Prof. Virginia Leary

Professor Virginia A. Leary’s four Irish-born grandparents immigrated to the United States in the late 19^th century. She was born in Utah, where her father was a longtime dean of the University of Utah Law School and her mother was a suffragette. Her early exposure to law and social activism shaped her path.

She entered the University of Chicago Law School in 1947. (At the time, Harvard was not an option for women.) She found Chicago to be a welcoming and stimulating environment. Three other women were in her class of around 60. She thrived academically, felt respected and served on the Law Review.

Recommended by a professor, Leary’s first legal job was at Sidley Austin. At the time, there were few role models for women lawyers and her initial experience at the firm was isolating and unfulfilling. She found the environment stifling, elitist and conservative. Despite being capable, she was unhappy and left after three years.

Leary’s career then took an unconventional turn: she spent the next 16 years working for a Catholic lay organization in Latin America, the Middle East and Europe. While living in Belgium, she resolved personal theological questions and rediscovered her interest in law through the American Journal of International Law. This led her to pursue further studies, and she ultimately earned a doctorate in international law in Geneva, Switzerland.

To support herself, she worked at the International Labour Organization, focusing on forced labor investigations. That experience solidified her commitment to human rights and connected her with influential international organizations.

Despite her initial skepticism about pursuing a specialized career in international law in the United States, Leary’s persistence led her to a teaching position at the University at Buffalo in 1975, where she remained until her retirement in 1995. Although initially lonely as a single woman in Buffalo, she eventually became a beloved community member.

She found the University at Buffalo School of Law an innovative and supportive environment, allowing her to teach international labor and human rights. Leary cherished her time teaching, the interaction with students and the academic freedom she enjoyed. She particularly valued seeing her former students succeed in international human rights roles.

Reflecting on her experiences, Leary contrasted Buffalo with a post-retirement teaching stint at Hastings Law School, in California, noting the latter’s more structured and career-focused approach compared to Buffalo’s greater emphasis on socially driven legal work.

Leary also offered observations on the evolution of nongovernmental organizations in the human rights landscape, highlighting their increasing influence within the UN system and the growth of human rights education in law schools. Her oral history exemplifies a powerful blend of intellect, idealism, adaptability, and a deep commitment to promoting dialogue and understanding in the pursuit of global justice, particularly the right to health.

Born 1926—Died April 8, 2009