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 established in 1887 are the same values we have today.”
2/5/26

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.”
1/8/26

Hon. Craig D. Hannah ‘95

“Law is the conscience of the community. ”
1/8/26

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. ”
1/8/26

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
    1/7/26
    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.
  • Professors Kenneth F. Joyce and Louis A. Del Cotto ’51
    2/20/26
    Professors Kenneth F. Joyce and Louis Del Cotto ’51 were two of the most beloved professors at the School of Law.
  • 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.
  • Hon. John T. Curtin ’49
    1/12/26
    Hon. John T. Curtin ’49 was a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, nominated in 1967 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, and its chief judge from 1974-1989, when he assumed senior status. He was considered one of the giants of the court.
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  Click to make a gift to the Oral History 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

Search results for names are not limited to interviews with that person; they may return any reference to the name, including mentions within interview descriptions for other individuals.

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

Results 157 - 176 of 179. (0.49 seconds)
  • Phyllis H. Hubbard Wilkinson ’52
    12/17/25
    Phyllis H. Hubbard Wilkinson ’52, attorney, was an early female graduate of UB School of Law. Though she took a hiatus from practice while her children were in school, she has been licensed for 60 years.
  • Brent L. Wilson ’76
    2/20/26
    Brent L. Wilson ’76 is an Atlanta attorney who practices mostly labor and employment law litigation as a partner with Elarbee, Thompson, Sapp & Wilson, LLP. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and a generous donor to the law school.
  • 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.
  • Michael R. Wolford ’68
    12/17/25
    Michael R. Wolford ’68 is a successful commercial and business litigation attorney. He founded The Wolford Law Firm LLP in 1993 in Rochester, N.Y. In addition to business litigation, he helps clients with civil and criminal matters.
  • Margaret W. Wong ’76 - Jaeckle Award 2013
    12/1/25
    Margaret W. Wong ’76, a renowned immigration lawyer, was recognized with the 36 Jaeckle Award, the highest honor the University at Buffalo School of Law and the Law Alumni Association can bestow. An immigrant and law school scholarship recipient, she has generously endowed a scholarship program and a full professorship.
  • 2007 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/4/25
    At the 45th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2008 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 46th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2009 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 47th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumna were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2010 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 48th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2011 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 49th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards, four alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2012 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 50th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2013 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 51st UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2013 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2014 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 52nd UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2014  Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2015 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    1/15/26
    At the 53rd UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2016 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 54th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumna were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2017 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 55th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2018 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 56th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2019 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/1/25
    At the 57th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumna were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
  • 2021 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards
    12/6/25
    At the 58th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumna were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.
Results 157 - 176 of 179. (0.49 seconds)

The law school cannot verify the accuracy of the interview content, and the views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the university, the law school or the Law Alumni Association.

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