The Buffalo Law School was founded in 1887, and the first known Law School Alumni Association was established in 1893, according to a pamphlet from May 1900. The purpose of the Law School Alumni Association, according to its constitution, adopted on June 2, 1894, was to "perpetuate old friendships, to bring graduates into closer contact, and to advance the interests of the school." Repeated attempts to make the Law School Alumni Association more vital were unsuccessful until 1961, when law school dean Jacob Hyman wanted to reorganize the Law School Alumni Association in anticipation of the law school's 75th anniversary one year later. The current incarnation of the Law School Alumni Association marks its beginning from 1962, and has grown steadily since then.

Minutes for the monthly meetings of the Law School Alumni Association's Board of Directors have been kept since 1962 onward. These meetings were held at the Buffalo Athletic Club until 1973, when they moved to the Statler Hotel for the next 17 years. They relocated to the Plaza Suite in the M and T Plaza from 1980 to 1986, and then to the Hyatt Regency Buffalo. The Law School Alumni Association's annual meeting is usually held in April or May, where candidates for the Board of Directors are elected to three-year terms, and the Law School Alumni Association president and treasurer present their annual reports. The Law School Alumni Association's annual dinner is also the occasion for the presenting of the Distinguished Alumni Awards, which were begun in 1963. These awards are presented to alumni in three fields: the judiciary, public service, and private practice. The Law School Alumni Association Convocation was established in 1976 to foster better relations between the alumni and the law school. The Jaeckle award, developed jointly by law school and the Law School Alumni Association, is presented at the Convocation luncheon, and is the law school's highest honor.

This Historical Note was compiled from information gathered from University at Buffalo Law School 100 Years – 1887-1987: A History by Robert Schaus (longtime Law School Alumni Association Secretary) and James Arnone, as well as consultations with Dean Ilene Fleischmann and Mr. Schaus via email and telephone, respectively.