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The Opinion Newspaper (all issues) The Opinion
12-1-2005
The Opinion Volume 44 Issue 4 – December 1, 2005
The Opinion
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This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the The Opinion at Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Opinion Newspaper (all issues) by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ University at Buffalo School of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SEEPAGE2 , , THE OPINION UB Law School 101 O'Brian Hall ptnton Buffalo, NY 14260 Vol. 44, Issue 4 The Student Newspaper ofthe University at Buffalo Law School December 2005 UB's Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Wall recognizes contributors to the Law School's seven-year fundraising drive By Josh Dubs, '08 - espite the rumors, the construction project that closed the corridor D outside the classroom 106 earlier this_semester was not a Starbucks kiosk. It was, instead, a glass embossed wall honoring the major donors to the Campaign for UB Law which ran from 1996 to 2003. The donors range from those donating $10,000 all the way to $1 million or more: At the top of the wall is Francis M. Letro '79, for whom the courtroom is named, and an anonymous donor. Though the campaign has long been complete, the wall is was not finished, due to a needed correction to the lighting system, which creates unwanted shadows that obscure the names ofthe donors to onlookers. Donors include a number offaculty members, administrators and prominet1t attor neys from the area who are UB Law gradu ates. Local firms contributing sums to the campaign include Hodgson Russ LLP and Phillips Lytle. A reception to honor the school's benefactors from the campaign and to offi UB Law School installed the above wall to honor big contributors to the Law School's 7-year cially unveil will be held in late January 2006. · campaign. The wall is a "Who's Who" of law alumni and administratio,a members. ForBetterorWorse, Tulane Law School Set·for Spring Sern~ By Jenny Mills, '06
uffalo is a cold, snowy, win closely watching what Tulane Law School the storm. Some students have spouses placed students to remain for the spring tery hell. Months go by where does in the aftermath of Katrina. who have been forced to relocate. Other semester. The Tulane administration has B the very idea ofgoing outdoors After the deadly storm hit, large students have been traµmatized by the made it clear that they understand the seems like way too much· to chunks ofNew Orleans were left problems posed by bear. Yet aside from winter, we don't submerged under water. The returning to New have it to bad here. We're not in line for Tulane campus was hit hard and Orleans, including any mega-natural disasters, unlike a large coupled with the fact that the problems with fi percentage of law schools around the city was, by and large uninhabit nances, housing, and country. able, the school made the deci in some cases, forced However, since Hurricane Katrina sion to close for the Fall semes separation ofspouses unleashed its mighty vengeance upon ter and try to reopen in the and families. How New Orleans and its surrounding areas, Spring. As a result, Tulane law ever, for the school to many law school administrators have be students were dispersed to law remain solvent, they gun to ponder just what their schools schools across the nation and need the tuition would do in the wake ofsuch an awful across the Atlantic to Europe. money. disaster. Therefore many law schools are However as the spring semester Housing has quickly ap posed a major prob proaches, the lem for Tulane. No school has de one knows precisely cided to reunite how bad the situation and recall all of is. Tulane has come the far flung Tu up with an interesting lane Diaspora. way to address at The least some of the mandated return is not Tulane Law Schoofin New Orleans need. The University has without controversy. While effects of the storm and fear returning to chartered two cruise ships, to be docked the majority of students New Orleans. Yet all of these students in the Mississippi, one fm: undergraduates want to return to Tulane, will be required to return to the school in and one for grad students/professional there is a vocal minority January, unless they can prove extreme students/faculty/etc. While this is not an that do not. Some ofthese hardships in returning. ideal living situation, it is a novel solution students lost their homes To facilitate this return, most law and all their possessions in schools will refuse to allow visiting dis- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
.. • • • .. .. • .. ,. •••• & .... ~ ~ .. • ...... 1, • 1, - 0 & • .. 0 • L O O O . 0 • 0 The Opinion ~be eptnton December 2005 Big Shoes to Fill Velum.a XXXXW, Issue #4 By Shannon Elwell, '08 Editors: he air in 120 Broadway is Person of the Year" by the San Fran Attorney General position open to a grow dense with electricity, energy, cisco Chronicle. Reader's Digest called ing list of eager candidates. The competi Michael Mann, '06 T and excitement. Walking be- him "America's Best Public Servant", tion is heated, the race visible earlier than Jenny Mills, '06 neath soaring cathedral ceilings University of Illinois honored him with most statewide elections tend to be. and on marble staircases woven with gold its "Ethics in Government" award, and A diverse, crowded field is competing Caroline Brancatella, '07 filament, there is a feel- .------,New York Magazine be- for the Democratic nomination in the pri ing of hushed awe, of stowed upon him its mary, and includes State Assemblyman StaffWriters: being a peasant among "Public Service A ward." Richard Brodsky, Ex-US Housing Secre kings. Acting as a cata- tary and '02 Governor candidate Andrew Jessica Keltz, '06 And rightfully so. For lyst for reform, Spitzer Cuomo, State Assemblyman Mike Gi Rick Johnson, '07 some of history's most "has taken the job of At- anaris, Ex-NYC Public Advocate and '01 influential characters, torney General and con- NYC Mayoral Nominee Mark Green, De Lisa Ball, '08 from legendary traitor verted it into a major of- mocratic activist and '98/'02 Lieutenant Josh Dubs, '08 Aaron Burr to boy Gen- fice to fight corruption in Governor candidate Charlie King, Ex Shannon Elwell, '08 eral and Civil War hero the securities industry," Clinton White House Aide and gay rights Francis C. Barlow to says the New York Ob- activist Sean Patrick Maloney, and Ex-US Mahreen Gillani, '08 President Martin Van server. Attorney and Buffalo native Denise Peter Pany, '08 Buren, have previously Spitzer's most O'Donnell, '81 who graduated from UB held the office located in notable cases include Law and whose son attends the law school. The Opinion, 101 JohnLordO'BrianHall, this building, the office those against 10 high Republican candidates have not yet Buffalo, NY 14260,is published by law of Attorney General of Denise O'Donnell is a profile securities firms begun to campaign to the extent of their studerus fur law studerus. The Opinion is the State of.New York. Law School Alumnus accused of distributing Democrat counterparts; however, accord the non-profit official student newspaper The current office and seeking N.Y.'s faulty stock research to ing to the New York Times on November ofthe University at Buffalo law School, holder is no exception to top law enforcement investors, in which he 30, 2005, New York State Senate majority State University ofNew York. Any repro the reverence of history. achieved a total settle- leader Joseph Bruno has expressed a desire duction ofmaterials herein is not allowed During his seven year Job In next yea..-s ment of $1.4 billion. His to see Republican Jeanine Pirro's bid to without thee~consent ofthe &litor tenure, Eliot Spitzer has election to replace investigation of the mu- unseat Senator Hillary Clinton end in a in-Chiefand the piece wri~. been said to have rede- l:Uot Spitzer. tual funds industry, for reconsideration to run for Attorney General fined the role ofAttorney widespread corruption in instead. The Opinkni we~your ootlltllenls. General. He has won ______. the form of illegal trading Ms. Pirro has acknowledged Mr. Address YOlll' leUecsorguestcolwnns to the national acclaim as a result of his cru- practices, ended in large settlements as Bruno's leadership and the value of his Opinion Desk at [email protected] sades in the areas of investor protection, well, the biggest from a single entity confidence , but has replied "I am a candi All letters and guestcolumns nrust besigned consumer affairs, civil rights, criminal amounting to $600 million. He is feared date for U.S. Senate." Inclwe your fullname, year, andemail. justice, and public safety (to name a few). on Wall Street, acclaimed by the press, Spitzer's impressive legacy will be the Please limit letters to 300 wools...Pkaselimit He was named . the "Sheriff of Wall and celebrated as "the people's lawyer." biggest challenge, however, for any victor guestcohmms to between 2 The Opinion December 2005 Gardner Chosen for Professorship rofessor James A. Gardner has interest law courses and to produce mean the regulation of election campaigns. been named to a new civil jus ingful scholarship with distinction," said Belluck focuses on asbestos, envi Ptice professorship in the Law Dean Nils Olsen. "The professorship will ronmental and defective product cases. School, created through the gen He has handled hundreds ofcases in Resolving erosity ofalumnus Joseph W. Belluck, volving injuries from asbestos, defective '94 and his wife, Laura L. Aswad. medical products, tobacco and lead Belluck, a 1994 Law School grad, paint. and Aswad committed funds to establish Belluck previously served as coun an endowed professorship to say "thank aCatch-22 sel to the New York State Attorney Gen you" for the "quality education that I re eral, representing the state ofNew York By Andrew Tan ceived and to encourage others to support in its litigation against the tobacco indus the school." try. He was instrumental in settling New Belluck added, "UB Law School is a York State's tobacco lawsuit for $25 fter graduation from law very special place. It's an educational billion. He also served as director of school, the Harvard or Yale gem for New Yorkers and New York attorney services for Trial Lawyers Care, graduate will have an easy State through its commitment to strength an organization dedicated to providing A time finding a job because ening communities." free legal assistance to victims ofthe most ofthe top firms around the nation Belluck, an experienced civil trial Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. will come to him/her. But what ofthe and appellate litigator, is a partner with "When I think back on my time at other law school students? For those Belluck & Fox in New York City. He is UB, I am thankful for the education and Professor James A. Gardner students, finding a job can be tough, an adjunct lecturer in the UB Law School, mentoring I received from so many pro especially because the reputation of the where he teaches a course on mass torts. allow the recipient to research, write, travel fessors, particularly Rob Steinfeld and law school one graduated from carries a He has lectured frequently on product and publish. It's exciting for me to see Fred Konefsky. Lucinda Finley, Peter lot of weight. liability, tort law and tobacco control pol young alumni giving back to UB so early in Pitegoff and others were also tremen The current job market is a icy. He is considered an expert on con their careers. Joe Belluck is a shining exam dous influences," said Belluck. catch-22. On one hand, firms would like sumer law and tort litigation. ple ofphilanthropy." "I am thrilled that Professor Gardner to hire candidates who have job experi Belluck graduated magna cum laude "I feel very honored to be recognized in has been selected because he has the ence. However, giving recent graduates from the UB Law School in 1994. He this way by Dean Olsen," said Gardner. "I passion and intellect to enhance the without job experience a chance is the served as articles editor ofthe Buffalo find it particularly inspiring to know that learning experience at Buffalo and most one thing that most firms are not willing Law Review and received the New York Joseph Belluck has done well by doing importantly, to promote an active de to do. The solution is planning ahead by State Bar Association's Legal Ethics good, an example well worth heeding." mocracy and involved citizenry in New finding jobs, internships, or extemships Award. The professorship will assist Gardner in York through his work on electoral and at law firms or corporate legal depart "This generous gift by Joe and Laura continuing his research into the legal institu constitutional issues." ments. This can be done during law will allow an outstanding full-time faculty tions that structure the American political school or summer breaks, and law firms member to continue to teach public- process. He is working on a book examining are always more than happy to obtain volunteers. Judicial clerkships are also instrumental in providing the legal ex perience needed to get a job after law school because much of the work will be trial-related and the positions are highly .competjtive. ;,_ • Tulane Law&hwl&f:fpr;_Sprin&. . ' Alternatives to obtaining intern CONTINUEDFROMPAGEl their first year classes between January • - faculty: The task force has been involved ships, extemships, or judicial clerkships and June; an entire first year in five in drafting a spring plan to present to the can be participation in moot court, legal to at least one of the major problems fac months. (Oh the horror). administration, about organizing pro- clinics, or law review. Awards for the ing the school. Shuttle buses grams to boost the morale highest grade in the class or competi will run to and from the ofTulane students and tions are also beneficial. In each case, it ships all day. addressing student life demonstrates to a potential employer that For 3Ls searching for concerns, such as housing the candidate is a capable individual who jobs, many have actually and environmental issues. strives to provide the best work product. found the interruption to be In addition, they Nevertheless, these alternatives are not an unexpected blessing in have put together an excit as impressive as a combination of work disguise. Having been ing January program, Pro experience and law school activities. spread out across the coun Bono Publico: An Expres So what type ofexperience is try, 3Ls are given access to sion ofGratitude and Re good? Almost any experience, short of new markets where they newal running from Janu being relegated to secretarial work, is might not have had opportu ary 27 to the 29. The pro good experience. Even ifone were nities to interview. The gram will include a bus merely researching and writing motions same can be said for under tour of the devastated ar and memoranda all day, the experience classmen searching for sum eas ofNew Orleans, a is helpful because it is still a part oflaw mer internships. Some un chance to participate in a practice. Most law firms will not expect derclassmen are actually rebuilding/cleanup effort recent graduates to have conducted tri completing internships this for an afternoon, and a als. However, internships with district semester, electing to intern panel discussion amongst attorney's offices, public defenders, or now and spend their summer local, state, and federal law school legal clinics may provide taking courses instead ofhaving to visit In order to help students readjust, civic leaders. opportunities for law school students to at another institution. Tulane's Student Bar Association, headed The program will be open to law demonstrate their oral-advocacy skills in For lLs, many chose not to visit by President Ashley Hugunine, has organ school administrators and students across trials. away for the semester. In order to com ized a Tulane Student Administration Task the country. For more information, go to: In the end, how much experi plete their first year, they will take all Force, comprised ofboth students and http://www.abanet.org/lsd/tulane/ · ence is enough to get a job will depend on what the firm is looking for and how well one can market him/herself in a resume and cover letter and in an inter view. But some experience is better than no experience at all, because one still must compete with one's peers after graduation; and in that battle, the more experience one has, the better offone is. - Lawcrossing.com ABA Jaw student membership may be the best career investment you'll ever make Visit www.abanet.org/members to learn why. 3 Editorial Procrastination is like ... fter all, tomorrow is another taking your usual spot in the library. cording to parents, teachers and all persons tion results from a lack of self-esteem. We day," utters Scarlett O'Hara The semester has finally reached that in authority there is nothing worse than put things offbecause we do not feel we A as she watches Rhett Butler, point where it becomes Sherman's meta procrastinating whether it involves having deserve the good results of doing it right - whom she has recently real phorical "March to the Sea." Exams are a life saving operation, applying for a job we have not read because we do not think ized is the love ofher life, walk away, coming and they are about to scorch eve- or doing the dinner dishes. we are worthy ofan "A." leaving the reader or movie viewer to Or it could be that whatever was on wonder whether the relationship will VHI was just really interesting at the time. go the way ofthe Confederacy or sub Or it was necessary to watch the end of mit itselfto Reconstruction. Dirty Dancing for the 413th time. Or it Anyone who knows Gone with could be that we are lazy. Or that the sub the Wind suffers little worry that it ject matter is really boring, the print is will all work out in the end. Much really small and we are just not sure like those who have not attended a whether the information is worth retaining class, taken a note, or cracked a book for any practical purpose ever. all semester who suddenly become Many ofus like to fancy ourselves ... super students and ace their exams, comeback quarterbacks who can run the Scarlett will find herself a new outfit, two minute drill and drive into the end put on her game face and win back zone just before time runs out. The prob Rhett for a life ofhappily ever after. lem is that despite our best efforts and per No doubt Katie Scarlett has fectly completed passes sometimes you spunk -- she outruns the Yankees, is still have to rely on the kicker -- which creative with curtains, and knows how some of us know better than others does to make a dramatic statement with not always work out. nothing but a carrot as a prop. The This is where the admonishment problem is that Miss Scarlett, like so should come in, where you should be re many ofus, procrastinates. minded that procrastination is the source of "Tomorrow is another day," is all evil, to operate in a timely matter and her often repeated motto and one need that no one ever earned an "A" at the last look no further than a little Latin ety minute. But such statements are simply mology to identify the problem. "Pro," not true. is the preposition translated "for," and So 'tis the season to cope as best you "eras" is the noun tomorrow. can. Procrastinators take heart, now is Hence, procrastinating it literally your time to shine -- to find out how fast saving unwanted tasks for another day, you can read, how quickly you can synthe "for tomorrow." Scarlett might as well rything in their path -- your social life, In referring to Hitler's Third Reich a size, how much you can take in a short be running around Georgia screaming "I sleep schedule, and sanity. Therefore it is common comment is "but the trains ran on period oftime. Most people are rooting for am a procrastinator!" While watching also the season when doing anything ex time." He may have caused the political you, the game is never worth watching if it Atlanta burn makes for fun movie foot cept the thing you are supposed to be and eogra hie destruction of Europe, or is decided before the fourth quarter -- let age, one cannot help but think that she doing becomes the better option. ganized mass genocide and committed the Hail Marys fly. could have avoided the situation by not The term procrastination probably countless other crimes against humanity And for those who operate on a care waiting until the last minute. One might developed a pejorative connotation for but, by God he did not procrastinate! ful schedule designed for little stress at think the same thing when they see the most ofus in high school, about the time Psychologists attribute procrastina exam time -- keep quiet. panicked, over-caffeinated, nearly in that phrases like "curfew," •:midterm," tion to any number of neurological reasons. Because frankly my dear, we don't tears individuals who are about to start and "safety school" did the same. Ac- A recent study concluded that procrastina- give a damn. What's Your Favorite Library Flavor? By Lisa Ball, '08 "groupies," who generally seem to travel in As final exam time looms, I've begun to which one you are. First there's the no others around me also enjoy pensively packs at the library and often hover around notice an increasing number ofnew faces mads, whom I have only come to know looking at students down below and won the very same table, and even times in the gracing the tables, chairs, couches and by our paths crossing to and from the dering, what classes are these people tak very same seats morning after morning (I benches of our fair library. As I myself am bathroom/printer/drinking fountain/ ing? Where are they walking to? I wonder wasn't kidding when I said creatures of partial to the second ( or technically third) (insert your favorite study break here). ifthey'd rather be watching Monday floor, where people-watching provides a These are the people who are probably habit). These are the people who I affec Night Football, too? tionately nod and grin at as I pass each much needed respite from the Finally, there's the group ofpeo monotony of case briefing, ------morning with my ple who I've noticed seem to hang out in faithful cup ofTim memo-ing, and (alas) studying, the library without actually doing any Horton's, even I have been increasingly work at all. I've even seen some people though I've never amused at the diversity ofvari come in and sit without bringing any of actually introduced ous students' study habits. the traditional library "armor" -- no lap myself and don't It comes as no surprise top, no books, no notes, not even a pen. know most oftheir that law students are more or These people wouldn't necessarily be at less creatures ofhabit. We've names. fault ifthey weren't the same people who Then there all managed to get as far as we talked on their cell phones, ceaselessly are the people watch have by sticking with whatever surfed the internet, or listened to their ers (of which I myself routine has worked and rarely music too loud while sitting next to me. have been one until I faltering offcourse, only leav Even so, these minor disturbances are recently sucked it up ing room for a few morning more entertaining to me than bothersome and started renting after bar night-slip ups where since most ofthe time I'd rather listen to even the most regimented and out a carrel/cage). someone who I've never met have an These are the people, diligent among us have strayed entertaining argument with a significant from our library habits to sim I imagine, who like to other I've also never met, or receive an ply go home and rest. For the break up their seg entertaining instant message from a most part, however, the library ments ofhomework friend, than read another case. with the occasional instant message, glance routines ofthe law students I've observed getting the most work done on their li Whether you fit into any one of across the room at the other library have seldom strayed from the beaten path. brary trip, though I guess we'll never these roles at the library, have your own dwellers, or curious gaze at the students There seem to be a few "stock really know since their doors are kept variation that you're content with, or walking down below. Until recently, I was characters" in the library and ifyou happen shut. I guess we'll all just have to go in study somewhere else entirely, I'd say to fraternize on the second/third floor out suspense wondering what actuaily goes so set in my library pattern that you could stick with whatever pattern works for you. usually find me sitting in the exact same side the carrels, or "cages" as I like to on in there. There's no need to fix something that spot on the second/third floor bench, give fondly refer to them, it probably would Then there are the groups of isn't broken, and certainly not weeks be or take a few feet, ofcourse. I assume that only take someone a few days to figure out students at the tables, let's call them fore exams start. Good luck! 4 r-... The Opinion December 2005 A Look at Alternative Career Paths By Steve Scibelli, '06 s many people realize by fore laterally moving to a firm in North ofhis sex-capades resulting from his bouts most sleeping with a partner. His account their second or thirclyear of Carolina. It was in the Winston-Salem of"belligerence and debauchery." His ofthe event became a mass-forward e-mail A law school, not everyone that area where he got the idea to recruit young whole enterprise (he runs a ring of websites that ran through 100 plus firms around the decides to endure the So athletes and from various writers) was started on a bet country. From there, his career path took a cratic Method, the archaic language of create his own as a 2L at different turn. The web site eventually legalese, or Schlegel! Become practicing agency. While Duke. A became a full-time job, with two books attorneys. Ashe still func female friend getting published (The Definitive Book of Some people end up embarking on tions as a law wagered that Pickup Lines, and Belligerence and De what is gingerly referred to in career yer (he is listed he wasn't bauchery: The Tucker Max Stories). counselor speak as an "alternative career as Minnesota low enough Additionally, Tucker has been shop path" or in plain-English "you failed Vikings quar to create a ping TV pilots around and has sold a cou miserably at law school." While these terback Daunte Date Appli ple of screenplays. Meanwhile, I Hope individuals may practice for a few years, Culpepper's cation Web They Serve Beer in Hell is Tucker's newest often the traditional practice oflaw is lawyer/agent), site for him effort, a compilation of new and old sto abandoned in favor of another career. his exploits are self. Obvi ries. Sometimes, the career is an extension of numerous - ously, she Aside from the alt-career choice listed the student's legal studies. Other times, product en misjudged above, there are many other "non it is largely unrelated. dorsement for his level of traditional" choices that I won't get into. The one my mother won't shut up his clients, an dignity and Ok, I'll name a few: financial services (I about is John Grisham. "You know, African sense of banker, SEC Compliance Officer, Trust John Grisham practiced as both a civil American fig shame. Risk Analyst), education (law librarian, and criminal attorney before he wrote ure-skating The law professor, law enforcement (ATF/ The Firm." Yes Mom, you've told me tour, and con Date Appli DEA/FBI agent, Code Enforcement Offi before, and yes I do appreciate the care cert promotion. cation Page cer, Crime Analyst), human resources packages. Lawyer turned writer is a He also shook turned into (legal career counselor, legal recruiter, well-known path. Another famous for my hand. Tucker's Internal Affairs Ombudsman), taxation mer lawyer is Scott Turow, writer of Then journal of (accountant, estate planner, trust adminis mystery suspense novels. there's Tucker drunken trator), and real estate ( director of develop Ifanyone went to see UB's own Max. While is he is a "lawyer turned nights. One story this crowd can relate to is ment, Agent/Negotiator, Title Examiner) Mason Ashe ('89) on campus in Octo writer," it's not quite precise because (A) the ''Now Infamous Tucker Max Charity - and I'm going to stop now. ber, you could have helped me write this he was never a practicing lawyer and (B) Debacle." This story springs from Tucker's So if you're considering doing some article. Ashe is a lawyer/agent. Think writer doesn't encompass the sheer ab summer associate job at Fenwick & West, a thing else besides practicing law when Arli$$ or "Ari Gold" from Entourage surdity of what he does. firm out in Silicon Valley. school is over, take heart- education is who proudly tells Vince and the boys Max is a 2001 graduate of the Duke When I say "summer associateship," I never a bad thing. Somewhere out there, I "_Harvard B.A., Michigan JD/MBA." University School of Law. He maintains a really mean 2 week associateship, because can hear Noam Chomsky getting weepy. Ashe was at LeBoeuf, Lamb, and web site that primarily publishes accounts Tucker was forced to resign after getting Greene in New York City for a year be- bombed at a firm charity auction and al- Exploring the Blogosphere' " By Nikki LaCrosse emember that Apple commer- blog is www.excitedutterances.com, very important to future attorneys. "The craze was incubated by passionate indi cial a few years back, where started and maintained by Joy London, a Internet has opened up things. Blogging is viduals rather than corporations or part R various celebrities were asking knowledge management attorney in New continuing that process. It's information nerships. Corporations and other legal what email was and why every- York. London established her site in 2002 on demand. It puts people closer together." entities don't possess passion, although one had it? Well, now that everyone really and focused on knowledge management Alexander does note, however, that they may employ people who do. The does have it, email is passe, and blogging and technology issues within the legal only serious bloggers should post on the best corporations harness that passion." is the hot new Internet obsession. world. "At that time, there were only a Internet. "Legal blogging takes a fair Many biogs offer subscriptions, or What is a blog? According to Web- few blawgs concentrating on the technol- amount of time. People need to be consis- RSS feeds, which will notify you every ster's New Millennium Dictionary ofEng- ogy issues oflaw practice. Instead of tent about it. They need to put something time something is added to the site. This lish, Preview Edition ( v. 0.9.6), to blog is following that theme, I wanted to tackle substantial up there that people will want is especially important to people who "to author an online diary to read." look to biogs for time-sensitive informa or chronology ofthoughts." IJl!E;;::::::;::------"'Jl9,----, A long-running tion. One blog site is solely dedicated to In other words, it is a way and highly regarded legal announcements about clerkships avail to put your every thought blog is Be- able with federal judges. Through the out there on the Internet for tweenLawyers.com, where site, law students know when the judges all to see. five seasoned attorneys of- begin calling candidates and when posi Biogs come in just fer their thoughts and opin- tions are filled, saving them from having about every size and shape. ions on a wide variety of to call individual judges. Biogs posting Some are little more than legal subjects. The site is so transcripts of the recent Roberts confir stream-of-consciousness prominent that its recent mation hearings were swamped with ramblings about anything roundtable on the impor- readers. and everything. Others are tance ofblogging in the Is blogging here to stay? According limited to specific subjects legal field was condensed to the BetweenLawyers.com crew, such as politics, news, legal into an article for the probably not. "For law firms, I would issues, gossip, and hot- American Bar Association's argue that a strategy based on RSS feeds button topics. Blogging is Law Practice (July/August makes much more sense than a strategy so prevalent that it was a 2005 edition). based on biogs," Dennis Kennedy said. major source of informa- The participants of "The trail of legal blogging is littered tion to the general public BetweenLaywers.com do with the dead biogs oflaw firms." and media alike during the national politi- the sociological and psychological as- not think every attorney or firm should Tom Mighell agreed. "I mostly cal conventions in 2004. pects of knowledge exchange in law do- have a blog. During that recent Be- agree with Dennis about RSS and be Blogging is becoming increasingly mains-specifically large law firms tweenLawyers.com roundtable, blogger lieve that RSS feeds are the future, while common in the legal world. In fact, it is worldwide." With more than 80 links to and attorney Martin Schwimmer com- biogs are just the fancy window dressing popular enough to have spawned its own other biogs and legal newswire headlines, mented, "Lawyers who either don't have for the technology. Still, it's the biogs term-blawging-which refers only to it is no surprise that excited utterances the time to write posts, or who post very that will draw the readers in right now. If legal biogs. While the question of whether boasts 800 email subscribers-including infrequently, should not undertake the you tell the average potential client that or not to blog is still faced by many attor- lawyers, judges, and law professors. effort. A poorly maintained blog will have the Smith &·Jones firm has three RSS neys and firms, few argue the potential of There are also several biogs aimed at the opposite effect of a well-written, fre- feeds on different legal issues, his or her this new tool. Blogging allows a lawyer or Jaw students. A major one is JD2B.com. quently updated blog. The blogger will eyes will glaze over with confusion. firm to present a more personal side to JD2B offers a combination ofrecent legal lose credibility with her or his audience." Show them a blog, however, and you can potential, and existing, clients. It also at- news, biogs by various students and pro- Ernest Svenson, also a contributor to hook them with the RSS later." - law tracts attention and facilitates new contacts fessors, and links to various legal educa- BetweenLawyers.com, noted, "The sue- crossing.com at little or no cost. tion resources. Shalva Alexander, who cessful ones [biogs] require a certain kind One extensive, award-winning legal administers the site, thinks blogging is Qf commitment, which is why the blog 6 The Opinion December 2005 .. UB Dedicates School ofManagement's Alfiero Center . he new Alfiero Center ofthe CEO of Protective Industries, added: "My tired vice president with Harold C. Brown of Management MBA Program. University at Buffalo's School wife and I are thrilled that we, along with Co., and a 1948 graduate of the School of The 28-foot-long, 5-foot-tall recog T of Management was dedicated the more than 150 other contributors, are Management undergraduate program. The nition wall and accompanying rendition today in a ceremony that in able to play a role in bringing to fruition stately convening area and atrium in the of Baird Point are comprised of776 cluded a high-tech ribbon cutting trig this new facility, which not only repre center has been named the J. Grant and handcrafted and painted ceramic tiles gered by the click ofa computer mouse sents a dedicated student academic and Marcia S. Hauber Commons in their honor. and 44 plates of tempered glass. The by Sal and Jeanne Alfiero, who provided development "Thanks to eight doors on the wall open to vivid a $2 million gift for the three-story stu center, but of the generosity of scenes symbolizing the many opportuni dent center on UB's North (Amherst) equal impor the Alfieros, the ties that School of Management gradu Campus. tance, a signifi Haubers and other ates will encounter as a result oftheir The Alfiero Center, which adjoins the cant architec benefactors, our UB management education. The Baird Jacobs Management Center, is the first tural departure students, tomor Point columns represent education as a academic facility at UB, and one of only a for the univer row's business foundation of life. few in the State University ofNew York sity's North leaders, now have The wall, which includes the names system, to be funded primarily through Campus." the opportunity to of alumni and friends who gave $10,000 private donations. Gifts from more than Among others develop their man or more to the School ofManagement in 150 alumni, friends, foundations and cor speaking at the agement skills in a conjunction with "The Campaign for porations provided the majority of the dedication were state-of-the-art en UB," was designed by Karen Singer, of funding for the $7 million center. Robert L. King, vironment consis Karen Singer Tileworks, Philadelphia, "In important ways, the Alfiero Cen chancellor of the tent with the na Pa. Donors gifted nearly $18 million to ter is the visible manifestation of the dy State University tional reputation of the School of Management during "The namic partnerships that have contributed ofNewYork; our school," said Campaign for UB." to its construction," UB President John B. Jeremy M. Ja Thomas. Foit-Albert Associates was the architect Simpson said at the dedication. cobs, chair of There are for the Alfiero Center; the general con "Initiated through the vision and sup the UB Council, 27 named spaces tractor was GPS Construction Services. port ofdedicated alumni and university and Reginald B. and/or major Construction, which began in the sum friends like the Alfieros and funded Newman II, amenities within the mer of 2003, was completed this spring. largely though private donations, the Alfi chair of the Alfiero Center, The University at Buffalo School of ero Center is built upon innovative pub Board ofTrus- likely making it the Management is ranked as one ofthe lic-private collaborations," he added. tees of the University School of Management most broadly supported world's "top business schools" by The "Such public-private partnerships con at Buffalo Foundation, facility on campus. Wall Street Journal. It also has been tinue to be increasingly important to en Inc. Jonathan H. Pancerman, president of Among them are the Frank J. Colantuono cited by Forbes for "best return on in suring the continued excellence and ad the Undergraduate Management Associa Donor Recognition Wall, named in recogni vestment." For more information about vancement of the university, and they tion, and Olivia Y. Hooper, president of tion of a $50,000 gift from the retired presi the UB School of Management, visit play a critical role in enabling us to im the Graduate Management Association, dent and CEO ofIndependent Health Asso http://www.mgt.buffalo.edu. pact our surrounding communities in sub also spoke. ciation, Inc., a 1977 graduate ofthe School stantial and meaniµgful ways." The 23 ,000-square-foot, "fhree-story Simpson noted that the center was de Alfiero Center is entirely student focused. signed "with the goal of fostering creative It houses the nationally acclaimed Frank collaborations among our management L. Ciminelli Career Resource Center, Continued: Courses Being Offered, students, as well as between the university undergraduate and graduate student and business communities. advisement offices, three high-tech lec "Partnerships built the Alfiero Cen ture halls, an Internet cafe, a suite ofof Modified with Dalai Lamas Visit ter, and sustaining such partnerships, in fices for student organizations and multi turn, is one ofits key functions." ple breakout rooms for student team CONTINOEDFROMPAGES scholars fiom Asia to our campus to John M. Thomas, dean ofthe School meetings and group projects. Wireless enrich our Asian Studies Program. This of Management, said the new student computer technologies have been inte of our presuppositions about Buddhism is seen as a way to enlarge and affirm center provides "a-vibrant new learning grated throughout the building, giving because it's become very popular lately UB's deep interest in Asian culture and community that allows for innovation in management students around-the-clock and as a result, there have been a lot of issues." our curriculum and interaction between access to business research and market misconceptions and distortions. A lot of He called the visit the "biggest'reli students, faculty and alumni like never data. The undergraduate mezzanine on the wishful thinking has entered into Ameri gious event in Buffalo" since South Afria before. The Alfiero Center also will en second floor and the MBA mezzanine on cans' perceptions can Bishop Desmond Tutu visited UB in hance our ability to attract high-caliber the third floor overlook the building's of the religion." January 1989. students and faculty." multi-story atrium. Ludwig Burkman said Describing UB as "a vital part ofthe The first funding commitment for the said she will ad the Dalai life and presence of the Western New center was made in 1999 by J. Grant Hau dress Tibetan Lama's visit York community," Sal Alfiero, chair and ber, and his wife, Marcia. Hauber is re- Buddhism ( one also will spot ofthe religion's light religious three main diversity in branches) early the larger in the course to Buffalo area. give students "In some back my observa ground in time tion, there is for the Dalai more Bud Lama's visit. She dhist activity, said Tibetan both on cam Buddhism seems pus and in the to be better Buffalo com known in the munity, than U.S. than other meets the branches ofBud eye," he said, dhism because of describing an the political array of situation in Tibet speaking and because of events, semi the Dalai Lama's nars, medita international prominence. tion sessions, "We want to be sure that people can groups and temples. "It's no longer ex understand and can situate him in the lar otic or foreign. It is now part of the mul ger Buddhism context historically, theo ticultural mix ofNorth American life. logically," she said. "That's really what my "Buddhism is not 'over there,' it is course is trying to do." here. It is not them, it is us," he added. Burkman said that UB officials Other UB events that will coordi worked for several years with the Dalai nate with the Dalai Lama's visit include Lama's New York City office to bring him a film series, a possible UB Reads selec to campus. tion and a conference on Buddhism and "UB has extensive and deepening law. See http://www.buffalo.edu/ Asian connections and research and aca dalai lama/ for more information as it demic programs," he said. "We have con becomes available. stantly brought performing artists and 7 r The Opinion December 2005 owtbatthe dust has 8d1ed end anew ChiefJustice pto,. practice. He Was N &ides over the U.S. Supn,mo publican Party, Court, we looks back on the eral legislature, and favors R re- life and career ofthe late William H. later became legal andlim sulted in ~inlhe Rehnquist. whose opinions. policies, and counsel for Barry federal judicial earlier part ofhis tenuroffl.. Continued: Book Focuses on 100 More "Uncrowned Queens" CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 papers like the tum-of-the-century Buf and, among other things, will bring to the which is to work from the bottom up," falo Courier, we learned about black fore stories ofthe black women pioneers Brooks-Bertram says. The women in Volume III are commu women who by the late 1800s were pub who took part in the 1889 Oklahoma land "Ifwe want to understand the history of nity leaders, culture workers, civil rights licly protesting school segregation," she rush when the state was still a U.S. terri women we can't tell the stories of heroines activists, health-care educators, political says. tory. These women not only helped estab alone," she says. "We need to hear the stories figures, social workers, and church lead "This volume concentrates on many lish communities of all kinds of women involved in many en ers active from 1905 to 2005. The list of ofour contemporaries and we're still associated with the All Black Town deavors at all points on the social and eco their accomplishments is astonishing, all collecting. We are in a race against time movement, but spurred black western nomic spectrum. Ifenough of these stories the more so for being virtually unknown because there remain many women in migration, establishing schools, hospitals, are gathered together, they can describe the until now. their 80s and 90s with incredible stories libraries and museums along the way. history of an entire region." "In locating the women in these to tell," she says. "The 'Uncrowned Queens' model Brooks-Bertram and Nevergold have three volumes and establishing their The "Uncrowned Queens" project can, and will, be used to discover and partnered with WNED-AM 970 to produce a achievements, we learned many tricks produced a model for historical docu document the contributions ofmany other radio series based on the oral histories of and found information in many places," mentation that has garnered interest in national, ethnic and racial groups," says African-American women in Western New says Brooks-Bertram. many otherplaces beyond Buffalo. Brooks-Bertram. York. Interest has been expressed by public "We searched what church records Brooks-Bertram and Nevergold The authors have heard, for instance, radio stations around the country in launch were available; college, university and proposed an "Uncrowned Queens" pro from a woman who wanted to document , ing similar projects in their own regions. community archives; took oral histories; ject to the State of Oklahoma as part of the experiences ofher grandmother, who Brooks-Bertram says, "Ifthe larger perused commemorative publications, the state's 2007 centennial celebration, was "exhibited" as a member of the exotic public ratio project goes forward, we will personal letters and recollections; re which is the only out-of-state project Eskimo culture at the Pan Am Exposition. collect those oral histories from all over viewed organizational membership in included in the state centennial plan. "The model we've developed encour America into a national archive ofwomen's formation, newsletters and whatever else That project, they say, will be imple ages researchers to do what so many pro stories that will be held here in the UB ar we could find," Brooks-Bertram says. mented in all of Oklahoma's 72 counties jects involving women have not done, chives and made available to researchers." "For instance, in old Buffalo news- The Dock-et Thursday, Dec. 1- Buffa.Jo Seminar on Racial Justice. "An Evening with Frank Mesiah: A Discussion ofthe Desegregation of the Buffalo Public Schools and Other Matters" with Frank Mesiah, President, Buffalo NAACP at the home ofCarl Nightingale and Martha McCluskey. Wednesday, Dec.14-Baldy Center Annual Retreat for UB Faculty. Keynote Speaker: Richard Abel, UCLA Law School on "Legalizing Torture" at the Saturn Club, 977 Delaware Avenue, 9am-2pm. Contact: Ellen Kausner ([email protected]). Thursday, Jan. 5-UB Law Alumni Networking event for Washington, D.C. Alumni at Zaytinya, 701 9th Street N.W., 6:30pm-9:30pm. $20 admission fee. Contact: Dean Ilene Fleischmann ([email protected]) Friday, Jan. 27- The Law Alumni Association will host its annual New York City luncheon in conjunction with the State Bar Association meeting at the Union League Club, comer of37th Street and Park Avenue, 12-2pm. Contact: Dean Ilene Fleischmann ([email protected]) Tuesday, Feb. 28-Phillips Lytle LLP Scholarship Dedication Ceremony in the 2nd Floor Law Library Reading Room at 6:30pm. For more information contact Amy Hayes Atkinson ([email protected]) . ..' 8