Class Action - February '23

William F. Savino ’75 received the 2023 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest honor the University at Buffalo School of Law and the UB Law Alumni Association can bestow, on Feb. 8 at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo. Savino is a senior partner with Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP in Buffalo, a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and a lifetime member of the UB Law Alumni Association. He lives in Amherst, N.Y.  [View photos from the Jaeckle Event.]

Jonathan S. Malamud ’82 is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. He is retired as chief legal officer of Prudential Holdings of Japan, Prudential Financial Inc. Malamud is a resident of Oakton, Va.

Perry Binder ’84 published Classroom LIGHTBULBS for College Professors. The book features easy-to-replicate teaching tips and a method for professors to get fired up to teach before walking into a classroom. Binder is a clinical professor of legal studies in the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, Atlanta. He lives in Alpharetta, Ga.

Paula M. Ciprich ’85 is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Ciprich is a retired senior vice president and general counsel with National Fuel Gas Co. in Williamsville, N.Y. A lifetime member of the UB Law Alumni Association, she lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Karen L. Nicolson ’89 has been elected a fellow of the New York Bar Foundation. Nicolson is chief executive officer of the Center for Elder Law & Justice, in Buffalo. She is a past recipient of the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumna Award for public service. Nicolson lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Julie E. Braverman Bruno ’94 has joined Verrill Dana LLP as counsel in the Boston office, counseling clients in sophisticated trust and estate planning, gift, estate and income tax planning, estate administration and prenuptial agreement preparation. She lives in Brookline, Mass.   

Bruce Karpati ’96 is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. He is a partner and global chief compliance officer with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts in New York City, where he resides.

Hon. Lourdes M. Ventura ’98 was appointed an associate justice of the Appellate Term with the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, for the 2^nd, 11^th and 13^th Judicial Districts. She previously served as a New York State Supreme Court justice, 11^th Judicial District, in Jamaica, N.Y. Ventura, an emeritus member of the Dean’s Advisory Council, lives in Richmond Hill, N.Y.

Toni L. Frain ’99 was promoted to vice president, senior corporate counsel, Global Ethics Education & Conduct with Liberty Mutual in Boston, Mass. She is a resident of Winchester, Mass. 

Yadira A. Ramos-Herbert ’05 is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. She is associate dean of student and registration services with Columbia Law School in New York City. Ramos-Herbert lives in New Rochelle, N.Y.

Sachin Kohli ’06 of Scarsdale, N.Y., has become a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Kohli is a partner with Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP in the New York City office. He is a past recipient of the UB Law Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award for private practice.

Michael L. Nisengard ’07 has been promoted to partner with Lippes Mathias LLP in Buffalo, where he resides. Nisengard concentrates his practice in commercial real estate and renewable energy.

Jeffrey P. Gleason ’08 has been promoted to partner with Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC in the Buffalo office. Gleason is a member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association. He lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Roopa R. Chakkappan ’09 has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in Buffalo. She focuses her practice in health law, administrative law, regulatory compliance and administrative enforcement defense. She lives in East Amherst, N.Y.

Patrick E. Fitzsimmons ’09 has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo office, handling cases involving white-collar criminal defense, civil litigation, and cybersecurity and data privacy. Fitzsimmons resides in Clarence, N.Y.

Sarah Nagel Miller ’10 of Williamsville, N.Y., has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in Buffalo, handling cases involving business litigation.

Nicholas M. Rossi ’10 has joined Burgio Curvin & Banker as a senior attorney, practicing civil litigation in Buffalo. Rossi is a resident of Hamburg, N.Y.  

Kristen S. Testa ’10 has become a trust officer with Northwest Bank in the Williamsville, N.Y., office. She was previously a partner with Nesper Ferber DiGiacomo Johnson & Grimm LLP in Amherst. Testa lives in Lockport, N.Y.

Daniel J. Hebert ’11 has joined Syracuse University as an assistant professor of business management. Hebert was previously a lecturer at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, N.Y. He lives in Brewerton, N.Y.  

Julia J. Henrichs ’11 has been promoted to senior associate with Phillips Lytle LLP in Rochester, N.Y., where she resides. She is a member of the firm’s land, environment and energy practice group.

Brian D. Roy ’11 has been promoted to partner with Harris Beach PLLC in the Syracuse, N.Y., office, representing creditors and debtors in bankruptcy cases. He lives in Fayetteville, N.Y.

Frank H. Ewing ’12 is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Ewing is CEO of AML RightSource in Buffalo, a leading firm focused on Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act and financial crimes compliance solutions. He is a Buffalo resident.  

Jennifer L. Karnes ’12 has been promoted to member with Anderson & Ochs LLP in New York City, where she resides. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation, real estate litigation including cooperative and condominium law, and employment litigation.

Luisa D. Bostick ’14 has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo office, practicing labor and employment law. She lives in Williamsville, N.Y.

Chelsea N. Latta ’14 of Buffalo has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ LLP in Buffalo, practicing immigration law.

Jason R. Snyder ’14 has become a senior associate with Tully Rinckey PLLC in the Rochester, N.Y., office, concentrating his practice in wills, trusts, estate administration and real estate. Snyder lives in Farmington, N.Y.

Jacob S. Sonner ’14 has been promoted to partner with Phillips Lytle LLP in Buffalo in the firm’s litigation practice group. He lives in Orchard Park, N.Y.  

Kevin Yam ’14 has been promoted to shareholder with Littler Mendelson, P.C., in the New York City office, specializing in labor and employment law. He lives in Great Neck, N.Y.

Erin E. Connare ’15 has been promoted to partner with Phillips Lytle LLP in the firm’s litigation practice group in Buffalo, where she resides.

Andrea K. DiLuglio ’15 has been promoted to partner with Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP in Buffalo. DiLuglio is a past president and member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group and a lifetime member of the Law Alumni Association. She lives on Grand Island, N.Y.

Matthew A. Eldred ’15 of North Chili, N.Y., has been promoted to senior associate with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in the Rochester, N.Y., office in the firm’s corporate and transactional practice group.

Anna S. McCarthy ’15 has been promoted to senior associate with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in the Buffalo office, handling cases involving labor and employment law. She lives in Williamsville, N.Y.  

Ryan M. Poplawski ’15 has been promoted to partner with Hancock Estabrook LLP in the Syracuse, N.Y., office, practicing general litigation. Poplawski is a resident of Liverpool, N.Y.  

Samuel S. Borbor-Sawyer ’17 has been promoted to senior associate with Phillips Lytle LLP in Buffalo, where he resides. He is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group.

Alexander D. Vilardo ’18 has been promoted to a senior associate with Colligan Law LLP in Buffalo, counseling clients regarding corporate and business law, commercial real estate, estate planning and estate administration. Vilardo is treasurer of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. He lives in Amherst, N.Y.  

Charles J. Englert III ’19 has accepted a position as an associate with Barclay Damon LLP in the Buffalo office, practicing in torts and products liability defense and professional liability. He lives in Buffalo.  

Dominick F. Roa ’19 has joined Bennett Schechter Arcuri & Will LLP as an associate in Buffalo, practicing in the firm’s litigation department. Roa is a resident of Kenmore, N.Y.  

Kaitlin A. Sines ’21 of Buffalo has joined Hurwitz Fine, P.C., as an associate in the Buffalo office, focusing on automobile liability and asbestos defense.

Elizabeth E. Bourne ’22 has become associated with Colligan Law LLP, in Buffalo, handling general business matters, transactions and compliance with privacy and data regulations. She is a Buffalo resident.

Evan D. Gestwick ’22 has accepted a position as an associate with Hurwitz Fine, P.C., in the Buffalo office, focusing on insurance coverage analysis and litigation. He lives in East Amherst, N.Y.

Richelle R. Kloch ’22 has become associated with Hurwitz Fine, P.C., in Buffalo, handling cases involving premises liability and automobile liability defense. Kloch lives in North Tonawanda, N.Y.

Ryan O'Shea ’22 has joined Hurwitz Fine, P.C., in the Buffalo office, as an associate in the firm’s insurance coverage and extracontractual liability practice group. He lives in Churchville, N.Y.

Karthik N. Sekharan ’22 is practicing as an associate with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in the Rochester, N.Y., office as part of the firm’s private equity and venture capital practice group. He lives in Rochester.   

Tyler W. Stark ’22 has joined Underberg & Kessler LLP as an associate in the Rochester, N.Y., office, practicing in the firm’s real estate and finance practice group. He lives in Fairport, N.Y.

Buffalo Business First 2023 IDEA (Inclusion Diversity Equity Awareness) Award

• Rita Hubbard-Robinson ’86, UB Community Health Equity Research Institute; Neuwater & Associates, Buffalo
  
• Hon. Lenora B. Foote-Beavers ’97, Buffalo City Court
  
• Alexander J. Wright ’08, African Heritage Food Co-Op, Buffalo

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City & State New York 2022 Responsible 100 List

• Sharon Prise Azurin ’99, Phillips Lytle LLP, Buffalo
• John F. O'Donnell Jr. ’10, O’Donnell & Associates, Buffalo  

City & State New York 2022 Upstate Power 100 List

• Benjamin M. Zuffranieri Jr. ’83 Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo
  
• Harry B. Bronson ’86, New York State Assembly, 138^th Assembly District, Albany, N.Y.
• Trini E. Ross ’92, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Buffalo
• John J. Flynn ’95, Erie County District Attorney’s Office, Buffalo
• John F. O'Donnell Jr. ’10, O’Donnell & Associates, Buffalo  

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Daily Record Power 20 – Family Law:

• Lawrence J. Schwind ’82, Lacy Katzen LLP, Rochester, N.Y.
  
• Vincent M. Ferrero ’94, Osborn Reed & Burke LLP, Rochester, N.Y.
  
• Sara Stout Ashcraft ’95, Ashcraft & Franklin LLP, Rochester, N.Y.
• Jon E. Bonavilla ’96, Evans Fox LLP, Rochester, N.Y.
  
• Sarah E. Wesley ’06, Wesley Clark & Peshkin PLLC, Rochester, N.Y.  

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Defense Trial Lawyers of Western New York 2022 Robert M. Kiebala Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year Award

• Jeffrey F. Baase ’94, Retired, Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham LLC, Buffalo

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Futures Industry Association Hall of Fame

• Gary A. DeWaal ’80, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, New York City

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Lawyers of Color 2022 Hot List

• Donell L. Gibson Jr. ’18, Lippes Mathias LLP, Buffalo
• Mohammed A. Alam ’20, Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo

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Minority Bar Association of Western New York 2023 Board of Directors

• President: Samantha I.V. White ’08, Western New York Law Center Inc., Buffalo
  
• Vice President: Ifeoluwa M. Popoola ’19, Erie County Department of Law, Buffalo
• Treasurer: Anaiss Rijo Lelonek ’16, Erie County Department of Social Services, Buffalo  
• Deputy Treasurer: Natalia Marte ’20, Phillips Lytle LLP, Buffalo
• Corresponding Secretary: Deonna M. Jones ’19, Buffalo City School District
• Director: Jesutowo A. Adeniji ’20, Erie County Department of Labor Relations, Buffalo
• Director: Arrianna Z. Hart ’20, Goldberg Segalla LLP, Buffalo

National Council of Bar Presidents 2023 President’s Page Award, Second Place

• Jill K. Bond ’85, Rich Products Corp., Buffalo

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New York State Bar Association LGBTQ Law Section

• Vanguard Award: Amy E. Schwartz-Wallace ’99, Empire Justice Center, Rochester, N.Y.  

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New York State Bar Association Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section

• Young Lawyer Award: Brian D. Barnas ’15, Hurwitz Fine, P.C., Buffalo

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Rochester Business Journal & Daily Record 2022 Power 50 Law

• Peter T. Rodgers ’76, Lacy Katzen LLP, Rochester, N.Y.
  
• Thomas F. Knab ’88, Underberg & Kessler LLP, Buffalo
  
• Robert Brucato Jr. ’90, Counsel Press, Buffalo
  
• Trini E. Ross ’92, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Buffalo
• Alana M. Fuierer ’95, Heslin Rothenberg Farley & Mesiti, P.C., Rochester, N.Y.
• Hon. William K. Taylor ’01, New York State Supreme Court, 7^th Judicial District, Rochester, N.Y.
  
• Langston D. McFadden ’03, Pullano & Farrow PLLC, Rochester, N.Y.
• Kevin J. Mulvehill Sr. ’06, Phillips Lytle LLP, Rochester, N.Y.
• Sarah E. Wesley ’06, Wesley Clark & Peshkin LLP, Rochester, N.Y.     

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University at Buffalo School of Social Work Louis H. Swartz Memorial Award 

• Bradley S. Loliger ’13, Center for Elder Law & Justice, Buffalo
  

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Utopian Euphoria LLC Women Who Walk in Footsteps of Greatness Honorees  

• Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97, Niagara County District Attorney’s Office, Lockport, N.Y.
  
• Samantha I.V. White ’08, Western New York Law Center Inc., Buffalo
  

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Washingtonian 2022 Top Lawyers

• Mary Joanne Dowd ’80, Arent Fox PLLC, Washington, D.C. 

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Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York Doris S. Hoffman Outstanding New Lawyer Award

• Senovia M. Moncada ’18, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.