Community and Culture
Since 1887, our law school has been built on the vision of our community.
Now it’s your turn to shape what comes next.
Through Blueprints, our new initiative inspired by UB’s signature color, we celebrate the deep roots and strong foundation laid by generations of students, alumni, faculty, and friends. From our founding by members of Buffalo’s bench and bar to today’s thriving community, UB Law has been shaped by the contributions of many.
Blueprints honors where we’ve been and challenges each of us to imagine the mark we’ll make on our law school and the broader legal community. Everyone has a role in shaping the future, and you’re invited to get involved, stay engaged and share your vision for the blueprint you'll create.
So, what do you want your blueprint to be?
"Over the decades, we’ve grown in both size and stature, evolving into a diverse and dynamic network of students, alumni, faculty and friends who continue to build on the ideals of our founders. Their vision has become the blueprint for our law school."
- Dean S. Todd Brown
This Spring staff have a fun chance to share the creative passions they enjoy outside of work at Hobby Hours. Whether it’s crafting, cooking, stitching, or something completely unexpected, these Student Affairs wellness sessions are designed to help our law school community take a breather, try something new, and connect in a relaxed, low‑pressure setting. It’s all about camaraderie, creativity, and a much‑needed moment of calm in a busy semester.
2026 Featured Hosts
Lisa Patterson is the Director of Externships and Access to Justice Initiatives, where she places students in for‑credit field placements with courts, government agencies, and legal services organizations—including opportunities through the UB Law NYC program. She also leads the accompanying seminar on professional development and administers the summer public interest fellowship program.
How She Got Started
Growing up in a home full of crafts, Lisa always loved making things, but she didn’t embrace painting until later in life. After trying local paint nights, she fell in love with watercolor and especially enjoys painting animals. She has created nearly four dozen pet portraits and donates one each year to B-PILP’s annual fundraiser. For her, painting is more than art—it’s portable meditation. There’s something magical about dropping color onto paper and seeing what unfolds.
Why She’s Excited to Share It
Lisa believes deeply in the importance of wellness and self‑care within the legal profession. Whatever helps students and lawyers recharge—art, running, music, anything—deserves space in their lives. She loves showing others that watercolor is approachable, relaxing, and full of creative possibilities. If someone discovers a moment of calm or joy in a simple brushstroke, she considers that a meaningful success.
Lisa's Work
Blankets for Hope with Audrey Grout
Audrey Grout is the Program Coordinator and Legal Assistant for the Clinical Legal Education Program. She supports the clinic’s day‑to‑day operations and helps plan and execute events throughout the year, including pop‑up pro bono clinics.
How She Got Started
Audrey has been sewing for nearly two decades and studied costume construction during her undergrad at Niagara University. She first learned to sew from her mom and grandmother and has since taken on projects ranging from bucket hats to full period ballgowns. She began teaching sewing and crafts in high school while working at Genesee Country Village and the YMCA, and she continues to lead workshops at anime and pop culture conventions across the country.
Why She’s Excited to Share It
Audrey knows sewing can feel intimidating, and she finds it incredibly rewarding to help remove those barriers. She hopes to show students that you don’t need special equipment or experience to get started—just curiosity and a willingness to try. Her goal is to inspire others to take on new creative projects and discover the joy and confidence that come with learning to sew and craft.
Audrey's Cosplay Creations
Cross Stitching with Austin Waters
Austin Waters serves as UB Law’s Foreign & International Law Librarian, where she supports international research and works closely with LLM and JSD students. She previously served as the Student Services Librarian, helping create a supportive and student‑centered library environment.
How She Got Started
A lifelong multi‑media artist, Austin began with oil and acrylic painting before discovering fiber arts through her grandmother. During quarantine, she taught herself cross-stitch and fell in love. She hopes to design her own patterns one day.
Why She’s Excited to Share It
For Austin, cross‑stitch became both a creative outlet and a reliable stress reliever during a challenging time. She believes it’s a perfect fit for the law school community—easy to learn, low‑pressure, and satisfying whether you have five minutes or an hour. She’s excited to offer students and colleagues a flexible, calming way to unwind and explore their creativity.
"Building connections and creating community."
"Making a positive impact."
"Fostering a culture where people feel seen, heard and valued."
"Helping businesses around the world."
"Increasing access to justice for the underserved community."
"By showing the youth back home that they can beat the stereotypes and statistics."
"To be a light for those following after me."
"Using my knowledge to help future students."
"Leading with compassion."
"Help others shine and meet their goals"
"Building a legacy of the law school's power to change lives and share a more just future."
"Growing with my peers."
"Being the voice I needed when I was silenced."
"Educating others about their legal rights."
"Creating opportunities for others to succeed."
"Serving my community."
"Spreading the great reputation of UB School of Law."
"Supporting research that catalyzes change."
"Becoming the first lawyer in my family and building generational wealth for my children."