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 67 - 72 of 147. (0.34 seconds)
  • Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95
    12/6/25
    Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95 served as chief judge of Buffalo City Court and supervising judge of the 11 city courts in the Eighth Judicial District, encompassing Western New York. Judge Hannah was the presiding judge of the first Opioid Intervention Court in the United States, established in May 2017.
  • Pamela Davis Heilman ’75 - Jaeckle Award 2015
    12/1/25
    Pamela Davis Heilman ’75 was recognized with the 38 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest award the UB School of Law and the Law Alumni Association can bestow. A member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, she has worked to enhance the reputation of the law school and is a major donor.
  • Hon. Kathy C. Hochul
    12/1/25
    Hon. Kathy C. Hochul, a lifelong New Yorker, is a politician and lawyer who has served at all levels of government: town, county, state and federal. She represented the 26 Congressional District from 2011-2013 and was elected lieutenant governor of New York in 2015.
  • Hon. Barbara D. Howe ’80 - Jaeckle Award 2018
    12/1/25
    Hon. Barbara D. Howe ’80 received the 41 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award in recognition of her extraordinary contributions as a New York State surrogate judge for Erie County. The Jaeckle Award is the highest honor the University at Buffalo School of Law and UB Alumni Association can bestow.
  • Hon. Alexander W. Hunter, Jr. ’74
    12/1/25
    Hon. Alexander W. Hunter Jr. ’74 is a judge in the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, in New York City, Geneva and Nairobi; and a judicial hearing officer in the Criminal Court of the City of New York.
  • Dean Jacob D. Hyman Tribute
    12/6/25
    Jacob D. Hyman, a beloved former dean of the University at Buffalo School of Law and a longtime faculty member, died April 8, 2007. Esteemed members of the legal community and university officials and friends gathered to celebrate his memory.
Results 67 - 72 of 147. (0.34 seconds)

Additional Campus-Wide Resources

Learn More About Our History