Milestones and Meaningful Gatherings

A Year Full of Memories that Matter

At UB Law, our signature events do more than mark occasions— they strengthen the bonds that define our community. From our Jaeckle Award Presentation to our annual dinners and lectures, our gatherings highlight student achievements, honor alumni leadership, and celebrate the shared commitment to justice that unites us across generations.

Buffalo Public Interest Law Program Annual Auction | February 21, 2025

Four people standing together in an indoor event space with exposed brick walls and large metallic balloon letters in the background. They are dressed in formal attire: one in a dark suit with a tie, two in black outfits, and one in a light plaid blazer.

BPILP E-Board: Steven Borodzik ’26, Corrin Raynor ’26, Evangelia Letendre ’26 and Danielle Cohen ’26.

Three people standing close together in a warmly lit indoor space with exposed brick walls and metallic balloon decorations in the background. One person is wearing a patterned jacket, another is in a black outfit with a floral top underneath, and the third is in a bright pink zip-up jacket with a visible name tag.

DAC Member Josephine A. Greco ’81, Hon. Barbara R. Johnson-Lee ’86 and Karen R. Kaczmarski ’89, vice dean and senior director of advancement.

Three people standing together at an indoor event with exposed brick walls and string lights. One person is wearing a rust-colored velvet jacket and holding a drink, another is in a gray blazer over a white shirt, and the third is in a beige top with a necklace. Two visible name tags are worn on the gray blazer and beige top.

Clinical Professor Judith Olin ’85, Professor of Skills George P. Brown Jr. ’17 and Debra Brown.

OUTLaw Annual Awards Dinner | March 7, 2025

Group of eight people dressed in formal attire posing indoors in front of a stone arch and dark-framed windows. Three individuals in the front row are seated and holding glass awards, while five individuals stand behind them. Clothing includes suits, ties, and evening dresses.

Seated: Honorees Benjamin Fabian, Hon. Gary A. Wilson ’08 and Shari Jo Reich ’86. Standing: Dean S. Todd Brown (center) with OUTLaw E-Board members Michelangelo Lamberty ’26, Carly Limina ’26, Mary Starr ’26 and Nina Stockman ’26.

Four people standing together at an indoor event. One person is wearing a black outfit with a colorful striped scarf, another is in a dark blue suit with a white shirt and dark tie, the third is in a red tuxedo jacket with a black bow tie holding a drink, and the fourth is in a black outfit with a dark patterned scarf holding a glass.

Discover Law Scholar Destiny Hopkinson, Andre Lloyd ’27, Hayden Darmstedter ’27 and Sarah Bachraty ’27.

Three people standing together at an indoor event. One person is wearing a black blazer over a blue patterned blouse, another is in a bright pink blazer over a black top with a patterned skirt, and the third is in a black blazer over a light blouse with small dark dots. All have visible name tags.

Ilene Fleischmann, vice dean emerita for alumni, Ashley Litwin ’08 and Elizabeth Midgley ’06.

Spring 2025 James McCormick Mitchell Lecture | March 14, 2025

Person in a dark suit and striped tie speaking at a podium with a UB School of Law logo. Behind the podium is an American flag and a large screen displaying the title ‘Antagonists and Enablers: A First Look at Law and Politics’ with a photo of judges. A blue backdrop with UB School of Law branding is on the right.

John Fabian Witt, Allen H. Duffy Class of 1960 Professor of Law at Yale Law School, spoke on Biden and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Click to watch the 2025 Spring Lecture

Students of Color Annual Dinner | April 4, 2025

Group of nine people standing on indoor steps in front of a black curtain and stone wall. They are dressed in semi-formal and business attire, including suits, blazers, patterned dresses, and collared shirts. Several individuals have blue honor cords draped around their necks.

OUR GRADUATING STUDENTS
1st Row: Alex Hunt ’25 (LLM), FavorLyn Kpaka ’25, Tia Lodato ’25, Tara Lucombe ’25 and Allen Greer ’25. 2nd Row: Dylan Feliciano ’25, Nicia Bottini Morales ’25, Serena Brahaspat ’25 and Theresa Lee ’25.

Five people standing indoors on steps in front of a black curtain and stone wall. They are dressed in formal attire, including suits and dresses, and each person is holding a glass award.

Keynote Speaker Hon. Mark A. Montour ’83 (center) with honorees: Hon. Yadira Ramos- Herbert ’05, Professor of Skills Pamela Newell, Heather Gresham ’96 and Andrew M. Wilson ’98.

Two people standing indoors in front of a stone wall and a white column. One person is wearing a light textured blazer over a dark outfit, and the other is wearing an off-the-shoulder burgundy dress. A gold decorative lantern and a gold chair are visible in the background.

Ashley Abbott, assistant dean for financial counseling and student wellness, and Khalia Muir ’26.

Buffalo Law Review Annual Dinner | April 25, 2025

Two people standing together at an indoor event. One person is wearing a dark suit with a white dress shirt and patterned tie, and the other is wearing a black top with a white blazer. Both have visible name tags, and a table with wine bottles is in the background.

Honorees: Hon. Henry J. Nowak ’93 and Hon. Meredith A. Vacca ’05.

Three people standing together at an indoor event in front of large windows with city buildings visible outside. One person is wearing a blue suit with a striped yellow and blue tie, another is in a royal blue dress, and the third is in a dark suit with a white shirt and red patterned tie. All have visible name tags.

E-board members: Dakota Penkalski ’25, Olivia Anderson ’25 and Braden Pritchard ’25.

Two people standing together at an indoor event. Both are wearing black outfits; one is in a black suit with a collared shirt, and the other is in a short-sleeved black dress with a visible name tag. Other attendees and cocktail tables are visible in the background.

Samir Spencer ’27 and Tyonna Acoff ’26.

Discover Law Closing Reception | June 27, 2025

Students of Color Brunch | September 13, 2025

Four people standing together at an indoor event space with round ceiling lights and a crowd in the background. One person is wearing a white wrap-style blouse, another is in a black dress, the third is in a black-and-white patterned dress with a black cardigan, and the fourth is in a dark blue button-up shirt.

Hon. Trini E. Ross ’92; Kristen Kelly, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Belonging; Associate Professor Heather Abraham; and Visiting Assistant Professor Theophilus Coleman.

Two people standing together at an indoor event space with round ceiling lights and presentation screens in the background. One person is wearing a black-and-white patterned dress with a name tag, and the other is wearing a sleeveless white top with a name tag.

Farrelle Toumani Sieyadji ’27 and Vanessa Spano ’28.

Three people standing indoors in front of a brick wall and wooden panels. One person is wearing a denim jacket over a black top with a visible name tag, another is in a black outfit with a necklace, and the third is in a light-colored blazer over a white blouse.

Marissa A. Coheley ’08, Jodyann Galvin ’98 and Marla Waiss ’02.

Fall 2025 James McCormick Mitchell Lecture | November 14, 2025

Person seated indoors wearing a gray tweed blazer over a white shirt with a red tie. An American flag is visible on the left, and a blue backdrop with the University at Buffalo School of Law logo is in the background. A microphone and part of a table appear in the foreground.

John Henry Schlegel, UB Distinguished Professor and Floyd H. and Hilda L. Faculty Scholar, spoke on legal education and the post-war middle class.

Click to watch the 2025 Fall Mitchell Lecture