Friedman appointed to UB Council

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has appointed Scott E. Friedman, chairman and CEO of Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP, to the UB Council. His term, which began Feb. 26, will run through June 30, 2022. He succeeds Christopher J. O’Brien.

The UB Council serves as the primary oversight and advisory body to the university, its president and senior officers. Established in accordance with New York State Education Law, the council consists of 10 members, nine of whom are appointed by the governor, and one student member elected annually by the university's students.

With more than 30 years of experience as an attorney, Friedman works on a variety of business transactions, including assisting medical device, pharmaceutical, technology and health care startup companies. In his work with entrepreneurs, Friedman provides assistance in starting a business, planning for obtaining funding and strategic positioning for growth and financial success.

“The entire UB community will benefit from Scott’s thoughtful leadership,” said Jeremy M. Jacobs, UB Council chair and chairman of Delaware North Companies.

“He is already an active philanthropist and a highly regarded member of the Buffalo legal community, serving as a leader in one of the city’s most respected and influential law firms. His expertise will help to position the university for tremendous growth and development in the coming years.”

President Satish K. Tripathi noted that Friedman’s counsel and acumen “will be of tremendous value to the university.”

“As the leader of one of Western New York’s most respected law firms, Scott is also an accomplished scholar whose experience and legal expertise in a broad range of areas, from health care startup companies to the commercialization of medical devices, pharmaceuticals and numerous technologies, will be tremendous assets to the council and UB,” Tripathi said.

“We thank Scott for his willingness to serve in this vital role and warmly welcome him to the UB family.”

The council’s regular duties include reviewing and advising on all of the university’s major plans and activities in the areas of academics, student life, finances, and buildings and grounds. Council members also serve as advocates and ambassadors for the university in the regional and statewide community. The council plays a key role in the presidential search process.

Friedman said that as a lifelong resident of Buffalo, he is extremely honored by Gov. Cuomo’s appointment.

“UB is a world-renowned research university. In addition to providing an excellent education to its students, UB’s intellectual capital, innovation and technological leadership are vital drivers of Western New York’s resurgence,” he said. “As a member of the UB Council, I look forward to the opportunity to continue building a bright future for our region.”

Complementing his work as an attorney, Friedman is co-founder and board member of several local companies and a general partner in a firm that focuses on investing in and supporting early-stage local companies that might otherwise leave Western New York to obtain funding and establish their business.

In addition, he is a co-founder and volunteer executive-in-residence of the family business initiative in UB’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and founder of Next Gen Advisors LLC, a consulting firm primarily focused on assisting family-owned businesses across the United States.

Friedman also serves as a board member of the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, Western New York Venture Association, WNY Law Enforcement Foundation and Elmwood Franklin School.

He and his wife, Lisa, have co-chaired the Pediatric Oncology Campaign for the Pediatric Hematology Oncology Outpatient Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in collaboration with Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. The campaign has reached its goal of raising $6.6 million.

Friedman is the author of seven books, including “Family Business and Positive Psychology: New Planning Strategies for the 21st Century” (American Bar Association), and “Secrets from the Delphi Café: Unlocking the Code to Happiness” (co-authored with Robert E. Rich Jr., Vesta Press).

He also has written numerous articles, including “The Application of Positive Psychology to Family Business,” Family Business Magazine, May/June 2013, and “Positive Psychology and Family Business: Integrating Science and Planning,” ExecSense (e-book), March 2013.

Friedman has co-authored numerous other articles, including two with Elad Levy, chair of the UB Department of Neurosurgery: “Applying Positive Psychology to the Practice of Medicine,” MGMA Connection, 2014, and “The Neuroscience of Optimal Living,” Buffalo Healthy Living Magazine, January 2016.

A frequent lecturer, Friedman has spoken at Columbia University, the University of Southern California, UB, Canisius College and the American Bar Association.

He received an LLM from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and a JD from Washington University School of Law. He received a BA from Trinity College.