Barrister's Ball

The Barrister's Ball, also known as Law School Prom, was last Friday at the Hyatt Regency. It is a formal event for all law students to relax and celebrate with classmates, dates, and the occasional professor. Being a 1L, I had no idea what to expect, but it turns out nothing could have fully prepared me for what actually occurred.



I must say I was blissfully ignorant to any idea of law school formals upon entering, although I assumed there was some sort of event for graduating 3Ls. It turns out this is not the case. The SBA sponsors the Ball, and it is open to students from all three years. Additionally, it is about a month before finals, but this is probably done because everyone would be studying if it were any later.

The tickets were somewhat limited in number, I believe about 200 total, and sold out the first day. Since each class at UB Law is a little over 200 students, and since each person is allowed to bring one guest, you can imagine that there were some disappointed students. Also, tickets were only $35 and promised free food and open bar. My undergraduate Senior Gala was free, but there were no drinks OR food included.

Nonetheless, I got my two tickets, figured out what I was going to wear (I smartly went for suit instead of tux and my date wore a nice dress instead of full gown), and called a cab.

When we arrived, it was madness. The first hour had full, premium, open bar in a crowded reception area. Unfortunately, the lines were 45 minutes long. So in effect you got one drink. But the lines did give a good chance to make some new friends with the couple standing in front of and behind you.

Next, they opened the dance floor, and three bars in that area, and the party started in force. Beer and wine were still free, but liquor was available for a charge. I think everyone pretty easily switched. The 'theme' was Vegas, but that was limited to one random T.V. with the "Welcome to Fabulous Law Vegas" sign as a screensaver. There was plenty of time to mingle, and I thoroughly enjoyed hanging out with my friends and NOT discussing cases. Also, it was nice to meet the boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands, and wives that you hear about in between classes, but never get to meet. This also helped steer the conversation away from law.

As the night wore on, people gravitated to the dance floor. The D.J. did his best to discourage dancing by playing the most random and off the wall mix I have ever experienced (and I have been to a club called "America in the 80's!" which was located in Prague) but the alcohol ensured inhibitions would break down.

Speaking of alcohol, I previously wrote about the Bar Bowl (click to read), another law school event where alcohol figures in heavily. I noted, however, that no one really got unruly. Barrister's Ball, not the same story. People were sloshed. The bathrooms, previously expensive marble and shining fixtures, filled with empty beer bottles and a distinct smell. Dance moves first improved, then lost coherency. People started making out. People started crying. Then it got worse.

They say that lawyers tend to be type-A, going 100% full steam ahead into anything and everything. I guess here it was no different. And this was, of course, a vocal minority being heard over the majority. For every hand-up-skirt-slow-dance-makeout session, there was three couples simply talking and dancing. For everyone tearful drunk couple fight, there was plenty of joyous (at least until the next morning) new couples as well. And I have to say, it was FUN (of course I also had an awesome date, so I might be biased),

You spend so much time at law school learning and studying, that sometimes you forget to stop and enjoy the friendships that you make as well. Barrister's Ball gave everyone a solid chance to do just that. Add in fancy dress, social lubricants, and a good location, and you have $70 VERY well spent.

Sorry, I would post pictures but I took three of my date before we left, then forgot to take more. Also, major kudos to the staff at the Hyatt that kept the place clean and alcohol flowing despite the debauchery.