UB Law Alumni Association to Recognize 7 At Annual Dinner

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Five graduates of the University at Buffalo School of Law will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards for their valuable contributions to the legal profession and community at the 36th annual UB Law Alumni Association meeting and dinner, to be held at 6 p.m. on May 14 in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

The alumni association also will recognize a non-alumnus, state Sen. Mary Lou Rath, who will receive a special award "for outstanding service to the community."

In addition, a special award will be given to Dean Barry B. Boyer, who is stepping down as dean after six years of service.

o The Hon. Paul L. Friedman, '68, U.S. district court judge for the District of Columbia, who will be honored "for his conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary." Since being appointed to the federal bench by President Clinton in 1994, he has issued an opinion directing the U.S. archivist to change the way in which electronic records from federal agencies are maintained or destroyed, approved the merger of West Publishing and The Thomson Corp., and recently ruled that America On Line (AOL) and other Internet service providers are immune from liability in defamation suits. This fall, he will preside over two criminal trials involving alleged violations of the federal campaign finance laws.

o Peter J. Fiorella, Jr., '63, of Amherst, senior partner with Fiorella, Palmer & Zakia, who will receive an award "for his leadership by example as a private practitioner." A specialist in matrimonial law with offices in Buffalo and Williamsville, he is vice chair of the Western New York Matrimonial Trial Lawyers, past president of the UB Law Alumni Association and co-chair of the Erie County Democratic Party Judicial Screening Committee.

o George M. Hezel, '73, of East Aurora, UB clinical associate professor of law and director of the law school's Affordable Housing Clinic, who will be honored "for his commitment to public service." Hezel co-teaches courses in affordable housing transactions and community development law and has received public-service awards from Niagara University and Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME). He is a judge in the Town of Aurora.

o Paul C. Weaver, '61, of Hamburg, a partner with the firm of Jaeckle, Fleischmann & Mugel LLP, who will receive an award "for his many contributions to the betterment of our community." A specialist in business and corporate law, he has been an active member of the New York State Bar Association's Business Law Section for 29 years, is a member of the state bar association's House of Delegates and serves on two New York Office of Court Administration task forces.

o Michael A. Amico, '58, of Eggertsville, former Erie County sheriff and a co-founder and chair of the board of Valu Improvement Home Centers, Inc., will receive an award "for his exemplary achievement in business." He is chair of the board, president and chief executive officer of Orchard Park Distributors; chair of the board of directors of Arena Distributors Inc., and vice chair of the board of directors of JMA Distributors, Inc. and Dick Urban Distributors, Inc.

o Sen. Mary Lou Rath of Williamsville, who will receive the Aaron N. Bloch Memorial Award, named for the late UB provost, "for outstanding service to the community by a non-alumnus." She was elected to the Erie County Legislature in 1978 and the state Senate in 1994. Representing New York's 60th senatorial district, she serves as chair of the Senate's Committee on Local Government and chair of the Administrative Regulations Review Commission.

Underwriters for the awards dinner are Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co.; Ticor Title Guarantee Insurance Co.; The Daily Record; Alan Fenster Associates; Ikon Office Solutions Technology Services; Ikon Technical Education; Buyers & Kaczor Reporting Services, Inc.; National Fuel Gas, and Peter M. Vito & Associates, Inc.

Also, Brisbane Consulting Group, Inc.; Computer Task Group; Coronet Process Service, Inc.; Diversity Training Workplace Solutions, Inc.; Fiduciary Services, Inc.; Lawley Service, Inc.; Localnet Internet Services; Frank R. Papa National Fire Adjustment Co., Inc.; Sanders Legal Publishers, and R.L. Sonnenberger Land Surveyors.