The Women's Bar Association of the State of New York 2009 convention will be held June 4-7 at the Queens Landing Resort and Conference Center in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

Sheri Mooney, a past president of the organization's Western New York chapter, will receive the Marilyn Menge Award at a dinner June 5. The weekend will also include a series of continuing-legal-education seminars, including:

• Navigating the Diversity Pipeline.

• Representing Children with Special Needs in Public, Charter and Private Schools.

• Obesity/Sex Discrimination in the Workplace.

• Methodology in Matrimonial Cases.

• Effects of the Economy on Business Valuation.

Mooney is a partner in Damon & Morey LLP in Buffalo, and was president of WBASNY's Western New York chapter from 2002-03.

For more information, go to wbasny.org.

Kenyan PM to speak at UB Law graduation

Raila Amolo Odinga, prime minister of the Republic of Kenya, will deliver the commencement address at the 120th University at Buffalo Law School graduation ceremony May 23.

At the ceremony, honorary degrees will be conferred on Irene Zubaida Khan, secretary general of Amnesty International, and J. Mason Davis Jr., an attorney who played a key role in the desegregation of Alabama in the 1960s.

UB Law Dean Makau Mutua, a native of Kenya, called the prime minister "the most electrifying politician in Kenya." Odinga's address will focus on how the rule of law can create and safeguard human rights for citizens of Kenya and other developing nations in Africa.

The commencement will be held at 3 p.m. in the Center for the Arts on UB's north campus in Amherst.

Potter receives 8JD service award

Cheryl Potter, associate court clerk of Erie County Family Court, was honored with the 2008 Quality Service Award for the 8th Judicial District at a ceremony April 1 at the court.

The award goes to a court staff member who strives for high customer satisfaction, maintains strong positive relationships with colleagues and delivers services that benefit the court and the community.

Potter has been with the New York state court system since 1999. In her current role as the supervisor of court-attorney-referee operations, she assists with the coordination of more than 10,000 custody and visitation cases annually.

UB Alumni group honors Jean Powers

Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP partner Jean Powers has received a 2009 Volunteer Recognition Award from the University at Buffalo Alumni Association.

Powers has served as a volunteer to the university and its law school for 30 years, including serving on the UB Law Dean's Council for the last eight years. She is also a former director and president of the UB Law Alumni Association.

Powers is a past recipient of the UB Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumna Award for Community Service and was chosen in 2007 to serve on a committee to formulate a strategic plan for the Alumni Association. She has also served as a trustee of the University at Buffalo Foundation since 2003.