The Harry A. Rachlin (1926) Oral History Project

Maryann Saccomando Freedman ’58 was the first female president of the Bar Association of Erie County, the first female president of the New York State Bar Association and a former president of the New York State Bar Foundation. She is a role model and mentor for female attorneys in Buffalo.

Hon. Paul L. Friedman ’68 is a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia since 1994. He is a member of the American Law Institute and its Council. He received the University at Buffalo School of Law’s 45 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award — the highest honor the law school and the Law Alumni Association can bestow.

Hon. Julio M. Fuentes ’75, Sr. United States Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, received the 2024 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest honor the law school and the UB Law Alumni Association can bestow. He has mentored dozens of UB School of Law students and welcomed over 50 of them as summer interns.

Jodyann Galvin ’98 is a partner in the Buffalo office of Hodgson Russ LLP, where she focuses on complex business disputes and heads the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts. Since 2012, Galvin has been involved as a mentor with the law school’s Discover Law Undergraduate Scholars Program for minority and first-generation students.

James A. Gardner, SUNY Distinguished Professor and interim dean of UB School of Law, was recognized with the 40 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest honor UB School of Law and the Law Alumni Association can bestow. A renowned scholar, he provided exceptional leadership during a period of transition.

Bradley M. Gayton ’91 rose to the top ranks of the global Ford Motor Co., headquartered in Dearborn, Mich., becoming group vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel, capping a career there spanning 27 years.

Hon. Frank P. Geraci Jr. became chief U.S. district judge for the Western District of New York as of March 9, 2015, presiding over criminal and civil cases.

Terrence M. Gilbride ’88, Sr. Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for the Buffalo Bills, LLC., was a partner in Hodgson Russ LLP, where he focused on real estate, energy, and finance from 1997 to 2023. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council and was president of the Law Alumni Association.

Hon. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, professor of law and attorney, was a champion of gender equality. Her legal brilliance and unwavering dedication to justice defined her career. Known for her powerful dissents, she became a cultural icon, symbolizing strength and resilience. Her legacy endures, inspiring generations.

Professor Marjorie L. Girth became the first tenured female faculty member at UB School of Law in 1971 and the first female associate dean in 1986. A national leader on bankruptcy/commercial issues, she was an activist for feminist causes.

Hon. Judith J. Gische ’80 was designated an associate justice of the New York State Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, 1 Department, in October 2012.  She has been a longtime advocate for women in the legal profession and for family-friendly changes.

Neil A. Goldberg ’73 is a co-founding partner of the law firm Goldberg Segalla LLP, which employs about 285 lawyers in 19 offices in the United States and the United Kingdom. He focuses his practice on personal injury, product liability and legal malpractice.

James W. Grable Jr. ’96, a partner in the Buffalo law firm Connors LLP, focuses his practice on complex federal criminal and civil litigation, handling trial and appellate matters in federal and state courts.

Carl A. Green ’50 was a founding partner of the Buffalo law firm Lipsitz Green Scime & Cambria. A renowned trial lawyer, he was an advocate for workers exposed to asbestos, children endangered by lead-based paint and union officials incriminated for being un-American.

Hon. Samuel L. Green ’67 is an associate justice of the Appellate Division, 4 Department. He was the first African-American judge outside of New York City elected to a state judgeship. He then became the first African-American justice in the Appellate Division outside of New York City.

William R. Greiner’s impact on UB was profound. He drove significant growth as president of the university, expanding research, facilities and athletics. His legacy includes academic advancements, campus development and raising UB’s national stature. His dedication to students and the community cemented his lasting influence. He received the 27 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award recognizing his distinguished 35-year career at UB as a law professor, provost and president. This award is the highest honor the School of Law and Law Alumni Association can bestow.

Richard F. Griffin ’57, a respected Buffalo lawyer for six decades, was a skilled litigator who focused on civil rights, railroads and personal injury. He was an advocate who devoted his career to helping people get justice.

Gordon R. Gross ’55, a prominent local attorney, businessperson and community leader, is a co-founder of the law firm Gross Shuman, P.C. He is admired for his many philanthropic endeavors. He was a SUNY trustee from 2001-2008. He is a member of 24 boards and has led 12 of them.

Gordon Gross ’55 and his wife, Gretchen, are thanked for their engagement and philanthropy with the law school, the university and the community by having a classroom in John Lord O’Brian Hall named in their honor.

Hon. John J. Gruber ’52 was an attorney specializing in admiralty law who served for 24 years as Tonawanda town justice. From 2001-2007 he served concurrently as a town justice and a Buffalo City Court judge.