University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: October 10, 2002

By SUZANNE CHAMBERLAIN
Reporter Contributor

Demonstrating his generosity and a belief in the power of advocacy that was inspired in him as a child, Francis M. Letro, a 1979 graduate of the Law School, has committed $1 million to the school in support of its programs and facilities.

LETRO

In recognition of his gift, the UB Council has named the Law School's courtroom, which opened last fall, the Francis M. Letro Courtroom.

The UB Law School is the only one in the nation to have a functional courtroom that regularly hosts actual trials in its building.

President William R. Greiner announced the gift today at a press conference in the Francis M. Letro Courtroom on the North Campus.

"With this gift, Fran Letro and UB Law have made history—the Francis M. Letro Courtroom is the first fully operational state courtroom to be housed within a law school in the nation," Greiner said.

"Thanks to Fran's vision and leadership, our law students and faculty will now have firsthand access to a full range of state trial business, just by walking down the hall. I don't think the value of such proximity for our students can be overstated; the UB Law School now will be a locus, not only for training and research in law, but its practice."

Greiner added: "This is precisely the kind of active, interconnected and intellectually vibrant educational environment that UB excels in providing, and we are tremendously grateful to Fran Letro and his wife, Cindy Abbott-Letro, for their outstanding support in helping us make this innovative new advancement possible."

UB Council Chair Jeremy M. Jacobs, Sr., one of three honorary chairs of UB's $250 million campaign, noted that Letro's gift puts the campaign over the $200 million mark—"a very important milestone for the campaign and for this university."

"This gift will reap immeasurable results for our law school students, whose education and experience will be greatly enriched by Fran Letro's generosity, and it will serve as a beacon to attract generations of future students to this world-class law school," Jacobs said.

Letro was just 7 years old and living in Olean when his father, a foreman for the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, lost a leg in a railway accident. Seeing his family devastated by the tragedy, the elder Letro retained an attorney who secured a settlement.

"I remember my father's enormous respect, admiration and gratitude for the lawyer who represented him," Letro recalled.

That experience inspired him to pursue a career in the law, so that he could be an advocate for victims of similar misfortunes. Letro's path to success began with his acceptance to the UB Law School, then located at 77 W. Eagle St. in downtown Buffalo. He recalled crossing the street with other law students to observe trial lawyers in action in the courtrooms in Erie County Hall.

"I remember seeing one lawyer pacing in the hall there because the jury was out, and he told me how nerve-racking it was to be waiting for the verdict," Letro said. "I always enjoyed conversations with attorneys in the courthouse and learned much from them."

Letro said the ability to attend trials on a regular basis was lost when UB Law School moved to Amherst. His gift, he added, is a way to help recapture that experience for today's students, while also expressing his appreciation for the education and the opportunity the school provided him.

Law School Dean Nils Olsen said Letro's gift will have an enormous impact on law students' educational experience "because there is no substitute for watching lawyers and judges in action."

"Most of the professionals who use our courtroom gladly stay after the trial to explain the legal proceedings, maneuverings and strategies to our students, who are excited to learn the realities of their profession from the people who actively participate in it," said Olsen.

The Francis M. Letro Courtroom is located on the first floor of John Lord O'Brian Hall, across the hall from student classrooms. As a result of its innovative multi-use design, the courtroom can be used for appellate arguments, as well as trials. It features a bench constructed to accommodate from one to seven judges, judicial chambers, a jury-deliberation room and spectator seating for up to 100.

The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court Fourth Department already has utilized the courtroom, as have federal and state trial courts. Proceedings scheduled in the near future include the full range of court business.

Letro graduated from George Washington University in 1972 before attending UB Law School. After obtaining his law degree in 1979, he practiced in Buffalo for 17 years before founding his own firm in 1996 as a specialist in personal injury and insurance law. Known for his outstanding litigation skills and the exceptional results he has obtained in a number of high-profile cases, Letro has served as president of the Western New York affiliate of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.