2018 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards

Zoom image: Left to right: Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89, Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95, Steven J. Weiss ’91, Hon. Frank P. Geraci Jr., Bradley M. Gayton ’91, Karen L. Nicolson ’89 Group of people standing: Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89, Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95, Steven J. Weiss ’91, Hon. Frank P. Geraci Jr., Bradley M. Gayton ’91, Karen L. Nicolson ’89.

Left to right: Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89, Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95, Steven J. Weiss ’91, Hon. Frank P. Geraci Jr., Bradley M. Gayton ’91, Karen L. Nicolson ’89

At the 56th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards, five alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.

About this Interview

Date

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Place

Hyatt Regency Buffalo
2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo

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Honorees

Award for the Judiciary: Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95

Associate Judge, Buffalo City Court. For his conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary. Presented by Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07

Award for Private Practice: Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89

Partner, Phillips Lytle LLP. For his leadership by example as a private practitioner. Presented by Jason G. Ulatowski ’07

Award for Community Service: Steven J. Weiss ’91

Managing Partner, Cannon, Heyman & Weiss LLP. For his many contributions to the betterment of our community. Presented by Jason G. Ulatowski ’07

Award for Public Service: Karen L. Nicolson ’89

Chief Executive Officer, Center for Elder Law & Justice. For her commitment to public service. Presented by Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07

Award for Business Achievement: Bradley M. Gayton ’91

Group Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Mich. For his exemplary performance in business. Presented by Jason G. Ulatowski ’07

Award for Service by a Non-Alumnus: Hon. Frank P. Geraci Jr

Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Western District of New York. For Outstanding Service to the University and the Community by a Non-Alumnus. Presented by Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07

Speakers and Co-Chairs

Master of Ceremonies Pietra G. Lettieri Zaffram ’01, President, UB Law Alumni Association. Remarks were presented by Aviva Abramovsky, Dean, University at Buffalo School of Law; Rodney M. Grabowski, Vice President for Advancement, University at Buffalo; Marc W. Brown ’99, Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07 and Jason G. Ulatowski ’07

Dinner Co-Chairs were Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07 and Jason G. Ulatowski ’07

Interviews Featuring These Awardees

  • Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95
    12/6/25
    Hon. Craig D. Hannah ’95 served as chief judge of Buffalo City Court and supervising judge of the 11 city courts in the Eighth Judicial District, encompassing Western New York. Judge Hannah was the presiding judge of the first Opioid Intervention Court in the United States, established in May 2017.
  • Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89
    12/6/25
    Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89, a senior partner with Phillips Lytle LLP, focuses his practice on telecommunications law, commercial real estate and public-private partnerships. He is a longtime alumni leader at the law school and a former chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council.
  • Steven J. Weiss ’91
    12/6/25
    Steven J. Weiss ’91, founding partner of a Buffalo affordable housing law firm, is deeply committed to serving his community. He is president and board chair of the Buffalo Jewish Federation; a board member of Roswell Park Comprehensive Care Center; and serves on the New York State Housing Finance Agency.
  • Karen L. Nicolson ’89
    4/3/26
    Karen L. Nicolson ’89 is CEO of Buffalo’s Center for Elder Law and Justice, which uses the legal system to improve the quality of life for elderly, disabled and low-income persons, advocating for them in the health care system, housing, consumer protection and elder abuse.
  • Bradley M. Gayton '91
    12/6/25
    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.
    12/6/25
    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.