Robert J. Gutowski ’99

Segment Synopsis: Why choose Law School. Undergraduate in English. Part of Jesuit Volunteer Corps and placed in Belize to teach High School for three years. Number of friends went to Law School. Worked at Volunteers of America coordinating volunteers, including lawyers providing help to people with AIDS. Inspired by that and his motivation to work in the public interests. Choose UB because of his interest in Public Interest Law. No attorneys in family, enjoys writing, success in his ability to write well, analytical reading. In a courtroom twice, once sworn in and once serving on a jury. Law is less about the courtroom experience and very much about drafting and reading and oral communication.

Keywords: Choosing UB Law School; Community Service; Undergraduate Education

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

Segment Synopsis: Favorite class L1 was Constitution Law with Prof. Kannar. Took all Kannar's classes: First Amendment Seminar, Telecommunications Seminar. First Amendment Practice group with the firm he started with. As a summer associate had some exposure to Con Law and First Amendment. Differences in Law School Classes. Smaller class sizes today. Mentors: Prof. Matua as a young professor, socialized with Matua and Matua was his academic advisor for his Law Review node. Gave good corporate law advice and Matua helped him make connections in his firm. Extended friendship from academic years into his professional years. NYC chapter of UB Law Alumni. Mentoring is about teaching and he is a teacher too. Enjoys teaching to the broader class.

Keywords: Class Composition; Classes; Faculty / Professors; Law Faculty; Mentors

Subjects: EDUCATION; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Choosing Corporate law. As a summer associate, worked on some transactional matters and enjoyed them. Legal training at UB so applicable to so many things. Many of the lawyers of his team have moved on to run other departments. Career path, from downstate, Poughkeepsie. NYC beckoned. First firm was acquired by another firm. Rogers & Wells LLP which was merged with Clifford Chance LLP (UK). M&A Lawyer living through a M&A. Largest client was Morgan Stanley, he was secunded there for six months. Met people internally. Started doing more work for the business unit of the firm. MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) offered him job. Fit with his personal life. Work life balance. In house counsel for MSCI IPO and separated from Morgan Stanley. Importance of luck, right place, right time. Be prepared. Take risks. Get a reward.

Keywords: Choice of Law; Internships; Law Firms; Practice; Specialized Training

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: No longer in private practice. Favorite thing about private practice? Camaraderie and friendships. Favorite thing about being in-house? Working for the same firm, MSCI, for 20 years but the work/firm has dramatically transformed. Provides data and analytics to the financial services industries. Procuring data, M&A, went public, government regulatory affairs. Skill set changed. The word general in General Counsel means a lot. Sense of ownership being inside counsel. UB Law class that approximates where he is now? All of the classes, totality of the experience. Skill building and development. NYC Law and Finance Program. 20 Students UB Law and UB Management students come to NYC, classroom experience, practitioners as speakers, externship placements.

Keywords: Classes; Law Firms; Practice; Practitioners and Faculty; Relationship with UB Law; Relationships; Teaching Law

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; TEACHING

Segment Synopsis: Personal life, impact of going from private practice to in-house, better control because there is more foresight of what's coming. Children: 21 year old at Fordham, 13 year old, and 8 year old. Gutowski is one of 6 children. Allow children freedom to explore interests and support them in their discovery. Friendships from Law School which he still maintains today. Luck is a part of a career and also the UB connections opening doors for him and for students. Changes generally and specifically, pandemic, invasion. Uncertainty creates anxiety among students. Challenging time. UB Alumni network needs to look out for one another.

Keywords: Alumni; Alumni Association; Children / Grandchildren; Family; Practice; Practitioners and Faculty

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; FAMILY HISTORY; LAW; PERSONAL ISSUES; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: Advice for new lawyers. Don't try to direct career, be open to the possibilities, be open-minded. Don't make assumptions. Do over? Yes. Would go to UB and recommend it to others. Anything else? Good memory from Law School. In a band with a faculty member, Errol Meidinger and others. Great environment to go to school. Plays piano. Honored to receive the award. Great appreciation. Right place, right time. Grateful to family.

Keywords: Advice; Career / Professional Experience; Family; Fondest Memory; Relationship with UB Law; UB Law School general

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS