The Harry A. Rachlin (1926) Oral History Project

Featuring some of the best-known names in New York State’s legal community and beyond, the Oral History Project hosts a collection of interviews compiled since 1999 with alumni, faculty members and friends of the School of Law. Scroll down to explore and search all of our interviews.

Pillars of the Legal Community
“The Oral History Project memorialize(s) a great law school, which I think UB is, and a great legal tradition, which is the Western New York legal tradition.”
12/1/25

Lauren Rachlin Esq., son of Harry Rachlin ’26 

“The Law School is constantly changing... [however] the values that our Law School was founded on in 1887 are the same values we have today. ”
12/1/25

Ilene Fleischmann, Vice Dean Emerita for Alumni Affairs

“The law school experience made me a better student and a better person than I could probably have ever imagined.”
12/1/25

Hon. Craig D. Hannah ‘95

“Law is the conscience of the community. ”
12/1/25

Hon. Ann T. Mikoll ’54

“I remember a great deal about then Professor Hyman and Dr. Lenhoff, whose voices rang through in the Bar Exam. ”
12/1/25

Carl A. Green '50

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Featured Interviews

  • Hon. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg - A Conversation 2019
    12/1/25
    Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, professor of law and attorney, was a champion of gender equality. Her legal brilliance and unwavering dedication to justice defined her career. Known for her powerful dissents, she became a cultural icon, symbolizing strength and resilience. Her legacy endures, inspiring generations.
  • Lillian E. Cowan ’27
    12/1/25
    Lillian E. Cowan was only 18 years old when she began Buffalo law school in 1924. She graduated in 1927, the 45 woman to graduate. An accomplished and pioneering woman, she practiced law until she was 98 years old.
  • Jonathan S. Beane ’98
    12/1/25
    Jonathan S. Beane ’98 is a nationally recognized leader in forming and implementing strategies that foster an inclusive culture across companies. He is a strong proponent of change in workplace diversity and inclusion philosophy.
  • Hon. Trini E. Ross ’92
    12/1/25
    Trini E. Ross ’92 is senior litigation counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of New York. She also teaches Trial Technique at UB School of Law.
Harry Rachlin in front of bookshelves.

About the Project

The Oral History is a project of the Law Alumni Association, funded in part by the Rachlin family as a tribute to the memory of Harry A. Rachlin, a 1926 graduate. (Read our FAQs to learn more.)

Make a gift to this project
This is a group photo of the first Buffalo Law Review editorial board (1951-52). The Law Review's inaugural issue was published by a group of law students under the guidance of Professor Charles W. Webster. The issue was 350 pages and had an initial run of 100 copies without having any subscribers. The lead article in Volume 1 was written by Charles S. Desmond who was then an Associate Judge on the New York Court of Appeals and would later become the Chief Judge of New York's highest court.

The first Buffalo Law Review editorial board (1951-52).

Our History

Explore the rich history of the School of Law, including our accomplished alumni, prominent faculty and global impact.

Law School History

Filter interviews by clicking one (or more) of the categories below.

Results 127 - 132 of 147. (0.40 seconds)
  • Hon. Richard C. Wesley
    12/1/25
    Hon. Richard C. Wesley is a senior U.S. Court of Appeals judge for the Second Circuit, which encompasses New York, Connecticut and Vermont. President George W. Bush nominated him in 2003, and he assumed senior status in 2016.
  • Hon. Gerald J. Whalen ’83
    12/5/25
    Hon. Gerald J. Whalen ’83 is a judge for the 4 Department of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2012. He has been the presiding justice of the court since 2016. His current term ends on Dec. 31, 2027.
  • Hon. Jeffrey S. White ’70
    12/1/25
    Hon. Jeffrey S. White ’70, a U.S. District Court judge for the Northern District of California, was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002. Previously he was at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in San Francisco and special litigation counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, in Washington, D.C.
  • Christopher A. Wightman ’99
    12/1/25
    Christopher A. Wightman ’99, a partner with PJT Camberview in San Francisco, advises clients on corporate governance and shareholder engagement, with a focus on shareholder activism, complex proxy voting and executive compensation. He previously led the global corporate governance and portfolio compliance programs for Vanguard. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council.
  • Hon. Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97
    12/1/25
    Hon. Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97, Niagara County district attorney since 2017, is the first woman to hold the position in Niagara County. She has long been a leader in the fight against domestic violence and helped develop Niagara County’s domestic violence protocols that later served as a model for district attorneys statewide.
  • Hon. Elizabeth A. Wolford
    12/5/25
    Hon. Elizabeth A. Wolford, chief judge of the U.S. District Court, Western District of New York, is the first female judge to serve in the WDNY and the first woman to be its chief judge. Nominated by President Barack Obama in 2013, she became chief judge in 2021.
Results 127 - 132 of 147. (0.40 seconds)

Additional Campus-Wide Resources

Learn More About Our History