THE OPINION
The Independent Student Publication of SUNY Buffalo Law School Since 1949
ABOUT US
The Opinion is the independent student news publication affiliated with SUNY Buffalo Law School.
The first issue debuted on November 29, 1949 under the leadership of its first editor, Michael Beilewech, Jr. (1951). The inception of the newspaper coincided with the opening of the new West Eagle Street law school building.
The Opinion has historically served as a forum for law student viewpoints with an editorial staff comprised exclusively of SUNY Buffalo Law School students. In 1977 it won the American Bar Association’s Award for Excellence and continued publication until 2009.
Now in 2015, The Opinion is being revived. The Opinion’s editorial content, advertising and business functions are entirely student-run. The paper is committed to spurring further academic and personal growth among law students by disseminating information that can’t be found anywhere else.
We pledge to be an intellectual, professional and hyper-local publication that evokes change by highlighting the law school, reporting on happenings on and around campus, & investigating social and administrative issues that impact student life.
COLUMNS
At The Opinion we cover a variety of topics from Law School News to Sports to Local Western NY Buzz

Each issue of The Opinion is comprised of a variety of columns.
Not all columns are featured in every issue, we call these our
"floating" columns. Floating columns allow us to compile a
unique experience for our readers, providing them with access
to different content, topics, and themes each month. Additionally,having a not-so-static paper format gives our Editorial Board and contributing authors the flexibility that being in Law School (whilewriting for a newspaper) requires.
In addition to our floating columns each issue also features some
favorite staple pieces, like: the "Hot" Bench, the Verdict, Cold Call, the Docket, the Jury Box, and the Meme of the Month.
All columns are written by SUNY Buffalo Law School Students.
Some Past Opinions:
Shysters Win in Court

How UB Law's football team, the Shysters, took their team all the way in the Fall Semester of 1970.
​
October 20 1970
Civil Rights Internship Program

Chronicles the experience of a UB Law Student who spent the summer working on Civil Rights Test Cases in 1965.
​
May 1, 1965
Barrister's Ball in Full Swing

Ever wondered what Barrister's Ball looked like two decades ago?
Click below and see for yourself!
​
April 7, 1992
Coming Out Day Marred By Attack

Gay Law Student Association members attacked while tabling in front of the UB Law Library.
​
October 23, 1990
The Opinion, Vol. 11, Issue 4, December 4, 1990
Law School begins construction on a New Law School Building in Amhest, New York (Present Day O'Brian Hall),
Exhibit A
Were you caught by
our cameras? Check out
our online gallery and
issues of The Opinon
to find out!
Monthly
Meme
Some papers have
comic strips others
have political
cartoons. We've
got memes!
The
Jury Box
Law Students review
& make suggestions
about the SBA &
its events
Cold
Call
Flipping the Law
School classroom tradition on its head. Now you get to ask
professors the
questions!
"Hot"
Bench
Random students
given 10 random questions in an unconventional
interview
The
Verdict
Was it good? Was it
bad? You decide. Just
point your thumb
one way or the
other
The
Docket
Want to know what's
going on at the Law
School? Check out
our Calendar.
Appeals
Have a suggestion for
us? Didn't like an article
we wrote? Let us know.
We want YOUR
opinions!
The
Witness
Stand
Spotlights a different club every month so they can "testify"
as to what they
are all about!
Have an
idea for
a Column?
We'd love to
hear it!
Editorial Policy of The Opinion
The Opinion publishes letters and columns of interest to SUNY Buffalo Law School and the Western New York legal community at large. Views expressed in such submissions are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of The Opinion, the Editorial Board, or SUNY Buffalo Law School. Letters from organizations and/or individuals must bear your name, relation to the university or class year, and email address. All letters and columns must be submitted electronically from the author's e-mail account to buffalolawopinion@gmail.com. All letters and columns submitted to The Opinion will be retained as property of/copyrighted by The Opinion.
Submissions must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the Twenty-Second of every month (October 22, April 22, etc.) and must be in accordance with the submission guidelines. Letters over 500 words and columns over 700 words will be reviewed by the Editorial Board but may be sent back to the author(s) for significant editing. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, and clarity. Although every effort is made to publish all materials meeting our guidelines, we regret that not all submissions received can be published. The Editorial Board of The Opinion will notify you in advance should your submission need to be held for publication in a different issue. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding our submission policies please contact the Editorial board of The Opinion at buffalolawopinion@gmail.com.