Hon. Lawrence J. Vilardo

Hon. Lawrence Vilardo’s journey from a working-class upbringing on Buffalo’s West Side to a federal judge is a testament to resilience and the value of education. Raised in a small home with three brothers, Vilardo credits his parents for instilling in him and his siblings the nonnegotiable value of higher education. Vilardo became the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Canisius College in 1977 before earning admission to Harvard Law School, where he graduated in 1980.

Initially considering graduate school for history, his strong LSAT score redirected him toward law. Despite feeling intimidated upon arriving at Harvard, he thrived, excelling academically and finding community among his peers. His criminal law exam was even used as a model answer by Professor Alan Dershowitz. After law school, Vilardo clerked for Judge Irving Goldberg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in Dallas. Introduced to Goldberg through moot court and encouraged by fellow Harvard Law Review editors, including future Chief Justice John Roberts, Vilardo found the clerkship to be a formative experience, building lifelong friendships.

Despite opportunities for high-paying positions elsewhere, Vilardo chose to return to Buffalo, motivated by his love for the city, his family, and his future wife, Jeanie. He joined Damon, Morey, Sawyer & Moot LLP in 1981, mentored by renowned trial lawyer Terry Connors. Vilardo later partnered with Connors to establish Connors & Vilardo LLP, which grew into a leading firm in Western New York, Connors LLP. Vilardo views the decision to return home as pivotal, laying the foundation for his personal and professional legacy.

Vilardo identifies his greatest professional achievement as being trusted by other attorneys to represent them in litigation, which he regards as the highest compliment. He attributes his success to strong mentorship and values instilled by his parents—fairness, respect, and the Golden Rule. Known as an aggressive litigator, he always balanced tenacity with civility.

Mentorship played a significant role in his development, with key guidance from Judge Goldberg and Connors. Goldberg became like family, offering lifelong advice, while Connors instilled the discipline of excellence and relentless hard work. Vilardo now holds his clerks to these same exacting standards.

Although not a University at Buffalo School of Law graduate, Vilardo has a long commitment to the institution. His service began after Judge Charles Desmond, former Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, asked him on his deathbed to take over his appellate practice class. Vilardo honored the request, finding the experience deeply rewarding.

On the bench, Vilardo emphasizes that his role is not about politics but about doing justice as the law requires, even when difficult. He highlights moments where he chose principle over popularity, such as dismissing a criminal case for prosecutorial misconduct or challenging racially biased jury selection. Looking to the next generation, he stresses leading by example and safeguarding judicial independence. He credits his education at Canisius High School for the confidence to attend Harvard and his late wife, Jeanie, for being his partner and the foundation of his proudest legacy: their three children.