In 1968, I was one of the founders of the Carlos C. Alden Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity at SUNY at Buffalo School of Law. I served as Charter Vice Justice, and after I graduated and passed the bar, I was appointed District Justice and assigned to work with law school and alumni chapters in the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Later I was elected to the International Tribunal where I presided over "cases and controversies" within the Fraternity. The lessons learned in the Tribunal and at P.A.D. International Conventions were invaluable throughout my career in the law.
P.A.D. has allowed me to meet many outstanding lawyers and judges, but the highlight came when P.A.D. lawyers were admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court. After breakfast in the Rehnquist Dining Room, (where we were allowed to check out scrapbooks full of photos of the justices and their wives at leisure) we were escorted into the courtroom where we were seated by seniority with other groups. We were second. Only one group has a longer continuous history of admissions to the Court: the U.S. Army JAG Corps! |
I was introduced to the International Brotherhood of Magicians by my uncle, Richard "The Great Ricardo" Pecorella while I was still in high school. I was fascinated with stage illusions, but Uncle Dick said that real magic was working with cards and coins while you were surrounded by your audience. He was an excellent close-up magician and was friends with all of the greats including Eddie Fechter, Gene Gordon, Tony Slydini and Dai "The Professor" Vernon. That friendship got me special treatment when I visited the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Ignoring the "NO CAMERAS" rule, I brought in a small pocket camera. I ran into Dai Vernon standing near the fireplace and asked him if I could take his picture to show my uncle. "Better yet," The Professor said, "let's get one of the boys to take a picture of both of us!"
"Sorry, Professor." a waiter responded, "No pictures allowed in the Magic Castle." "This guy's okay," Vernon explained. "He's Dick Pecorella's nephew from Buffalo!" The waiter took the picture. No one dared to question Dai Vernon at the Magic Castle. |
More Photos
Being sworn in as a member of the United States Supreme Court Bar was one of the highlights of my legal career. Unlike the Magic Castle, photographs are NEVER permitted in the courtroom! Our group photo was taken on the steps leading to the front door.
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Tom Wopat and John Schneider with Mary Lou and me at a concert at John's home and studio in Louisiana -- where cameras are permitted (and encouraged)! John is a fellow member of the I.B.M. as well as life member of the Magic Castle.
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