Steven J. Weiss ’91

Steven Weiss’ mother claims he wanted to be a lawyer from the time he was 7 years old. While growing up in Buffalo, law was always in his mind. To help pay for his schooling as a UB undergraduate, he became a teaching assistant for accounting in the School of Management, intending to earn an MBA. After hating a class in auditing, he realized he did not want to spend his life as an accountant. He applied for the four-year JD/MBA dual degree program. He regarded the law degree as an add-on to the business degree, seeing himself as a businessperson with legal skills. His beloved grandfather helped Weiss confirm his career choice. He saw merit in the education that law would provide. Weiss chose UB Law for its reputation, affordability and convenience.

Unlike business school, law school was tough for Weiss and taught him how to think. “You must know when to take the myopic view and when to take the grand view.” On his first day, Weiss remembers with embarrassment that he referred to a woman in a case as a girl. Criminal law Professor Charles P. Ewing called him out—an important and memorable lesson in sensitivity. As a 3L interested in tax credits and affordable housing, Weiss discovered his area of focus when Professor George Hezel opened his groundbreaking Affordable Housing Clinic.

Weiss was fortunate to have a mentor in attorney Herman Loonsk, whom he met when he was a summer associate at Moot and Sprague. Richard Dopkins also was an important Moot connection. Weiss was invited back as a clerk and was hired after graduation. From Moot and Sprague, he went to Cohen Swados. He then followed Loonsk to Saperston and Day, where Weiss was made a partner. Before Loonsk died of pancreatic cancer, he told Weiss, “Make sure you only do this as long as you’re having fun.” Weiss felt the firm was headed in the wrong direction and founded Cannon Heyman & Weiss LLP, an affordable housing firm, in 2001.

For Weiss, community service involves philanthropic and time commitments. The causes he works for are personal to him. His involvement with the Jewish community reflects his passion for Judaism and social justice. His work at Roswell Park is dedicated to his mentor, Herman Loonsk. He serves his profession by helping to make housing policy as a member of the New York State Housing Finance Agency. “Community service enriches all our lives,” he said. “It is a gift to me, and it is part of being a lawyer.”