2016 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards

Zoom image: Bottom, Neil A. Goldberg; Second row, Mason P. Ashe, left, and Hon. Kathy C. Hochul; Third row, Marilyn Tebor Shaw, left, and Trini E. Ross; Top row, Hon. Ralph A. Boniello, left, and Thomas F. Segalla Group of people standing: Neil A. Goldberg, Mason P. Ashe, Hon. Kathy C. Hochul, Marilyn Tebor Shaw, Trini E. Ross, Hon. Ralph A. Boniello, Thomas F. Segalla.

Bottom, Neil A. Goldberg; Second row, Mason P. Ashe, left, and Hon. Kathy C. Hochul; Third row, Marilyn Tebor Shaw, left, and Trini E. Ross; Top row, Hon. Ralph A. Boniello, left, and Thomas F. Segalla

At the 54th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2016 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumna were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.

About this Interview

Date

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Place

Hyatt Regency Buffalo
2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo

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Honorees

Award for the Judiciary: Hon. Ralph A. Boniello ’69

Justice, New York State Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District, Niagara Falls, N.Y. For his conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary. Presented by Pietra Lettieri Zaffram ’01

Award for Private Practice: Neil A. Goldberg ’73 and Thomas F. Segalla ’72

Founding Partners, Goldberg Segalla LLP. For their leadership by example as private practitioners. Presented by Anne E. Joynt ’05

Award for Community Service: Marilyn Tebor Shaw ’79

Associate Judicial Administrator, Cornell University. Ithaca, N.Y. For her many contributions to the betterment of our community. Presented by Pietra Lettieri Zaffram ’01.

Award for Public Service: Trini E. Ross ’92

Senior Litigation Counsel, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of New York. For her commitment to public service. Presented by Anne E. Joynt ’05.

Award for Business Achievement: Mason P. Ashe ’89

Founder/CEO, Ashe Sports & Entertainment Consulting, Washington, D.C. For his exemplary performance in business. Presented by Pietra Lettieri Zaffram ’01.

Award for Service by a Non-Alumna: Hon. Kathy C. Hochul

Lieutenant Governor, State of New York. For Outstanding Service to the University and the Community by a Non-Alumnus. Presented by Anne E. Joynt ’05.

Speakers and Co-Chairs

Master of Ceremonies Robert P. Heary ’91, President, UB Law Alumni Association. Remarks were presented by James A. Gardner, Interim Dean, Bridget and Thomas Black Professor and SUNY Distinguished Professor, UB School of Law; Charles F. Zukoski, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, University at Buffalo; Brian D. Gwitt ’98,  Pietra Lettieri Zaffram ’01 and Anne E. Joynt ’05.

Dinner Co-Chairs were Anne E. Joynt ’05 and Pietra Lettieri Zaffram ’01.

Interviews Featuring These Awardees

  • Hon. Ralph A. Boniello III ’69
    12/1/25
    Hon. Ralph A. Boniello III ’69 is a justice of the New York State Supreme Court, 8 Judicial District, in Niagara Falls. He was first elected in 2001.
  • Neil A. Goldberg ’73
    2/27/26
    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.
  • Thomas F. Segalla ’72
    12/1/25
    Thomas F. Segalla ’72, founding partner of Goldberg Segalla LLP in Buffalo, is a nationally recognized authority on bad faith, reinsurance and insurance, and an ARIAS-U.S. Certified arbitrator and mediator. The firm employs about 285 lawyers in 19 offices in the United States and the United Kingdom.
  • Marilyn Tebor Shaw ’79
    12/1/25
    Marilyn Tebor Shaw ’79, associate judicial administrator of Cornell University, serves in the New York State Bar’s Attorney Emeriti Program in the field of estate planning for the elderly, and serves pro bono on Ithaca’s Board of Zoning Appeals. She has served as legal counsel for the Nomadic Kenyan Children’s Educational Fund.
  • Hon. Trini E. Ross ’92
    12/1/25
    Trini E. Ross ’92 is senior litigation counsel for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of New York. She also teaches Trial Technique at UB School of Law.
  • Mason P. Ashe ’89
    12/1/25
    Mason P. Ashe ’89 is a multifaceted legal professional who has been an attorney, industry adviser and brand strategist for more than 30 years. A successful sports and entertainment lawyer representing companies, celebrities and elite athletes, his passion is teaching.
  • Hon. Kathy C. Hochul
    3/5/26
    Hon. Kathy C. Hochul, a lifelong New Yorker, is a politician and lawyer who has served at all levels of government: town, county, state and federal. She represented the 26 Congressional District from 2011-2013 and was elected lieutenant governor of New York in 2015 and has served since 2021 as the 57 governor of the state.