Neil A. Goldberg '73

Segment Synopsis: One of 2 sons, father was a twin son of a lawyer. His uncle became the lawyer. Grew up Flatbush section of Brooklyn, NY. Always wanted to be a lawyer. SUNY Stony Brook for undergrad. Year off to earn money, working as a buyer for Abraham and Straus. UB was affordable, law school gave him a year deferral. Blessed by law school experience. Howard Mann constitutional law class, mentor and favorite person, found him clerkship. Law School was on Eagle Street near courthouse. Member of Buffalo Law Review. Story of meeting Tom Segalla and getting him into Saperston and Day for a third of what her was offered from another firm because it made more sense long term. Saperston and Day had just won Dole v. Dow. At Saperston for 27 years before founding their own firm. Started 4/19/2001 with 7 attorneys. Now 285 attorneys, 18 domestic office and 1 in London fully staffed. Specialized areas of practice. Significant growth in 15 years, collegiality and teamwork. 'Counter-firm' offers most opportunity for young lawyers.

Keywords: Being a Lawyer; Buffalo Law Review; Choosing UB Law School; Dole v. Dow Chemical; Family; Goldberg Segalla; Law Firms; Saperston; Segalla, Thomas; Undergraduate Education

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

Segment Synopsis: Advice? View law as career and not a job. Invest in your self. Buffalo has a lot to offer, has the best plaintiff and defense attorneys of state of NY. Quality of life in Buffalo and friendliness. Professional achievement is to work with Tom Segalla for 45 years and build one of the most dynamic law firms in the country. "Life is given to us with some vision. Don't waste a single day regretting what you did that day." Would not do anything else. Recruits members of law school to work at firm. Mentors at "Camp Goldberg." Only you can make yourself great. Advocacy Institute helps young lawyers. Comes from very poor background, was an adjudicated juvenile delinquent. Decided to take the legal fork in road. Greatest challenge was overcoming where he was born and raised. Only other profession he would consider is medicine to help people. Meaning in life is function of how much we can help others. Self motivated caring person.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Advice; Advocacy Institute; Career / Professional Experience; Goldberg Segalla; Greatest Achievement; Law Firms; Mentors

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS