Law Students Receive Awards at Commencement

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo Law School students received honors and awards at their recent commencement ceremony.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York system. UB's more than 27,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs.

The award recipients are:

• Andrea Lynne Greenberg of Buffalo, the Max Koren Award for scholastic achievement, leadership and dedication to the ideals of the law

• Daniel George Tkachyk of Rochester, the John N. Bennett Achievement Award for the highest scholastic achievement in the graduating class

• Jessica Oritz of Rochester, the Dale S. Margulis Award for having contributed the most to the Law School and community

• Peter Chae of Bayside, the Birzon Prize in Clinical Legal Studies, the Charles Dautch Award and a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• Danielle Erin Eisen of Snyder, the Birzon Prize in Clinical Legal Studies and a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• John Michael Cordon, Jr., of Clyde, the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence

• Lillian Medina-Zelazny of Amherst, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law and the Albert R. Mugel Award recognizing proficiency in future interests and estate-planning law

• Jennifer Marie Purcell of Schenectady, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law and election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Steven Kenneth Trynosky of Buffalo, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law

• Ruth Ellen Freeburg of Amherst, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law

• Abigail Elaine Lighthart of Amherst, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law

• Jonathan Marcelinus D'Silva of Amherst, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law

• Paul James Avery of Elmira Heights, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law

• Steven H. Grocott of Amherst, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law

• Brian David Rubinstein of Bath, the American Bar Association and The Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law

• Nicole R. Hart of Tonawanda, the Professor Louis DelCotto Award recognizing excellence in the study of taxation, the Harry A. Rachlin Prize in Real Property Law and Real Estate Transactions Award and the Justice Philip Halpern Award for excellence in writing for the Buffalo Law Review

• Alice Yvonne Schott Hawks of Syracuse, the Maurice Frey Award for outstanding academic performance in family law

• Sara Marie Bulson of Buffalo, the Edith and David Goldstein Award for outstanding performance in debtor-creditor and bankruptcy law

• Timmon Michael Favaro of Ithaca, the Tom Headrick "Trees and Forest" Award for a student of corporate finance who most clearly recognizes that a corporate practitioner needs both to understand the transaction fully and to get the details correct

• Katie M. Metzen of Williamsville, the Adolf Homburger Law Alumni Association Award for academic achievements in civil procedure and compassion for people and the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Erik Anthony Goergen of Alden, the Judge Matthew J. Jasen Appellate Practice Award for outstanding achievement in appellate advocacy, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award and election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Giuseppe Antonio Ippolito of Buffalo, the Judge Matthew J. Jasen Appellate Practice Award for outstanding achievement in appellate advocacy and election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Donald Driscoll of West Seneca, the David Kochery Award for service and involvement in one or more student organizations and exceptional performance in procedures and remedies

• Brendan James Rich of Buffalo, the Laidlaw Law Alumni Association Award for best performance in commercial law

• Mary Elissa Mogavero of Amherst, the Moot Evidence Award for best performance in the area of evidence

• Daniel Keyes Morris of Saratoga Springs, the first Ryan J. Mullins Award for the graduating senior demonstrating the greatest commitment to and proficiency in criminal law and criminal trial practice skills

• Jamie Lynne Halavais of Snyder, the Judge William J. Regan Award for proficiency in estates and surrogate's law, as well as having a strong concern for public service and public welfare

• Joshua Matthew Bengis of Mt. Sinai, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Ericka Nicole Bennett of Buffalo, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award and the Linda S. Reynolds Award for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to equal justice for the poor

• Roy David Bielewicz of Fillmore, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Yomara Castro of Buffalo, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Robin Elizabeth Catalano of Rochester, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Matthew Robert Coseo of Clarence, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award and election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Christopher Michael Grant of Williamsville, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Amanda Kristin Hooge of Irving, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Lara Kasper-Buckareff of Buffalo, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Margo Mercedes Lagueras of Amherst, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• John Martin Lichtenthal of Buffalo, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Brian Michael Swann of Williamsville, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Leslie Anne Travis of Rochester, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Robert Charles Whitaker of Amherst, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award

• Joseph Endres of Tonawanda, a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• Denise O'Connell of Buffalo, a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• Eliot Reid of Buffalo, a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• Aku-Shika Pappoe of New Haven, Conn., a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• Lauren Tamporo of Bellrose Village, the New York State Bar Association Law Student Bar Association Ethics Award

• Allen Seth Brenner of Boyds, Md., election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• John Laurent Rudy of New York City, the Carlos C. Alden Award for making the greatest contribution to the Buffalo Law Review

• Amanda Ruth Jordan of Franklinville, election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Anne Elizabeth Joynt of Medina, election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Gordon William Lyon of Fredonia, election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• John G. Miskey, IV, of Tonawanda, election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Joseph Donald Morath of Buffalo, election into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society comprised of students who have excelled in the art of oral advocacy and service to the Moot Court Board

• Tara Anne Midlik of East Aurora, the Justice M. Dolores Denman Award, presented to graduating seniors who are custodial parents

• Jamie Elizabeth Hartzler of Idaho Falls, Idaho, the Milton Kaplan Law and Social Development Award for exceptional commitment to the study of law and social development in an American, comparative or international context

• Karen Tatiana Beltran of Yonkers, the Kenneth A. Gomez Memorial Award for striving for equality and justice for all minorities and the UB Alumni Association GOLD Group Award for outstanding leadership skills in advancing the mission of the Law School and enhancing its reputation for excellence in legal education

• Heath Miller of Rochester, the Activist's Gavel Award

• Tina Washington-Abubeker of Buffalo, the Minority Bar Association of Western New York Award for scholastic achievement and leadership, as well as for significant commitment to effectuating changes within the legal system that address the needs of the minority community

• Amanda Marie Warner of Buffalo, the Woman Lawyers of Western New York Award for exceptional academic and Law School activities in the areas of children's rights and/or family violence

• Mary Elizabeth Little of Buffalo, the National Association of Women Lawyers Award for academic achievement and contributions to the advancement of women in society and a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community

• Susan Marie Cimini of Salina, Kan., a Law Faculty Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the Law School and community