UB Law Alumni to Honor Six at Annual Dinner

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Five graduates of the University at Buffalo Law School will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards for their valuable contributions to the legal profession and community at the 40th annual UB Law Alumni Association meeting and dinner to be held at 6 p.m. May 8 in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

The alumni association will also recognize a non-alumnus, Nils Olsen, dean of the Law School since 1998, who will receive a special award for "outstanding service to the Law School, university and community."

Awards will be presented to:

o The Hon. Julio M. Fuentes '75, who will be honored "for his conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary." With Fuentes' appointment in March 2000 by President Clinton to the United States Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, he became the Law School's highest-ranking federal jurist, serving the second-highest court in the nation. The 3rd Circuit encompasses New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the Virgin Islands. Judge Fuentes resides in Caldwell, N.J.

o Kenneth A. Manning '77, partner in the Buffalo-based law firm of Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber LLP, will be honored "for his leadership by example as a private practitioner." Manning handles large, complex litigation cases, prosecuting and defending class actions, product liability, personal injury and commercial litigations in the state and federal courts in New York and in a number of other jurisdictions. Manning resides in Kenmore.

o Robert M. Elardo '81, managing attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc., will be honored "for his commitment to public service." Since 1984, Elardo has run this pro bono program, created by The Bar Association of Erie County and Neighborhood Legal Services, that coordinates the efforts of volunteer attorneys in the provision of quality civil legal services to low income people and small not-for-profit groups. He resides in Buffalo.

o John T. Frizzell '55, counsel in the Buffalo office of Hiscock Barclay Saperston & Day, will be honored "for his many contributions to the betterment of our community." Frizzell, whose practice over the years has concentrated in civil litigation, has served the community as an arbitrator and mediator, as a past president of the Erie County Bar Association, and as a past director of the Erie County Bar Foundation. A lecturer for 20 years on trial technique at UB Law School, he has participated in the Law School's Bridge program. He is a member of the Eighth Judicial Districts Committee to Promote Public Trust and Confidence in the legal system and also is a member of the Committee on Character and Fitness. He resides in Hamburg.

o Vikki L. Pryor '78, president and CEO of SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Co., will be honored "for her exemplary performance in business." Having earned bachelor's, MBA and JD degrees, as well as a C.P.A., Pryor in less than 24 months led the turnaround of the 61-year-old New York company into a mutual life insurance company with $18 billion dollars of insurance in force, and $1.3 billion in assets. Pryor resides in Stamford, Conn.

o Nils Olsen, dean and professor of the Law School, will be honored "for outstanding service to the Law School and the community by a non-alumnus." Appointed dean in August 1998, Olsen directed the implementation of the school's new curriculum, designed to help bridge the gap between law school and practice. He has overseen the development of 12 concentrations, an enlargement in the applicant pool and selectivity and an increase in private support. He also has served as director of clinical education for the Law School, which benefits the community while providing legal experience in diverse areas of practice to about 100 students each year. He resides in Youngstown.

Reservations for the dinner may be made by calling the Law School Alumni Office at 645-2107, or sending a check payable to the UB Law Alumni Association to 312 O'Brian Hall, Buffalo, N.Y. 14260. Credit card numbers may be faxed to 645-5940.

Individual reservations are $35 per person for graduates of 1997 or later; $50 per person for non-alumni or graduates of 1996 and prior; and $75 per person for dinner patrons. Patrons' names will be listed in the dinner program.

Corporate or firm tables are available for $500 for a table of 10. Firm patron tables are $750. Firm patrons also will be listed in the dinner program.

Underwriters for the awards dinner are Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co., Ticor Title Insurance Co., Alan Fenster Associates, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., and Peter M. Vito & Associates, Inc.

Also, Brisbane Consulting Group, LLC, Business First and the Buffalo Law Journal, Buyers & Kaczor Reporting Services, Inc., Coronet Process Service, Inc., CSC United States Corp. Co., The Daily Record, Diversity Training Workplace Solutions, Inc., Lawley Service Inc., Frank R. Papa National Fire Adjustment Co., Inc., and R.L. Sonnenberger Land Surveyors.