Courtland R. LaVallee ’66
Courtland R. LaVallee ’66 was a skilled Buffalo litigator who focused on railroad law and immigration law. He became a partner in a couple of large law firms, argued a case in the U.S. Supreme Court and devoted thousands of hours of pro bono work to helping immigrants.
About this Interview
Interview Date(s)
October 28, 2011
Occasion
Law Reunion weekend
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About Courtland R. LaVallee
Nicknamed “Corky,” LaVallee was the son of a dentist in Burlington, Vt., where he lived until he was 29 years old. He attended the University of Vermont but did not earn a degree. He took a job as an immigration officer and was transferred to Buffalo to work as an inspector at the Peace Bridge. Once in Buffalo, he hoped to finish his education at UB. He took the LSAT, applied to law school, and was accepted without an undergraduate degree.
He was nervous about law school, and said he was afraid he “would fall flat on my face.” His first year, the law school was part of SUNY and tuition was affordable. “But I was scared to death the first few weeks that I would fail.” Nevertheless he married, had three children and enrolled as a four-year student on Eagle Street. He worked full time during law school and graduated with honors. He received the John N. Bennett Outstanding Senior award during his last year of law school.
About 130 law students were accepted into the Class of 1966, but only 66 graduated, including four women. The dean was Jacob Hyman, followed by William Hawkland, who taught Uniform Commercial Code. Hon. M. Dolores Denman was a classmate. His fondest memories were working on the Buffalo Law Review, Moot Court and Trial Technique. Professor Sol Towster was a favorite among the excellent faculty. Classmates from 1965 and 1966 still stay in touch.
Following his graduation from UB law school, LaVallee became a law clerk for the late, legendary state Court of Appeals Judge Matthew J. Jasen. He then began working at one of Buffalo’s biggest law firms, Moot & Sprague, and remained for almost 25 years. He became an expert in railroad law and immigration law and argued one case before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1970s. After Moot & Sprague broke up, he went to the Kavinoky Cook law firm.
As an active volunteer, he donated thousands of hours of free legal representation to immigrants. He also served on the board of Mercy Hospital, including a stint as board chair, and served as president of the Legal Aid Bureau.
His advice to law students: Get out into the community, make contacts and acquire clients. Also, do CLE.
Born May 10, 1931—Died May 21, 2021
