David C. Schopp ’82

David C. Schopp.

David C. Schopp ’82 is executive director of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, the largest provider of criminal appellate services for indigent defendants in Erie, Genesee, Cattaraugus and Orleans counties, among other areas of assistance. He has served as head of the agency since 2000.

About this Interview

Interview Date(s)

May 5, 2022

Occasion

Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Public Service at the 59th Annual Alumni Dinner

Interviewed By

Amy Herstek

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About David C. Schopp

David Schopp grew up in Williamsville, where his father was an ophthalmologist and his mother a nurse. After graduating from the Nichols School, he attended the University of Rochester and finished at UB with an English degree before entering UB School of Law. It was his own decision to become a lawyer. Though admitted to several law schools, he chose UB as it was significantly more affordable than the others. He commuted to the North Campus.

His class comprised about 250 students, divided into three sections. Professor Thomas E. Headrick was dean. Schopp’s best experience was a prison clinic that went to the Albion Correctional Facility. Discussing their legal issues with inmates sparked his interest in criminal defense. “Everybody is a person of value entitled to their rights and legal representation,” he said.

Professor Philip Halpern, who taught a criminal law course, was “terrific” and influential. Schopp valued his exposure to the courtroom through the Trial Technique program. But Schopp’s favorite class was tax with Professor Kenneth Joyce. Throughout his time in law school, Schopp gained experience by clerking for a matrimonial attorney, an area he did not want to pursue. Law school helped guide him toward the type of employment that was best suited to him.

Schopp’s first job was as an attorney for Legal Aid, in 1985. He left in 1987 for Lipsitz, Green, Scime & Cambria, where he worked for criminal defense attorney Paul Cambria doing appellate work. He decided to return to Legal Aid in 1989 as a staff attorney in the appeals unit. He was appointed supervisor of the law guardian unit in 1999 before assuming the role of executive director.

Schopp believes academic success only affects initial employment opportunities, and has little connection to whether an attorney will succeed in a public interest law career. Critical factors for a position at Legal Aid are passion and commitment to help the client.

He views his two greatest professional achievements as being an appellate attorney and as executive director at Legal Aid. He is proud that he managed a complex murder prosecution involving multiple personality disorder and got the case reversed. He is likewise proud of the growth of Legal Aid under his directorship, with expanded staff and areas of practice. He would choose this field of law again.

His advice to law students: Think about where you want to be in 20 years. Money matters, but so does satisfaction.

Explore the Class of 1982

  • David C. Schopp ’82
    4/4/26
    David C. Schopp ’82 is executive director of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, the largest provider of criminal appellate services for indigent defendants in Erie, Genesee, Cattaraugus and Orleans counties, among other areas of assistance. He has served as head of the agency since 2000.
  • Daniel C. Oliverio ’82
    4/4/26
    Daniel C. Oliverio ’82 is a partner and chairman emeritus of Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo office. He heads the firm’s False Claims Act & Whistleblower Representation and Business Crimes, Regulatory Offenses & Corporate Investigations practices.
  • Robert C. Schwenkel ’82
    4/4/26
    Robert C. Schwenkel ’82 has unswervingly advised and supported our graduates who hope to work in the New York City office of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. A partner since 1989, he serves as co-chair of the Corporate Department and global head of the M&A and Private Equity practices.
  • Michael J. Surgalla, Jr. ’82
    4/4/26
    Michael J. Surgalla Jr. ’82 is an attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Human Rights & Special Prosecutions Section, Criminal Division, in Washington, D.C. He joined the DOJ in 1987. His current areas of focus are border security and violations of human rights and humanitarian law.
  • Hon. Denise E. O’Donnell ’82
    4/4/26
    Hon. Denise E. O’Donnell is an attorney who has served with distinction in senior executive positions in criminal justice at the federal, state and local levels. She was director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, New York State commissioner of criminal justice services and assistant secretary to the governor for criminal justice.

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