A $1 million dollar donation from Buffalo personal injury lawyer Francis M. Letro, a 1979 graduate of UB's law school, has led the School of Law to name the new moot courtroom in his honor.
According to Nils Olsen, dean of the law school, Letro's donation is one of the largest the School of Law has ever received.
Letro said viewing courtroom proceedings during his time at the School of Law was one of the greatest learning tools available.
"There is no greater good than advocation on behalf of someone who could not otherwise represent themselves," Letro said. "It's important to see advocacy in action. The courtroom is a laboratory where students can see the law beyond the four corners of the textbook and see lawyers arguing in a courtroom situation."
The courtroom, located in O'Brian Hall, is one of the first on-campus courtrooms in the country to hold regular proceedings. Aside from the main chambers, complete with spectator benches and a jury box, there is a jury deliberation room, judge's chambers and rooms for lawyers and other court staff.
"We'll be hosting judicial proceedings, they will be specialized, and judges will teach a course about the law being applied in court," said Olsen
During his first year at the UB Law School, when it was located in downtown Buffalo, Letro spent much of his free time in downtown courtrooms and said that was an "invaluable experience."
In 1973, the UB Law School moved to North Campus, and courtroom access was no longer available. Letro said that the donation will "bring the downtown courts out to the UB North Campus students."
"The law in action can really improve the lives of people," Letro said. "It is important for the students to see that - it really rounds out their education."
Olsen said the North Campus courtroom is an excellent opportunity, not only for law students, but also for students studying social work or pre-law, or any other interested parties.
Letro said practicing in UB's courtroom can be a positive experience for lawyers and judges, as well.
"Many of them started here at the UB Law School," he said. "It's a win-win (situation) for the legal community and UB law students."
Letro was inspired to become a lawyer after his father was the victim of a railroad industrial accident when Letro was seven years old. "It turned our lives upside-down," said Letro.
The family reached out to a lawyer, who helped them get their lives back in order. Letro remembers the gratitude his family felt towards the lawyer.
"That left such a huge impression on me," he said.
President William R. Greiner was a professor in the Law School when Letro began his first year, and Letro said that a sense of gratitude to Greiner helped him decide to make the donation.
"Whatever measure of success and justice my clients have gotten is directly due to Professor Greiner," said Letro.
After dropping out of the School of Law after his first year, Letro said it was Greiner who encouraged him to come back, and after his graduation, Greiner recommended him for a job.
Letro said he has felt close to the UB community ever since he first met Greiner, 32 years ago. Letro's practice is located in downtown Buffalo, and he said he takes care to hire UB graduates at his firm.
"I feel a close sense of family with UB, as well as the law school," said Letro.
Advocacy was provided to him throughout his early life, he said, from the family lawyer to Greiner, and now he intends to be an advocate for other people in need.
Lawyers who are normally Letro's opponents in court have expressed appreciation for his donation, he said, although personal recognition is not the motivation behind his donation.
"It is an obligation," Letro said, with a smile.
