UB Law Students Receive Commencement Awards

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo Law School students received honors and awards at the school's 118th commencement ceremony held on May 19.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB's more than 27,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.

The award recipients are:

• David P. Shaffer of Geneseo, the Max Koren Award, given to the graduate who exemplifies the highest standards of the profession by virtue of scholastic achievement, leadership and dedication to the ideals of the law. Shaffer also received the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Labor and Employment Law.

• Stacy A. Tromble of Buffalo, the John N. Bennett Achievement Award for the highest scholastic achievement in the graduating class. Tromble also received the Judge William J. Regan Award for estates and surrogate's law.

• Thomas M. Tuori of Rochester, the John N. Bennett Achievement Award for the highest scholastic achievement in the graduating class.

• Jason Joaquin Almonte of Nanuet, the Dale Margulis Award for having contributed the most to the Law School and the community. Almonte also received a Law Faculty Award, presented to graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the Law School community, and the Minority Bar Association of Western New York Award.

• Cheryl Louise Nichols of Oswego, the Birzon Prize in Clinical Legal Studies. Nichols also received a New York State Bar Association/Law Student Bar Association Achievement Award.

• Cindy P. Navarro of Sunnyside, the Charles Dautch Award for real property.

• Monica Campbell of Amherst, the Justice M. Dolores Denman scholarship/award for a custodial single parent.

• Paul E. Colinet of Brooklyn, the Edith and David Goldstein Award for debtor-creditor and bankruptcy law.

• Michelle A. Daubert of Buffalo, the Justice Philip Halpern Award for writing on the Buffalo Law Review. Daubert also received the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Health Law.

• Beverley S. Braun of Amherst, the Judge Matthew J. Jasen Appellate Practice Award for appellate advocacy. Braun also received a Law Faculty Award, presented to graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the Law School community, and a Robert Connelly Trial Technique Award. In addition, she was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• John M. Godwin of Buffalo, the Judge Matthew J. Jasen Appellate Practice Award for appellate advocacy. Godwin also was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• Kristin L. Paulding of Depew, the James M. Kieffer Award for outstanding trial advocacy. Paulding also received the Ryan J. Mullins Award for criminal law.

• Jennifer A. Mucha of Lewiston, the David Kochery Award for service to the student community and courses in procedures and remedies.

• Robert L. Mullin of Rochester, the Albert R. Mugel Award for future interests and estate planning.

• Joshua K. Lawrence of Kingston, the Harry A. Rachlin Prize in Property and Real Estate Law.

• Rachel M. Hezel of East Aurora, the Professor Louis DelCotto Award for taxation.

• Michael J. Pacifico of Hamburg, the Professor Louis DelCotto Award for taxation.

• Linda V. Rampertab of the Bronx, the Maurice Frey Award for family law.

• Rachel Xiyuan Sun of Amherst, the Tom Headrick "Trees and Forest" Award for corporate finance.

• Leah R. Mervine of Buffalo, the Linda S. Reynolds Award for commitment to equal justice for the poor. Mervine also was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• Aminda L. Byrd of Buffalo, a Virginia Leary Award, presented in honor of Leary, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emerita in the UB Law School, who taught international law and developed the sequence of courses and externships in international law at the school. Byrd also was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• Brian J. McCarthy of Buffalo, 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. McCarthy also received a Virginia Leary Award, presented in honor of Leary, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emerita in the UB Law School, who taught international law and developed the sequence of courses and externships in international law at the school.

• William P. Johnson of Scottsville, the Adolf Homburger Law Alumni Association Award for civil procedure.

• Hee Chung Choi of Amherst, the Laidlaw Law Alumni Association Award for commercial law.

• Jacia T. Smith of Rochester, the UB Law Alumni Association GOLD Group Award for leadership and excellence. Smith also received a Law Faculty Award, presented to graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the Law School community.

• Alfonzo I. Cutaia of Clarence Center, the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Intellectual Property Law.

• Andrew E. McLaughlin of Buffalo, the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Intellectual Property Law.

• Paul J. Roman Jr. of North Tonawanda, the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Intellectual Property Law.

• James L. Cerwinski of Garden City, the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Labor and Employment Law.

• Rachael M. MacVean of Tonawanda, the American Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs Award for Labor and Employment Law.

• Curry D. Andrews of Tonawanda, the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal.

• Sarah E. Norton of East Aurora, the Activist's Gavel for progressive politics, government accountability and social activism.

• Jeffrey A. Davis of Williamsville, the Carlos C. Alden Award for service to the Buffalo Law Review.

• Carolina M. Felix of the Bronx, the Kenneth A. Gomez Memorial Award for equality and justice for minorities.

• Kim-Alla Swanton of Amherst, the Moot Evidence Award.

• Jennifer P. Stergion of Buffalo, the New York State Bar Association Ethics Award. Stergion also received a Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award.

• Dana L. Leier of Amherst, the National Association of Women Lawyers Award.

• Kara L. DeAngelo of Jamestown, a Law Faculty Award, presented to graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the Law School community.

• Peter Adam Militello of Rochester, a Law Faculty Award, presented to graduating seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the Law School community.

• Leah A. Bouquard of Buffalo, a New York State Bar Association/Law Student Bar Association Achievement Award and the Western New York Women Lawyers Award.

• Melinda J. Gullo of Lakeview, a New York State Bar Association/Law Student Bar Association Achievement Award.

The Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award was presented to:

• Trevor J. Barr of Jamestown.

• Danielle J. Barrett of Queens Village. Barrett also was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• Jessica A. Bielecki of Ballston Lake.

• Steven A. Clark of Buffalo.

• Brian R. Liebenow of Rochester.

• Michael L. Nisengard of Buffalo.

• Lindsay P. Quintilone of North Tonawanda.

• Daniel A. Sikka of Williamsville.

• Trevor M. Torcello of Pavilion.

Newly elected members of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists, are:

• Geanne Blazkov of Amherst.

• Christina A. Cassillo of Amherst.

• Hannah E. Moore of Buffalo.

• James M. O'Keefe of Liverpool.

• Alicia R. Sim of Hamburg.