National media outlets have been knocking on the doors of the Buffalo City Court Veterans Treatment Court, and Presiding Judge Hon. Robert Russell has been happy to oblige them.

Tuesday, Fox News was in Russell's courtroom filming a biweekly session at the specialized court, the first in the nation dedicated to hearing criminal cases in which veterans are defendants in order to direct them to treatment services.

As of press time, producers couldn't be reached to tell us when the piece will air.

On May 7, National Public Radio's "Talk of the Nation" aired a segment on the Buffalo veterans court. On May 28, Reuters published an article on the court, followed by USA Today on June 1.

"Other cities would do well to study and learn from Buffalo's experiment," The New York Times noted in an opinion editorial published June 4. The Associated Press covered the court with a July 6 story.

ECS hires Biltekoff as corporate counsel

Energy Curtailment Specialists Inc., a privately held energy services company based in Cheektowaga, hired Dara Biltekoff as in-house corporate counsel.

Biltekoff will be involved in energy-related regulatory proceedings across the country and handle New York independent-system-operator matters. She holds a law degree from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

According to its Web site, ECS is the largest administrator of demand-response energy programs in the United States.

Women's Bar compiling judge candidate ratings

The Western New York chapter of the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York is in the process of rating the 2008 judicial candidates and is seeking input on local judicial candidates from its members.

WBASNY members can access the judicial candidate survey form on the chapter's Web site home page, http://wnychapter-wbasny.org.

Surveys must be received by Aug. 5.

American Chamber names Madden secretary

Lance Madden has been elected secretary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada.

The chamber assists U.S. and Canadian companies with cross-border trade and investment opportunities through the development and promotion of economic and political exchanges.

Head of Hodgson Russ LLP's international/cross-border and immigration practice groups, Madden focuses his practice on the areas of immigration and nationality and international law.

Lutheran Foundation honors Woodward

The Lutheran Foundation of Western New York has presented a Magi Award to Laurence Woodward for "exemplifying stewardship of faith and talent in remarkable ways."

Woodward is a senior partner at Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP, where he chairs the estates and trusts department.

He is board chairman of the Lutheran Church Home, a board member for the Niagara Lutheran Health System and a member of the health system's long-range planning committee.

- Compiled by Jodi Sokolowski