Class Action - April '21

Hon. John J. Ark ’72 will receive the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for the judiciary on June 17, via live online broadcast. Ark is a former New York State Supreme Court justice, 8th Judicial District. He now serves as a NYS judicial hearing officer in Rochester, N.Y., where he resides.

Laurence K. Rubin ’77 will receive the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for community service on June 17, via live online broadcast. He is a partner with Kavinoky Cook LLP in Buffalo, where he resides. Rubin is a lifetime member of the UB Law Alumni Association.

James W. Everett Jr. ’83 received the David S. Caplan Award for Meritorious Service from the New York State Bar Association. He is capital markets counsel with the New York State Department of Financial Services in Albany, N.Y. Everett is a member of the UB Law Alumni Association’s Albany chapter. He resides in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.   

Paula M. Ciprich ’85 of Amherst, N.Y., will receive the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumna Award for business on June 17, via live online broadcast. Ciprich is a retired senior vice president and general counsel with National Fuel Gas Co. in Williamsville, N.Y.

Michelle M. Parker ’93 has been appointed director of the Assigned Counsel Program of the Erie County Bar Association’s Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society, in Buffalo. Parker previously served as first assistant county attorney with the Erie County Department of Law, in Buffalo. She is a resident of Hamburg, N.Y.       

John J. Flynn ’95 will receive the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for public service on June 17, via live online broadcast. Flynn is Erie County district attorney in Buffalo. He lives in Tonawanda, N.Y.

Heather Gresham ’96 received the Fearless Leader President’s Award from BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, in Buffalo, for leading the company’s approach to diversity and inclusion. Gresham is director of talent acquisition. She resides in Snyder, N.Y.

David R. Pfalzgraf Jr. ’97 will receive the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award for private practice on June 17, via live online broadcast. He is managing partner with Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC in Buffalo, where he resides.

Crystal J. Rodriguez-Dabney ’06 (JD), ’07 (LLM) has become a member of the board of directors of Center for Hope WNY in Buffalo, a non-profit organization founded by Hope R. Jay ’04, where those who are escaping a relationship with a narcissistic abuser can find the resources and guidance to regain control over their lives. Rodriguez is chief of staff and chief diversity officer with Buffalo State College in Buffalo, where she resides.

Amanda R. Amendola ’09 has become special counsel with Goldberg Segalla LLP in Buffalo. Amendola practices in the firm’s workers’ compensation group. She lives in Lewiston, N.Y.

Heather Neu ’10 received the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award from the New York State Bar Association. Neu is a family law attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Rochester, N.Y., where she resides.

Daniel P. Kelly ’12 was promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo, New York City and Palm Beach, Fla., offices. He is a member of the firm’s tax practice. Kelly is a resident of Orchard Park, N.Y.  

Cristin L. Murray ’12 of Buffalo was promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo and Toronto offices. Murray is a member of the firm’s corporate and business practice.     

Isabelle M. Vladoiu ’16 received the 2020-21 Feminine Freedom Award from the African American Creative Community Series Organization and the Norfolk Public Library in Norfolk, Va. Vladoiu is founder of the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights in Washington, D.C., where she resides. She is a human rights advocate, participating in many events across the country and speaking on issues of gender equality, human rights and women’s empowerment.   

Marina A. Barci ’18 has become project director of the MedLaw Partnership, Western New York Kaleida Division, with the Center for Elder Law and Justice, in Buffalo. She is a resident of Tonawanda, N.Y.