Paul Jones, a founding member of the Defense Trial Lawyers Association of Western New York, has been named the organization's 2008 Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year.

The award is made annually to an attorney who exemplifies the association's mission of "promoting the highest standard of trial conduct through member education and advocating the defense position in civil cases with the judiciary and, where appropriate, in the New York State Legislature."

A partner at Phillips Lytle LLP, Jones serves on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association's Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law section.

Jones will be honored Dec. 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Buffalo Chop House. The election of officers for 2009 will take place at that gathering as well. The slate of nominees consists of Hilary Banker for vice president, Bill Nitterauer for treasurer, Walter Pacer for secretary and, for director, Tom Kawalec, John Wallace and John DePaolo.

Also honored on the 10th will be the late Jack Frizzell, who will be recognized with an award of merit.

Cohen & Lombardo opens Amherst office

The law firm of Cohen & Lombardo PC has opened a satellite office, its first, at 4140 Sheridan Drive, Amherst.

The firm, based at 343 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo since its inception in 1939, employs three full-time staff members at the new office but expects to add lawyers and staff in the near future.

Rocco Lucente, managing partner, said recent growth, especially with suburban clients, prompted the addition of the second office.

Rick Grimm III chairs MOW drive

Richard Grimm III, a partner with Magavern Magavern Grimm in Buffalo, is chairman of a year-end donation drive for Meals on Wheels for Western New York.

The agency reports that the number of meals needed for 2008 has swelled from a projected 840,000 to 865,000. That shortfall, combined with a 12 percent increase in the cost of the meals, has left the agency $67,500 short for the year.

"I and the people in our firm recognize the importance of Meals on Wheels' dedicated efforts to eliminate hunger and loneliness among those who have outlived family, friends and financial resources ... We encourage others to join us," Grimm said in a prepared statement.

Contributions may be sent to: Meals on Wheels, 100 James E. Casey Drive, Buffalo, NY 14206. For more information, see mealsonwheelswny.org.

Legal-fiction writing competition under way

SEAK Inc. is sponsoring the 8th annual Legal Fiction Writing Competition for lawyers. Typed short stories or novel excerpts of 2,500 words or less in the legal-fiction genre are being accepted.

The deadline for entry is March 31. All entries will be judged on originality, quality of writing and the potential of the author.

Submissions should be sent to: SEAK Inc., Legal Fiction Competition, Attention Steven Babitsky, P.O. Box 729, Falmouth, MA 02541.

For additional information, see seak.com.

Exacta Legal Services joins Kroll network

Exacta Legal Services LLC has joined Kroll Ontrack's Legal Technologies Partner Program.

The downtown Buffalo company said in a press release that the Kroll program gives Exacta clients access to various computer forensics, electronic discovery and paper discovery services, including those outside its primary scope of business.

Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn., Kroll Ontrack provides discovery-related document services to more than 500 large companies, attorneys and law firms.

- Compiled by Matt Chandler