A circular blue and white logo displayed on a brick wall. The logo features an illustration of a modern building and includes the text 'Past, Present and Future' around the top and 'Our Blueprints' across the center on a banner.

UB Law Blueprints

Casting a blue light on our vibrant community

Person standing in a hallway next to a brick wall, placing an orange sticker on a large blue poster titled “Share Your UB Law Blueprint.” The poster features an outline of a building with many orange stickers already attached, and includes text about the UB Law Blueprint initiative. The hallway has beige floors, blue columns, and overhead fluorescent lighting.

Michael J. Hecker '09, Dean’s Advisory Council Member and former LAA President, follows the blue footprints to the community wall display.

UB Law is igniting a bold new chapter—an initiative that fuses its proud history with limitless possibilities, honoring the generations who built the law school community and challenging today’s members to imagine the mark they’ll make.

Playing off UB’s signature color scheme, the initiative, called Blueprints, celebrates the school’s deep roots and strong foundation, dating back to its founding by members of Buffalo’s bench and bar in 1887. And it brings to the forefront recognition that UB Law has indeed been shaped through the contributions of many students, alumni, faculty and friends in Western New York and beyond.

“Over the decades, we’ve grown in both size and stature,” says Dean S. Todd Brown, “evolving into a diverse and dynamic network of dedicated community members who continue to build on the ideals of our founders. Their vision has become the blueprint for our law school.”

A person in a plaid suit jacket is placing an orange card on a large blue display titled 'Your Law Blueprint.' The display features an outline of buildings filled with numerous orange cards containing handwritten messages. A smaller sign on the right explains the blueprint activity and includes the phrase 'Our Blueprints' with an illustrated logo.

Dean’s Advisory Council Member H. Todd Bullard '87

The initiative’s first steps were already on display earlier this month, with bright blue footprints blazing a trail across the first floor of John Lord O’Brian Hall. They led to a wall display, where members of the UB Law community were invited to share their vision for the school’s ongoing story by responding to the question, What do you want your blueprint to be?

Participants posted their blueprint goals on paper bricks, symbolizing O’Brian Hall and the foundation that our community continues to build upon. As an added bonus, participants were entered into a raffle for UB Law swag.

The initiative will continue to unfold throughout the academic year, showcasing past and present UB Law voices, and creating opportunities for the entire community to connect, contribute, and celebrate, including:

A person wearing a blue-and-white striped sweater is placing an orange card on a large blue display titled 'Your Law Blueprint.' The display features an outline of buildings filled with numerous orange cards containing handwritten messages. A smaller sign on the right explains the blueprint activity and includes the phrase 'Our Blueprints' with an illustrated logo.

LAA President and Dean’s Advisory Council Member Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93

  • Our O’Brian Hall wall display which quickly filled with heartfelt messages, penned by students, faculty, staff and even visiting members of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Written aspirations included, “Increasing access to justice for the underserved community,” “Supporting research that catalyzes change,” and “Fostering a culture where people feel seen, heard and valued.” [View the most inspiring messages online]
  • Blue Fridays, featuring posts on the law school’s social media channels every Friday that highlight the outstanding events and exceptional people that make our community special.
  • Our Community Spotlight feature which will appear in future issues of Law Links, showcasing the many ways our members go above and beyond to help one another and make a lasting impact.
  • And next year, the launch of our eagerly awaited Oral History Project, a collection of audio and video interviews with UB Law graduates and community leaders who have contributed to our legacy across time. The repository will debut online and a permanent display commemorating the decades-long project will be unveiled on the first floor of O’Brian Hall.

So, what do you want your blueprint to be? Everyone has a role in shaping the future of our law school and our profession. You’re invited to get involved, stay engaged and, in a few words, describe the mark you hope to make. Submit your blueprint below and we’ll add the most positive and inspiring messages to our online community wall.

What do you want your blueprint to be?