Six Legal Stars to Receive UB's Distinguished Alumni Awards

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Law School will honor five accomplished alumni and an Erie County Court judge whose devotion has earned him "honorary alumnus" status at the UB Law Alumni Association's 2010 Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner to be held May 11 in the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

The awards dinner -- the 48th annual for the UB Law Alumni Association -- will begin with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m. To register, call 716-645-2107 or e-mail law-alumni@buffalo.edu.

Hon. Erin M. Peradotto '84 will be honored for her conscientious and diligent performance in the judiciary. An associate justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, in Rochester, Peradotto was appointed to the position in 2006. Peradotto worked as a trial attorney for almost 20 years before she was elected to the state Supreme Court in 2003. She worked as an assistant attorney general in Buffalo from 1997-98. She has also worked with various law associations, such as the Bar Association of Erie County and the State of New York's Attorney Grievance Committee for the 8th Judicial District.

Roger J. Jones '84 will be honored for his leadership by example as a private practitioner. Jones is a partner in the Chicago law firm Latham and Watkins. Practicing in the firm's tax department, he specializes in tax controversy and litigation matters. He has represented taxpayers, as well as numerous Fortune 500 companies, in more than 50 matters at all levels of the federal court system, including U.S. Tax Court, federal District Court, the Court of Federal Claims, the federal Circuit Courts of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as various state courts. He is also a frequent speaker at seminars and symposia, has taught in the Chicago-Kent College of Law Graduate Program in Taxation and has been a member of the Dean's Advisory Council at UB Law since 1999.

Hon. E. Jeannette Ogden '83 will be honored for her many contributions to the betterment of our community. A Buffalo City Court judge and acting Erie County Family Court judge, Ogden served as president of the UB Law Alumni Association in 2008-09. She is the first and only African-American woman to serve in Erie County Family Court. Known as a no-nonsense yet compassionate jurist, she was first appointed to City Court in 1995, then elected twice to serve 10-year terms. Prior to ascending to the bench, Ogden, a Buffalo native, worked as a trial attorney for CIGNA Insurance, had her own practice, and served as a prosecutor from the Erie County District Attorney's Office and as assistant county attorney. She is a member and past-president of the Women Lawyers of Western New York.

Hon. Frank J. Clark '67 will be honored for his commitment to public service. A former Erie County district attorney, Clark served in the district attorney's office in Buffalo for 27 years. He was a familiar figure in the news during much of that time. First elected to the county's top law enforcement position in 1996, he cited health concerns in announcing his retirement in 2008. A member of the Dean's Advisory Council at UB Law, Clark has been board president of the 100 Club of Buffalo, which supports members of local law enforcement, fire and emergency medical service agencies and their families. A 2007 recipient of the New York State Bar Association's Outstanding Prosecutor Award, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.

Harvey L. Kaminski '77 will be honored for his exemplary service in business. Kaminski is president and CEO of Prestige Capital Corp. in Fort Lee, N.J. A member of the Dean's Advisory Council, Kaminski is a vocal and active supporter of the Law School; a lecture-hall classroom in O'Brian Hall is named in his honor. He has served as a mentor for UB Law students and fielded numerous calls from students seeking career advice. He also has taught at the Law School's New York City Program in International Finance & Law. "It is critical to just give thanks and show gratitude for the positive experiences you have had in your life and what has made you successful," Kaminski says. "Life is short. You have to leave a legacy."

Hon. Thomas "Tim" P. Franczyk will be honored for outstanding service to the university by a non-alumnus. Considering all the time, effort and creativity he contributes to UB Law, Franczyk, an Erie County Court judge, could be considered an honorary alumnus. Co-director of trial advocacy at the Law School, Franczyk oversees the school-sponsored Buffalo-Niagara National Mock Trial Competition, which last year brought nearly 130 law students from 32 schools to the Buffalo City Court building. Franczyk, a former Erie County prosecutor, has been coaching trial teams, teaching trial advocacy and drafting case problems at UB Law since 1994.