Michael R. Wolford '68

Segment Synopsis: Wolford graduated from UB law school in 1968, and currently, he is practicing full-time with the Wolford Law Firm. He grew up in Rochester and went to McQuad Jesuit High School, John Carroll University for undergrad, then UB for graduate business school in 1965. There were no lawyers in his family that he knew growing up. He enjoyed labor law in graduate school, and it inspired him to attempt law school. He chose UB for his MBA and law school because it was inexpensive, especially compared to other schools. He got married a week before law school, and his wife was a teacher. When he was a student, the campus was downtown on Eagle street. He remembers being able to watch trials during the first month of his law school. He got immediate access to courts, and it was helpful during his job hunt. It inspired him to become a trial lawyer. His class kept cutting down in size, but it was around 100. He was, and still is, close with his classmates. He was the chair of the moot court, student bar of representative, and he helped to begin the UB speakers program. There was a dramatic shift between the 60s and 70s as a student because of the Vietnam war. He tried to get a speaker to talk about the Vietnam War, but the university vetoed his request because it was too controversial. The Vietnam speaker went to a different part of campus to speak and educate students on the draft status. Mostly everyone behaved professionally during law school.

Keywords: Attrition; Being a Lawyer; Choice of Law; Choosing UB Law School; Experience as Student; Family; Law Students; Legal Education; Moot Court; Peers; Public Education Law; Relationship with UB Law; Student Culture; Trial Practice; Undergraduate Education; Value of Education

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

Segment Synopsis: Wolford's fondest memories from Law School includes his Moot Court trips and becoming a winner during a competition. He also enjoyed his dinners at the Buffalo Club. He made great memories from varying activities. His first child was born during law school, and his family went through some financial challenges. Wolford has no regrets though. By the end of his third year, and in time for the bar exam, he had no money coming in.

Keywords: Bar Admissions and Exams; Family; Law Students; Moot Court; Relationship with UB Law; UB Preparation

Subjects: EDUCATION; LAW; PERSONAL ISSUES; UB LAW AS STUDENT; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: Wolford started working immediately after law school at a firm with a great reputation. There were three firms that stood out to him, and he landed one. Many of his peers found jobs early on during law school. He thinks that UB did a good job preparing him, and it was put to the test when he started to work on his own. He stayed with his first job for three years. He had some mentors at school, mostly just professors.

Keywords: Career / Early; Faculty / Professors; First Job; Law Firms; Moot Court; UB Law School general; UB Preparation

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

Segment Synopsis: After the US Attorneys Office, Wolford went to Nixon, Hargrave, Devans, & Doyle. He was the first UB graduate to go there. The firm reached out to him and offered him a position. He stayed there for 21 years, and gradually, more UB grads were hired. In 1993, he left to set up the Wolford law firm.

Keywords: Career / Professional Experience; Law Firms; Recruitment

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Segment Synopsis: His first child is named Elizabeth, who is a partner of his now. His second child is named John, who is a pilot in the air-force. His third is named Jim, who also works in the law firm with him. He encouraged his children to follow in his path, and 2/3 did.

Keywords: Being a Lawyer; Children / Grandchildren; Family; Law Firms

Subjects: FAMILY HISTORY

Segment Synopsis: If he had to give advice to new lawyers, he would say that the key is to associate yourself with a law firm or lawyers that have integrity. A person's reputation is so important. Many problems can arise from poor reputations/values that don't align. Also, no matter what practice you pursue, you must be prepared. There is no substitute for hard work or practice.

Keywords: Advice; Career / Professional Experience; Expectations; Experience as Student; UB Preparation

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