2019 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards

Zoom image: Left to right: Christopher A. Wightman,  Ilene R. Fleischmann, Hon. Alexander Hunter, Lenora Foote-Beavers, Caroline A. Wojtaszek, Daniel C. Oliverio   Group of people standing: Christopher A. Wightman, Ilene R. Fleischmann, Hon. Alexander Hunter, Lenora Foote-Beavers, Caroline A. Wojtaszek, Daniel C. Oliverio.

Left to right: Christopher A. Wightman,  Ilene R. Fleischmann, Hon. Alexander Hunter, Lenora Foote-Beavers, Caroline A. Wojtaszek, Daniel C. Oliverio  

At the 57th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2019 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

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Place

Hyatt Regency Buffalo
2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo

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Honorees

Award for the Judiciary: Hon. Alexander W. Hunter Jr. ’74

Judge, United Nations Dispute Tribunal, New York City, Geneva and Nairobi; Judicial Hearing Officer, Criminal Court of the City of New York. For his conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary. Presented by Kevin J. Espinosa ’09

Award for Private Practice: Daniel C. Oliverio ’82

Partner and Chairman Emeritus, Hodgson Russ LLP.  For his leadership by example as a private practitioner. Presented by Kevin J. Espinosa ’09

Award for Community Service: Lenora B. Foote-Beavers ’97

Executive Assistant to the Presiding Justice, New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Fourth Department. For her many contributions to the betterment of our community. Presented by Melissa H. Nickson ’97

Award for Business Achievement: Christopher A. Wightman ’99

Partner, PJT Camberview, San Francisco, Calif. For his exemplary performance in business. Presented by Melissa H. Nickson ’97

Award for Public Service: Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97

Niagara County District Attorney, Lockport, N.Y. For her commitment to public service. Presented by Kevin J. Espinosa ’09

Award for Service by a Non-Alumna: Ilene R. Fleischmann

Vice Dean for Alumni and Executive Director, UB Law Alumni Association, University at Buffalo School of Law. For Outstanding Service to the University and the Community by a Non-Alumna. Presented by Melissa H. Nickson ’97

Speakers and Co-Chairs

Master of Ceremonies Marc W. Brown ’99, President, UB Law Alumni Association. Remarks were presented by Aviva Abramovsky, Dean, University at Buffalo School of Law; Satish K. Tripathi, President, University at Buffalo; Scott C. Becker ’93, Kevin J. Espinosa ’09 and Melissa H. Nickson ’97

Dinner Co-Chairs were Kevin J. Espinosa ’09 and Melissa H. Nickson ’97

Interviews Featuring These Awardees

  • Hon. Alexander W. Hunter, Jr. ’74
    12/1/25
    Hon. Alexander W. Hunter Jr. ’74 is a judge in the United Nations Dispute Tribunal, in New York City, Geneva and Nairobi; and a judicial hearing officer in the Criminal Court of the City of New York.
  • Daniel C. Oliverio ’82
    12/1/25
    Daniel C. Oliverio ’82 is a partner and chairman emeritus of Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo office. He heads the firm’s False Claims Act & Whistleblower Representation and Business Crimes, Regulatory Offenses & Corporate Investigations practices.
  • Hon. Lenora B. Foote-Beavers ’97
    12/18/25
    Hon. Lenora Foote-Beavers ’97 has been a longtime leader in the Minority Bar Association, the Western New York chapter of the Women’s Bar Association and the UB Law Alumni Association. She has devoted much of her career to public service. She has worked tirelessly to increase diversity in the profession.
  • Christopher A. Wightman ’99
    12/1/25
    Christopher A. Wightman ’99, a partner with PJT Camberview in San Francisco, advises clients on corporate governance and shareholder engagement, with a focus on shareholder activism, complex proxy voting and executive compensation. He previously led the global corporate governance and portfolio compliance programs for Vanguard. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council.
  • Hon. Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97
    12/1/25
    Hon. Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97, Niagara County district attorney since 2017, is the first woman to hold the position in Niagara County. She has long been a leader in the fight against domestic violence and helped develop Niagara County’s domestic violence protocols that later served as a model for district attorneys statewide.
  • Vice Dean Ilene R. Fleischmann
    12/1/25
    Ilene Fleischmann, vice dean emerita, was vice dean for alumni and executive director of the UB Law Alumni Association for almost four decades. She expanded alumni engagement and elevated the School of Law’s profile with award-winning events, public relations and publications, serving under four UB presidents, 10 law school deans and 39 alumni association presidents.