Bradley M. Gayton '91

Segment Synopsis: Background, married 30 years with three daughters. For 27 years, works at Ford. Had a newspaper route as a kid which sparked interest in law. Loved law school. Married before starting law school, lots of family support. Chose UB Law because ranking, committed to public interest law, improving diversity of the bar. Legal Methods program. Initially worked at Ford as a tax lawyer. Dean was David B. Filvaroff, faculty Nils Olson, Betty Mensch, law school commitment to diversity. Fondest memory? Newly married and wife was a year behind him in law school and the shared experience was most wonderful time of his life. Intellectual challenges. Favorite faculty, Nils Olson, Betty Mensch, Alan Freeman. Student culture and support.

Keywords: Ethnicity / Diversity; Experience as Student; Family; Intellectual Tradition; Law Courses; Law Professor; Student Culture

Subjects: FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Extracurricular activities? Worked for Vice Dean writing computer programs. Academic success versus career success, writing, critical thinking. Practice of Law different than law school. More clinics for practice. Never considered quitting. Mentoring is important. Law School preparation, writing, critical thinking. Corporate law. Greatest profession accomplishment serving as Ford's General Counsel. Greatest personal achievement, his wife and daughters. More diversity of the Bar generally. Cultivate more interest in Law. Pro Bono engagement of law at Ford, lawyers do 30 hours a year, clinics, importance. Access to justice outside US to encourage Pro Bono activity.

Keywords: Academic vs. Career Success; Bar Association; Community Service; Ethnicity / Diversity; Greatest Achievement; Mentors; Practice; Pro Bono; Quit; UB Law School general; UB Preparation

Subjects: LAW; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Influential people in his career, three general counsels at Ford Motor Co., Jack Martin (1991) with passion for Pro Bono. Dennis Ross, thinker, growth and learning, David Leach, problem solver. Professional opportunities for lawyers, opportunity for how practice needs to evolve, disruption in the field, to provide better quality of life. Service delivery model needs to change. Not much change over last 27 years. Years ahead, changes coming. Do over? Lawyer. UB. Married student. Puerto Rico Clinic background. Advice? Focus on learning, developing, growing as lawyer. Mentors law school students in Detroit area. Involvement with UB Law School. Great cook. If he could not be lawyer, he's be a forest ranger, loves outdoors. Family man committed to making world better place for women and girls with Pro Bono work. Professional journey, changes/variety in roles at Ford about every 3 or 4 years. Intellectually challenging business and legal issues. Impact of law school on relationships. Access to justice. Pride as UB Law alumni.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Advice; Career / Professional Experience; Ethnicity / Diversity; Intellectual Tradition; Legal Clinic; Legal Community; Practice; Pro Bono; Role Models; Women

Subjects: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS