By JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

Thomas Burton loves all things nautical. He also has passion for real estate development and teaching. That's an unlikely combination of interests for a lawyer - or anyone.

But the trifecta helped open the Western New York Maritime Charter School in 2005.

A few years after Burton and his then-partner, the late David Strauch, purchased the former Carton Craft Corp. warehouse on 266 Genesee St., officials from the Western New York Maritime Charter School inquired about using the space for their new school. Burton worked out a lease and also helped fill the building's 65,000 square feet of wall space, tackling those tasks "with a vengeance." The self-proclaimed military-history and nautical aficionado donated maritime charts, Navy recruiting posters and 8-foot models of sailing ships.

"It's what makes the school special," Burton says. "It gives the place a special flair."

Burton is proud to see how the coeducational high school, now in its third year and so clean inside that one "can eat off the floors," is impacting lives.

"I'm committed to the notion that Buffalo's survival will be based on a top-flight education system. In a small way, this gave us a chance to be involved," he said.

At 56, Burton, who became a paraplegic after a 1993 motorcycle accident, shows no signs of slowing down.

Burton and Kevin Sullivan, a Paul William Beltz PC lawyer, are now renovating more buildings in three blocks around the school as Tatanka Development Co. Burton's vision is to augment the medical corridor by leasing space to medical-supply companies and offer housing to medical residents, researchers and staff.

"We're a 9-iron shot from the corner of the medical campus and one block away from the Genesee gateway," he said.

That too will help the school to grow, Burton said.

"It's in our best interest as developers for the school to excel. We're always exploring opportunities with them."

Burton, who is attorney for the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, also teaches the legal use of force at the Buffalo Police Academy.

His practice at the Law Offices of Thomas H. Burton encompasses personal injury-cases, insurance fraud and coverage, and fire and explosion litigation.

"My practice seems to revolve around some element of destruction," he said.