2022 UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Awards

Zoom image: Left to right: Robert J. Gutowski, Jodyann Galvin, David C. Schopp, Sachin Kohli, Karen Andolina Scott, Hon. Michael M. Mohun, Hon. David L. Edmunds Jr. Group of people standing: Robert J. Gutowski, Jodyann Galvin, David C. Schopp, Sachin Kohli, Karen Andolina Scott, Hon. Michael M. Mohun, Hon. David L. Edmunds Jr.

Left to right: Robert J. Gutowski, Jodyann Galvin, David C. Schopp, Sachin Kohli, Karen Andolina Scott, Hon. Michael M. Mohun, Hon. David L. Edmunds Jr.

At the 59th UB School of Law Alumni Association Annual Dinner and Presentation of the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Awards, six alumni and one non-alumnus were recognized for the valuable contributions that they have made to their profession and community.

About this Interview

Date

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Place

Hyatt Regency Buffalo
2 Fountain Plaza, Buffalo

Watch the Video

Explore the Video Index

magnifying glass over an icon of a video player.

Click to browse and search the indexed media:

  • View segment-level summaries
  • Keyword search and navigation
  • Data linked to corresponding video segment
See more context

Honorees

Award for the Judiciary: Hon. Michael M. Mohun ’80

(Acting) Justice, New York State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, Multi-Bench Judge, Wyoming County Court, Cowlesville, N.Y. For his conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary. Presented by Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93

Award for Private Practice: Sachin Kohli ’06

Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, New York City. For his leadership by example as a private practitioner. Presented by Robert C. Brucato ’90

Award for Public Service: David C. Schopp ’82

Executive Director, Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Inc. For his commitment to public service. Presented by Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93

Award for Public Service: Karen Andolina Scott ’09

Executive Director, Journey’s End Refugee Services Inc. For her commitment to public service. Presented by Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93

Award for Community Service: Jodyann Galvin ’98

Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP. For her many contributions to the betterment of our community. Presented by Robert C. Brucato ’90

Award for Business Achievement: Robert J. Gutowski ’99

General Counsel, MSCI Inc., New York City. For his exemplary performance in business. Presented by Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93

Award for Service by a Non-Alumnus: Hon. David L. Edmunds Jr.

Former Judge, City Court of Buffalo (Ret.) and former Deputy Commissioner, New York State Liquor Authority. For Outstanding Service to the University and the Community by a Non-Alumnus. Presented by Robert C. Brucato ’90

Speakers and Co-Chairs

Master of Ceremonies: Jeffrey C. Stravino ’97, President, UB Law Alumni Association. Remarks were presented by Aviva Abramovsky, Dean, University at Buffalo School of Law; Michael J. Hecker ’09, Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93 and Robert C. Brucato ’90

Dinner Co-Chairs were Patricia S. Ciccarelli ’93 and Robert C. Brucato ’90

Interviews Featuring These Awardees

  • Hon. Michael M. Mohun ’80
    12/1/25
    Hon. Michael M. Mohun ’80 is a New York State (Acting) Supreme Court Justice, 8 Judicial District, and a Wyoming County Multi-Court Judge in Cowlesville, N.Y. He has presided over the County, Family and Surrogate courts in Wyoming County.
  • Sachin Kohli ’06
    12/5/25
    Sachin Kohli ’06 is a partner in the New York City office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where he represents public and private companies and private equity funds in connection with acquisitions and divestitures, and provides counsel on general corporate matters. He has advised companies on multibillion-dollar mergers and acquisitions.
  • David C. Schopp ’82
    12/1/25
    David C. Schopp ’82 is executive director of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, the largest provider of criminal appellate services for indigent defendants in Erie, Genesee, Cattaraugus and Orleans counties, among other areas of assistance. He has served as head of the agency since 2000.
  • Karen Andolina Scott ’09
    12/1/25
    Karen Andolina Scott ’09, executive director of the nonprofit agency Journey’s End Refugee Services Inc., oversees the organization’s administration, programs and strategic plan in Buffalo. She develops and implements legal services that offer holistic immigration representation to low-income refugees, asylees and other vulnerable immigrant populations.
  • Jodyann Galvin ’98
    12/1/25
    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.
  • Robert J. Gutowski ’99
    12/1/25
    Robert J. Gutowski ’99, general counsel of MSCI Inc. in New York City, helped build, take public, and now heads the legal department at a cutting-edge global financial services firm. He regularly volunteers to supervise law student externs and mentors law students in the New York City Program in Finance and Law.
  • Hon. David L. Edmunds, Jr.
    3/5/26
    Hon. David Edmunds Jr. was the first African-American elected president of the Bar Association of Erie County. His commitment to public service and his leadership in multiple state agencies and legal organizations have substantially advanced minority representation in the legal profession throughout the state.