2010 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award: Kenneth B. Forrest '76

Segment Synopsis: Dennis McCoy, Chair of the Award Luncheon in NYC, welcomes everyone and introduces Robert Boreanaz, current President of the UB Law Alumni Association. "We all know that UB Law is about people; it's what makes our Law School special." Rob asks for a moment of silence in memory of Bill Greiner, recently deceased. He lists judges, past Law Alumni presidents, and others present at the event. He then introduces the Chair of the Dean's Advisory Committee, Thomas Black. Speaking on behalf of the Dean's Advisory Council, Mr. Black praises Ken Forrest's professional achievements, his work on the Advisory Council, and for the legal community. Mr. Black introduces Law School Dean Makau Mutua.

Keywords: Alumni; Alumni Association; Greiner, William; Relationship with UB Law; UB Law School general

Subjects: UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Partial Transcript: Both Ken and Ellen are the glue that brings their classmates together." "By every account, Ken is a gifted Assigning Partner at the law firm."

Segment Synopsis: Opening remarks on the state of UB's Law School, particularly in light of the state's and country's economic crises. "The challenges ahead are serious but there is no retreat. The goal is to make the Law School a great law school." He recounts steps taken toward that end: hiring star faculty, attracting a diverse student body with a good academic profile, and the creation of a Comprehensive Legal Skills Program (headed by Prof. Charles Ewing). "I aim to build a world class law school of the future." We have created in the Law School for the first time, a Comprehensive Legal Skills Program that brings together legal research and writing, litigation and non-litigation courses, clerkships, Bar support, externships, ethics, trial technique and trial advocacy, Moot courts, Alternative Dispute Resolution Counseling, etc. I personally believe this program is critical if we are going to produce graduates with the requisite skills and knowledge to become successful lawyers. Dean Matua praises Ken Forrest's academic background and his marriage to fellow law student and legal activist, Ellen. "Both Ken and Ellen are the glue that brings their classmates together." Dean Matua highlights Ken's professional career at the NYC law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, citing his colleague's descriptions of him. "By every account, Ken is a gifted Assigning Partner at the law firm." By every account, Ken is a gifted Assigning Partner. His colleagues pointed out the reasons: his intelligence and indispensable administrative brain, his calmness under pressure, his great sense of judgment, and his deep care for other people. Dean Matua focuses on what Ken means to the Law School. He was a founding member of the Dean's Advisory Council in 1991 and a past Chair of that Council, serving four Deans. Dean Matua lists significant initiatives spearheaded by Ken and states what he personally, as Dean, values most about Ken, emphasizing Ken's dedication. "If we become great, it will be because of people like Ken Forrest. He and Ellen are among the most generous donors in the history of our Law School." Dean Mutua lists their key funding initiatives. "This is the first time since the Jaeckle Awards began to be given out in 1976 that the Award is being given outside of Buffalo, because we are trying to make this Law School a national law school." Dean Mutua presents the award to Ken Forrest.

Keywords: Jaeckle Award; Law Faculty; Relationship with UB Law; UB Law School general

Subjects: UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: Ken recalls driving from Brooklyn to Buffalo to enter the first class to attend law school on the then new campus in Amherst on what was at that time, "the world's largest vacant lot" containing a dorm and one other building, the Law School. Three groups of people Ken singles out for their role in his candidacy for the Jaeckle Award: the partners at the Law Firm of Wachtell Lipton for their devotion to giving to communities and law schools the partners had attended, the current Law School administration and its predecessors, and his family, friends and, in particular, his wife Ellen. Slate of Prior Jaeckle Award Winners. Slate of Luncheon Committee Members

Keywords: Being a Lawyer; Jaeckle Award; Law Firms

Subjects: LAW; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS