Harvey L. Kaminski Classroom Dedication

Segment Synopsis: Harvey L. Kaminski Classroom Dedication, John Lord O'Brian Hall; University at Buffalo; Amherst Campus; Thursday, September 25, 2008. Recognizing Harvey Kaminski for his great generosity. Dean Newton introduces Dean Mutua, the 18th Dean of UB Law, a player on the international human rights stage, an accomplished scholar and teacher, and a strong leader. As one of the world's foremost authorities on human rights, he's on the Executive Committee of the American Society of International Lawyers, Chair of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, sits on the boards of several international human rights organizations, and is a frequent lecturer around the globe on human rights issues. He's written numerous scholarly books and articles, his most recent: "Kenya's Quest for Democracy -- Taming Leviathan". He is a frequent contributor to nationally distributed journalistic publications [listed]. He received his Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1987, and his Master's in Law in 1985. He is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and the Floyd & Hilda Hurst Faculty Scholar. He is a world-class talent and an outstanding successor to Dean Nils Olsen. One of the things you learn as a dean is who is important in the life of the Law School, especially the central role of the alumni. Unless your alumni supports you, you are dead in the water. The alumni play many roles in the life of the Law School from mentoring students, helping attract them, helping to recruit star faculty, sharing ideas, being our ambassadors to the outside world, to placing our students, and supporting us financially. The alumni play many roles in the life of the Law School from mentoring students, helping attract them, helping to recruit star faculty, sharing ideas, being our ambassadors to the outside world, to placing our students, and supporting us financially. No one has given more to this Law School than Harvey Kaminski. Harvey is a cyclone but he doesn't wreak havoc in his wake. He has dedicated hundreds of hours in helping to develop this Law School. This classroom was a quite a pathetic place; a victim of 35 years of wear and tear. It has now been remodeled and renovated. With the support of alumni like Harvey we have progressively improved the ambiance and look of the first floor entrance area. But we still have a long way to go. With Harvey's support and financial grace, this classroom now looks the way it looks. The only reason I agreed to become a Law School Dean was because I believed there was a unique opportunity here to take UB to the next level. I have made a commitment to put UB Law in the top 50 law schools in the country . . . in four years. This is a goal from which I will not retreat. I will do my part to execute that goal as I know you will do your part. And I want to say to Harvey: you have made a down payment toward this goal: the Harvey L. Kaminski Classroom.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Caliber of Students; Community Service; Contributions; Harvard University; Kaminski, Harvey; Law School History; Olsen, Nils; Relationship with UB Law; SUNY; UB Law School general

Subjects: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: No Law School and no person can have a better friend than Harvey Kaminski, a truism I've long realized and today proves it once again. His parents, both Holocaust survivors, were born in Poland and came to the U.S. as poor immigrants. They were "class acts" who were worldly, elegant, upbeat, and had great values. They had an enormous impact on who Harvey is, teaching him to be a positive person, and encouraging him to take chances and not worry about failing. They urged him to come to UB Law, after graduating from NYU, in order to expand his horizons outside NYC. And it was his parents who taught him to be philanthropic. Harvey has an incredible memory and, as he says, "some is useful; some not so useful." He can recall sports trivia going back decades, is fluent in four languages, and carries not only vivid memories of his Law School years but details of his associates they have long since forgotten. Recalling his legal education he has said that because of the quality of his legal training, nothing ever appears so novel that it baffles him, and if he doesn't know the answer, UB had equipped him to find it. Harvey is a kind, moral, and generous person; a risk taker who is curious about the world. Although very confident, he is well-grounded and down to earth. Described by his employees as "the best boss in the world," he gives his file clerk the same respect and attention as he does an important client. He is insightful, wise, and has great common sense. Those qualities, along with his ability, integrity, and civility have caused him to be highly regarded in the business and financial communities. Generosity and philanthropy are part of his essence, so he regularly helps people and organizations. Harvey's highest priority is his family. He and his wife, Helene, are very much in live and deeply committed to each other. He is a supporting and caring father, quick to praise, and proud of their accomplishments. Close with his sister, and his wife's sister, he and Helene have integrated them, and their families, into their family, so it's all one big family. The Law School has benefited from Harvey's generosity, time, and advice. Here are a few examples: he loves helping our students, proactively creating opportunities to do so. He rarely misses a Law School event in NYC, especially when law students are attending, affording him the opportunity to engage, confer, and advise, in many cases becoming a long-term mentor. He is the advisor to the Jewish Student's Group at the Law School, giving them ideas, connecting them with down state alumni, met with them in NYC, and flew to Buffalo to meet with them. He regularly helps law students with their job searches, providing strategy, introductions, networking, and interviewing skills, telling them about the "real world" and what employers want. He also teaches at our NYC program in International Finance & Law. The students love Harvey, his depth and breadth of knowledge, his keen insight, and practical tips. He always receives their top rating. Besides his generous financial support, Harvey is the Law School's biggest fan, our best cheerleader, and a terrific fund raiser. He is knowledgeable about our educational programs and feels that all our graduates have received a terrific education and a spectacular opportunity for a successful career at a minimal cost. He feels they should therefore give something back and support the school generously. His assistance on the Dean's Advisory Council has been invaluable. He is well-informed, sharing his ideas, thoughts, and vision for the school. His values, character, and actions personify what our students should strive to become. It is an honor for the Law School to have a classroom named for Harvey, one of our finest and most accomplished alumni. His values, character, and actions personify what our students should strive to become.

Keywords: Alumni; Choice of Law; Choosing UB Law School; Contributions; Family; Graduate / Professional Training; Intellectual Tradition; Mentors; Relationship with UB Law; UB Law School general

Subjects: FAMILY HISTORY; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: You can see from the response by this gang of the Classes of '77. . . '78 . . . '79, etc., that he's really beloved. [The plaque is unveiled]. I want to thank Amy Atkinson for organizing this wonderful event today. My wife, Helene, is my heart and soul, an ardent supporter of my commitment to UB Law, a special woman, and a wonderful mother and wife. Thank you all for coming today. My son, Philip, who is 21, approached me several months ago. He is a first-year law student at Columbia Law School, and he asked what he could expect at law school. I told him instead what I hoped for him and what he could hope for. I hoped he would have the same warm, caring, and friendly environment that I experienced at UB. And, second, I hoped he would have passionate, enthusiastic professors who would instill the same love of the law, as I did at UB. More than 30 years have passed since I came to Buffalo. I knew UB had a respected law school and an acclaimed professor of Criminal Law, Herman Schwartz. Aside from that, I didn't know what I was getting into. My first task when I arrived was to find a room mate, someone like myself. What I found was Mark Zehler, my exact opposite, who is here tonight, from Texas. We had nothing in common. I had a privileged upbringing; Mark was the son of an Army Colonel who would call at five in the morning and ask if he woke me up. Mark was fastidious about his chores; I didn't know what chores were. We became the best of friends who cared about each other, studied together, learned about each other and about our families and backgrounds. Most of all, we made certain that we studied and both gave our best effort as law students. But everybody at the Law School was open and friendly and I am humbled by the presence of so many classmates who are here tonight after so many years, including, among others [named], Cliff Solomon and Steve Gerber who came from NY/NJ. Both have represented our company for many years and done a great job. But the friendships were not exclusive to students; the administration was extremely open, willing to help and to resolve issues that arose. Everybody was a cohesive unit striving to achieve the same goal: to be successful in the legal world. My first year at UB Law was filled with a "Who's Who", a Hall of Fame of legal professors: the iconic Joseph Laufer who scared you into knowing torts, Mary Kay Kane, the Dean at Hasting Law School who taught us Civil Procedure I & II, Ron Allen, a criminal law expert, Paul Goldstein, a phenomenal Professor of Property, Herman Schwartz, John Spanogle for Commercial Transactions, Marjorie Girth for Bankruptcy, and the inimical Adolph Homburger for NY Practice. How can one be not inspired by having these professors? After Law School I joined the redoubtable law firm of Cohen Swados and encountered Robert Swados. He had a special effect on me, teaching me what it was to represent a client with the tenacious, overwhelming desire to do right by a client, and to do whatever it takes within the bounds of ethics to represent them. He taught and mentored his young associates by a method I call the "Quiz Show" way. [Harvey explains] At that firm I also met John Dee and the Hon. Leslie Foschio, both who taught me about the law and what it is to be a generous, fine human. They are people who are virtuous, whose character is beyond reproach. I left Buffalo in 1979 and returned home to find a wife and to make my fortune. Armed with the tools and confidence imbued in me at UB, it was inconceivable that I wouldn't succeed. Although it wasn't easy, I was fortunate that I had developed an expertise in Secure Transactions under the tutelage of John Spanogle and Marjorie Girth, further refining my knowledge in private practice. In 1985 I started my own business, Prestige Capital, which has prospered in the last few years. I have attempted in a small way to repay UB Law School my debt of gratitude in ways mentioned. My involvement with the Dean's Advisory Council has been very rewarding. I've met many alumni who share my involvement and investment in the Law School and have shown what it means to be committed to its success. Teaching and helping students in NY has been very rewarding, seeing them succeed with the benefits of Amy Westbrook's and Phil Halpern's program. They get a first-hand knowledge of law and business. I've also tried to help financially through my small contributions. This classroom is not a tribute to me; it is a tribute to the Law School and the wonderful education it provided to me. The past few years have been difficult for the school: the explosion of unnecessary law schools in the NYS and draconian budgetary constraints. But despite all of that, the sterling reputation of UB has been upheld by the steady hand of former Dean Nils Olsen and by UB President William Greiner. I am very confident that under the present inspired and dynamic leadership of Dean Mutua the Law School will flourish and reach new heights. This classroom reflects my resolute commitment to assist my Alma Mater in any way I can, and to any length I can, just as it assisted me more than 30 years ago. Thank you very much. Dean Matua: Thank you, Harvey. You can see why I wanted to clone Harvey. As I've said before, there is a place in this Law School for you into posterity. He thanks everyone for coming.

Keywords: Academic vs. Career Success; Accomplishments; Alumni; Caliber of Students; Class Composition; Classes; Contributions; Experience as Student; Family; Intellectual Tradition; Law Firms; Law Professor; Mentors; Relationship with UB Law; Student Culture; Study Habits

Subjects: FAMILY HISTORY; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS