Hon. Alexander W. Hunter, Jr. '74

Segment Synopsis: Called " Skip." Graduated in class of '74. Reunions are now merged into multi-years. Born in Harlem hospital and family moved to the Bronx and lived there until college in Philadelphia. Went to public school PS #89, Junior HS #135. Christopher Columbus HS. Superior education growing up. Practical experience, plus education and language classes. Attended Temple University, then UB. Sister is 5 years younger, lives in Bronx. Brother is ten years younger and best friend. Interests: electronics, building radios. Liked sports, ran track, tennis. Interests help with the transition with new technology. Perry Mason was lawyer he watched. Became a Draft Counselor and advocated for students. Planned for Peace Corps or grad school at Temple for Political Science. UB Law accepted him, affirmative action, tuition free. Thought he would be a mathematician. Never a doubt he would attend college. Mother was NYC public school teacher with a Masters. Father attended college and didn't complete, technical school. Father owned barber shop in Harlem, instilled strong work ethic. Decision to go to law school. Summer program before law school started. Law school was located on Eagle Street, close to courts. Would have kept law school downtown. Small class, close to group, studied together, tight-knit group. Predominately male, 15% female. Minority students were integrated. Cannot remember dean. Faculty? Danny Holley criminal law, Herman(?) took class to Attica after riots. Teaching style? Socratic method. Law school teaches you how to think.

Keywords: Being a Lawyer; Choosing UB Law School; Class Composition; Classes; Eagle Street; Ethnicity / Diversity; Family; Father; Intellectual Tradition; Law Faculty; Mother; Undergraduate Education; Value of Education

Subjects: EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; TEACHING; UB LAW AS STUDENT

Segment Synopsis: Trial techniques course, roommate and best friend Jim McCloud was a city court judge. Mock court competition with him. Class clown and class president, wasn't sure if he was liked for humor or color. Only exposed to litigation and criminal law. Fondest memory? With Jim McCloud, weekends, parties, girls, doing things unrelated to law school. Had season tickets to War Memorial Stadium. Jail interviews in Philadelphia and made bail applications on behalf of arrestees. Meaningful. Moot court with Lance Mark was partner in competition. Lance was great and Hunter was awful. Lance encouraged him. Connection between academic success versus professional success? No, never related one to another. Learned being black and minority means working twice as hard. Felt well prepared for first job. Worked summers between sessions in NYC, legal aid, then criminal side. Had a reputation for being cocky and too independent and lost out on a job. Went to Bronx DA office. Issues of race. Didn't see color growing up, eventually had to see it and confront it. Still tried to not see color. Thurgood Marshall Junior Mock Trial program he started is now in 22nd year with 33 schools involved. Exposes students to lawyers, court, and the law. Sotomayor was a guest speaker. Loves kids, has 3 of his own.

Keywords: Classes; Community Service; Employment / Jobs / Wages; Ethnicity / Diversity; Fondest Memory; Moot Court; Social Life; Trial Practice

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

Segment Synopsis: How he became a judge. Assigned to a part. William Drohan presided. Phenomenal jurist and part-time actor. Distinguish yourself, separate yourself from the pack. Appointed to Supreme Court Trial Bureau. Long Term Detainee Part. Office mate took calendar and Hunter took long term cases. Tried 17 lost 3. Mayor Koch appointed him criminal court judge. In court every day before becoming a judge. Loved what he was doing. Significant cases. Killing of 9 year old abused girl. Role at UN. Did civil and criminal law to set himself apart. Appointed to the UNDT (UN DISPUTE TRIBUNAL JUDGES) as a half-time judge effective July 2016. UN work may be viewed as greatest achievement. Misses courtroom. Travels all over the world. Mostly administrative and employment. Cannot do his own hires there. Applied for the job and interviewed at the Hague. State Department ran his campaign. General Assembly elects him. Professional life and personal life balance. Three children, one daughter in PR, son at school Seton Hall would be a good lawyer. Jim McCloud and Lance Mark very instrumental. Youngest daughter wants to be a pathologist. Involvement with UB Law today. UB doesn't reach out to him. Final thoughts? UB has excellent reputation downstate. Proud of being an alumnus. Finding a job after graduation? UB helped with job fairs and interviewing, legal aid, DA office. Minority an obstacle? Has seen the growing integration of diversity in the DA's office.

Keywords: Children / Grandchildren; Discrimination / Prejudice; Ethnicity / Diversity; Family; Judiciary; Relationship with UB Law; Reputation; Significant Cases

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE