Meet the newest members of our Dean’s Advisory Council
Eight alumni leaders have added their knowledge and talents to UB School of Law’s efforts to prepare law students for the constantly evolving legal profession.
The newest additions to the law school’s Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) offer impressive experience as lawyers and leaders that will guide Dean Aviva Abramovsky on issues critical to the future success of the school and its graduates. Topics include the curriculum, development, alumni relations, governmental relations, diversity initiatives, public service, and administrative matters. The Council meets formally twice a year, but members are consulted informally as needed.
“I am so fortunate to have the support of our DAC members,” says Dean Abramovsky. “The Council is integral to the strategic direction of the law school. They provide valuable insight into what’s most relevant in the practice of law today and that informs our decisions on how we can best prepare our students for success.”
The most recent additions to the Council bring a wide range of experience in practice, business, and public service. We asked them why they dedicate their time and talents to this important role.
Paula M. Ciprich ’85 is a retired senior vice president and general counsel of National Fuel Gas Company in Williamsville, N.Y. where she was responsible for audit services, human resources, payroll, corporate legal, risk management and security. Over the course of her career at National Fuel, she managed multiple departments and business functions including quality assurance, investor relations and government relations.
Paula M. Ciprich ’85
“I am honored to join the Dean’s Advisory Council because of my respect for UB Law Dean Abramovsky and the transformative power of a legal education. I wish to pay forward the positive impact the law school had on my life. As a retired corporate executive, I was not only a practicing lawyer, but also a client who valued, hired and retained lawyers. I hope that my perspective from that role can benefit the law school and current students.”
Bruce Karpati ’96 is a partner and global chief compliance officer at KKR, a leading global investment firm in New York City. Prior to joining KKR, he was the chief compliance officer at Prudential Investments, and previously he served as the national chief of the SEC’s Asset Management Unit which he co-founded.
Bruce Karpati ’96
“UB School of Law afforded me a terrific and unique law school experience, one that I am super grateful to have had. The DAC is an opportunity to give back to the law school in a tangible and meaningful way. I have seen Dean Abramovsky hard at work making the law school even better, and I am excited to help advise the dean on a range of important issues.”
Sachin Kohli ’06 is a partner in the New York City office of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, where he represents public and private companies as well as private equity funds, in connection with acquisitions and divestitures. He also provides counsel on general corporate matters including reporting requirements, corporate governance issues, defensive measures and other strategic considerations.
Sachin Kohli ’06
“I am very proud to be a UB Law alum – my experience at the law school is one that I remember fondly as it set the stage for my professional career. I look forward to serving as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council and helping the dean continue to execute on her vision for the law school and enhance the institution for current and future students.”
Jonathan S. Malamud ’82 recently retired as the chief legal officer of Prudential Holding's international insurance operations in Japan. Based in Tokyo, he was primarily responsible for legal transaction and legal risk management projects with a particular focus on cyber and privacy issues. He returned to the United States after a 31-year career practicing law in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Jonathan S. Malamud ’82
“I was so happy to be asked to serve on the DAC and provide support to the dean and the law school in the realization of its mission. UB Law has had a tremendous impact on my career, in particular, the opportunities that I have had which were primarily focused on international finance and commercial transactions. Serving on the DAC is a way I can give back to the law school. I am also looking forward to working on initiatives to enhance the school’s international and comparative law programs.”
Yadira A. Ramos-Herbert ’05 is associate dean of student and registration services at Columbia Law School in New York City. In 2019, she was also elected to serve as a city council member representing District 3 in the City of New Rochelle. As a councilmember, she facilitates several redevelopment and reform initiatives including the city’s police reform plan and addressing the COVID vaccination disparity gap in her district.
Yadira A. Ramos-Herbert ’05
“As a first-generation law student, graduating from UB Law changed my life. I am forever grateful for the training I received and the strong sense of community that I am able to lean on, years after graduation. When asked to serve on the DAC I was incredibly flattered and thrilled to be able to give back to an institution that has given so much to me.”
Also new to DAC this year is Frank H. Ewing ’12, chief executive officer for AML RightSource, the largest tech-enabled financial crime services organization in the world. Based in Buffalo, Ewing oversees 17 offices across the globe that offer compliance services including transaction monitoring and reporting, and due diligence reviews.
Frank H. Ewing ’12
Samuel A. Alba ’14
Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07
Additionally, two alumni will serve one-year terms on the Dean’s Advisory Council as representatives of the law school’s alumni organizations. They are Elizabeth A. Kraengel ’07, a partner in the Buffalo law firm Duke, Holzman, Photiadis & Gresens, LLP and president of the UB Law Alumni Association; and Samuel A. Alba ’14, senior deputy counsel for the Town of Amherst and president of the UB Law GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Group.