David E. Franasiak ’78 (Jaeckle Award 2026)
David E. Franasiak ’78, JD/MBA, a principal at Williams & Jensen PLLC, received the 2026 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest honor the law school and the UB Law Alumni Association can bestow. He helped develop and launch the law school’s New York City Program in Business and Law.
About this Interview
Interview Date(s)
- March 23, 2017
- March 24, 2026
Occasion
- Recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award for Business at the 55th Annual Alumni Dinner
- The Edwin F. Jaeckle Award presentation at the New York City Alumni Luncheon, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the New York City Program in Business and Law
Place
- Union League Club, 38 E. 37th St., New York City, NY (2026)
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About David E. Franasiak
Franasiak grew up in Tonawanda, N.Y., and attended Buffalo State College, the first in his family to go to college. He took a year off between undergraduate and graduate school to work in the mayor’s office, then applied to UB for two professional degrees. In addition to the J.D. he has an MBA, for which he had to negotiate with the School of Business, as there were no dual degree programs at the time.
Although he wanted to “think like a lawyer,” Franasiak had no interest in going to court. He enjoyed the School of Business more, preferring financial services. He feels attached to both schools.
His favorite law professors were Halpern, who taught him Civil Procedure; McCarty, who taught Quantitative Methods; Kochery, for Labor Law; and Joyce, for Tax. He passed the bar exam the first time.
After graduating, he received a call from Rep. Henry Nowak asking him to run a subcommittee on business tax in Washington, D.C. From then on, his work in Washington with tax issues—tax expertise and reform, and auditing—increasingly drove his success.
- Director of the Tax Policy Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 1980-1984
- Director, Washington government relations, British Petroleum America, 1984-1987
- Principal, Office of the Chairperson, Ernst &Young, 1987-1991
- Partner, Williams & Jensen, 1991-present
- He also served as an adviser to multinational companies, start-ups, and business associations and coalitions during this time.
One of his passions is the law school’s New York City Program in Finance and Law. Franasiak is a major supporter and has an ongoing commitment to the program, where he has taught seminars, and helped students find jobs, since 2006.
According to Franasiak, the program gives the law school an essential New York City presence, gets alumni more involved with the school and helps the students develop crucial contacts and skills through lectures.
Franasiak said if he were to earn a law degree today, he would specialize in something like IP.
In 2012, the Buffalo Law Review honored him for Distinguished Service to the University at Buffalo School of Law.
About David E. Franasiak
Franasiak is a member of Williams & Jensen’s executive committee, overseeing financial management and serving as a trustee of the firm’s pension plans. Since joining the firm in 1992, he has advised companies, trade associations, financial institutions, and nonprofit organizations as they navigate complex policy and regulatory challenges in Washington, D.C. He draws on deep knowledge of legislative and administrative processes and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving, in issues ranging from data access and antitrust to financial services and natural resources.
Since the New York City Program’s inception in 2006 —a program he helped envision and champion—he has shared that expertise with students, teaching courses that explore securitization, cryptocurrency, and commercial real estate, and meeting with students to advise them on navigating the Big City market.
“From day one, David has been instrumental in shaping our New York City Program in Business and Law—investing his time, talent, and resources to ensure its success,” says Dean S. Todd Brown. Through his expertise in the classroom and his dedicated mentorship, he has guided students as they explore careers in the world’s financial capital.
Speakers
- Stephanie A. Mack, Exec. Director, Law Alumni Association, Master of Ceremonies
- Dr. Satish K. Tripathi, President of the University at Buffalo, via recorded remarks
- Dean S. Todd Brown
- Professor David Westbrook
- Patrica S. Ciccarelli ’93
About the Jaeckle Award
The Jaeckle Award is given annually to a person who exemplifies the highest ideals of UB School of Law and the Law Alumni Association and has made significant contributions to the school and the legal profession. It is named for Edwin F. Jaeckle ’15, a founding partner of the Buffalo law firm Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel, and a major benefactor of the school.
