Class Action - February 2026

Margaret L. Phillips ’92 has accepted a position as attorney-in-charge of the Western New York Regional Support Center with the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services, in Buffalo. She previously served as director of paralegal studies at Daemen University in Amherst, N.Y.

Fonda D. Kubiak ’94 has accepted a position as a litigation training director with the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Inc. Kubiak previously served as a training director with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Western District of New York in Buffalo. She is an adjunct faculty member at the School of Law and a trial technique instructor.  

Christopher J. Centore ’98, partner and real estate practice area chair with Barclay Damon LLP in the Syracuse, N.Y., office, has been named financial services practice group leader.

Luke S. Bassis ’03 has been appointed chief procurement officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, where he oversees acquisition strategy and procurement policy. He previously served as director of procurement for the Port Authority.

Joseph D. Morath ’05 has joined the personal injury law firm of Morgan & Morgan P.A. as a partner, practicing in the Buffalo and New York City offices. Morath was previously a partner with Connors LLP in Buffalo.

Crystal J. Rodriguez-Dabney ’06 (JD), ’07 (LLM) has become a member of the board of trustees of Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. She is chief diversity officer and senior vice president at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo and a past member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association.

Hon. Jessica A. Kulpit ’08 was elected an Erie County Court judge in Buffalo. She was previously a solo practitioner in Buffalo, concentrating her practice in criminal defense.

Lawrence W. Gallick ’12 has been promoted to partner with Morrison Foerster in the Austin, Texas, office. Gallick is a member of the technology transactions group.

Michael N. Vranjes ’14 has been promoted to partner with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in the Buffalo office, concentrating his practice on patent prosecution and the protection of technology, with an emphasis on mechanical, biomedical, optical, software and electrical inventions.

Matthew A. Eldred ’15 has been promoted to partner with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in the Rochester, N.Y., office, advising clients on energy, transactional, land use and zoning issues. 

Conor T. Flynn ’15 has become director of corporate contracts at the Penn Center for Innovation with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He previously served as director of research contracts with UB.

Anastasia M. McCarthy ’15 will be honored at the School of Law’s OUTLaw Dinner and Award Ceremony on March 6 in Buffalo. She is a member with Hurwitz Fine P.C. in Buffalo and a member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association.

Anna S.M. McCarthy ’15 has been promoted to partner with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP in the Buffalo office, specializing in labor and employment law.

Caitlin E. O'Neil ’15 has accepted a position as senior deputy counsel with the City of Buffalo. She most recently served as associate director of The Advocacy Institute at the School of Law.

Jessica E. Tariq ’16, counsel with Barclay Damon LLP in the Rochester, N.Y., office, has become a member of the firm’s next generation committee. She concentrates her practice on tort defense and insurance coverage disputes, representing individuals and businesses in pre-suit matters and litigated actions. 

Sarah M. Washington ’16 has been promoted to assistant general counsel with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. in Williamsville, N.Y. She previously served as senior counsel. Washington is a vice president of the UB Law Alumni Association, a past president of the association’s GOLD Group, and a previous recipient of the Trailblazer Award from UB School of Law’s Students of Color.

Samantha V. Catone ’17 has started Sammy Catone Coaching, working as a coach and speaker, focusing on burnout prevention, resilience and sustainable success for high-achieving professionals, particularly women in high-stress careers. She was previously a litigation attorney with Richmond Vona LLC in Buffalo.

Donell L. Gibson Jr. ’18 has been promoted to partner with Lippes Mathias LLP in the firm’s corporate; securities; and sports, entertainment and hospitality practice teams in the Buffalo office.

Katherine T. McCarley ’20 has been promoted from associate counsel to counsel with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. in Williamsville, N.Y., and has also assumed the new role of senior program manager for corporate responsibility.

Giulia L. Buscaglia ’25 has accepted a position as an associate with Barclay Damon LLP in the Buffalo office, practicing in the areas of energy, property tax and condemnation, and mass and toxic torts.  

Sierra E. Leitten ’25 has joined Barclay Damon LLP as an associate in the firm’s Buffalo office, representing clients in commercial litigation and labor and employment matters.