Hon. John J. Gruber '52

Segment Synopsis: Judge John J. Gruber, Buffalo City Court, Town of Tonawanda Court. Class of 1952. Family background, father was a Buffalo policeman who died when the judge was 11, he oldest of 4. Worked Victory shift at Curtiss Wright as riveter while in high school. Army air cadets, enlisted air corps. Went to Delaware and then Biloxi, MS. Closed air cadets program. Sent to Germany with 9th Air Force. Points system. Appointed Judge Advocate, courts and boards office. 1928 edition Court Martial. Recorder in special court martials. Gave him the idea he wanted to be a lawyer. Discharged 1946, enrolled at UB. Accepted his Delaware college credits. Finished in 2 years (1949). Had 2 uncles who were lawyers. Thought he would be a policeman. Took the test, appointed to police department while he went to school. Long/short day, describes schedule. Had to be prepared fro class because professors called on them. Lenhoff as instructor. Homburger quote.

Keywords: Armed Services; Career / Early; Career / Military Service; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Family; Homburger, Adolf; Legal Education; Lenhoff, Arthur; Occupied Germany; Undergraduate Education; World War II

Subjects: CAREER: MILITARY; FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Class composition 145, graduated 68. Classrooms. Program was core program, quality points had to equal hours, had to get promoted and if you didn't, start over. Class, professors. Liked Criminal law, Constitutional law, Dean Hyman. Lenhoff, Charlie Webster. 5 women completed. Not many woman in law school. Class composition were mostly WWII vets, respect and close class. Beer parties once a month, Sour Wines on Niagara Street, German place on east side and classmates houses. Lou DelCotto was good guitar player, had family, parties at his house. Other Classmates: George Grobe, Salvatore Capasiladro. Angelo Felice, Bill Argentieri, Mary Davies Carr, Winthrop Phelps, Jerry Lancus top lawyer for RR workers. Satisfying part of being a lawyer? Respect lawyers have for each other. Not too many shysters. Proudest moment? Maritime Law, steamboats, personal injury. Tried good cases. Traveled a lot. Detroit, Toledo and Cleveland. MI and OH gave pro bono vichi for the case with local counsel. 8 children. Oldest son is lawyer and judge. Granddaughter is lawyer. Mark went to UB. Many of his children went to UB. Advice? Don't think its like college. Pay attention and reshape thinking on issues. Volunteer for experience. UB has been good to him and his family. Would not choose anywhere else. 2 kids were in Air Force.

Keywords: Advice; Class Composition; Classes; Family; Greatest Achievement; Hyman, Jacob; Lenhoff, Arthur; Social Life; Webster, Charles

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW: GENDER