UB Law Students Receive Commencement Awards

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- University at Buffalo Law School students received honors and awards at the school's 119th commencement ceremony held on May 17.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system that is its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 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:

• Tatiana Markel of Brooklyn, 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. Markel also received the Judge William J. Regan Award for estates and surrogate's law.

• Priscilla E. Hampton of Lakewood, the John N. Bennett Achievement Award for the highest scholastic achievement in the graduating class. Hampton also received the Charles Dautch Award for real property and the Judge William J. Regan Award for estates and surrogate's law.

• Regina L. Readling of Binghamton, the Dale S. Margulis Award for having contributed the most to the UB Law School and the community.

• Robert A. Crawford of Lakeview, the American Law Institute-American Bar Association Scholarship and Leadership Award.

• Matthew D. Valauri of New Canaan, Conn., the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal for Excellence in Bankruptcy.

• Danielle E. Drayer of Bellmore, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law.

• Terrance M. McGuinness of Endwell, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law.

• Shelly P. Tsai of Buffalo, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Health Law.

• Kristina M. Hellman of Jamestown, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law.

• Peter M. Jay of Williamsville, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Intellectual Property Law.

• David A. Goldberg of Buffalo, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law.

• Kristi M. Rich of Cohoes, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law.

• Dwight E. Kanyuck of Rochester, the Birzon Prize in Clinical Legal Studies.

• Christopher N. Ollinick of Buffalo, the Charles Dautch Award for real property.

• Elizabeth Pascal of Clarence, the Professor Louis DelCotto Award for taxation.

• Kathleen S. Weber of Cheektowaga, the Professor Louis DelCotto Award for taxation and the Justice M. Dolores Denman scholarship/award for a custodial parent.

• Brittany Lee Penberthy of Tonawanda, the Maurice Frey Award for family law.

• Harold T. Babcock-Ellis of Fewa Bush, the Edith and David Goldstein Award for debtor-creditor and bankruptcy law.

• Jonathan H. Bard of Tonawanda, the Tom Headrick "Trees and Forest" Award for corporate finance.

• Seth T. Molisani of Canandaigua, the Adolf Homburger Law Alumni Association Award for civil procedure.

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

• Craig J. Austin of Marilla, the David Kochery Award for service to the student community and courses in procedures and remedies, and a Robert Connelly Trial Technique Award.

• Mary C. Stermole of Corning, the Laidlaw Law Alumni Association Award for commercial law and the Moot Evidence Award.

• Adam R. O'Brian of Arlington, Va., the Professor 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. O'Brian also was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• Thomas M. Zambito of East Amherst, the Albert R. Mugel Award for future interests and estate planning.

• Gregory P. Stein of Buffalo, the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award. Stein also was elected a member of the Order of Barristers, a national honor society for oralists.

• Jennifer C. Jones of Fort Wayne, Ind., the Ryan J. Mullins Award for criminal law and the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award.

• Elliott H. Kowalski of Amherst, the Harry A. Rachlin Prize in Real Property Law and Real Estate Transactions.

• Sam L. Valleriani of Rochester, the James M. Kieffer Trial Excellence Award and the Robert J. Connelly Trial Technique Award.

• Jennifer M. Pacella of Blasdell, the New York State Bar Association Ethics Award.

• Brian Holland of Amherst, the Carlos C. Alden Award for service to the Buffalo Law Review.

• Jeffrey P. Gleason of Baldwinsville, the Justice Philip Halpern Award for writing on the Buffalo Law Review.

• Amber L. Kerling of Cuba, the Linda S. Reynolds Award for commitment to equal justice for the poor.

• Evan Y. Bussiere 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.

• Elsa Hernandez of East Elmhurst, the Kenneth A. Gomez Memorial Award for equality and justice for minorities.

• Alexander Y. Karsten of Buffalo, the Activist's Gavel for progressive politics, government accountability and social activism.

• Candice R. Giles of Amherst, the Women Lawyers of Western New York Award.

• Cynthia D. Gross of Snyder, the National Association of Women Lawyers Award.

• Emily G. Conley of Williamsville, the UB Law Alumni Association GOLD Group Award for leadership and excellence.

• Lauren M. Fitzgerald of Buffalo, the American Bar Association/Bureau of National Affairs Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law.

Receiving the Minority Bar Association of Western New York Award were Stephanie J. Calhoun of Buffalo, John E. Mancebo of Ossining and Janelle L. Whitaker of Niagara Falls.

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

• Lisa A. Ball of Tonawanda.

• Kristofer J. Kasnicki of Garden City.

• Mark R. Affronti of Depew.

• Julia C. Brylinski of Orchard Park.

• Kevin M. Habberfield of Scio.

• Joshua S. Hurwit of Schenectady.

• André L. Lindsay of Amherst.

• James Lonano of Staten Island.

• Jose B. Velez Goveo of Dorado, Puerto Rico.

• Linwood Roberts of Brooklyn.

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

• Jacqueline A. Bain of Vestal.

• Kimberly A. Georger of Buffalo.

• Lori B. Gradwell of Buffalo.

• James E. Lonano of Staten Island.

• Erin A. Tubbs of Buffalo.

• Elliott J. Veloso of Silver Creek.

• Brian Wisniewski of Lancaster.

Graduating seniors who participated in UB Law's Hurricane Katrina Service Project were recognized with Law Faculty Awards. The students studied the specific events surrounding Hurricane Katrina; legal issues in disaster preparedness, disaster response and disaster relief; and FEMA case law. During their week in New Orleans, they volunteered in three offices. Students in the New Orleans Office of the Public Defender worked on criminal cases that have been pending since before the storm. In the offices of the New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation, students helped resolve cases involving predatory practices that were rampant in the aftermath of the hurricane. Students also volunteered at the Alliance for Affordable Energy, which leads the region's sustainable redevelopment effort.

Receiving Faculty Law Awards were:

• Teia Marie Bui of Buffalo.

• Timothy W. Bush of Brockport.

• Jeffrey P. Gleason of Baldwinsville.

• Rakshita Koirala of Woodside.

• Elliot H. Kowalski of Amherst.

• Tatiana Markel of Brooklyn.

• Christina M. Meyers of East Amherst.

• Burton W. Phillips of Baldwinsville.

• Regina L. Readling of Binghamton.

• Amanda L. Tuberdyck of Buffalo.

• Janelle L. Whitaker of Niagara Falls.

• Anne E. Wilson of Grand Island.

• Gary A. Wilson of Buffalo.

Graduating seniors who volunteered for "A Day of Renewal" for residents and clients of Haven House received New York State Bar Association/Law Student Bar Association Achievement Awards. The students were Emily G. Conley of Williamsville, Candice R. Giles of Amherst, Abby Oliver of Pulaski and Minara Uddin of Flushing.