Hon. Paul L. Friedman '68

Segment Synopsis: Les Machado, chair of UBLAA Washington, DC Chapter interviews Hon. Paul Friedman. Grew up in North Buffalo on Sterling Ave. near Hertel Ave. PS #66, Bennett High School. Mother had 7 sisters, one husband was a lawyer. Father was PhD chemist. Cousin was Bob Fine. They did a directory together they sold ads in. Story of going to small claims court. Won $10 in case. Experience had impact on him. Went to Cornell for political science, not sure what to do, not interested in sciences, thought about journalism, public speaking, writing, so law made sense. Goes to NYU on partial scholarship. Struggled and went back to Buffalo. Went to Al Saperston for advice who offered him a internship and a job if he did well at school. Law School was downtown on Eagle St, proximity to courts. Cousin Bob Fine was in class and cousin Alan Carrel was year ahead, familiar friends and smooth transition. Classes and professors, Jack Hyman was teaching Constitutional Law, Wade Newhouse also taught Constitutional. Joyce and DelCotto terrific teachers. Bill Hawkland was dean and national expert on Universal Commercial code. Didn't understand tax, study group, story about being called on a lot in class. Asked DelCotto why he calls on him. There was a lot of interaction with faculty. Homberger taught CPLR, Friedman was focused on that class. Took law and medicine. Law review comment on res ipsa loquitur and incontinence after prostate surgery. Interviewed with a Milwaukee firm. Clerking for judge could give deferment on Vietnam. JFK and public service movement. Judge Aubry Robinson was grad of Cornell, hired him as clerk for a year US District Court judge. Robinson provided opportunity to those coming out of less well-known schools, minorities, and women. Amy Berman Chapman is in Robinson's old office. Got to know other judges. Went to clerk on circuit.

Keywords: Classes; Eagle Street; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Family; Hyman, Jacob; Law Clerk; Law Faculty; Law Review; Location; Practitioners and Faculty; Study Habits; Undergraduate Education; Value of Education; Vietnam War

Subjects: EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Clerking in District Court and clerking in Appellate Court. Working with Judge Robinson and trial court. Judge Robb on Appellate court, Goldwater Conservative, learned trial technique. Case story of reversing a conviction. Other cases that stood out, war, selective service, anti-war protest cases. More interesting in US Attorney's Office which he did for four years. Jury trials and tried cases. Exposure to many judges. Loved Appellate work, then went to Federal court. Knew people in all the camps. Watergate case handled by US Attorney's Office. Friedman worked on the case. Reading the Watergate stories in the Washington Post and seeing the players in the cases. Joins Solicitor General's office, Earl Silbert recommended him. Experience at Solicitor's General Office. Arguing in front of the Supreme Court. Preparation is everything. Moot court helped in preparation.

Keywords: Judiciary; Law Clerk; Moot Court; Significant Cases; Trial Practice; US Attorney; US Attorney's Office; US Supreme Court; Watergate

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: Went to private practice, White & Case in Washington, DC as associate and soft promise he would be partner in 2 or 3 years, coming in laterally. Was there 18 years as a litigator. Case with Aramco as client if US discrimination laws applied to US citizens working in Saudi Arabia. Arguing in front of the Supreme Court. Securities litigation and corporate takeover cases, insurance coverage, largest bankruptcy case in history, AOV Industries. White collar defense work. Iran Contra Affair involvement with Judge Walsh, did that for two years. Process of coming to the judiciary. Senators recommends nominations. Need for more diversity on bench. 4 openings and he is nominated. Serves on the same court he clerked for years ago. Judge Robinson mentors him, advice from other judges. Buy a lightweight robe with hooks not zippers. Everything he's done prepared him for bench and US Attorneys experience in making judgements. Teaches and mentors young judges.

Keywords: Elections / Political History; Ethnicity / Diversity; Judiciary; Law Firms; Litigation; Significant Cases; US Attorney

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: Significant cases, Black Farmers case, largest civil rights case in country. 20,000 farmers received 1.2 billion dollars, process took 12 years. 2008 Farm Bill waived statute of limitations with another 1.2 billion allocation to cover settlements and legal fees. Most important case in 17 years. John Hinkley case allowing him to leave the mental institution to visit his parents and volunteer at local library. Encountered a lot of resistance from the public and he was threatened. Threats to the judiciary in general. The jury process. Differences between cases. Consulting with juries, how to read jury instructions. Advice on the value of law school, reasons to go to law school. Find mentors and network through bar activities, colleagues. People he's mentored. Close of interview.

Keywords: Discrimination / Prejudice; Hinckley, John; Significant Cases; Value of Education

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE