Class Action - December 2024

Hon. E. Jeannette Ogden ’83, associate justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 4^th Department in Buffalo, will receive the 2025 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award, the highest honor the University at Buffalo School of Law and the UB Law Alumni Association can bestow, on Feb. 6. Ogden is a past president of the Law Alumni Association and a past recipient of its Distinguished Alumna Award for community service. She is also a past recipient of the law school’s Students of Color Trailblazer Award.

Michael J. Keane ’92, acting district attorney with the Erie County District Attorney’s Office in Buffalo, was elected district attorney. He previously held the role of first deputy district attorney from 2017 to 2024.

Paul E. Berndt ’94 has accepted a position as Upstate underwriting manager with Stewart Title Insurance Company in Rochester, N.Y. He was previously special counsel with Boylan Code LLP in Rochester.

Hon. Jeffrey M. Harrington ’98, West Seneca, N.Y., town justice and an attorney practicing family law with Michelak & Harrington in West Seneca, was elected an Erie County Family Court judge in Buffalo.  

Bridget E. Niland ’98 was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 12 in Buffalo. Niland, a former track and cross-country standout at UB, is dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y.

Molly A. Sleiman ’99 has joined Harris Beach PLLC as senior counsel in the firm’s commercial real estate practice group in the Buffalo office, representing clients in commercial multifamily residential, leasing, lending and landlord-tenant matters. Prior to joining the firm, she served as underwriting counsel at Chicago Title Insurance Co. in Buffalo.

Brian S. McGrath ’00, a partner with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP in New York City, was appointed to the firm’s management committee. McGrath co-leads the firm’s consumer financial services practice group and currently serves as a member of the firm’s executive committee and as co-chair of the strategic lateral growth committee.

Hon. Kara A. Buscaglia ’02, town justice of Amherst, N.Y., and a solo practitioner in Williamsville, N.Y., practicing family law, was elected an Erie County Family Court judge in Buffalo.

Stephanie A. Mack ’08, executive director of the UB Law Alumni Association was elected to the board of directors for the UB Child Care Center.

Ryan K. Parisi ’10 has joined Harter Secrest & Emery LLP as counsel in the Buffalo office with the firm’s tax assessment practice. Parisi previously practiced with Wolfgang & Weinmann in Buffalo. He is a past president of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group.

Hon. Erin E. Hart ’11 was elected a Buffalo City Court judge. She is principal counsel for the Attorney Grievance Committee of the Appellate Division, 4^th Judicial Department, 8^th Judicial District, in Buffalo.

Andrew M. Molitor ’11 was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the 150^th District. Molitor is an assistant district attorney with the Chautauqua County District Attorney's Office in Mayville, N.Y.

Sarah J. Duval ’12 has been named managing attorney, program development, with the Center for Elder Law & Justice in Buffalo. She has been with the center since 2009 and most recently served as supervising attorney.

Shatorah Roberson ’12 has accepted a new position as senior policy counsel, Digital Justice Initiatives and Racial Equity with the Lawyers'​ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in Washington, D.C. She previously served as managing policy advisor with Tesla in Buffalo. Roberson is a past member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association. 

Todd J. Potter Jr. ’15 was elected president of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. He is a Buffalo solo practitioner, handling real estate transactions, matrimonial and family law, estate planning, corporate formations and litigation. Potter is a lifetime member of the Law Alumni Association.

Alex Fehrman ’17, supervising attorney with the Center for Elder Law & Justice in Buffalo, was elected a member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group.

Marina A. Barci ’18 was elected a member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. She is an attorney with Kahana Feld LLP, practicing in the firm’s national appellate litigation and consulting group in Buffalo.

James J. Zawodzinski Jr. ’18, senior associate with Hodgson Russ LLP in Buffalo, was elected to the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. He is a former School of Law OUTLaw honoree, recognized for his service and activism on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.

Mohammed A. Alam ’20 has joined Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP as an associate in New York City, practicing litigation and dispute resolution and government and regulatory investigations. Recently elected treasurer of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group, Alam previously served as an associate with Hodgson Russ LLP in its New York City office.

Jack A. Bargnesi ’20 was elected a member of the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. He is an associate with Rupp Pfalzgraf in the firm’s banking and creditors rights and real estate groups in the Buffalo office.

Morgann K. Obrochta ’20 was elected secretary of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. She is an assistant county attorney with the Erie County Department of Law in Buffalo.

Lindsay M. Castro ’21, associate general counsel with 22^nd Century Group Inc. in Buffalo, was elected to the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group.

Kimberly D. VanOpdorp ’22, an associate with Hodgson Russ LLP in the Buffalo and New York City offices, was elected to the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group.

Olivia A. Binda ’23 was elected to the board of directors of the UB Law Alumni Association’s GOLD Group. She is an associate with Freid Klawon and Conners in Williamsville, N.Y.  

Mathew J. Biondolillo ’24 has accepted a position with Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP in the Boston office.

Shelby A. Majda ’24 has accepted a position with LoTempio P.C. Law Group in Buffalo. The firm is sponsoring her attendance at the 2024 Emerging Business Leaders program to help her expand her network and enhance her career opportunities.