A growing focus on wellness at Law Alumni Association events
As the new year gets into full swing, the UB Law Alumni Association is bringing some healthy new ideas to its gatherings. Under the leadership of its newly formed Social Wellness Committee, the association is broadening its range of activities.
The move comes in response to feedback from UBLAA members, especially younger alumni, says Stephanie Mack ’08, the law school’s associate director of alumni affairs and the executive director of the association. “The Social Wellness Committee is working hard to plan events that are welcoming and inclusive, and appeal to a broad range of interests,” says Mack. “I am so proud of the work they have done and am excited for these new events and opportunities. I encourage our alumni to join us.”
The Law Alumni Association, of course, has always made alumni get-togethers and reunions central to its mission of keeping members connected to the law school and to each other. That’s in addition to its continuing legal education offerings and the substantial financial, mentoring and networking support it provides UB School of Law students.
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Those traditional gatherings will continue, including the group’s popular annual dinner and presentation of its distinguished alumni awards ceremony. (This year’s dinner will take place on Wednesday, April 30th.) What’s different for 2025 is an additional slate of events that will prioritize wellness, whether it’s getting outdoors or healthy eating and drinking.
Patricia Ciccarelli ’93, UBLAA president-elect, says it’s about building camaraderie—helping members connect on a personal level and develop networks that are so critical to professional success.
“We have to grow with the times,” Ciccarelli says, “and we want to be receptive to the needs of a new generation of lawyers that are looking for different opportunities. People are more active in so many different ways. It’s really about broadening the range of activities we’ve offered in the past.”
The hope, she says, is that members will broaden their relationships by sharing some of their passions. “That’s truly how you build a great network,” she says. “It shouldn’t be just a professional network, but people you can rely on, people whose character you know and trust.”
An initial set of events is well into the planning stages. Mark your calendars for the following:
On Jan. 22, a “Mocktail Mixer” starting at 5:30 p.m. at Realty One, 451 Elmwood Ave. Co-hosted by the law alumni association’s LGBTQ+ Committee, the event celebrates Dry January with mocktail mixing by Sober One Six, an alcohol-free event management enterprise. Vegan appetizers will be served. The event is free for UBLAA members. [Register today.]
On February 27, a special tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s elegant Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, culminating with a meditation session.
In March, a healthy cooking class teaching techniques for eating better.
On April 10, a curated wine tasting at Winkler & Samuels, a fine-wine provisioner at 500 Seneca St. It will take place in conjunction with a CLE on diversity issues in the profession.
And on May 10, UBLAA members will gather at Knox Farm State Park in East
Aurora for a welcome-to-spring hike—kids and dogs are welcome.
Registration for each will be made available as soon as details are finalized.
These are just some of the initial ideas and events planned by the Social Wellness Committee, chaired by Elise Cassar ’10. (In addition to Cassar and Ciccarelli, the committee also includes Adam Brasky ’14, Meghan Corcoran ’13, Andrea DiLuglio ’15, Richard Marinaccio ’07, Anastasia McCarthy ’15, Neil Pawlowski ’10, Amanda Rossi ’10 and Bethany Solek ’04.)
“We really thought it was incumbent on our board to listen to the feedback of our newer attorneys when planning these events, and it’s also meant for seasoned attorneys who are looking to stay connected and participate in events that are a little bit non-traditional,” Cassar says. “It’s a way to offer a more informal environment in which people can connect.”
She says organizers also recognize that traditional events can be daunting for some. “Because of Covid, many of our newer attorneys spent a lot of their law school careers and their early practice years on screens, and it can be intimidating to go from that to a sit-down dinner or a cocktail party,” she says. “These events are more informal, so they have less of an intimidation factor.”
The Social Wellness Committee continues to brainstorm ideas, and they’re looking for your input. Members are encouraged to respond to a survey invitation that was emailed to them, or take the survey online.