Page 27 - University of Baltimore Law - Fall 2019

Frank Spector Relishes His Strong Law School Connection
W hat’s more frightening than a new lawyer’s first day in court? When that first appearance comes
a week into his first job.
“I started at a large law firm, and in a week I was in court defending a client — a scary thing, as it is for any new lawyer,” recalls Frank Spector, J.D. ’91. “But my supervising attorney felt that I was prepared to do it — or I wouldn’t have been put in that position.”
The quality of his legal education — “a good blend of the theoretical and the practical,” Spector says — is one of several reasons he’s a regular financial supporter of UB Law.
“When I look at all my education — high school, college, law school — it was UB that provided me with the solid foundation to begin my practice of law,” says Spector, a principal in Spector & Kopec, a Baltimore medical malpractice firm. “After I graduated, I felt very prepared.”
The law school’s Career Development Office even helped him launch his legal career. “It helped define what you wanted to do and matched you to the right job,” Spector recalls. Another reason he supports UB Law is its ongoing impact on the community.
“The new building, which is really state-of-the-art, makes a statement that the school is committed to Baltimore,” Spector says. “It’s a bold statement that shows it’s a quality law school. You can see new apartment buildings and restaurants opening in the neighborhood.”
Spector’s commitment to UB Law, nearly 30 years after graduation, is also personal.
“My wife Deborah and I were classmates,” Spector says. “We met on the first day of law school and got married in our
second year. My family and my life started at
UB law, which is priceless for me.”
The UB connection goes even deeper.
“I’m a third- generation
lawyer,” he says.
“My grandfather,
Jesse, was
a lawyer in
Baltimore, as
were both of my
parents. Also,
my brother and
his wife are lawyers. And all of them graduated from UB Law.”
It’s not a stretch to say that Spector was groomed for a legal career. “What I saw growing up was how lawyers could help people and effectuate change,” Spector notes. “We talked about that in our household. I saw how lawyers can help people.”
Spector’s support doesn’t end with his financial contributions: “I’m an adjunct professor at UB. I teach litigation process
and the classroom component of the externship program — practical information on how to function in a law firm.
“From listening to my students,” he says, “UB Law still provides a good blend of the theoretical and practical.”
—J.S.
Q: I understand you helped launch a program to help Medicaid recipients in Mississippi when you were with UHC there. Can you describe how that came about and the impact it had?
A: In Mississippi we launched an award- winning program entitled “Farm to Fork.” The program was in partnership with Alcorn State University Extension Service and has been
in existence since 2012. UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Mississippi contracted with Alcorn to provide their excess produce to members throughout Mississippi, especially in those areas where there are food deserts.
From May to September, once per week, members can obtain a free bag of produce and also included is a recipe card to guide them in healthy cooking of the produce. We expanded the program to give away more than 1,500 turkeys, in addition to produce, during the Thanksgiving holiday. The impact has been tremendous: It has afforded individuals in
rural areas, who may not have otherwise had access, the ability to receive fresh produce and start a road to being healthy.
Given that Mississippi ranks at the top of the national list in obesity, this was an opportunity for UnitedHealthcare to make an impact on the people we serve, one person at a time.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work?
A: The people we serve in our health plan and making sure they have access to high-quality healthcare. When you know that you have reached one person and made an impact, it makes this role even more rewarding.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you deal with?
A: Managing a large team and ensuring
that I have an engaged team and staff. This job is not your typical 9 to 5, but my priority is making sure that we are meeting their needs, and ensuring a work and family-life
balance for our team members so they are at their best, especially since they deal with our members daily.
Q: How do you relax away from work?
A: I am married and have three children, all of whom play sports. My relaxation time is spent with my husband of more than 20 years and being a cheering and supportive mom at my children’s sporting events. Moving back to New Jersey has also allowed me to spend more time with my close friends.
Q: Do you have any special memories from law school that you’d like to share?
A: Law school was such a great time for meeting new people and making lifelong friends. Probably my fondest memory is my time on the Moot Court Team with Professor Bryon Warnken, and all of the knowledge and insight I gained from him. I still leverage what I learned from him and many of the other professors at UB.
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