Class Action - February '17

Maryann Saccomando Freedman ’58 received the 2017 Attorney Professionalism Award from the New York State Bar Association. Freedman is of counsel with Cohen & Lombardo in Buffalo, where she resides.

Hon. Eugene F. Pigott Jr. ’73 recently retired as senior associate justice of the New York State Court of Appeals in Buffalo. He is currently serving as a New York State Supreme Court justice, 8th Judicial District, in Buffalo. Pigott is a member of the national advisory board of the University at Buffalo School of Law’s Advocacy Institute. He is a past recipient of the UB Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, and an emeritus member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Pigott lives on Grand Island, N.Y.

Gary J. Muldoon ’76 was honored by the New York State Bar Association at its annual meeting for his outstanding contributions to criminal law education. He is a partner with Muldoon & Getz in Rochester, N.Y., practicing criminal and civil appeals as well as criminal law, family law and professional liability. He is an adjunct faculty member at UB School of Law and co-director of the law school’s Innocence & Justice Project. Muldoon lives in Fairport, N.Y.

William J. Bradberry ’79 received the Civil Rights Achievement Award at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration at Niagara Falls High School in Niagara Falls, N.Y. Bradberry is chair of the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Area Commission. He is a Niagara Falls resident.

Josephine A. Greco ’81, a partner with the firm Greco Trapp in Buffalo, has been named to the Buffalo Business First 2016 Legal Elite and the Top 25: 2016 Women Upstate New York Super Lawyers List. Greco is chair of the labor and employment committee of the Bar Association of Erie County in Buffalo. She is also a lifetime member of the UB Law Alumni Association and co-chair of the law school's Annual Fund. She lives in Alden, N.Y.

Chris G. Trapp ’81 has been named to the Buffalo Business First 2016 Legal Elite. Trapp is a partner with Greco Trapp in Buffalo. He is also vice chair of the County of Erie Board of Ethics and a lifetime member of the UB Law Alumni Association and co-chair of the law school's Annual Fund. Trapp lives in Alden, N.Y.

Hon. Tracey Bannister ’84, New York State Supreme Court justice, 8th Judicial District in Buffalo, has been appointed supervising judge for civil matters in the 8th Judicial District. She is a past vice president of the UB Law Alumni Association. Bannister lives in Kenmore, N.Y.

Sharon L. Wick ’84 has been named chair of the trusts and estates law section of the New York State Bar Association. She is a partner with Phillips Lytle in the Buffalo office, practicing family wealth planning, estate planning, estate and trust administration, and estate and gift taxation. Wick lives in Snyder, N.Y.

Charles E. Telford III ’86 has become a partner with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman in Buffalo, concentrating his practice in corporate, general tax and estate planning. He was previously a partner with Barclay Damon in Buffalo, where he resides.

William E. Grieshober Jr. ’88 was promoted to general counsel with Rich Products Corp. in Buffalo. He leads the global legal department and is responsible for establishing and managing all legal strategies as well as selecting, developing, directing and mentoring the associates on the legal team. Grieshober lives in East Amherst, N.Y.

Hon. Paul G. Buchanan ’89 received the Judicial Award from the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project. Buchanan is a retired Erie County Family Court judge in Buffalo, where he resides.

Paula M. Eade Newcomb ’90 has been named as one of the “10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys for Client Satisfaction” for 2016 by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. A partner with Bouvier Law in Buffalo, she is a past president of the UB Law Alumni Association's GOLD Group. Newcomb lives in West Seneca, N.Y.

Cecile M. Dorliae ’91 received the Divorce Award from the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project in Buffalo. She is a Buffalo solo practitioner and resident.

Amy Habib Rittling ’95 has been appointed to the board of trustees of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Elmwood Franklin School in Buffalo. She is a partner with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman in Buffalo and a past member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association. Rittling lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Benjamin R. Dwyer ’96 received the Immigration Award from the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project in Buffalo. Dwyer is of counsel with Nixon Peabody in the Buffalo office and lives in East Amherst, N.Y.

Laurie A. Giordano-Vahey ’96 received the John E. Leach Memorial Award from the New York State Bar Association. She is a partner with Leclair Korona Vahey Cole in Rochester, N.Y., practicing insurance law. Giordano-Vahey lives in Webster, N.Y.

Phyliss A. Hafner ’97 has been named partner with Burden Hafner & Hansen in Buffalo. She specializes in defending personal injury cases. Hafner lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Caroline A. Wojtaszek ’97 of North Tonawanda, N.Y., is the first woman to become Niagara County district attorney, in Lockport, N.Y. She previously served as confidential law clerk to Hon. Sara Sheldon ’83, of the Niagara County Court in Lockport.

Bridget M. O’Connell ’98 received the VIP Award from the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project in Buffalo. O’Connell is a confidential law clerk in New York State Supreme Court, 8th Judicial District, in Buffalo, where she resides.

Lourdes M. Ventura ’98 has been promoted to partner with Ahmuty Demers & McManus in Albertson, N.Y. She is a past president of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association in Kew Gardens and a member of UB Law School’s Dean’s Advisory Council. Ventura lives in Richmond Hill, N.Y.

Nicole Graci ’99 of Amherst, N.Y., has been named a partner with Hamberger & Weiss in the Buffalo office. She previously served as special counsel. Graci practices workers’ compensation law.

Linda M. Leslie ’99 has been named regional attorney with the National Labor Relations Board in Buffalo. Prior to her appointment, she served as a field attorney in the Buffalo office. Leslie lives in Elma, N.Y.

Mindy L. Marranca ’99 received the Divorce Award from the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project in Buffalo. She is a solo practitioner practicing family, divorce and separation, mediation, child custody and appeals in Buffalo, where she resides.

Robert G. Murray ’00 has been promoted to managing partner with Harris Beach in the Buffalo office. He counsels clients regarding commercial real estate development, and municipal, industrial development and environmental law. Murray lives in Getzville, N.Y.

Joshua S. Roberts ’01, a Pittsford, N.Y., resident, has been promoted to partner with Vincent J. Criscuolo and Associates in Rochester, N.Y. He specializes in workers’ compensation, Social Security disability and SSI.

Jacqueline Blackley ’02 has joined William Mattar Law Offices in Williamsville, N.Y., focusing on motor vehicle accident cases. Blackley is also a registered nurse and spent 20 years in health care, with experience in clinical and administrative practice. She lives in Kenmore, N.Y.         

Scott A. Heard ’05 has been promoted to special counsel with Schulte Roth & Zabel in New York City, where he resides. He practices in the firm’s finance group.

Eric Loi ’05 has accepted a position as an associate with Norris McLaughlin & Marcus in Bridgewater, N.J. He practices in the firm’s executive compensation and employee benefits group.

Brendan J. Rich ’05 was named to the board of the Hospice Foundation of Western New York in Buffalo, where he resides. Rich is a partner with Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman in Buffalo. He is a member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association.

Jennifer R. Scharf ’05 received the Medical Partner of the Year Award from Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of Western New York, in Buffalo. Scharf is a health care attorney with Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. She is a lifetime member of the UB Law Alumni Association and an adjunct faculty member at the law school. Scharf is immediate past president of the Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, in Buffalo, and a past member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association's GOLD Group. She lives in Williamsville, N.Y.

Paul S. Fusco ’06 has been promoted to partner with Steiker Greenapple & Fusco in Rochester, N.Y., where he resides. Fusco advises corporations, shareholders, directors and employee stock ownership plan trustees on a variety of ESOP-related issues.

Jason A. Little ’06 has been promoted to partner with Deily & Glastetter in Albany, N.Y. He practices in the firm’s commercial law and litigation department. Little is a resident of Ballston Lake, N.Y.

Edward J. Snyder ’06 of East Aurora, N.Y., has been promoted to partner with Harter Secrest & Emery in the Buffalo office. He handles cases involving mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, general corporate matters and commercial financing.

Joshua K. Lawrence ’07 has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ in the Buffalo office. He is a member of the firm’s state and local tax practice, focusing on New York State and New York City tax matters. Lawrence is a Buffalo resident.

Erin S. Torcello ’07 has been promoted to partner with Bond Schoeneck & King in the Buffalo office. She represents management in the private and public sectors in labor and employment matters. Torcello lives in Buffalo.

Thomas M. Tuori ’07 of Rochester, N.Y., was promoted to partner with Harter Secrest & Emery in Rochester. He handles cases involving energy, environmental, land use and zoning, and retailer real estate.

Hayden M. Dadd ’08 was appointed Livingston County’s first conflict defender in Geneseo, N.Y. He was previously an assistant district attorney with the Livingston County district attorney’s office in Geneseo. Dadd is a resident of Attica, N.Y.

Jeffrey P. Gleason ’08 has been promoted to partner with Woods Oviatt Gilman in Buffalo. He is a member of the firm’s business and finance department. Gleason is president of the UB Law Alumni Association's GOLD Group. He lives in East Aurora, N.Y.

Amanda L. Lowe ’08 was promoted to partner with Phillips Lytle in the Buffalo office. Lowe practices civil litigation in federal and state courts. She lives in Lancaster, N.Y.

John E. Mancebo ’08 has been promoted to partner with LeClairRyan in the New York City office. Mancebo handles cases involving business litigation, employment litigation, product liability and professional liability defense. He is a New York City resident.

Elizabeth Pascal ’08 has been promoted to partner with Hodgson Russ. Pascal practices tax law in the Buffalo and New York City offices. She lives in Clarence, N.Y.

Jennifer A. Ehman ’09 received the 2017 Sheldon Hurwitz Young Lawyer Award from the New York State Bar Association. She is an associate with Hurwitz & Fine in Buffalo, practicing in the litigation department. Ehman lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Patrick E. Fitzsimmons ’09 has been promoted to senior associate with Hodgson Russ in Buffalo. He practices in the business crimes and business litigation practice group. Fitzsimmons is a resident of Williamsville, N.Y.

James J. O’Shea ’09 has been promoted to partner with Hancock Estabrook in Syracuse, N.Y., where he resides. O’Shea counsels clients regarding commercial litigation, debtor and creditor rights, estate litigation, insurance defense and personal injury.

Sarah P. Rera ’09 has been promoted to partner with Gross Shuman Brizdle & Gilfillan in Buffalo. Rera counsels clients regarding personal injury and business litigation. She lives in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Marnie E. Smith ’09 has been promoted to partner with Harris Beach. She practices labor and employment law in Buffalo, where she resides. Smith is secretary of the UB Law Alumni Association's GOLD Group.

Christopher J. Berardi ’10 has become president and general manager of Schutte Buffalo Hammermill in Buffalo. He was previously associate general counsel with PCB Piezotronics in Depew, N.Y. Berardi lives in Amherst, N.Y.

Erin L. Cody ’10 received the Law Firm Pro Bono Coordinator Award from the Bar Association of Erie County's Volunteer Lawyers Project in Buffalo, where she resides. Cody is an associate with Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham in the Buffalo office, practicing banking and collections law.

Nicholas J. Hoffman ’10 has been promoted to senior associate with Hodgson Russ in the Buffalo office. Hoffman concentrates his practice in corporate and business law. He lives in West Seneca, N.Y.

Ryan K. Parisi ’10 has joined Seaman Norris as an associate in Lockport, N.Y., where he resides. He was also elected to the board of directors of the Mental Health Association of Niagara County. He is also an assistant district attorney in Niagara County in Lockport, N.Y., where he resides. Parisi is president-elect of the UB Law Alumni Association's GOLD Group.

Andrew J. Olek ’11 has accepted a position as an associate with The Tarantino Law Firm in Buffalo. Olek practices in business formation, trust and estate planning and trademark law. He previously practiced with Kloss Stenger & LoTempio in Clarence, N.Y.

Richard J. Morrisroe ’11 has been elected recording secretary of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York in Buffalo, where he resides. Morrisroe is executive director of the City of Buffalo Commission on Citizens’ Rights & Community Relations.

Michael J. Tedesco ’11 of Tonawanda, N.Y., has been promoted from senior associate to partner with Andreozzi Bluestein in Clarence, N.Y. He handles cases involving tax controversy and international tax compliance.

Rebecca M. Guerra ’12 has become associated with HoganWillig in Amherst, N.Y. She counsels clients regarding estate planning and elder law. Guerra lives in Williamsville, N.Y.

Michael D. Root ’12 has joined Smith Sovik Kendrick & Sugnet as an associate in Syracuse, N.Y., where he resides. Root concentrates his practice in motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability and general negligence.

Kristopher M. Sigeti ’12 received the Attorney of the Morning Award from the Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, in Buffalo. Sigeti practices with Sigeti Law in Tonawanda, N.Y., where he resides.

Brett M. Podkanowicz ’13 has accepted a position as counsel, land and legal, with PetroLima in Midland, Texas, where he resides. Podkanowicz will handle oil and gas legal issues.

Jeffrey J. Tyrpak ’13 has joined HoganWillig as an associate in Amherst, N.Y., practicing real estate law. He previously practiced with Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria in Buffalo. Tyrpak lives in Williamsville, N.Y.

Melissa A. Mummery ’14 received the Volunteer Attorney of the Year Award from Legal Services for the Elderly, Disabled or Disadvantaged of Western New York, in Buffalo. Mummery is an associate with Tully Rinckey in the Buffalo office, practicing labor and employment law. She lives in East Aurora, N.Y.

Anthony J. Kuhn ’15 has been promoted to managing partner with Tully Rinckey in the Buffalo office. He focuses his practice on military law and national security. Kuhn served for more than 20 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, including serving as a senior drill sergeant, a combat intelligence adviser to the New Iraqi Amy, a first sergeant and acting commander of a combat engineer drill sergeant company. He lives in Sanborn, N.Y.

Nicholas A. Pusateri ’15 has joined Hurwitz & Fine as an associate in the Buffalo office. He counsels clients regarding commercial real estate and economic development as well as corporate finance. Pusateri is a Buffalo resident.

Todd J. Aldinger ’16 is practicing as an associate with Bouvier Law in Buffalo, specializing in litigation and general practice matters. He lives in Alden, N.Y.

Maisha Blakeney ’16 was elected president-elect of the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, in Buffalo. She practices with Davidson Fink in Rochester, N.Y.

Daniel R. Carosa ’16 has become associated with Hodgson Russ in Buffalo. He is a member of the intellectual property and technology practice group. He is a Buffalo resident.

Andrea M. Gervais ’16 is practicing as an associate with Hodgson Russ in the Buffalo office. She focuses her practice in real estate and finance. Gervais lives in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Derek C. Kettner ’16 has joined Hodgson Russ as an associate in the Buffalo office. Kettner handles cases involving federal and international tax law matters. He lives in East Aurora, N.Y.

Rimsha Khan ’16 has accepted a position as an associate with Hancock Estabrook in the Syracuse, N.Y., office. She practices tax, trusts and estates, real estate and corporate law.

Daniel J. Palermo ’16 has become an associate with Greco Trapp in Buffalo.

Matthew J. Smith ’16 is an associate with Hancock Estabrook in the Syracuse, N.Y., office. He practices corporate, labor and employment, litigation, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights and tax law. He previously served in the U.S. Navy. Smith lives in Liverpool, N.Y.  

Nara J. Tjitradjaja ’16 of East Amherst, N.Y., has accepted a position as an associate with Hodgson Russ in Buffalo. She is a member of the firm’s state and local tax practice.

Joseph G. Trapp ’16 has become associated with Greco Trapp in Buffalo. He practices community and economic development, municipal, nonprofit, corporate and real property law. Trapp lives in Alden, N.Y.

Katherine L. Wood ’16 has joined Greco Trapp as an associate in Buffalo. Wood practices civil litigation, concentrating in employment law, negligence, general civil litigation, disability law and administrative law. She is a Buffalo resident.