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By: Keith Hurley ‘25
My name is Keith Hurley, and I am a rising 2L at the University at Buffalo School of Law, set to graduate in the spring of 2025. In the days leading up to accepting my Student Attorney position at the Clinical Legal Education program, I was skeptical. I knew that the work done at the clinics was important and meaningful work, but I had never environmental advocacy work to be an area of interest for me. I had also seldom considered public interest work as an area to explore, as I had tunnel vision for a position at a larger, private law firm. However, after working with the Environmental Advocacy Clinic and Community Engagement Legal Clinic this summer, I have found that environmental advocacy, community engagement, and public interest legal work in general is an extremely exciting, rewarding, and meaningful area of law that I would love to continue exploring.
Throughout the summer, I had the pleasure of interacting with members of the community that are passionate, hardworking, and driven to help those in need, as well as individuals who have devoted their life to protecting the environment, both globally and in their own backyard. The dedication these individuals possessed for both their community, and the world at large, was an inspiration to me to do everything I could to help these individuals, and opened my eyes to the importance of engaging in this kind of legal work. From working to obtain Ramsar designations for international clients, to aiding in the official launch of the Buffalo Public School Suspension Hotline, my work varied widely, and gave me insight into areas of law that I hadn’t even considered interacting with. This summer has led me to the conclusion that, regardless of where I end up in the future, I will seek out groups and organizations that I can help, and place special importance on pro bono work, so the community I am a part of can thrive and flourish.
Working as a Student Attorney provides countless opportunities to advance legal skills and techniques, both hard and soft. It also provides a venue to learn important lessons about the legal field itself, and a lawyer’s place within the community. I took this opportunity to leave with several lessons that will stick with me throughout my entire legal career. However, one lesson stood out to me above the rest. The most important lesson I learned is that there is far more to being a lawyer than simple document and case review. These are certainly important aspects to being a lawyer, and document and case review will always be a part of a lawyer’s duties. However, there is an underrepresented and less-spoken of aspect of lawyering that is apparent when working as a clinic Student Attorney: clients are not just individuals that present problems to lawyers. They are real people, who may be going through the most difficult time in their life. You may have a commanding knowledge of the law, but if you can’t form a relationship with the client that fosters trust and confidence, it will be extremely difficult to help that client solve their problem. The social aspect of the legal profession is often talked about, but seldom truly understood until you are placed in a position where those social skills are put into practice.
All of this work, the lessons I learned, and my growth as a lawyer would not have been possible without the support from the donors and the University at Buffalo School of Law Summer Public Interest Funding & Fellowship Program that help fund the work of Student Attorneys. In my case, the generous donation from Francis M. Letro and Cindy Abbott Letro for the School of Law Public Interest Scholarship allowed me to experience what the clinics have to offer to the fullest extent. I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to Francis M. Letro and Cindy Abbott Letro for giving me the opportunity to have these experiences.
Name: Keith Hurley ’25
Fellowship: School of Law Public Interest Fellowship
Placement: Environmental Advocacy Clinic and Community Engagement Legal Clinic at the University at Buffalo School of Law
Location: Buffalo, NY
One important lesson I have learned from this fellowship: The social aspect of the legal profession is an integral part of being a successful lawyer.
UB School of Law Responds 