2020 (2021) UB Law Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Awards

Segment Synopsis: The 58th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Program celebrates six outstanding honorees for their leadership and service in the legal profession and the community. Alumni Association President Ann Joynt highlights a year shaped by significant challenges and meaningful progress, especially in social justice and diversity efforts. Initiatives included new DEI programming, board diversity training, and the launch of a Social Justice & Racial Equity Fund supporting student fellowships.

Dean Aviva Abramovsky emphasizes the resilience of alumni during the pandemic, improved employment outcomes for graduates, national recognition for the school’s advocacy program, and over $1.2 million raised for diversity and inclusion initiatives. The event honors alumni whose careers exemplify dedication, impact, and service to the UB School of Law.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Reputation; Career / Professional Experience

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; LAW

Segment Synopsis: President Satish Tripathi offers warm congratulations to the Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, praising their contributions to the legal profession, the community, and the University at Buffalo. He highlights recent UB Law achievements—including student honors, faculty recognition, and public service accolades—and emphasizes how alumni, students, faculty, and friends help advance the university’s mission of excellence.

Following his remarks, the program acknowledges the many volunteers, staff, and incoming directors who support the Law Alumni Association. Incoming President Jeff Stravino recognizes the event’s presenting, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsors, whose contributions fund student fellowships and year-round alumni programming. The program also celebrates the 50- and 60-year reunion classes and introduces the long-standing Distinguished Alumni Awards tradition. Finally, attendees are informed that each of the six honorees has contributed to the law school’s oral history project, with video clips to be featured in the awards presentation.

Keywords: Contributions; Accomplishments

Subjects: LAW

Segment Synopsis: Co-chairs Michael Hecker and Scott Becker open the awards segment by presenting the Distinguished Alumni Award for the Judiciary to New York State Supreme Court Justice John J. Ark. Recognized for integrity, fairness, professionalism, and judicial excellence, Justice Ark is praised not only for his legal skill but also for his humility, curiosity, respect for all courtroom participants, and ability to manage complex, high-profile, and high-volume caseloads.

Colleagues highlight his practical wisdom, steady leadership, and reputation as the dependable “go-to judge” for difficult matters, including election law cases and large toxic tort backlogs. His long-respected presence in the Rochester legal community reflects a multigenerational family legacy in law, now continued by his son. Known for patience, active listening, and quiet humor, Justice Ark embodies the qualities of an exceptional jurist.

In his recorded remarks, Justice Ark reflects on his early days at UB, the profound role of community in shaping his legal career, the impact of historical events during his law school years, and the importance of legal writing and civic commitment. He expresses gratitude to the UB Law Alumni Association for the honor and affirms UB Law’s lasting role as a foundation for leadership in law and public service.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Contributions; Greatest Achievement

Subjects: LAW; CAREER: GENDER

Segment Synopsis: The program recognizes Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Public Service, celebrating his integrity, dedication, and exceptional commitment to serving the community. Known for his relentless work ethic, deep sense of purpose, and strong moral compass, Flynn describes his role as a profound privilege and responsibility, grounded in his faith and shaped by his years in the U.S. Navy.

Colleagues praise his unmatched productivity, compassion, and leadership—attributes that guide his oversight of a 180-person office managing over 30,000 cases annually. Flynn sets a tone of respect and kindness, insisting on fairness while navigating demanding legal reforms and high caseloads. His wife and former partners describe him as disciplined, principled, and sustained by family and faith.

In his acceptance remarks, Flynn credits the Navy for shaping his leadership and UB School of Law for forming the lawyer he is today. He reflects on balancing work, family, and studies, and expresses gratitude to the law school, his colleagues, and especially his family. He affirms his lifelong dedication to public service and honors the legacy of the Erie County District Attorney’s Office as he serves as its 41st DA.

Keywords: Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Accomplishments

Subjects: LAW; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: David R. Pfalzgraf Jr. receives the Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Private Practice in recognition of his professionalism, ethical integrity, problem-solving skill, and reputation for enhancing the image of the legal profession. In his oral history, Pfalzgraf reflects on the noble nature of law as a service profession—one in which attorneys shoulder clients’ burdens and consistently demonstrate value through thoughtful, effective problem solving.

His life and career reflect extraordinary dedication. From a childhood science fair project involving 300 golf-ball drives to co-founding the widely respected firm Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham, Pfalzgraf is known for his persistence, optimism, and willingness to go to great lengths to get the job done. Colleagues recall his positivity, resilience shaped by family tragedy, and deep gratitude for life, work, and relationships. A committed family man and former athlete, he brings the same energy to coaching, parenting, and maintaining strong personal connections—sending daily morning messages to his children without fail.

In his acceptance remarks, Pfalzgraf expresses sincere gratitude for the honor, credits UB School of Law for shaping his growth as a lawyer and leader, and celebrates the 21-year success of his firm. He thanks his partners, mentors, and especially his family, dedicating the award to his late mother, whom he credits with shaping the person he is today.

Keywords: Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Accomplishments

Subjects: LAW; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: Laurence K. Rubin, partner at Kavinoky Cook LLP, is honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Community Service for his decades of devoted service, ethical leadership, and deep commitment to improving the Western New York community. Known for his belief that law and justice are inseparable from community, Rubin views legal practice as a vehicle for fairness, equity, and strengthening the public good. His oral history reflects a lifelong understanding that service is integral to the profession.

Rubin is widely admired for his intelligence, creativity, kindness, and exceptional problem-solving ability—qualities colleagues describe as indispensable to nonprofits and community organizations. He has provided extensive pro bono counsel to groups such as Jewish Family Services, the Colored Musicians Club, the Underground Railroad Heritage Commission, and many others. Friends and partners note his rare blend of compassion, humility, strong judgment, and unwavering willingness to help, often saying “yes” before being asked twice.

A trusted leader, Rubin played a key role in founding Buffalo Place, the city’s downtown business corporation, and has guided countless civic, religious, and cultural initiatives. His dedication is rooted in values learned from his parents and reinforced through mentors, law school training, and the support of his firm and wife, Deborah.

In his acceptance remarks, Rubin expresses deep gratitude to UB School of Law, his mentors, colleagues, and family, acknowledging more than 45 years of community involvement. He emphasizes Buffalo’s spirit as the “City of Good Neighbors” and hopes his contributions have helped make it a better place to live. He concludes with a commitment to continue serving and upholding the profession’s highest standards.

Keywords: Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Accomplishments

Subjects: LAW; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: Paula M. Ciprich, recently retired Senior Vice President and General Counsel of National Fuel, receives the Distinguished Alumni Award for Business Achievement in recognition of her exceptional leadership, integrity, and decades-long commitment to excellence in corporate law and business operations.

Throughout her 35-year career at National Fuel, Ciprich demonstrated rare dedication—building her entire professional life within the company and rising through significant roles, including 15 years as General Counsel and five as Senior Vice President. Her broad portfolio extended well beyond legal work into investor relations, government affairs, and customer service, reflecting her adaptability, curiosity, and lifelong commitment to learning.

Colleagues and friends praise her intelligence, common sense, courage, and willingness to tackle any challenge, from complex regulatory matters to high-stakes corporate decisions. She is known for mentoring young talent, especially young women, modeling how to balance rigorous legal work with family and personal priorities.

In her reflections, Ciprich emphasizes that the true value of a legal career lies in its human dimension—solving problems, engaging with diverse people, and gaining a rich understanding of the world. She credits UB School of Law with teaching her to think beyond simple answers, integrating social context into problem-solving. She expresses gratitude to her late mother, her husband Gregory, National Fuel leadership, and long-time assistant Barbara Dominiak for supporting her remarkable career.

Ciprich’s legacy is one of integrity, steadiness, intellectual breadth, and service—an exemplary model of business leadership in the legal profession.

Keywords: Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Accomplishments

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; CAREER: LEGAL

Segment Synopsis: The Honorable Shirley Troutman, Associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, is honored with the Outstanding Service Award for a Non-Alumna in recognition of her exceptional leadership, her deep commitment to justice, and her decades of devoted service to UB School of Law and the broader community.

A former state and federal prosecutor, Justice Troutman built an extraordinary judicial career—from Buffalo City Court to Erie County Court, to the State Supreme Court, and now the Appellate Division. As an Albany Law graduate working in a UB-dominated legal community, she forged her own path through talent, hard work, and perseverance.

Justice Troutman’s dedication to service is evident in her mentorship of students, her participation in law school programs, and her commitment to educating young people about the legal system. She recounts how witnessing students become inspired—whether during internships, Law Day programs, or her Brown v. Board of Education 50th-anniversary event—fuels her passion for giving back.

Colleagues describe her as principled, driven, and deeply conscious of the responsibility she carries as a woman of color in the judiciary. Stories of her working through morning sickness early in her career or reviewing appellate briefs in the bleachers during her husband’s basketball games show her extraordinary work ethic. She is also widely admired for her warmth and ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

As co-chair of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, Justice Troutman leads efforts to strengthen diversity across New York’s courts, advocating for equity in judicial appointments, court staffing, and jury representation. She is known for her constant drive to improve the justice system and ensure it reflects and serves all New Yorkers—urban and rural, downstate and upstate.

In her acceptance remarks, Justice Troutman expresses gratitude for her long relationship with UB School of Law, beginning with her invitation in 1994 to teach trial technique. She credits the law school with enriching her career and emphasizes the urgent need for legal professionals to use their voices to advance racial and social justice.

Justice Troutman’s career and service exemplify the highest ideals of the legal profession, making her an honorary member of the UB Law family and a model for all who seek to use the law as a tool for equity, community, and meaningful change.

Keywords: Contributions; Greatest Achievement; Accomplishments

Subjects: CAREER: GENDER; LAW; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; CAREER: LEGAL