Class of 2009 Receive Awards at UB Law's 120th Commencement

Congratulations to the 248 students who graduated with J.D. degrees at the University at Buffalo Law School's 120th Commencement; and to the 10 who received LL.M. degrees. Ceremonies for the Class of 2009 were held on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at UB's Center for the Arts.

The following students received awards:

Kevin J. Espinosa, of Lancaster, NY, received the Max Koren Award, which honors the senior judged by the faculty to be the outstanding member of the graduating class. This award is supported by a gift from M. Robert Koren, class of 1944, and son of Max Koren.

Patrick E. Fitzsimmons receives the John N. Bennett Achievement Award from James A. Gardner, professor and Vice Dean for Academic Affairs.

Patrick E. Fitzsimmons, of Albion, NY, received the John N. Bennett Achievement Award, presented to the member of the graduating class, who, in the judgment of the faculty and the dean, has exemplified the highest standards of the profession by virtue of scholastic achievement, leadership and dedication to the ideals of the law school. The award is named in honor of John N. Bennett, class of 1934.

Candacé M. Jackson receives the Dale S. Margulis Award from professor James A. Gardner.

Candacé M. Jackson, of Newport News, VA, received the Dale S. Margulis Award, presented to a member of the graduating class who has contributed the most to the Law School and the community. Dale S. Margulis, a member of the class of 1982, died suddenly in August 1982. To honor his memory, his classmates, family and friends established this award. Candidates are nominated by members of the graduating class, and the recipient is selected by the deans.

Anna M. Falicov, of Buffalo, NY, received the American Law Institute-American Bar Association Scholarship and Leadership Award, presented to the member of the graduating class who best represents a combination of scholarship and leadership, the qualities embodied by the American Law Institute and the American Bar Association.

Jill M. Hurley, of Cheektowaga, NY, received the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence in Bankruptcy, presented to encourage students to study bankruptcy law. The medal is given annually to a graduating student for having demonstrated excellence in the study of bankruptcy law.

Catherine B. Meyers, of Webster, NY, Tara L. Short, of Amherst, NY, and Adam J. Tapply, of Agawam, MA, received the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law, presented to honor superior academic performance and encourage student interest in the field of health law.

Randy V. Clower, of Amherst, NY, Kurt R. Denniston, of Altamont, NY, and Barbara L. Waal, of Bath, NY, received American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law, presented to students who demonstrate superior academic performance in the field of intellectual property.

Samuel S. Feuerstein, of Tonawanda, NY, Julia M. McCrea, of Hamburg, NY, and Anthony R. Reeves, of Buffalo, NY, received the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law, presented to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance in the areas of labor and employment.

Amy J. Kaslovsky, of Slingerlands, NY, received the Birzon Prize in Clinical Legal Studies, presented in honor of Israel and Irene Birzon, parents of Paul Birzon, distinguished lawyer and former adjunct faculty member at the Law School, presented to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated excellence in the Law School's clinical and trial advocacy program.

Daniel E. Dovi, of Buffalo, NY, received the Charles Dautch Award, presented to the graduating senior who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in courses, examinations and independent research in the law of real property. Charles Dautch, a well-known lawyer in Buffalo for sixty-one years, graduated from the Buffalo Law School in 1919. He was widely respected for his public service activities. The award has been endowed by his family.

Stephani L. Bouvet, of Buffalo, NY, received the Professor Louis DelCotto Award, presented to the student whose academic performance in the area of taxation is outstanding. The award is given in honor of Louis A. DelCotto, ‘51, a beloved professor who taught tax law from 1961 to 1998, and developed the sequence of courses in taxation taught at the Law School.

Roopa R. Chapprakkan, of Brooklyn, NY, received the Maurice Frey Award, given annually to that member of the graduating class whose academic performance in the area of family law is most exceptional. It is named to honor the memory of Maurice Frey, a prominent attorney who cared deeply about legal education and taught at the Law School for a number of years. He also worked tirelessly in the community to ensure that our legal system served and protected all members of our society.

Jill M. Hurley, of Cheektowaga, NY, received the Edith and David Goldstein Award, given for outstanding performance in courses involving debtor-creditor and bankruptcy law. It is supported by the friends and family of Edith and David Goldstein. Edith graduated from the Law School in 1924. Her husband, David, an accomplished practitioner in the areas of debtor-creditor and bankruptcy law, taught at the Law School from 1944 to 1969.

Patrick E. Fitzsimmons, of Albion, NY, received the Professor Thomas E. Headrick “Trees and Forest” Award, given to the student of corporate finance who most clearly recognizes that a corporate practitioner needs both to understand the transaction fully and to get the details precisely correct.

Taiymoor J. Naqi, of Albany, NY, received the Judge Matthew J. Jasen Appellate Practice Award, presented to the graduating senior who in course work and Moot Court competition has shown outstanding achievement in appellate advocacy. The award is given in honor of Judge Jasen, Class of 1939, and is supported by his friends and former clerks.

Deborah Aloof, of Plainview, NY, received the David Kochery Award, provided by the family and friends of David Kochery, who taught at the Law School from 1953 to 1980. It is presented to the graduating senior who has taken an active part in the student community through service and involvement in one or more student organizations, and who has performed exceptionally well in courses in civil procedure and remedies.

Brian D. Manning, of Buffalo, NY, received the Laidlaw Law Alumni Association Award, which commemorates William Laidlaw, a beloved professor and practitioner. Professor Laidlaw taught on the law faculty from 1926 to 1962. The award is given to the student who has the best performance in the area of commercial law, as described by the faculty, and is provided by the Law Alumni Association.

Joshua A. Dilk, of Fulton, NY, received the Professor Virginia Leary Award, given to the student whose academic performance in the area of taxation is outstanding, as recommended by the faculty. The award is given in memory of Virginia Leary, a beloved SUNY Distinguished Service Professor who taught international law from 1976, and developed the sequence of courses and externships in international law at the Law School.

Laurie A. Baker, of Hamburg, NY, received the Moot Evidence Award, presented for the best performance in the area of evidence as determined by the faculty. The award is given in honor of Welles and Caroline Moot and in remembrance of Adelbert Moot, who taught evidence in the founding years of UB Law School.

Joshua L. Dudeck, of West Seneca, NY, received the Albert R. Mugel Award, presented to the member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in future interests and estate planning law. The award is named in honor of Albert R. Mugel, Class of 1941, a founder of the law firm of Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel. He taught future interests and estate planning at the Law School as an adjunct professor for over fifty years. During his long career in practice, he served the community with great distinction.

Brittany T. Akins, of Canaseraga, NY, received the Ryan J. Mullins Award, given annually to the graduating senior demonstrating the greatest commitment to and proficiency in criminal law and criminal trial practice skills. Ryan J. Mullins, a member of the class of 2005, died suddenly in September 2003. To honor his memory, his classmates, family, friends and members of the Law School community established this award.

Joshua L. Dudeck, of West Seneca, NY, received the Harry A. Rachlin Prize in Real Property Law and Real Estate Transactions, presented to law students who exhibit excellence in research, clinical and academic performance in the areas of real property law, housing, housing finance and real estate transactions as determined by the faculty and administration of the Law School. This award was established by the family of Harry A. Rachlin, Class of 1926, who during his lengthy and renowned career was a leading authority regarding the New York State Lien Law. Mr. Rachlin served as a lecturer and maintained an ongoing interest in the welfare of UB Law students.

Yasmin W. Adamy, of Williamsville, NY, received the Judge William J. Regan Award, given to the member of the graduating class who has demonstrated the greatest proficiency in estates and surrogate's law, and who is motivated by a strong concern for public service and public welfare. The award is named in honor of Judge William J. Regan, Class of 1938, and Erie County Surrogate from 1963 to 1981. During his long career in practice and on the bench, he served the community with great distinction. This award is supported from a fund donated by friends of Judge Regan.

Mark A. Foti, of Williamsville, NY, received the James M. Kieffer Trial Excellence Award, presented to the graduating senior whose proficiency in trial advocacy has been most outstanding. Selection is based on performance in both coursework and trial competitions. The award is named in memory of James M. Kieffer, a nationally recognized trial attorney who practiced in Western New York.

James A. Davis, of Tonawanda, NY, Mark A. Foti, of Williamsville, NY, Eduardo V. Gonzalez, of Buffalo, NY, Allyson B. Levine, of Pittsford, NY, Jeremy V. Murray, of Williamsville, NY, Sydney V. Probst, of East Amherst, NY, Antonio L. Restaino, of Niagara Falls, NY, Marnie E. Smith, of Williamsville, NY, and Stefanie A. Svoran, of Pittsford, NY, were awarded the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Awards, presented to those students who have the best performance record in the course in trial technique, as selected by their instructors. The award is presented in honor of Robert J. Connelly, who was an exceptionally able trial lawyer prior to his tragic and untimely death at age 44. The awards are presented by the Erie County Trial Lawyers Association.

Ryan D. Haggerty, of Williamsville, NY, received the New York State Bar Association Ethics Award, presented to a student selected by the dean upon recommendation of the faculty members who teach courses in legal professional and professional responsibility based on either the best “written article, essay or other exposition on the subject of legal professional responsibility or legal ethics” or “a substantial action or activity in furtherance of legal professional responsibility or legal ethics.”

Gabrielle C. Peterson, of Clarence, NY, received the Carlos C. Alden Award. Carlos C. Alden was dean of the Law School from 1904-1936 and Professor of Law from 1904-1955. The award is presented to the senior who made the greatest contribution to the Buffalo Law Review, as decided by the Law Review members.

Keith A. Gorgos, of Binghamton, NY, received the Justice Philip Halpern Award. Prior to becoming a justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Justice Halpern was dean of the Law School and a member of the faculty for 27 years. The Halpern award is given to a graduating senior for excellence in writing on the Law Review. The winner is determined by the Law Review members.

The Order of Barristers is a national oralists honors society. The members include students who have shown dedication and who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board. Each year, ten students are elected to membership in the organization. The newly elected members of the Order of Barristers include Victoria Choi, of Brooklyn, NY, Darice L. Dinsmore, of Buffalo, NY, Kevin J. Espinosa, of Lancaster, NY, Michael J. Hecker, of Clifton Park, NY, Matthew J. Kibler, of South Wales, NY, Katherine L. McCrink, of Yonkers, NY, Chad E. Murray, of Medina, NY, Sydney V. Probst, of East Amherst, NY, Kimberly L. Sweet, of Buffalo, NY, Jason L. Wand, Rego Park, NY.

Pamela S. Schaller, of Amherst, NY, received the Justice M. Dolores Denman Award, presented by the WNY Chapter of the Women's Bar Association to a graduating senior who is a custodial parent, with preference given to single parents. The award is intended to offset the costs of daycare and other child rearing expenses during the bar study period. This award commemorates the Honorable M. Dolores Denman, a member of the class of 1965, who was the first woman to be named presiding justice of the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division. Justice Denman was a single parent while in law school, and yet managed to graduate as class valedictorian.

Rebecca L. Town, of Buffalo, NY, and Anna M. Falicov, of Buffalo, NY, received the Linda S. Reynolds Award, established by the board of directors and staff of the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. to honor the memory of Ms. Reynolds, a 1983 graduate of the Law School, who served as executive attorney of the Legal Aid Bureau for more than a decade prior to her death in 1999. It is awarded to a graduating senior who, in judgment of the faculty, has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to equal justice for the poor.

Steven A. Marshall, of Lafayette, NY, received the Milton Kaplan Award in Law and Social Development, which honors a member of the graduating class who best demonstrates exceptional commitment to the study of law and social development in an American, comparative, or international context. Milton Kaplan, who taught from 1965 to 1986, was admired for his selfless dedication to students and colleagues and for his penetrating yet admirably unassuming scholarship. Throughout his career, he was committed to the shaping of law to improve the conditions of public life in local communities around the world.

Henderson O. Brathwaite II, of Brooklyn NY, Candacé M. Jackson, of Newport News, VA, and Jodi-Kay Williams, of Rosedale, NY, received the Minority Bar Association of Western New York Award, presented to members of the graduating class who, in the judgment of the Minority Bar Association and the Law School, exemplifies high standards of the profession by virtue of scholastic achievement and leadership, and who demonstrates a significant commitment to effectuating changes within the legal system that addresses the needs of the minority community.

Emily R. Fusco, of Canandaigua, NY, received the Women Lawyers of Western New York Award, a new award for a woman member of the graduating class whose performance in academic and Law School activities in the areas of children's rights and/or family violence is exceptional. It is given by the Women Lawyers of Western New York.

Amy L. Goerss, of Williamsville, NY, received the National Association of Women Lawyers Award, presented to the outstanding law graduate who has shown superior academic achievement and has contributed to the advancement of women in society.

Jodi-Kay E. Williams, of Rosedale, NY, received the UB Law Alumni Association's GOLD Group Award, given annually to a graduating law student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills in advancing the mission of the Law School and enhancing its reputation for excellence in legal education. The winner's name is inscribed on the GOLD Group plaque, which is displayed in the Law Library. The recipient also receives a commemorative plaque.