huge benefits of having practicing attorneys teach. Loves his job but sees another role in his future. Believes in term limits.

Keywords: Alumni Association; Caliber of Students; Career / Military Service; Career / Professional Experience; Community Involvement; Elections; Law Faculty; Practitioners and Faculty; Teaching Law; UB Law School general; UB Preparation; Value of Education

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; CAREER: MILITARY; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE