Douglas W. Dimitroff ’89

Douglass Dimitroff in front of Phillips Lytle logo.

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.

About this Interview

Interview Date(s)

April 12, 2018

Occasion

Distinguished Alumnus Award for Private Practice

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About Douglas W. Dimitroff

Though neither of his parents went to college, Dimitroff grew up always wanting to be a lawyer. Soon after marrying, he and his wife, Grace, both decided to go to graduate school: she went to medical school, and he to UB law school.

He began his career working in litigation, then transitioned to commercial real estate, which he enjoyed. He applied to Phillips Lytle several times until the firm finally hired him.

At Phillips Lytle, he continued to work in commercial real estate law for six years until an opportunity arose in telecommunications and international/Canadian border law. He recognized the potential for growth and decided to broaden his focus. It was a prescient move.

Dimitroff now considers his greatest professional achievement his service on the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee, representing the New York State Wireless Association.

From the time he graduated from UB Law, Dimitroff has been deeply involved with his law school. He was a founder and early chair of the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Group, a young alumni cohort of the UB Law Alumni Association. He then became active in the Law Alumni Association and served as chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council, which advises the dean on curriculum and other matters.

He has been selected for Upstate New York Super Lawyers, and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and in Who’s Who in Law by Business First of Buffalo and the Buffalo Law Journal.

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