David R. Pfalzgraf ’97
David R. Pfalzgraf Jr. ’97 is the managing partner of Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC. He works primarily with private business enterprises, ranging from closely held family businesses to multinational corporations. Founded in 2000, the firm has grown to more than 60 attorneys in five offices across New York State.
About this Interview
Interview Date(s)
June 3, 2021
Occasion
Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Private Practice at the 58th Annual Alumni Dinner
Interviewed By
Judge Henry Nowak, Jr.
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About David R. Pfaltzgraf
David Pfalzgraf grew up in Buffalo with a sister, Robin, and a brother, Brendan. Brendan passed away 20 years ago at Fordham University in a traffic accident. This tragedy brought David back to Buffalo, where his father practiced law. He attended Elmwood Franklin and Nichols schools, then entered the Navy on a ROTC scholarship after graduating from Miami University. He served in the Navy for four years in New Orleans, Pensacola, Fla., and San Diego, before resigning his commission. He decided to practice law in Buffalo with his father and applied to UB School of Law in 1994.
The time he spent in the Navy gave him worldly knowledge and discipline. He participated in activities offered at the law school, including the Jessup Moot Court Competition, which he won in Toronto as a first-year law student. In his second year, he won the Desmond Moot Court Competition with Susan Etu as his partner. He was editor in chief of the Buffalo Law Review. UB Law prepared him well for legal practice, and he remains good friends with many of his classmates. As a third-year student, he found his father’s reputation and name opened doors. He was a summer clerk at Hodgson Russ Andrews Woods & Goodyear and then joined the firm.
But rather than stay at Hodgson, he and two classmates—Tony Rupp and Jeff Baase—decided to form a smaller firm in 2000. They were entrepreneurial and thought they could create a firm that was committed to excellence. Pfalzgraf’s father joined their firm in an in-counsel role.
Since 2000, the firm grew to over 60 lawyers in five cities in New York State. His recipe for business success: surround yourself not only with great lawyers but with good people who know how to minimize stress. This is especially true during the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The firm soon transitioned from a boutique commercial litigation firm into a full-service law firm to serve all their clients’ needs and attract top lawyers to work with them.
Pfalzgraf has a reputation as one of the kindest attorneys in Buffalo, one who tries to stay true to himself in his work with clients to achieve their desired outcomes. He views the law as a noble profession of service and looks to hire UB Law graduates with similar values who can hit the ground running.
