Hon. Alexander W. Hunter, Jr. ’74

Judge Hunter was born in Harlem. His family moved to the Bronx in pursuit of a better life. He attended public schools and felt he had a superior education growing up. He never doubted he would attend college. His mother was a New York City public school teacher with a master’s degree. His father attended college, owned a barbershop in Harlem and instilled a strong work ethic in his children. Judge Hunter lived in the Bronx until he went to Temple University, in Philadelphia, for college.

He never thought about being a lawyer; he planned to go into the Peace Corps or to graduate school for political science. However, he became a draft counselor and began to advocate for students at Selective Service hearings. He liked being an advocate. At the time, UB law school was looking for minority applicants and offered him admission, tuition free. He decided to accept.

The law school, located on West Eagle Street, was close to the courts. His was a small class, a close, tight-knit group who studied together. They were mostly male, 15 percent female. The minority students were integrated. His best friend was Judge James McCloud. Professor Danny Holley taught him criminal law. The students visited Attica after the prison riots. Professors taught with the Socratic method. “Law school teaches you how to think,” he said. He liked his Trial Technique courses and the Moot Court competitions. He was drawn to litigation and criminal law.

He began his criminal law career in Philadelphia by becoming involved in a prisoner release program. He interviewed arrestees in jail and made bail applications on their behalf. “It was meaningful to me,” he said.

During his law school summers, he worked in New York City for the Legal Aid Society, then went to the Bronx DA’s office. There he confronted issues of race. He learned from his father that being Black and a minority means working twice as hard as others.

While a prosecutor in the Supreme Court Trial Bureau, he tried 17 cases and lost only three. Mayor Ed Koch took note and appointed him a Criminal Court judge. He loved the courtroom and loved being a judge, both criminal and civil.

Later, he applied to the United Nations so he could travel the world and experience diverse cultures. His cases at the UN are in employment and administration.

His advice to law students: Network. And distinguish yourself, separate yourself from the pack.