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Kenneth B. Forrest to receive the 33rd Edwin F. Jaeckle Award in NYC January 29

The Edwin F. Jaeckle Award is the highest honor the University at Buffalo Law School and the UB Law Alumni Association can bestow. This year, it will be presented to Kenneth B. Forrest '76 for his distinguished contributions to four deans in setting the strategic direction of the Law School. Forrest is a longtime member and past chairman of UB Law School's Dean's Advisory Council.

UB Law School Dean and SUNY Distinguished Professor Makau W. Mutua will present the award on Friday, Jan. 29, at 12 noon, at the Union League Club, in New York City, in conjunction with the New York State Bar Association meeting.

Previous recipients have included Hon. Charles S. Desmond, Hon. Matthew J. Jasen, Manly Fleischmann, Jacob D. Hyman, Hon. M. Dolores Denman, and William R. Greiner.

According to Dean Mutua, "Ken Forrest is one of UB Law's most accomplished alumni. He has made significant and lasting contributions to the Law School. Over a span of 18 years, he has been an invaluable advisor and counselor to four deans. His advice has been inestimable, and he is highly deserving of this award."

Forrest has been a partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, one of the world's leading business law firms, since 1982. He is currently the assigning partner in the firm's litigation department. He has litigated numerous disputes relating to corporate mergers and acquisitions, including some of the leading decisions in that area of law. He played a leading role in the nationwide effort to obtain judicial approvals for the November 1998 settlement between the states and the tobacco industry.

Born in 1952 in Brooklyn, NY, Forrest graduated from Brooklyn College magna cum laude in 1973 with a bachelor of arts degree in economics, and from the University at Buffalo Law School magna cum laude in 1976 with a juris doctor degree.

He has served on a number of professional committees, including the Committee on Federal Legislation and the Committee on Professional Responsibility of the Association of the Bar of New York City. He currently serves as a member of the University at Buffalo Law School's Dean's Advisory Council. He received Distinguished Alumnus Awards in 2003 from the University at Buffalo Alumni Association and in 2000 from the University at Buffalo Law School Alumni Association.

"This will be the first time since 1976, when the Jaeckle Award was initially presented, that the honor will be bestowed outside of Buffalo," says Ilene R. Fleischmann, the executive director of the UB Law Alumni Association. To make a reservation, please call the Law Alumni Office at (716) 645-2107.